10 Best Nursing Homes in Staten Island, NY

When a loved one requires round-the-clock supervision and medical support, the cost is one of the first things families want to understand. As of 2021, the median monthly cost of a nursing home in NYC was around $13,200 for a private room, and $12,500 for a semi-private room.^[03] Based on recent trends and the current rate of inflation, it’s likely these costs have increased.

It’s important to understand what’s included in the cost of a nursing home. The following services are typically offered at most skilled nursing facilities:

• An assigned living space
• Meal preparation or dining services
• Post-surgery rehabilitation support
• Skilled nursing care, such as IV care, wound care, and incontinence care
• Post-stroke or post-injury recovery support
• Medication management and administration
• Specialized therapies, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy

Cost of assisted living on Staten Island

Assisted living on Staten Island is generally less expensive than nursing home care. This is typically because assisted living communities provide less intensive supervision and medical support compared to skilled nursing facilities. The average monthly cost of assisted living on Staten Island at A Place for Mom’s partner communities is around $6,000 a month, as noted by A Place for Mom’s proprietary data from its partner communities.^[02]

When comparing to other boroughs, elder New Yorkers can expect to spend around the same amount per month at A Place for Mom’s partner communities in Queens (about $5,900) and the Bronx (around $5,800).

Among A Place for Mom’s partner communities, Manhattan is the most expensive at approximately $12,000 per month. For those looking for budget-conscious options, Brooklyn offers the most affordable average monthly cost of assisted living at roughly $4,400 a month.

Assisted living costs on Staten Island usually cover the following:

• A room or unit within the community
• Dining services for meals and snacks
• Support for activities of daily living, such as bathing or grooming
• Transportation services
• Socialization opportunities, including group activities, holiday celebrations, and religious services

Cost of memory care on Staten Island

When looking at senior care options, memory care tends to be more expensive than assisted living on Staten Island. This is because memory care offers specialized dementia care, which is a higher level of care than what’s available in assisted living. The average monthly cost of memory care on Staten Island in A Place for Mom’s partner communities is roughly $9,700 per month.^[02]

This cost is slightly higher than the overall NYC average of $7,800 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data from our partner communities. Manhattan and the Bronx are more expensive than Staten Island and cost approximately $13,200 and $10,900 per month.

More affordable memory care options may be found in Queens (around $7,300 per month) and Brooklyn (about $4,800 per month).

These monthly fees usually include services offered in assisted living along with the following:

• A secured environment designed to discourage elopement
• Specially trained memory care staff
• Activities designed for people with dementia, such as reminiscence therapy
• Relaxing design elements, such as views of nature, soothing colors, and aromatherapy
• Wayfinding devices, such as easy-to-read signs and unique personalized room doors

Looking at the costs of senior care can leave you feeling overwhelmed and wondering how to cover the expenses. Fortunately, there are a multitude of ways to cover these costs, including private funds and public programs. We highlight a few options below, but you can discover multiple ways for New Yorkers to pay for nursing home care on our NYC Nursing Homes page. For a broader view of payment options, view our guide to paying for long-term care.

Private pay options for Staten Island nursing homes

For many seniors, it can be quicker to start paying for nursing home care through private funds before pursuing or being approved for public programs. These private funds may come from the following:

• Taking out a reverse mortgage
• Selling a home
• Borrowing from a life insurance policy
• Using funds from a health savings account (HSA)
• Using long-term care insurance

Public pay options for Staten Island nursing homes

Eligible older adults on Staten Island may qualify for public programs, which can cover some or all of the costs of nursing home care. The NYC Department for the Aging generally provides basic support for seniors wanting to explore public pay options.

At times, it may be challenging to find the support you or your loved one needs when it comes to public pay programs. The Office of the Borough President of Staten Island’s Helpline for Constituent Services may be able to connect your family with localized resources or provide other support.

Below you’ll learn about Medicare, Medicaid, and VA benefits, which may cover senior care costs in Staten Island.

Can Medicare pay for nursing homes on Staten Island?

While you may have heard of Medicare, you may not know what it covers for older adults in senior living. Generally, Medicare only covers short-term stays of up to 100 days of care per benefit period at a skilled nursing facility under very specific conditions. Seniors typically can’t use Medicare as a long-term payment solution for skilled nursing care.^[04]

Medicare may cover some costs for health care services received in assisted living or memory care communities over a longer period of time. Some covered items for eligible participants may include the following:^[05]

• Preventative care services, such as doctor’s visits
• Prescription drugs
• Eligible rehabilitation services
• Qualified medical supplies
• Hospice care

A local Social Security Administration (SSA) office in the borough can help you and your loved one learn more about Medicare. To find a location, visit the Social Security Office Locator. You’ll need to enter your loved one’s ZIP code and then select “I Need Other Services” to see the locations.

Can Medicaid pay for nursing homes on Staten Island?

In Staten Island, Medicaid is commonly called New York State Medicaid. As a joint federal and state program, Medicaid provides health insurance to qualified, low-income people.

For eligible participants, Medicaid can help cover the following senior care expenses:^[06]

• Skilled nursing and eligible medical care
• Long-term care at a skilled nursing facility
• Rehabilitation services under specific circumstances

If your loved one finds assisted living to be a better fit for their needs, they may qualify for assistance through New York’s Assisted Living Program (ALP). It’s important to note that the program is limited, waitlists may apply, and certain conditions must be met to qualify for coverage.

To learn more about Medicaid in Staten Island, connect with the Medicaid office located in the borough:

Staten Island

215 Bay St.
Staten Island, NY 10301
Phone: 929-221-8823 or 929-221-8824
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday

Can VA benefits pay for nursing homes on Staten Island?

Approximately one in 10 NYC veterans call Staten Island home.^[07] As such, this borough offers a variety of resources for veterans and their families.

VA benefits may cover some or all of the costs of public nursing home options. For veterans interested in living with their fellow veterans, the Community Living Center (VA nursing homes) located at James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the neighboring borough of the Bronx may be a good option. Queens and Long Island are also home to New York State Veterans Homes. Generally, these public options are more affordable than private options.

For those who prefer to reside in a private nursing home, assisted living community, or memory care community, the VA offers programs to help cover the costs, including the following:

• VA Aid and Attendance benefit
• VA disability compensation
• VA health benefits
• VA Pension
• VA Survivors Pension

For many veterans and their families, it can be challenging to navigate VA benefits alone. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Staten Island Vet Center can provide nonmedical mental health support, and connect your veteran to additional VA and community resources. Veterans can also receive localized support through the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services. The Fleet Reserve Association — a local veterans service organization — may provide additional support with learning about VA benefits.

Veterans may qualify for a veteran or military discount at a senior care community. When touring prospective communities, you should ask if they offer this kind of discount.

Staten Island is known for its small town ambiance and outdoor spaces in the heart of America’s largest city. The borough features distinctive parks, green spaces, and suburban-style neighborhoods. The population in Staten Island is generally affluent with the median income — around $91,310 — coming in at 27% higher than greater NYC’s median income.^[08] Seniors and their families can take comfort knowing that this peaceful borough has a lower serious crime rate than NYC in total.^[08]

Care and amenities on Staten Island

Nursing homes in Staten Island tend to be more spacious than other boroughs. It’s common for Staten Island nursing homes to have outdoor spaces, such as patios, gardens, or walking areas, attached to their building for residents to enjoy. Many nursing homes in this area are several stories tall with large windows and expansive common areas. However, nursing homes in the borough can vary and may be reflective of their surrounding neighborhoods. Regardless of location, these skilled nursing facilities typically offer the following care, services, and amenities:

• 24/7 supervision
• Skilled nursing care
• Medication management
• Activities for socialization, such as clubs, holiday celebrations, and movie nights
• On-site medical equipment, such as a Hoyer lift
• Supportive environment for people with limited mobility or wheelchair users

Care and amenities on Staten Island assisted living and memory care

On Staten Island, A Place for Mom’s partner communities usually group assisted living and memory care into a combined community. Often, these care types are provided on different wings within the community. The assisted living portion typically offers the following care, services, and amenities:^[02]

• Personal care services
• Mobility assistance
• Socialization opportunities, such as educational courses, clubs, and game nights
• Parties and holiday celebrations
• Cultural and religious services, such as chaplain visits or field trips to museums
• Game rooms, movie theaters, or other entertainment options
• Gyms or enclosed walking spaces
• Fitness and wellness programs

In general, memory care wings tend to offer similar services as the assisted living wings, but with additional care and support specialized to dementia, such as the following:^[02]

• Specialized dementia-friendly programming, such as art therapy or doll therapy
• Interior design elements tailored to memory challenges, such as large signage and color-coded hallways
• Secured atmosphere to discourage elopement
• Team members trained in dementia care

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) monitors Staten Island nursing homes and assisted living facilities — also referred to as adult care facilities. Even though nursing homes and adult care facilities fall under separate regulations, NYSDOH works to prioritize resident safety and care on Staten Island by inspecting these facilities at routine intervals.

You can visit the NYSDOH website to view publicly available information about nursing homes and assisted living communities in Staten Island. You’ll need to conduct separate searches for each care type.

For nursing homes, you’ll use the NYS Nursing Home Profiles search portal. To start your search, you should type in the ZIP code, city, or facility name into the search bar.

For assisted living communities, including memory care facilities, you’ll use the Adult Care Facilities search portal. Select “Richmond” under the “Select a Region/County” drop-down menu. From there, you’ll click on the blue hyperlinked name of an assisted living facility to view that facility’s information.

With a reputation as the borough of parks, Staten Island features a number of notable NYC parks and green spaces, including Blue Heron Park and Lemon Creek Park. These can be peaceful places to connect with nature for seniors and their families. Families of older adults with mobility concerns should consider each park’s accessibility offerings prior to visiting.

For those who prefer educational or indoor activities, a visit to Staten Island’s famous Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden may be enjoyable. It features a variety of cultural locations including the following:

• Staten Island Conservatory of Music. This locally famous school of music was founded in 1994 and offers musical education to people of all ages. The community may enjoy the twice a year recitals performed by the conservatory’s students.
• Staten Island Museum. Dating back to 1881, this museum has been a staple of Staten Island’s cultural life. It features exhibits and programming related to natural science, the arts, and history.
• Noble Maritime Collection. Partnering art and history in one building, the Noble Maritime Collection features ocean- and nautical-themed paintings along with written works in the same genre. The museum, galleries, and public spaces are wheelchair accessible, and the museum typically allows care partners to enter the museum for free.

It can be reassuring to know there are reliable health care resources located within the borough. The following health care providers serve Staten Island’s seniors:^[09]

• Richmond University Medical Center. As a nonprofit health care organization, Richmond University Medical Center provides everything from emergent care to primary care and educational services.
• Staten Island University Hospital at Northwell Health. This hospital provides specialized care for seniors, including neurosurgery, women’s services, heart care, and more.

It’s common for people on Staten Island to utilize personal vehicles to get around. However, this can be a challenge for older adults who no longer feel comfortable driving. Among A Place for Mom’s assisted living and memory care partner communities, the majority — roughly 75% — provide on-site transportation.^[02] Some communities may charge fees to use this service. If transportation services are essential for your loved one, it’s important to inquire about this when touring a prospective community.

For family members who rely on air travel to visit their loved ones in Staten Island, the area is serviced by two major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. On Staten Island, visiting family members may get around by the Staten Island bus routes. If you plan to escort your loved one on a bus, make sure to research the accessibility options prior to exploring the city.