When it comes to assisted living in New York, there are many different types of residences available. From simple accommodations with private or shared rooms, to apartment-style residences, all models must be authorized by the Department of Health as an adult care center. Depending on the type of license they have, they may also be referred to as adult homes or enriched housing programs. The Adult Care Center (ACF) is authorized by the New York State Adult Home and is one type of assisted living license.
The DOH Assisted Living Residency (ALR) is another type, as is the Enriched Housing Program for Enhanced Assisted Living Residences (EALR). The Special Needs Assisted Living Residence (SNALR) is a third type, and is designed for those who cannot “move” and need help getting up from a sitting position. In some cases, the cost of assisted living is covered through publicly funded sources such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Assisted Living Programs (ALP) funded by Medicaid. However, the number of adult homes and enriched housing programs that accept SSI payment in full is limited because the fee is considered inadequate to cover the cost of required services and care.
The goal of assisted living is to provide each resident with considerate and respectful care, while promoting their dignity, autonomy, independence and privacy as much as possible in a comfortable residential environment. Unfortunately, as with the improved assisted living option, there are currently no public assistance funding sources available. In New York State, there are nearly 5,800 beds approved by the Assisted Living Program, including 1,584 that were recently approved by the Department of Health. An assisted living residence (ALR) can obtain additional certification to become an improved assisted living residence (EALR), allowing them to offer services for the elderly on-site.
They can also get certified to become a special needs assisted living residence (SNALR) and offer specialized care. Assisted living homes serve the same types of residents as adult homes and enriched housing programs and provide the same services. People who do not meet certain standards cannot be admitted to an adult home, an enriched housing program or an assisted living residence unless it is additionally certified as an enhanced assisted living residence or assisted living program. ALRs with an EALR certification can admit and retain residents who exceed certain retention standards for adult homes, enriched housing programs or assisted living homes. The Assisted Living Program (ALP) is a highly cost-effective model of care for thousands of people across New York State.
