Brooklyn is the most populated borough in New York City, home to iconic attractions such as Coney Island, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The city has a spirited arts and culture scene that includes the world-renowned Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Brooklyn Museum, which houses the second-largest public art collection in the country. Seniors interested in sports can watch several professional teams, including the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and the NHL’s New York Islanders. The city has warm summers and chilly winters, creating a perfect environment for seniors who enjoy a range of mild seasons throughout the year.
Brooklyn, as a borough of New York City, shares the area’s average monthly assisted living cost of $6,950 per month, although prices depend on the location and range of amenities available. The state’s senior-friendly tax system and wide array of entertainment options make it a good choice for seniors looking for a lively retirement spot.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
As a borough of New York City, Brooklyn shares the greater area’s average assisted living cost of $6,950 per month. This price is significantly more expensive than the state average of $4,630 as well as the national median of $4,051 per month. New York state’s cost of assisted living is similar to that of neighboring Connecticut, which averages $4,880, though costs are lower in Pennsylvania, which averages $3,913. Nearby New Jersey and Massachusetts are costlier, coming in at $6,400 and $5,640 respectively.
Brooklyn is one of the costliest retirement destinations in the state, beaten out only by Watertown and Ithaca, which average $7,290 and $7,100, respectively. Upstate, the capital city Albany is significantly more affordable, coming in at $4,525 per month, and the nearby Kingston area averages $4,100. Utica comes in at $3,930, making it the cheapest destination in the state, and toward the Great Lakes region, Rochester has a median assisted living price of $4,748.
Retirees in Brooklyn may be eligible for a variety of waivers offered by the State of New York, including the Assisted Living Program. This waiver, which is open even to elders who do not qualify for Medicaid, can help cover the costs of personal assistance and medical care in an assisted living setting. To learn more about this and other assistance programs for seniors, visit our Assisted Living in New York page.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in New York.
Resource |
Contact |
Service |
New York City Department for the Aging | (212) 244-6469 | As the area’s agency on aging, this organization offers an array of senior resources, including legal aid, nutrition programs and in-home services such as personal assistance and meal preparation. Money management initiatives include financial counseling, tax preparation assistance and health insurance counseling. This body’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is tasked with investigating and preventing elder abuse in the city’s care homes. |
Cypress Hills-Fulton St. Senior Center | (718) 235-0064 | Seniors over 60 and their spouses can take advantage of free access to massage therapy, hot lunches and special guest speakers. A day program offers an array of social and physical activities, including crafts, games, group trips and fitness classes. Members can also access a swimming pool, gym and computer lab. |
Brooklyn Vet Center | (718) 630-2830 | Veterans and their families can access employment training and placement, housing assistance, service member benefits and life insurance. Several mental health initiatives are available, including support groups for caregivers, trauma survivors and people living with PTSD. This organization also provides transportation, medical equipment and pharmaceutical services. |
Citymeals on Wheels | (212) 687-1234 | This volunteer-run organization offers nutritious home-delivered meals to mobility-impaired and isolated elders. Other nutrition programs include a holiday meal box, a mobile food pantry and emergency preparedness packages filled with non-perishables. Social visits, wellness checks, and a handwritten card and letter program are designed to provide companionship and reduce loneliness. |
Diana H. Jones Innovative Senior Center | (718) 782-3601 | Operated by RiseBoro Community Partnership, this enhanced senior center provides case management, housing assistance and benefits enrollment counseling. A robust day program offers language, computer and fitness classes as well as nutritious meals at lunchtime. Fall prevention and chronic disease management programs are available, as are free health screenings and nutritional education. Free transportation can be arranged to and from the center. |
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens | (718) 722-6001 | This nonprofit’s St. John XXIII Senior Services division offers volunteer outreach services for homebound seniors, including home-delivered meals, case management and social visits. This organization, which operates several senior centers throughout the borough, has specialized day programs for adults experiencing memory loss. Essential service referrals, caregiver support and professional counseling is also available here. |
Assisted living communities in Brooklyn are governed by the New York State Department of Health and must thereby uphold state standards regarding upkeep and quality of care. To learn more about these senior protection laws, visit our Assisted Living in New York page.