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Located just 25 minutes northwest of Albany, Schenectady is one of the best places to retire in Schenectady County, NY. The cost of living in the city is much lower than the state and national averages, and Social Security income isn’t taxed, which makes the area a good choice for seniors on a budget. Seniors living in the city have access to several major medical centers, including Ellis Hospital and the Albany Memorial Hospital. There are also several casinos, parks, shopping centers and historical sites to explore.
There are seven assisted living communities in the county for those who want to live independently but still need assistance with daily tasks. In Schenectady, these communities cost an average of $4,800 per month. However, the actual cost varies depending on the size and type of accommodations, the number of amenities provided and the level of care required.
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 >
According to Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost of assisted living in Schenectady is $4,800, which is on par with the state average and $500 higher than the national median. Comparing neighboring states, assisted living in the city costs $845 more than in Pennsylvania, $510 less than in Vermont and $1,500 less than in Connecticut.
Assisted living costs vary widely across New York. Buffalo seniors pay around $235 less than those in Schenectady. Other cities with higher costs include Rochester at $5,180 per month and Utica at $4,905. Seniors in Elmira pay around $824 more than their counterparts in Schenectady, and those in New York City pay about $1,191 more.
Note: Data for Schenectady was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Albany, was used instead.
The New York Home and Community-Based Services Waiver helps low-income seniors pay for services that aren’t otherwise covered by Medicare. This includes meals, personal emergency response systems, personal care, vehicle modifications and nutritional counseling.
Learn more about this waiver, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, at our Assisted Living in New York page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Schenectady County Aging Office | (518) 382-8481 | The Schenectady County Aging Office promotes the health and well-being of seniors throughout the county. The programs and services offered by the agency include supporting seniors who are experiencing elder abuse, senior employment, transportation, Medicare counseling and meals. |
| Catholic Charities Aging Life Services Program | (518) 372-5667 | Catholic Charities is a nonprofit religious group that provides an array of programs and services for low-income seniors aged 60 and older, individuals and families in the area. The charity provides congregate dining, health insurance counseling, caregiver support, transportation and delivered meals. |
| Schenectady Senior Center | (518) 598-2056 | The Schenectady Senior Center provides a safe place for seniors to socialize and take part in activities during the day. There are no fees to take advantage of the trips, classes and activities, which include games, arts and crafts, parties, dances and fitness classes. |
| Adult Protective Services | (518) 344-2830 | Schenectady Adult Protective Services (APS) is a state-mandated program that investigates and works to resolve complaints of abuse, fraud and neglect for seniors throughout the county. APS offers case management, counseling, advocacy, crisis intervention, assessments and orders of protection. It can also offer guardianship and petition the court when their protection services aren’t enough to ensure the safety of the individual. |
| Schenectady Veterans Affairs | (518) 377-2738 | Schenectady Veterans Affairs office helps men and women who served in the military by advising them on available benefits and compensation. These benefits include health and hospital benefits, burial services, counseling, home loans, transition services and assistance with paying for home and community-based services through the Aid and Attendance Housing Benefit. |
Assisted living communities, also referred to as Adult Care Facilities (ACF) in Schenectady, are regulated by the New York State Department of Health. These communities aren’t licensed for nursing or medical care. Learn more about these regulations at our Assisted Living in New York page.
