Who are you searching for?
With a rich history dating back to colonial times, proximity to the Big Apple, and miles of beaches, Long Island has a lot to offer.
Long Island assisted living offers a diversity of choices that’s reflective of the vibrant community around it. If you’re looking for individualized care that meets your personal needs, A Place for Mom’s advisors can find the match for you on Long Island. Assisted living facilities are state-licensed residences that offer personalized care, supervision, meals, and a range of other options to give seniors a safe and secure living space. With 15 facilities in a 10-mile radius of Ronkonkoma — the central hub of Long Island — A Place For Mom can help find the living situation that meets your needs and budget.
This guide will detail Long Island assisted living options, explore common payment methods, and walk through regulations that protect seniors living in these environments. The guide will conclude with a discussion of the excellent health care in the area, transportation options, and the lifestyle that Long island offers to seniors.
Types of care available in Ronkonkoma, NY
Assisted Living
The staff at the East Northport Bristal is always kind. They always have a smile on their faces and are genuinely sweet and loving to my mom. The facility is ALWAYS spotless and beautiful to live in or visit. The only area I see occasional improvement for is the food. It is not always hot and more fresh veggies needed. The personal care and overall facility is excellent.
I have toured many assisted living before deciding to place my family member here. I am so pleased with the decision! You can tell the management truly cares about us and it stems off into all the other workers. [Name removed] went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and I would recommend this place to anyone looking!
The community is beautiful and well maintained. The staff is friendly, helpful and attentive. The nursing staff is on top of all the residents healthcare needs. There are plenty of activities to interest everyone. Our family feels blessed to have found this Assisted Living to care for our parents. We now have peace of mind and can enjoy time with them without having to be full time caregivers.
PO Box 256 366 Gibbs Pond, Nesconset, NY 11767
They're doing a good job taking care of my Dad here. It's a nice place, not overcrowded at all, and it has a nice homey feel. Dad complains about the people there being "too old", so they could use more...
Olsen Rest Home is an assisted living community located in Nesconset, NY. Nesconset is a hamlet located in Long Island, an area that is widely known for its unique culture, delicious seafood and Italian cuisine and distinctive music. Sports enthusiasts will enjoy catching one of the region's many...
1515 Veterans Memorial Highway, Islandia, NY 11749
1515 Veterans Memorial Highway, Islandia, NY 11749
1059A Hawkins Avenue, Lake Grove, NY 11755
1059A Hawkins Avenue, Lake Grove, NY 11755
286 N Ocean Ave, Patchogue, NY 11772
86 Blue Point Ave., Blue Point, NY 11715
500 Mather Drive, South Setauket, NY 11720
The Bove Health Center at Jefferson’s Ferry, a not-for-profit community sponsored by the Mather/St. Charles Health Alliance, offers the highest level of independence possible for residents needing daily assistance. The 60 private enriched housing apartments are available for both short and...
One Jefferson Ferry Drive, South Setauket, NY 11720
A non-profit Continuing Care Retirement Community, Jefferson’s Ferry’s residents fully enjoy retirement without worrying about market swings, future health care needs, chores or maintenance. Sponsored by the Mather/St. Charles Health Alliance, Jefferson’s Ferry boasts three levels of living: 248...
3115 Horseblock Road, Medford, NY 11763
I was a bit hesitant and apprehensive in the beginning because of the situation that had occurred years ago. But I took a chance and decided to get my Rehab at Medford. TO my surprise, this facility was exceptional! The nursing staff were pleasant an...
5 Nicolette Ct, Commack, NY 11725
I was looking for a place for my Mom who has dementia. She has no medical issues other than that so I was hesitant to put her in a large nursing facility as she gets fretful if there is too much activity. ...
The average cost for a Long Island assisted living facility is around $5,859, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01] These figures include associated fees and add-ons to represent the total cost and not just a baseline average.
Long Island offers a wide range of choices, ensuring that seniors can find a home that meets their needs and their budget. Long Island area seniors and their families should also consider New York’s favorable tax laws when considering their options. New York exempts Social Security benefits from taxation, and up to $20,000 of income from retirement accounts or private pensions are deductible as well.[02]
The following figures represent the average baseline costs for the area and do not include additional fees for services.
10.20 miles from you
Your zip code
6.32 miles from you
Assisted living is typically paid for with a blend of private sources and public sources. Private methods can include items like personal savings or investment accounts. Public sources can include Medicaid and Medicare benefits. The sections below include information on how to pay for a Long Island assisted living facility.
Seniors planning for an assisted living stay often rely on personal income and assets they’ve saved, such as 401(k)s, Roth and traditional IRAs, taxable brokerage accounts, Social Security benefits, pensions, traditional savings accounts, and annuities. New York’s retirement tax laws can be beneficial in stretching seniors’ income when considering senior apartments.
In addition to these methods, seniors may pay for assisted living with any of the following as well:
In New York, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) regulates assisted living facilities under the Assisted Living Residence program. The facilities must follow the New York codes, rules, and regulations set forth for Assisted Living Residences that provide an Assisted Living Program, which is defined as housing for five or more adults that provide personal and home care, 24-hour supervision, food services, and case management.
There are also Assisted Living Residences that are certified to provide Enhanced Assisted Living (EAL), which requires a higher level of care to be provided. More physical assistance is needed for seniors who require this type of care, such as help getting in and out of a chair, a bed, or on and off of a toilet. They may also need some medical help and be reliant on medical equipment occasionally.
Assisted Living Residences must have an administrator, a case manager, and resident aides to provide the personal assistance to residents. Facilities certified to provide Enhanced Assisted Living must also have registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and home health aides. There are no set staff to resident ratios, but regulations require there to be enough staff to meet residents’ needs around the clock.
Continuing education is required for both administrators and staff members alike. In addition to 40 hours of initial training, they must also receive 12 hours per year of additional relevant education and training. They must all pass a criminal background check as well.
The NYSDOH inspects all assisted living facilities every 18 months to ensure they’re meeting the standards. Long Islanders and their families can find the results of inspections at NYS Health Profiles and review reports.
Metropolitan Area Regional Office — Long Island (MARO)
320 Carleton Ave., Suite 5000
Central Islip, NY 11722
Phone: 631-851-3898
Assisted living facilities currently do not have specific COVID-19 regulations governing them. The below best practices are general recommendations from the New York State Department of Health.
Vaccinations. It is highly recommended that all eligible and consenting individuals receive vaccinations.
Facility cleanliness. All high-traffic areas and high-touch surfaces must be regularly disinfected. Facility staff should be familiar with CDC protocols to prevent infection.
Staff safety. Staff should ensure they wear personal protective equipment and follow CDC guidance on hand-washing protocols and transmission-based precautions.
Quarantining. Quarantining must be implemented as necessary, in accordance with federal and state guidelines.
CDC guidelines. All residents and staff must follow all relevant CDC and New York State Department of Health guidelines.
Long Island is a bustling metropolitan area with millions of residents, and the care offerings are reflective of the vibrant and diverse community. Many of the assisted living facilities have staff members who speak Spanish and Italian in addition to English.
All of the partner assisted living facilities on Long Island offer 24-hour awake staff. All offer on-site nursing, and nearly all (93%) offer full medication management. In addition to these standard care options, there are visiting nurses, occupation therapists, physical therapists, and podiatrists available to help minimize health problems and maximize the enjoyment of the offerings that are reflective of the broader community.
In addition to the above, seniors should find offerings like nutritious snacks and meals, accessible facilities and bathrooms, and other standard amenities appropriate for the setting. With a wide variety of options, seniors can be confident they will find the right Long Island assisted living facility for their needs.
There is a sensitivity and dedication to individual needs, with many facilities providing vegetarian dining options and low- or no-sodium services. Additionally, the vast majority (93%) offer day trips and outings and arts and crafts centers. Most offer fitness classes to maintain seniors’ health and overall quality of life. Two-thirds offer game rooms, and nearly three-quarters of the facilities host live musical performances.
While there are four standalone assisted living facilities on Long Island, you will also find 11 facilities that will offer a variety of care on the same campus. Eight of the facilities on Long Island offer both assisted living and memory care. One facility offers a combination of assisted living and independent living; this progressive approach to long-term care ensures that as residents continue to progress in age, they will not need to move into an entirely new facility that they are not familiar or comfortable with.
Another offers a combination of assisted living and adult day care; one is considered a group home. Group homes — called Adult Homes by the state — can provide assistance and supervision but not nursing or medical care.
Know where to start.
Identify the right care for your loved one with our free assessment.
See what you can afford.
Understand cost and payment for long-term care based on your loved one's needs.
Find top facilities for you.
Free, personalized guidance from our Senior Living Advisors can help you narrow your search.
Tour your favorite facilities.
Our free touring checklist can help you choose the right community.
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living on Long Island
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Long Island population
Median annual income for Long Island seniors 65 and older
Long Island has numerous hospitals and medical centers to serve its large population. Here are some of the top facilities.
Long Island Jewish Medical Center
Long Island Jewish Medical Center is a teaching hospital as well as a general and surgical medical facility. It carries a national ranking in six adult specialties. It ranks 40th in the country for geriatrics.[03]
Stony Brook University Hospital
Stony Brook is on HealthGrades list of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for 2023. It’s the only hospital on Long Island to receive this designation that puts it in the nation’s top 1%.
South Shore University Hospital
South Shore University Hospital is ranked 15th in the state of New York by U.S. News & World Report.[04] It considered its areas of expertise to be in orthopedics, neurosciences, and heart and lung care.
Although the majority of households on Long Island own a car, there are some other options for getting around. At A Place for Mom’s partner assisted living facilities, free transportation is offered at more than half while at-cost transportation is available at 40%.
Suffolk County Transit and the Nassau Inter-county Express are the main public transportation providers on Long Island. This map of the Suffolk County bus system shows you where it can take you. This map gives you an idea of where the Nassau Inter-county Express goes, which dips into the western portion of Suffolk County.
Long Island also has a couple of ferry services that operate year-round. One ferry crosses the Long Island Sound from Port Jefferson to Bridgeport, Connecticut. The other ferry takes people to Fire Island.
Long Island isn’t great for walking or bike as a form of transportation. According to Walk Score. It doesn’t rank high on a scale of 0 to 100 earning only a 26 walk score and a 33 bike score.
26
33
Long Island has millions of people and a dynamic offering of activities to complement its stable, historic pedigree. Seniors will find no shortage of activities and opportunities for engagement and entertainment while living on Long Island.
For seniors who enjoy the outdoors, there are numerous things to do. For those looking for active options for visitors, there are golf and outdoor activities, with 13 golf courses available around Long Island like Bethpage State Park (where five miles of the Long Island Greenbelt Trail can also be accessed).
Seniors can hit the beach at Jones Beach State Park, Montauk Point State Park, Robert Moses State Park, and Orient Beach State Park.
History buffs will find no shortage of opportunities to explore the past. Unique attractions like the Second House or the Montauk Point Lighthouse can be explored through the Montauk Historic Society. If seniors want a more modern exploration of history, they can explore the Cradle of Aviation Museum and learn about Long Island’s importance in the development of flight and contributions to continued exploration of the skies. This museum offers virtual museum tours, as well as wheelchair accessibility and assisted listening devices, to address a broad spectrum of accessibility needs.
Those looking for casual and relaxing venues with friends can explore places like the Jamesport Brewery. Many Long Island areas host food truck festivals as well.
Long Island is brimming with opportunities for a wide range of interests and needs. There is no shortage of activities, and everyone will find something to enjoy on Long Island.
Spring Village at Stratford, The Belvedere and The Watermark at 3030 Park, a CCRC are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Ronkonkoma, NY. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Ronkonkoma is 5,921 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
SmartAsset. (n.d.). New York retirement taxes. SmartAsset.
U.S. News & World Report. (2022). Long Island Jewish Medical Center at Northwell Health.
U.S. News & World Report. (2022). South Shore University Hospital at Northwell Health.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
Please enter a valid email address.