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Rochester, New York, isn’t only known for its waterfalls — it’s also one of the best places to retire in the United States. Mix together an endless amount of activities and the fact that it’s one of the most affordable cities in America, Rochester is ideal for seniors looking to plant their roots. Listed in the top three most affordable cities for housing in the United States, Rochester provides its residents with a perfect blend of an urban and suburban feel. If you’re looking for a senior apartment in Rochester, a Place for Mom can provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for the next phase of your life.
While one day you may feel like visiting one of Rochester’s five-star restaurants, the next you may find yourself taking a walk through the annual Lilac Festival in Highland Park. Rochester is an ideal location for seniors looking to move away from the hustle and bustle, yet remain active and independent for the years to come.
We’ve created a guide to help those interested in senior apartments find the right senior community, determine the payment options that make the most sense, and familiarize themselves with local services and activities. We’ve also pulled together information on some of the laws and regulations related to senior apartments in Rochester, NY.
Types of care available in Rochester, NY
Senior Apartments
Great staff, friendly residents, clean facility, beautiful apartments, well worth the cost in a great area! It has been a great experience from beginning to present, with no regrets. I'm so happy I found such a clean, loving, welcoming environment for my father, to say the least, as he's still able to function on his own. I would highly recommend this facility to anyone who is still able to live on their own without needing nurses on site.
Their is a lot of shortages of staff. For what they have, I feel they do a good job. I would recommend them. Note: since they have more steady staff cleanliness is better.
My mom is 92 and absolutely loves it at Gardens at Town Center. She was at her previous residence for thirty years and was very hesitant on moving; now she says she wishes she'd moved to the Gardens years ago. They have daily / weekly activities. She has made several friends. And the Community Leader, Carrie Valone, is awesome. She is professional, caring, and very involved with the residents.
2006 Five Mile Line Road, Penfield, NY 14526
All the staff has been fantastic helping my parents transition from their own home into assisted living. The staff helps dispense medication and makes their bed daily. The laundry is done weekly, but needs...
The Village at Penfield is a park-like retirement community with five courtyards, a resident garden and a fountain-side gazebo just minutes from downtown Rochester. We offer independent senior living and supportive care services tailored to meet each individual’s needs, and provide discreet...
45 College Greene Drive, North Chili, NY 14514
Being from out-of-state, my daughter and granddaughter toured the facility ahead of my arrival. They fell in love with the place, and so did I. My apartment was Just like brand new, with new paint, carpet,...
Offering luxurious, affordable one and two bedroom apartments in a stunning two-story 'X' shaped building . This lovely 55+ community features acres of beautiful open space, walking trails, a wellness center, beauty salon, and so much more, all designed to enhance your comfort and enjoyment.
20 Kingsford Lane, Ogden, NY 14559
Overall, I was pleased with the entire operation. The grounds were very neat, the building itself was very clean and blessedly quiet. There was not very much activity/busy-ness, but there were tenants around...
Ogden Gardens is a 62+ senior housing community nestled in Ogden, Monroe County, New York which is just 15 minutes from Rochester. At Ogden's town center sits the quaint Spencerport Village on the Erie Canal, where your every need is met, from exquisite boutiques to hair salons, jewelers, coffee...
100 Greece Center Drive, Rochester, NY 14612
Gardens at Town Center saved my wife [name removed] and I from being street people. We were hours away, caused by [name removed] reneging on their promise. We will be forever grateful!
The Gardens at Town Center will have 176 brand new one and two bedroom apartments for residents 55+. Each unit will provide luxurious living with a modern open floor plan, fully equipped and open kitchen complete with a dishwasher, individually controlled heating and cooling, a walk-in closet in...
200 Frank Dimino Way, Rochester, NY 14624
Very nice place for seniors looking to remain independent but have company with other seniors. Building is brand new and well kept.
1 Orchard View Drive, Rochester, NY 14612
100 Borinquen Plz, Rochester, NY 14605
100 Dunn Tower Dr, Rochester, NY 14606
100 Dunn Tower Dr, Rochester, NY 14606
2500 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14610
2500 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14610
1100 English Rd, Rochester, NY 14616
830 Holt Road, Webster, NY 14580
830 Holt Road, Webster, NY 14580
4646 Nine Mile Point Rd, Fairport, NY 14450
Established in 1904 as a retirement home, Fairport Baptist Homes enjoys a rich history of providing the quality, personal care seniors so rightfully deserve. Throughout the decades, we’ve constantly looked to adapt, innovate and grow. As generations, society and technology evolves, so do we. The...
According to A Place for Mom’s 2022 proprietary data, the average cost of a senior apartment in Rochester is $1,104 within our network of partners. This would include rent, associated fees, and service fee add-ons. Understand, however, that the cost can vary depending on location, floor plan, amenities, and additional services. Make sure to inquire about additional fees prior to signing a rental agreement.
The chart below shows rent costs in the Rochester area without additional fees considered.
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Payment options are rather limited for senior apartments. Families generally use private resources to pay for the monthly rent and any other additional fees. But this doesn’t mean assistance isn’t available at all. Certain circumstances do influence eligibility. It’s important to know the facts. To make the process a little easier, we’ve pulled together private pay, housing assistance, VA benefits, and Medicare/Medicaid resources for seniors specific to the Rochester area.
The majority of seniors will find themselves using their own personal resources to pay for senior apartments, as these communities are similar to any other apartment community — just with an age restriction to become a resident. That may mean using your own income or savings; retirement savings; Social Security benefits; income generated by investments; the sale of a home, apartment, condo, or townhome; distributions from a retirement account; or a combination of these personal funds. Some seniors also receive financial assistance from family members.
Related articles on different types of personal funds can be found here:
The state of New York, senior apartments do not have to be licensed by the Health Department. However, the federal laws that they do have to comply with are the following:
Senior citizens who are considered low income may be eligible for section 8 rental assistance. The New York State Enriched Housing program aims to offer an alternative to institutional living and allows senior citizens who require assistance with daily tasks to live independently. The Enriched Housing program’s supportive services include aid with personal care, shopping, meals, housekeeping, and a 24/7 on-call emergency service.
While independent living communities in New York do not have specific COVID-19 regulations, the following guidelines serve as general recommendations from the New York State Department of Health.
Vaccinations. Vaccinations are recommended and encouraged for everyone who is eligible and consents to them.
Masking. Personnel and visitors should adhere to the New York State Department of Health’s guidance on masking, with masks and face coverings to be worn in healthcare facilities and around large groups of people. Residents should follow CDC protocols.
Facility cleanliness. High-traffic areas and high-touch surfaces in facilities should be regularly disinfected, and staff should be familiar with CDC infection prevention protocols.
Staff safety. Staff should wear personal protective equipment, and follow hand-washing and transmission-based precautions.
Quarantining. Visitors should wear masks and maintain a six-foot distance when possible, while quarantining should be implemented as required based on state and federal guidelines.
CDC guidelines. All residents and staff must comply with applicable CDC and New York State Department of Health guidelines.
Rochester is a great place to live due to its relaxing environment and lower cost of living, which is 5% lower than the national average, and utility prices are 10% lower. Senior apartments allow people to have their normal, desired lifestyle while still having amenities that align with their needs. Some of these amenities include on-site maintenance, controlled access, and accessibility. Accessibility is top of mind for senior apartments in Rochester as they are hearing-impaired accessible, vision-impaired accessible, and wheelchair accessible.
Most apartments are dog- and cat-friendly and come with a full kitchen and bath, including wheelchair-accessible showers. Most of them also have laundry facilities. A lot of them are also air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible.
Many facilities themselves have a billiards lounge, game room, a pool, theater room, and fitness center. Seniors can also enjoy the use of raised garden beds, a meeting room, a central fireplace, and various common areas, both indoor and outdoor. There are also holiday parties, devotional activities on-site and off-site, and other various activities for seniors to participate in.
Most apartments offer parking for residents, but the parking spaces are most likely uncovered. Winter months could be problematic. That said, the community itself has a lot of public transportation, and some facilities offer complimentary transportation. If need be, some facilities may be able to get seniors where they need to be at almost any given time.
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Percentage of seniors 65 and older within Rochester[06]
Rochester has no shortage of healthcare options for seniors. The city is home to plenty of clinics and hospitals, from primary care to a variety of different specialties. Here’s a quick summary of what Rochester has to offer in healthcare for seniors:
Ranked number one for the area according to U.S. News and World Report, Rochester General Hospital-Rochester Regional Health is a general medical and surgical facility that handles four adult specialties and 12 procedures and conditions.{{citation:8} It’s considered high-performing in the areas of colon cancer surgery, lung cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, diabetes, and geriatrics, among a host of other specialties and conditions.
Coming in second for general medical and surgical facilities in the Rochester area is Strong Memorial Hospital, which is part of the University of Rochester. It, too, is rated high-performing in 12 adult procedures and conditions, including colon cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, heart attack, aortic valve surgery, heart bypass surgery, and diabetes.[08] Strong Memorial Hospital is a teaching hospital.
Highland Hospital has an affiliate program known as the Medicine Geriatrics Group, which is comprised of more than 30 healthcare professionals (including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physicians’ assistants). All are highly trained geriatric specialists dedicated to caring for older adults.
Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic-Rochester Regional Health has been ranked third of all the hospitals in the Rochester area[08]. This medical and surgical facility isn’t in Rochester proper but in Clifton Springs, which is about a 33 minute drive from Rochester.
Most people in Rochester choose to use public transit, including seniors. This is largely due to the convenience, costs, and environmental impact. In fact, over 25% of households don’t own or have access to a car. The city does offer residents who are 65 and older transit through Medical Motor Service and RMT, but certain restrictions apply.
The below Walk Score is based on Rochester’s population density, as well as its walking routes, public transit options, and biking trails. Each Walk Score is a number between 0 and 100 that measures the walkability of any area. For active seniors, the following scores can offer a better idea of what to expect when moving to the Rochester area:
61
41
60
In Rochester, there’s no shortage of activities for seniors and their families. Dining options, entertainment opportunities, recreational centers, and outdoor experiences offer the opportunity to get out and about and mix with the community. It’s all about where a person’s interests lie and deciding to take advantage of what the area has to offer.
For those who consider themselves “foodies,” a host of eateries, as well as a few waterfront restaurants, can be found within the city’s borders and in surrounding cities by the Genesee River, the Erie Canal, Lake Ontario, or the Irondequoit Bay. If someone considers themselves a chef-in-the-making, there are also cooking classes seniors can take, and they can top off the evening by visiting one of the many breweries or wineries in the area.
Anyone looking for a bit more culture can frequent any number of museums or theatrical productions in the Rochester area. Art galleries, history museums, the Lilac Festival, and the planetarium can all be found within the city limits of Rochester — the choices are nearly endless for what’s available for seniors and their families. Just consider the fact that the Susan B. Anthony Museum, Blue Cross Arena, Eastman Theater, and historical monuments all call Rochester home.
As far as outdoor activities go, Rochester offers more than a few parks, gardens, and fishing spots. For seniors who want to hit the links, the area has a number of golf courses to get in a few rounds — we’ll meet you at the 19th hole. There are also bike trails and hiking trails at Sandra Frankel Nature Park, Pinnacle Hill, and Genesee Riverway Trail, as well as tennis courts at the Midtown Athletic Club, Ellison Tennis Courts, and Swing Tennis Academy, which is where seniors can find themselves an instructor if they’d like to brush up on their backhand.
If mindfulness is of interest, there’s the DrishTi Community Center or Siddha Yoga Meditation Center. Spoiling oneself, on the other hand, is often best done at one of the wellness spas in the area. For those on a budget, the Central Library, YMCA, The Community Place, and David Gantt Center offer outlets to get more involved in the community.
Again, it’s all a matter of interest and hobbies. There’s so much to do and take part in when living in Rochester. It’s very much a city that has services, activities, and housing specifically suited for seniors. A Place for Mom is more than happy to help seniors and their family members find facilities to accommodate what sparks interest in every individual.
The Gardens , Gardens at Town Center and Autumn Grove are the top-rated Senior Apartments facilities near Rochester, NY. These Senior Apartments facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Senior Apartments in Rochester is 1,556 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/
Rochester Housing Authority (RHA). (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.rochesterhousing.org/
Monroe County Veterans Service Agency. (n.d.) Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.monroecounty.gov/vsa
New York Medicaid. (n.d.) New York State Department of Health. Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/how_do_i_apply.htm
New York State Office of the Attorney General. (2006) A Housing Guide for Senior Citizens.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Median Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2021 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (S1903) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News and World Report. Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic-Rochester Regional Health.
Walk Score. Living in Rochester.
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