Health Department OKs 40% Increase in Assisted Living Beds
1,584-Bed Addition is Largest Increase in More than 10 Years
ALBANY, N.Y. (June 4, 2008) – New York State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., today announced approval of 1,584 new Assisted Living Program slots – an increase of nearly 40 percent over the current available beds statewide and the largest expansion of the program in more than a decade.
The awards were made following a competitive process, in which 125 applicants sought approval to establish the beds. With today's announcement, the facilities will begin work to establish or expand their Assisted Living Programs. There are additional approvals needed, however this authorization will allow the projects to proceed
The Assisted Living Program provides supportive housing and home care services to people who are eligible for placement in a nursing home, but instead choose to live in a more homelike setting. Assisted Living residents receive home care services through Medicaid or private insurance, and residential services from federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or private resources. This program allows residents more flexibility in their housing and medical care choices. Prior to this award, there were approximately 4,000 operational Assisted Living Program beds statewide.
Governor David A. Paterson said, "Assisted Living can be the perfect choice for seniors who can live in a homelike atmosphere, receiving certain home care services that support their continued independence. This would give seniors an alternative to costly nursing home care at a time when they need some help, but are not frail."
Commissioner Daines said, "The state Department of Health is committed to exploring alternatives to nursing home care for people who are capable of living in the community with supportive services. Helping disabled people maintain their privacy and independence improves their self-confidence and contributes to an atmosphere of wellness. We congratulate the facilities that have this expanded opportunity to serve their communities."
The new slots have been awarded to the following facilities:
| County | Facility Name | # Beds Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson | Community A L Corporation | 40 |
| Monroe | Woodcrest Commons | 24 |
| Monroe | Elderwood Assisted Living @ Rochester | 50 |
| Oneida | Willow Park ALP | 30 |
| Oneida | The Terrace at Woodland Assisted Living Program | 16 |
| Onondaga | Manlius Assisted Living Program | 26 |
| Ontario | Horizons | 16 |
| Wayne | The Terrace at Newark Assisted Living Program | 32 |
| Delaware | Robinson Terrace Assisted Living | 30 |
| Dutchess | Hedgewood Home for Adults | 53 |
| Orange | The Eliot @ Erie Station Assisted Living Program | 40 |
| Westchester | Crestview | 40 |
| Westchester | Westchester Center for Independent & Assisted Living | 120 |
| Nassau | Amber Court | 60 |
| Nassau | Hempstead Assisted Living Program | 200 |
| Nassau | The Glen at Maple Pointe | 40 |
| Suffolk | Amber Court @ Suffolk Co. | 50 |
| Clinton | Valehaven Assisted Living Program | 20 |
| Essex | Montcalm Manor ALP | 20 |
| Franklin | Alice Hyde Assisted Living Program | 30 |
| Greene | Home Sweet Home on the Hudson | 30 |
| Schenectady | Scotia Mansion Assisted Living Program | 25 |
| Warren | Adirondack Manor Assisted Living Program | 30 |
| Cattaraugus | Underwood Manor Assisted Living Program | 32 |
| Erie | Glenwell | 16 |
| Erie | Tonawanda Manor | 40 |
| Erie | Mary Agnes Manor Assisted Living Program | 52 |
| Bronx | DOJ Assisted Living | 70 |
| Kings | Brooklyn Boulevard Assisted Living Program | 176 |
| Manhattan | Assisted Living at Rivington House | 50 |
| Queens | Queens Adult Care Center Assisted Living Program | 50 |
| Richmond | New Broadview Manor Assisted Living Program | 76 |
| Totals | 1,584 | |
In other long-term care initiatives, the state Department of Health is accepting applications through June 10 to fund $2.0 million in grants to provide air conditioning in adult care facilities. New this year, DOH is working with the Energy Research and Development Authority to enhance the efficiency of these grants.
Applications were due this week for up to $30 million grants to nursing homes for "rightsizing" projects, including coordination and consolidation of services on the regional level, and the restructuring service delivery. These grants will complement the efforts of the Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century (also known as the Berger Commission) to look at health care needs on a regional basis rather than by individual provider.
DOH is evaluating applications from nursing homes for grants totaling up to $1.5 million for initiatives to improve the quality of nursing home care. Grants will be awarded for initiatives that improve the use of data in decision-making, improving residents' quality of life through resident-directed care, using evidence-based protocols to improve resident outcomes, and providing training to caregiving staff to improve care of special-needs residents and enhance caregiver-resident relationships.
In addition, DOH's Office of Long Term Care is evaluating applications for funding of $1.15 million in "Money Follows the Person" demonstration projects that would help ensure the most-integrated care setting for adults with disabilities, so that they may remain in community settings with as much independence as possible, instead of relying on institutional nursing home care. These projects will help people who are disabled, but not necessarily frail or elderly maintain more independence.
