I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Yonkers, NY
In Yonkers, seniors aged 65 and older account for 16.5% of the city’s 200,370 residents. Not only does the city have a large senior community, but the area is among the most diverse in the state, with nearly half of the households speaking a language other than English. No matter where you’re from, chances are good you’ll hear your native language spoken in Yonkers.
If you’d like to stay active, you can join one of the city’s 11 senior centers, where members have access to daily fitness classes, drop-in card games, arts and crafting workshops, and a host of special events. There’s also a public indoor rifle and pistol range that’s open to all residents, and you can even spend an afternoon on the water with family and friends, thanks to the motorized and self-propelled boat rentals available at the JFK Marina.
While winters in Yonkers can be cold, you might find that a trip to Untermyer Gardens Conservancy is the perfect way to brighten up any day, regardless of the weather. You can also easily travel to neighboring New York City using the extensive regional transit system that includes Amtrak trains, buses and subways.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Yonkers, NY
According to the 2020 Cost of Care Survey from Genworth Financial, the average monthly cost of home care services in Yonkers is $4,957, which is the same as the average cost for in-home health care services.
Average home care rates documented on the Genworth Survey are based on 44 hours of service weekly, which works out to an average hourly rate of $28.16. If you’re like many seniors and you don’t need full-time in-home care, your actual monthly home care costs will be much less than $4,957.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
On average, home care and home health care services in Yonkers cost $4,957 per month. Home care rates in Yonkers are $143 higher than New York’s state average of $4,814, though rates for home health services statewide are identical to rates for home health services in Yonkers. In nearby Kingston, you’ll find that rates for both types of in-home care average $4,385 per month. Across the state border, home care costs are $4,767 in both New Haven, CT, and Atlantic City, NJ. New Haven’s home health care rates are just a bit lower than Yonkers’ at $4,948, while Atlantic City’s rates are identical to Yonkers’ at $4,957.
Note: Data for Yonkers was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, New York City, was used instead.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
In Yonkers, long-term care costs for seniors range from $1,950 for adult day care services up to $11,771 for placement in a nursing home. If you’re weighing the cost difference between remaining in your own home or joining an assisted living community, you should know that home care and home health care service rates are $1,034 less than the cost of assisted living care.
III. How to Find Home Care in Yonkers, NY
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Yonkers, NY.
Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Yonkers, NY
Senior Centers
What You Should Know
The City of Yonkers’ Parks, Recreation and Conservation department operates 11 senior centers. If you’re aged 60 or older, you can join any center for free, and each center offers a range of activities designed to help you remain active and healthy as you age. These activities include daily fitness classes, walking groups, singing clubs, drop-in card games and holiday celebrations.
Most senior centers maintain a local resource library where you can also learn about local volunteer opportunities and support services in your neighborhood. Centers also provide you with low-cost transportation between your home and your local center.
Who Is Eligible?
If you’re a Yonkers resident aged 60 or older, you can join any senior center in the city for free. Non-residents can also join a Yonkers senior center for a nominal fee.
How to Get Started
To find your nearest senior center, call (914) 377-6443.
Meals on Wheels
What You Should Know
Good nutrition is critical at any age, and that’s especially true once you’re a senior — that’s why the Yonkers Office for the Aging operates the local Meals on Wheels program. This program provides housebound seniors aged 60 and older with a hot, home-delivered lunch every weekday, and you can also request additional cold suppers so you’ll have two ready-made meals daily.
Meals are delivered by volunteer drivers who check in with you and make sure you’re safe and healthy. You’re asked to contribute $3 toward the cost of each meal, although you can still receive service even if you’re not able to help cover the program costs.
Who Is Eligible?
If you are a senior aged 60 and older who struggles to maintain a healthy diet due to lack of financial resources or difficulty with obtaining groceries, you can apply to receive prepared hot meals through the Meals on Wheels service.
How to Get Started
For more information, call (914) 963-2460.
Office for the Aging – Case Management Services
What You Should Know
The Office for the Aging provides free case management services to seniors aged 60 and older who need help accessing the support they need to remain independent as they age. You might find these services helpful if you’re having difficulty deciding what type of assistance you need, completing program applications or securing financial aid to cover your care costs.
Case managers work to identify your unique needs by conducting in-home visits and speaking with you and your family. These case managers develop a customized care plan that identifies the services and programs you need to remain safe and comfortable in your own home.
Who Is Eligible?
If you are a Yonkers resident aged 60 or older who needs one-on-one help with navigating your care options, you are eligible for case management services through the city.
How to Get Started
To request case management services, call the Office for the Aging at (914) 377-6822.
Department of Veterans Services
What You Should Know
If you’re a veteran, survivor or dependent, the Department of Veterans Services can help you secure your maximum entitlements through county, state and federal programs for veterans and their family members.
There is no cost for any services provided by Veteran Service Officers working with the Department of Veterans Services. VSOs can help you apply for VA pension benefits, including the VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound enhanced pension, which provides cash you can use toward the cost of home care services. VSOs can also help you obtain service records, arrange for transportation to VA health care facilities, and register for VA burial benefits.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for assistance through the Department of Veterans Services, you must be a veteran, survivor or dependent residing in Yonkers.
How to Get Started
For information on county, state and federal programs and benefits for vets and their families, contact the Department of Veterans Services at (914) 377-6700.
Bee-Line ParaTransit
What You Should Know
The Bee-Line is the surface transit system for New York’s Westchester County, which includes Yonkers. All Bee-Line fixed-route buses are ADA-compliant and equipped with an operator-controlled kneeling feature and a wheelchair ramp for passengers who use a mobility device such as a wheelchair, scooter or walker.
If you’d like to use public transit, but you struggle to use the regular fixed-route Bee-Line service due to disability, you can apply for the Bee-Line ParaTransit service. This shared ride service provides curb-to-curb rides throughout Westchester County within 3/4 mile of any regular Bee-Line bus route.
Who Is Eligible?
If you are unable to use the regular fixed-route bus service due to a temporary or permanent disability, you can apply to become a Bee-Line ParaTransit rider. You can use the service to complete an entire trip, or to bridge the distance between your point of origin and a bus stop or transit station.
How to Get Started
To apply for Bee-Line’s ParaTransit service, call (914) 995-2959 or (914) 995-2955.