Hicksville is a quaint hamlet on Long Island, lying within the Town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County. Its population is just under 44,000, with a healthy 17.5% of its residents aged 65 or older. Although Hicksville’s overall cost of living and taxes are on the high side, many aspects make it an appealing retirement spot, especially for seniors already used to the higher prices.
Like other parts of Long Island, Hicksville seniors benefit from world-class health facilities. It boasts more than twice as many physicians per 100,000 residents as the national average and numerous hospitals within close range of the city, including several nationally ranked facilities within 10 miles. Violent and property crime rates are significantly lower than the state and national averages.
Seniors in Hicksville also benefit from below-average snowfall and pleasant summers, with average highs around 83 degrees in the hottest month. From a financial standpoint, New York State doesn’t tax Social Security benefits, and by age 60, seniors can exclude up to $20,000 of federally taxed income from their private retirement plans. These are just a few reasons seniors may enjoy retiring in Hicksville and aging in place with support from easily accessible in-home care services.
According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors can expect to pay an average of $5,529 for home care, which helps with light household chores and non-medical supportive services. This is slightly less than home health care costs, which include some medical services usually provided by a licensed nurse.
Genworth calculated the average monthly cost of home care based on 44 hours of care provided weekly. Thus, seniors who require fewer hours will have lower bills, and those requiring more hours will have higher bills. To estimate your actual cost, multiply the average hourly rate of $29 for home care or $30 for home health care by the average number of hours you believe you’ll need services.
Hicksville’s average home care and home health care costs are higher than the state average by about $200 per month, and the state average is higher than the national average by nearly $400. Hicksville’s average is also higher than nearby Poughkeepsie, where both in-home care services cost $5,339, making them lower by $190 and $381, respectively. Further north, Albany has even lower costs at $5,148 for home care and $5,577 for home health. However, Glens Falls has higher prices at $5,863 and $6,006.
Assisted living offers care in a community setting and runs about $5,750 in Hicksville, making it higher than home care by nearly $200 but only $30 more than home health care. Nursing home care provides comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care and is more than twice the cost of either in-home care service, at $12,471 for a semiprivate room. Adult day care is the lowest-cost option at only $1,950 per month, but it offers limited care during standard business hours.
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 Hicksville, NY.
What You Should Know
The Nassau County Office for the Aging’s Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program provides in-home and respite services for seniors who don’t qualify for other government-funded services or programs. It begins with a care assessment performed by a qualified case manager or care coordinator to determine seniors’ existing needs and any barriers that might prevent them from remaining in their homes. Services promote aging in place and may include non-medical in-home services, non-institutional respite care, emergency response systems, home-delivered meals and ancillary services.
Who Is Eligible?
Participants must be aged 60 or older and impaired in either one Activity of Daily Living, such as bathing or dressing, or two Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, such as housekeeping or preparing meals. They must be able to safely remain in their home with assistance and not be a Medicaid recipient. If the applicant is eligible for Medicaid, they must apply for this government program, and EISEP only provides temporary services until their Medicaid kicks in. Seniors are eligible for the EISEP regardless of income, but they’re to cost-share based on a sliding scale. Costs may range from no cost to full price based on the participant’s income and the cost of the services they receive.
How to Get Started
For more information, call (516) 227-8900. Care coordination is a required component of this program, so a care assessment must be scheduled first to begin the process.
What You Should Know
The EAC Network is the largest provider of home-delivered meals throughout Nassau County. Its Meals on Wheels program provides nutritious meals and supportive services to help seniors retain their independence as they age in place. Volunteers visit with program participants as part of a daily wellness check and friendly visit that offers companionship and socialization. The program also provides nutrition education and referrals to additional social services and may include pet food for participants with pets.
Who Is Eligible?
Seniors must be aged 60 or older and live in the EAC’s Meals on Wheels service area. This program isn’t income-based, but meals may be provided on a sliding fee scale, from no cost to full price. However, no senior is denied services due to an inability to contribute.
How to Get Started
Call Family & Children’s Association at (516) 292-1300 to set up an initial assessment to determine program eligibility. Seniors found eligible for the program are added to the delivery route.
What You Should Know
Income-eligible seniors throughout Nassau County may qualify for property tax exemptions. The Basic School Tax Relief (STAR) program is open to all homeowners, regardless of age. Seniors aged 65 or older may also qualify for the Enhanced STAR program for an additional exemption on their property taxes above the basic exemption. Hicksville Public Schools have adopted the Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption to provide partial tax relief on a sliding scale based on income, with exemptions from 5% to 50%. The STAR program only applies to school district property taxes.
Who Is Eligible?
Seniors aged 65 or older must meet income eligibility requirements and fulfill the owner-occupied status for their home, which must be their primary residence. The qualifying income for the 2022-2023 school year was $92,000 or less, but the qualifying income for the 2023-2024 school year will be $93,000 or less. You must have owned the property for at least 12 consecutive months before the senior citizen’s exemption filing date.
How to Get Started
Qualifying seniors may print the Senior Citizens’ Property Tax Exemption Application and/or the Enhanced STAR Property Tax Exemption Application. They must submit a completed and signed application and copies of all required documents, including their property deed, proof of age, federal and state income tax returns, proof of residency and all supporting income documentation used to file tax returns. Applications must be submitted before January 2, annually, to the Nassau County Assessor’s Office at 240 Old Country Road, 4th Floor, Mineola, NY 11501. You may call (516) 571-1500 for assistance.
What You Should Know
The Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households meet their home energy costs through payments for heating costs. This one-time benefit program is open to homeowners and renters throughout Nassau County. Households with heating emergencies may qualify for emergency benefits and/or a heating equipment repair or replacement benefit. The program also offers a Clean and Tune benefit, which includes the cleaning of primary heating equipment, minor repairs, carbon monoxide detector installation and other energy efficiency improvement services. Most benefits are paid directly to the utility company or heating vendor.
Who Is Eligible?
Although any household that meets income eligibility may qualify for HEAP benefits, households with vulnerable individuals receive priority service. Vulnerable households include those with individuals aged 60 or older or under the age of 6 or disabled.
How to Get Started
You may apply for HEAP through the myBenefits website during the open application season. Seniors aged 60 or older or permanently disabled individuals of any age may also apply by mail to Nassau County Office for the Aging, 60 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11553 or apply in person or by mail to EAC at 175 Fulton Avenue, 4th Floor, Hempstead, New York 11550. For further assistance, call (516) 227-7386 or (516) 565-4327.