Home Care in Syracuse, NY

Syracuse is a city in the northern part of the Empire state, well-known as the location of Syracuse University. A city of 142,327, Syracuse has a lower number of seniors then other communities, at only 12.6% of the population. However, even with a smaller senior population, Syracuse offers many benefits for seniors who wish to age in place and remain active in their communities.

While the city gets more than its fair share of snow, it only has average rainfall. What’s attractive, however, is the cost of living, which is 20% below the national average. Syracuse earns a 6.3/10 on the Best Places Comfort Index.

Syracuse offers many activities of interest to seniors including the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, founded in the early part of the 20th century and home to more than 700 different animals. Syracuse is also the site of the Great New York State Fair, one of the largest and oldest state fairs in the country. For seniors who enjoy a slower pace, the Syracuse Antiques Exchange is the oldest and largest antiques exchange in this part of the state, with over 60 exhibitors on-site.

You can expect to find a difference of about $500 between the cost of home care and home health care in Syracuse, according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020. Home care averages $4,862 a month, while home health care is $5,339. One reason for this disparity is that home health care includes additional medical services along with assistance with the activities of daily living (ADL).

The Genworth Cost of Care Survey bases these costs on an average of 44 hours a week. So your costs may be higher or lower depending upon how many hours of assistance you need. In Syracuse, the average hourly cost for home care is $25.50, while for home health care, it’s $28.

The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities

The costs for home care and home health care in Syracuse fall in the middle of the average costs for the state of New York. In New York City, home care and home health care both cost $4,957 a month. In Albany, the state capital, home care is more expensive at $5,148 per month, while home health care is about $50 a month more expensive at $5,196 a month. In Utica home care is $4,648 a month, while home health care runs $4,957. Ithaca averages $5,554 a month, while home health care is $5,625. Kingston has some of the lowest prices in the state, with both home care and home health care averaging $4,385 a month.

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.

Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly (EISEP)

What You Should Know
The services provided by EISEP include in-home ADL services such as bathing, shopping, getting dressed, case management. Eligible seniors share the cost of the services, which EISEP bases on their personal income. This ranges from no-cost for low-income individuals to full cost for financially secure seniors.

Who Is Eligible?
Seniors who are at least 60, ineligible for Medicaid, who need help with ADLs and want to age in place are eligible for the program.

How to Get Started
If you want to know more about the program or to apply, contact the New York State Office for the Aging,or its nearest local office, at (718) 592-5757.

New York State Office for Aging

What You Should Know
One of the main goals of the New York State Office For Aging is to provide opportunities and resources for older New Yorkers who want to continue to age in place in their communities. One way the agency accomplishes this is by providing food and meals for seniors who have been recently discharged from the hospital or who are physically unable. All services are provided directly or through partnerships with community organizations.

Who Is Eligible?
The various programs designed to assist seniors offered by the Office of Aging have different age limitations and eligibility requirements.

How to Get Started
You can learn more about the many programs offered for seniors through the New York State Office for Aging by contacting your local Office of Aging or by calling (315) 435-2362 Ext. 4693.

Frank DeFrancisco Eastwood Senior Center

What You Should Know
Frank DeFrancisco Eastwood Senior Center provides community services and resources for seniors who reside in the greater Eastwood community of Syracuse. These services and resources include wellness programs, nutritional lunches for seniors, dancing, trips, tax preparation and health screenings. The Center’s programs aim to help residents remain in their homes in the Eastwood community.

Who Is Eligible?
The Center offers programs and services to those aged 55 and above. There is no application fee to join the Center’s programs.

How to Get Started
The Center is located at 401 South Midler Avenue. To learn about the Center and its programs or to get directions, call (315) 432-0729.

Area Agency on Aging (AAA) – Caregiver Services Program

What You Should Know
In Syracuse, the local Area Agency on Aging is operated by the Onondaga County Office for Aging Services. While the local AAA office offers a variety of services, one of its main functions is to provide respite care for family members or caregivers who care for senior family members in the local community. The AAA provides short-term respite to caregivers so they can take necessary breaks to help maintain their personal well-being. This care can be provided at a senior’s own home or in a local adult day care program. Phone support is also offered to local caregivers.

Who Is Eligible?
Any family member caregiver who is currently providing support for an aging member of the community is eligible to receive respite care from the AAA.

How to Get Started
If caregivers require information or need to discuss how to develop a plan for the care of their loved ones, they can call (315) 435-2362 Ext. 4693.

People’s Equal Action and Community Effort, Inc. (PEACE)

What You Should Know
Peace is a Syracuse-based community support and resource organization that reaches out to all members of the community including seniors. Programs include food nutrition programs for seniors, local senior community centers and a senior support program that enables seniors in Syracuse and in local communities to age in place.

Who Is Eligible?
The various programs offered by PEACE have different age limitations. In some cases, programs are available to those 55 and above, while other programs are available to those 60 and above. Availability is also occasionally based on the financial situation of the seniors involved. Some seniors can access programs free of charge, while other seniors need to pay fees based on their income.

How to Get Started
You can learn more about the various programs offered by PEACE for seniors in the greater Syracuse area by calling (315) 470-3300.

Food and Meals Program

What You Should Know
This program is targeted at seniors who require assistance with the preparation of meals. It delivers healthy meals to seniors and their spouses up to five days a week. There is no cost for service, but participants are encouraged to donate if possible.

Who Is Eligible?
All residents of Syracuse aged 60 years of age or older are eligible. You must complete an interview that proves you can’t prepare meals for yourselves and that you have no help to do so.

How to Get Started
Contact your local Office for the Aging or NY Connects.