Home Care in Westchester County, NY

Hudson Valley’s Westchester County offers retirees a quiet, safe haven to experience all four seasons and some of New York’s finest scenery, shows, shops and dining. Over 967,000 people live here, and 17.4% of them are ages 65 and older. The senior population is projected to make up 25% of the population by 2030.

For active seniors in search of adventure, Westchester County features six golf courses and dozens of public parks, beaches and hiking trails. John D. Rockefeller’s former estate Kykuit, now a trove of art galleries and gardens, is here, along with an abundance of museums and historical delights. Ladson Park and Arboretum and nature centers invite you to discover and appreciate this area’s natural beauty again and again.

In Westchester County, you can rest assured that excellent health care is all around. Some of the world’s leading specialists work here or in nearby New York City, and 18 hospitals are here to serve you. High-performing facilities include White Plains Hospital and Westchester Medical Center.

Seniors in Westchester County pay an average of $4,767 per month for home care and $5,148 for home health aides, according to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey. Both figures are higher than the national average of $4,481 for home care and $4,576 for home health care. Westchester County’s home care costs are lower than New York’s state average of $4,814, but home health aide prices here are higher than the statewide median of $4,957. Genworth’s estimates assume 44 hours of care per week, which you can break down to an average of $25.00 per hour for home care and $27.00 per hour for home health care in Westchester County.

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

Home care is cheaper in Westchester County, but home health care is more expensive compared to costs in the New York City and Poughkeepsie areas. In those locations, seniors pay $4,957 per month for either service. On the other hand, home care and home health care rates here are higher than in Kingston, where providers charge $4,385 for either service.

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.

Westchester County Senior Programs and Services

What You Should Know
Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services promotes healthy, independent aging at home. As a contact for NY Connects, this office provides information and counseling on health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, pharmaceutical assistance, home health care and long-term care. They can also tell you about advance directives and point you to caregiver resources and home safety modification services. The department runs several senior centers which furnish hot lunches every weekday along with a wide range of on- and off-site social activities. In-person and virtual workshops, fitness classes and transportation options are available as well.

Who Is Eligible?
Westchester County residents who are 60 and older and their caregivers can take advantage of these services. To qualify for the Nutrition Program’s homebound meal service, you must be medically eligible and unable to participate at a designated nutrition site or multipurpose center. You’ll need to pre-register.

How to Get Started
To sign up for or learn more about the Department’s programs, you can contact the office at (914) 995-2000.

ArchCare Senior Life PACE

What You Should Know
ArchCare Senior Life is a PACE provider for Westchester County. PACE is a health care program providing nursing home-level care to individuals 55 and older who wish to stay in their own residence. ArchCare coordinates all medical services around the clock, including primary care physicians, nurses and specialists within its network of practitioners. The program provides transportation to medical appointments if needed. The Care Navigation Center answers questions about care options, access to health care, food sources, health-related financial and legal matters and caregiver support.

Who Is Eligible?
ArchCare Senior Life serves residents of Westchester and New York City. To qualify, you must be at least 55 years of age and require institution-level care.

How to Get Started
For details about ArchCare Senior Life, you can call the Westchester location at Cabrini of Westchester at (914) 326-3199. You can also reach out to the ArchCare Care Navigation Center at (855) 951-CARE ((855) 951-2273).

Family Services of Westchester

What You Should Know
Family Services of Westchester coordinates a continuum of programs to meet the needs of seniors aging at home. These services include RideConnect, a free transportation program, home health care and elder abuse prevention. The Gatekeeper Program provides case management services for seniors living independently with an increased risk of mental health issues. The Partnership Innovation of Older Adults Program delivers mobile aging, telehealth, mental health and substance use disorder services. This agency also hosts free virtual activities for seniors with dementia and their caregivers.

Who Is Eligible?
Family Services of Westchester welcomes seniors ages 55 and older to apply for their programs. The virtual dementia support group meetings are available for individuals 50 and older.

How to Get Started
For further information on Family Services of Westchester’s senior programs, you can contact the main office at (914) 937-2320.

Senior Housing Assistance

What You Should Know
Westchester Residential Opportunities (WRO) offers financial support to help seniors in need pay rent, maintain utilities or move. The Senior Housing Program guides participants in finding and applying for food stamps, the Attendance Program for Home Care, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Veterans Aid and other available benefits and entitlements. Additionally, this agency provides property tax foreclosure counseling and reverse mortgage counseling.

Who Is Eligible?
WRO’s Senior Housing Assistance Program is available for Westchester County residents who are at least 60. Homeowners and renters can qualify for various programs.

How to Get Started
If you would like to find or apply for help for your housing needs, you can call WRO at (914) 4507.

Weatherization Assistance Program

What You Should Know
The Westchester Community Opportunity Program, Inc. (WestCOP) administers the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) which helps low-income families enhance the safety and energy efficiency of their residences. This is a free service including an all-around safety check. WAP can provide funding for adding weather stripping to windows and doors, repairing or replacing heating and cooling systems, electrical systems, major electrical appliances and insulation for walls and roofs.

Who Is Eligible?
WestCOP uses federal low-income guidelines to determine your eligibility. Currently, the threshold is set at 60% of the state’s average income level. This program prioritizes elderly residents in need.

How to Get Started
If you have questions about the Weatherization Assistance Program, you can reach the Director at (914) 592-5600 or the main office at (914) 375-7887.

Expanded In-Home Services Program (EISEP)

What You Should Know
The EISEP program is designed for elders who need personal assistance and have no one to help. The program secures nonmedical help for housekeeping, laundry, cooking, shopping and respite care. You may also be able to obtain an emergency response system and other health- or safety-related equipment. A case manager can assess your needs in an interview, then they will develop a care plan with you and your family. Your case manager will review your situation at least every six months, making referrals to other programs as needed.

Who Is Eligible?
You must be at least 60 years old and need help with daily living activities. There is no fee for home visit assessments. However, you’ll be charged for homemaker services according to your ability to pay on a sliding scale, ranging from zero cost to full cost.

How to Get Started
For more details, please call the Case Management Unit of Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services at (914) 813-6442.