Short answer: In New York, "assisted living" is not one license. The Department of Health licenses adult care facilities (adult homes, enriched housing programs and residences for adults). A facility can also be licensed as an Assisted Living Residence (ALR) and add certifications: Enhanced (EALR) to keep residents with greater physical needs, or Special Needs (SNALR) for dementia care. The Assisted Living Program (ALP) is a separate Medicaid-funded program in some adult homes and enriched housing programs.
The three adult care facility types
The New York State Department of Health licenses and regulates three types of adult care facilities, which provide long-term, non-medical residential care to adults who are substantially unable to live independently:
- Adult home
- Enriched housing program
- Residence for adults
These settings are not licensed to provide continual nursing or medical care. That is the role of a nursing home. See NY DOH: Adult Care Facility Services.
Assisted Living Residence (ALR)
An adult home or enriched housing program can also be licensed as an Assisted Living Residence. An ALR provides or arranges housing, on-site monitoring and personal care or home care services in a home-like setting, plus daily food service, 24-hour on-site monitoring, case management and an individualized service plan for each resident.
Enhanced Assisted Living Residence (EALR)
An EALR is an ALR with extra certification that lets it admit or keep residents who chronically need another person's physical help to walk or to climb or descend stairs, who depend on medical equipment and need frequent help from medical staff, or who have chronic unmanaged urinary or bowel incontinence. For families, the practical question is: if my parent's needs increase, can they stay here? An EALR is designed to make that more likely.
Special Needs Assisted Living Residence (SNALR)
A SNALR is an ALR certified to serve people with special needs, including dementia or cognitive impairment, under a special needs plan approved by the Department of Health. Under 10 NYCRR 1001.4, a residence that advertises or markets itself as serving people with dementia must hold this certification. If a community calls its unit "memory care," ask to see the SNALR certificate. More: memory care in Buffalo.
Assisted Living Program (ALP)
The Assisted Living Program is a separate New York program offered in some adult homes and enriched housing programs. It combines residential care with home care services, and Medicaid can pay for ALP services for residents who qualify. Not every community participates, and ALP beds can be limited. See the Assisted Living Program in NY and does Medicaid pay for assisted living in NY?
How to check a community's license
- Search the NYS Health Profiles adult care facility directory by name or county.
- Confirm the facility type (adult home or enriched housing) and whether it is licensed as an ALR.
- Check for EALR or SNALR certification if your parent needs more physical help or dementia care.
- Ask the community for its current operating certificate and how many certified beds it has.
- Ask whether it participates in the ALP if Medicaid may be needed.
More: how to verify a senior community's license information.
Common questions
What is the difference between an ALR, EALR and SNALR in New York?
An ALR provides housing, meals, 24-hour on-site monitoring, personal care and case management. An EALR is an ALR certified to keep residents who chronically need physical help to walk or use stairs, depend on medical equipment, or have unmanaged incontinence. A SNALR is an ALR certified to serve people with special needs such as dementia.
Does a memory care community in New York need a special license?
Yes. Under New York regulations, a residence that advertises or markets itself as serving people with dementia or cognitive impairment must be certified as a Special Needs Assisted Living Residence (SNALR).
What is the Assisted Living Program (ALP)?
The ALP is a New York program offered in some adult homes and enriched housing programs that combines residential care with home care services. Medicaid can pay for ALP services for residents who qualify.
How do I look up a community's license?
Search the New York State Department of Health adult care facility directory at profiles.health.ny.gov/acf, and ask the community for a copy of its current operating certificate and any EALR or SNALR certification.
Is assisted living the same as a nursing home?
No. Adult care facilities and assisted living residences provide non-medical residential care and are not licensed to provide continual nursing or medical care. Nursing homes are separately licensed to provide 24-hour skilled nursing care.
Assisted living by town
Williamsville · Cheektowaga · Orchard Park · Hamburg · Buffalo · Memory care in Amherst
This page summarizes public definitions. It does not rate or recommend any community. Cardinal helps you organize and compare; the provider evaluates care needs and admission.