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Utica is a large city of over 65,000 residents in the heart of New York in age-friendly Oneida County. Noted for its rich history, cultural diversity and cuisine, it provides a vibrant environment for its large senior community of approximately 10,000 people. It’s centrally located and is served by main roadways such as I-90 and Routes 5, 8, 12, 49 and 840, providing easy access to high-performing medical facilities such as St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Mohawk Valley Health System St. Luke Campus. It’s among the cheapest places in New York to live, with the overall cost of living coming in 20% below the national median and about 40% lower than the state average. This, combined with the state’s retirement-friendly tax laws, may make it a suitable option for older adults with budget considerations.
Seniors in Utica have nearly a dozen assisted living facilities to choose from within the city or nearby. According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, seniors in this city pay $4,905 per month on average for this type of care.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
At $4,905 monthly, assisted living rates in Utica are slightly higher than the state median of $4,800 and about $600 higher than the national rate of $4,300. The only neighboring state with lower assisted living fees is Pennsylvania, where older adults pay $3,955. In Vermont, the median rate of $5,310 is about $400 higher than Utica, and in Connecticut, the monthly average is $6,300. New Jersey is the most expensive bordering state at $6,650 per month.
Assisted living fees range throughout New York typically exceed the national average. Glens Falls is the cheapest surveyed city at $4,235 per month. In Elmira, facilities charge $5,624 per month. New York City is the most populous in the state and has a median assisted living rate of $5,991, and care in Watertown is the costliest at $6,034.
Qualifying seniors in Utica may pay for assisted living through the New York State Assisted Living Program. This program is a provision under the state’s Medicaid program and covers services such as personal care, room and board, housekeeping, medication management and therapies.
More information on this program and other options for covering local assisted living fees is available on our Assisted Living in New York page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Office for Aging & Continuing Care | (315) 798-5456 | The county’s Office for Aging & Continuing Care provides a broad range of services to older adults in Utica, including information and referrals for community-based supports, congregate meals and transportation services. It oversees the Elder Abuse Coalition, which promotes awareness, and intervenes in and protects against elder abuse in the Utica region. Through the office’s Placement Assistance Program, older adults are screened to determine the type of facility that would best fit their needs. |
| Oneida County Veterans’ Service Agency | (315) 798-5830 | The local Veterans’ Service Agency provides information and advocacy for veterans and their families. Its counseling staff helps individuals assess eligibility for programs that may help cover assisted living, including veterans’ and survivors’ pensions and Aid and Attendance, as well as submit applications and track them through the approval process. |
| Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York | (315) 793-7000 | The Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York is a local nonprofit organization that provides free legal assistance to qualifying individuals in Utica and the surrounding region. Its licensed professionals help older adults obtain public benefits such as Social Security, Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income, which may help them cover assisted living expenses. The agency can also help resolve issues such as consumer debt problems. |
| Parkway Center | (315) 223-3973 | Parkway Center is a local nonprofit senior center that provides social and recreational activities for those aged 50 and over. At its Utica location, older adults access in-person and virtual health and wellness classes, age-friendly fitness programs and card and board games. The center also hosts special workshops and support groups to address issues such as chronic health conditions. |
| Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program | (800) 701-0501 | HIICAP is a statewide program that provides unbiased health insurance options counseling for seniors. Through its statewide helpline, older adults get one-on-one over-the-phone assistance with understanding Medicare benefits, available Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans and long-term care insurance. Counselors can also help individuals learn how to protect themselves from Medicare fraud or waste. All services are free and confidential. |
| Long Term Care Ombudsman Program | (315) 797-4642 | The region’s long-term care ombudsman program advocates on behalf of those in assisted living and ensures older adults understand their rights as residents and obtain all the services in their care plans. The ombudsman can also work with seniors and families to help them research local communities and identify options for paying for care. |
The New York Department of Health licenses and monitors assisted living facilities in Utica to ensure a high standard of care for residents. It conducts regular inspections and investigates reports of abuse or substandard care.
To learn more about regulations that assisted living facilities in Utica follow, refer to our Assisted Living in New York page.
