Caring for our elderly parents is both an honor and a responsibility. For many middle-income families in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, the desire to provide quality care comes with a sobering reality—long-term care can be shockingly expensive. Home attendants, assisted living, and nursing homes drain savings quickly if you’re not prepared. But, as families who work with Alatsas Law Firm have discovered, affordable solutions do exist with a bit of planning, creativity, and knowledge of available resources.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best ways to keep your parents’ care affordable, share real-life examples, and empower you with actionable steps drawn from both expert legal guidance and community wisdom.
1. Take a Hard Look at Costs—And Alternatives
Before you make big decisions, it’s important to get honest about the numbers:
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Home Care: In-home care is a top choice for many. Costs range from $25 to $30/hour in NYC, and even a few hours daily adds up. But did you know hybrid approaches (such as hiring privately for part of the week and using a licensed agency for respite) can stretch budgets much further?
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Assisted Living: According to competitor research, the average cost in New York is around $5,500/month, but Medicaid–based facilities and Section 202 HUD options may be lower. Sometimes, board-and-care homes or “shared living” with another senior dramatically reduces costs.
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Family and Community Resources: Don’t discount informal care. Even in busy families, arranging rotating schedules (siblings, cousins, grandchildren) can help defer or supplement paid support.
Pro Tip: Many local religious, immigrant, and cultural organizations in Brooklyn have volunteer caregiver networks—these can be a valuable, often-overlooked support.
2. Know (and Maximize) Every Public Benefit
Medicaid is the #1 resource for families whose care needs outstrip their monthly budget. But navigating applications, eligibility, and rules can be overwhelming.
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Medicaid for Long-Term Care: New York is one of the best states for “home care Medicaid.” Even for middle-income families, there are legal strategies, such as "spend-down" or pooled trusts, that allow qualification without spending down to poverty.
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MLTC (Managed Long-Term Care): Enables seniors to receive home care through Medicaid with minimal out-of-pocket cost.
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security: Often overlooked, but can cover rent and basic needs in certain assisted living facilities.
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Veterans Benefits: If your parent (or their spouse) served, the VA Aid & Attendance pension can help pay for home or facility care—even if they haven’t accessed VA healthcare before.
Alatsas Law Firm regularly helps Brooklyn families navigate these options to legally protect assets and qualify for these crucial programs.
3. Get Creative: Shared and Innovative Living Options
One size doesn’t fit all! Alternatives to standard assisted living are gaining traction:
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Shared Elder Living or Board-and-Care Homes: These small, often family-run homes cost less and offer warm, community-based settings.
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Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Conversion of a garage or basement can provide comfortable, private space for a parent while keeping them close to home—often for far less than facility care.
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Adult Day Programs: For working families, these programs provide safe daytime environments for socialization and medical supervision at a fraction of full-time care prices.
Case Study: One of our Brooklyn clients worked with Alatsas Law Firm to set up a family trust that used funds to modify a daughter’s brownstone, creating a safe apartment for her mom with daily home care—a solution that cost half as much as assisted living.
4. Legal Planning to Protect Family Assets
Middle-income families worry about losing their home or life savings to nursing homes, but asset protection strategies are legal and effective:
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Irrevocable Trusts: Placing certain assets (like a family home) into an irrevocable trust can shield them from Medicaid “spend-down” for long-term care.
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Power of Attorney & Health Care Proxy: These vital documents ensure that care and financial decisions can be made swiftly, without time-consuming court approval.
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Estate Planning: Updating wills and beneficiary designations can avoid family conflict and keep probate costs minimal.
At Alatsas Law Firm, we’ve worked with dozens of Brooklyn families to set up these protections in advance—avoiding last-minute crises and family disputes.
5. Tap Community Resources and Support
There is real power in local knowledge.
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NYC Department for the Aging: Offers case managers, meal delivery, benefits counseling, and caregiver respite—much of it free or sliding-scale.
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Churches, Mosques, and Temples: Many faith-based organizations in Brooklyn provide volunteer visitations, courtesy driving, or even emergency grants for seniors.
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Support Groups for Caregivers: Not only emotionally helpful, but members often share tips about little-known resources, grants, or financial aid.
Story from the Neighborhood: One client found out through her neighborhood’s Facebook group about a “caregiver support grant” from a local senior center—enough to pay for an extra eight hours of home care each month.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
Paying for a parent’s care is never easy, especially when surrounded by confusing options and daunting costs. Remember: thoughtful planning, knowing every government benefit, and enlisting trusted professionals make a world of difference.
Alatsas Law Firm offers personalized strategies tailored not just to your finances but to your family’s values and traditions. If you’re worried about affording your loved one’s care—or protecting your own retirement in the future—let’s talk.
Let’s share: What has helped your family afford care for elderly loved ones? Comment with your own tips, or reach out for a free workshop on elder law and Medicaid planning. We’re here for Brooklyn families, every step of the way.
For more resources and to schedule a no-pressure consultation, visit Alatsas Law Firm.
