(888) 927-9409
Pricing Call
(888) 927-9409

Page 2 of Best Nursing Homes in Buffalo, NY

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 11 nursing homes in Buffalo, NY using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in NY
Reviewed by
Jordan Weiss, PhD
Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Buffalo, NY our team has analyzed — not a count of every nursing home provider in Buffalo, NY.
11 homes
Other senior care options in Buffalo:
Assisted Living Memory Care Independent Living

Video Tour: Top-rated Nursing Homes facilities in Buffalo, New York State.

Watch this Video to see Buffalo's Top-rated Senior Communities
Avg Overall CMS Rating: 2.2/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Buffalo, NY. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating: 2.4/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Buffalo, NY. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating: 2.0/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Buffalo, NY. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.0/ 5

Compare Nursing Homes around Buffalo (Metro Area)

Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the NY State Dept. of Health (NYSDOH), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.

The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This Table NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. HC (Home Care): Professional care delivered in the person's own home, from companionship to skilled nursing. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment. ADC (Adult Day Care): Daytime supervision, health monitoring, and social activities for seniors who live at home. PC (Palliative Care): Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The New York average is: 55.8% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
Schofield Residence Nursing Facility ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
NH
ADC
HC
HOS
PC
SNF
Buffalo (Elmwood North)
120
Facility 120
NY AVG 160
Rank #405 / 736
86.6%
Facility 86.6%
NY AVG 90.6%
Rank #329 / 392
-4%
4.40
Facility 4.40
NY AVG 3.58
Rank #44 / 395
 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ -69%+23%
$0
Facility $0
NY AVG $67.6k
Rank #1 / 398
15
Facility 15
NY AVG 18.5
Rank #164 / 397
3.8
Facility 3.8
NY AVG 5.1
Rank #115 / 397
-104-
60
Facility 60
NY AVG 64
Rank #694 / 1,150
James Cambell
$15.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $15.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
NY AVG $29.2M
Rank #285 / 383
$8.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $8.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
NY AVG $15.4M
Rank #256 / 383
57.3%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 57.3%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
NY AVG 55.8%
Rank #128 / 382
335603
Terrace View Long-Term Care ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
NH
PC
SNF
Buffalo (East Side)
390
Facility 390
NY AVG 160
Rank #27 / 736
96.9%
Facility 96.9%
NY AVG 90.6%
Rank #113 / 392
+7%
4.70
Facility 4.70
NY AVG 3.58
Rank #27 / 395
 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ +31%+31%
$47.5k
Facility $47.5k
NY AVG $67.6k
Rank #351 / 398
15
Facility 15
NY AVG 18.5
Rank #164 / 397
5.0
Facility 5.0
NY AVG 5.1
Rank #211 / 397
-378-
46
Facility 46
NY AVG 64
Rank #813 / 1,150
----335650
The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Delaware Park ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
NH
RC
SNF
Buffalo (Elmwood Village)
95
Facility 95
NY AVG 160
Rank #514 / 736
96.8%
Facility 96.8%
NY AVG 90.6%
Rank #121 / 392
+7%
3.13
Facility 3.13
NY AVG 3.58
Rank #249 / 395
 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ -40%-13%
$0
Facility $0
NY AVG $67.6k
Rank #1 / 398
19
Facility 19
NY AVG 18.5
Rank #230 / 397
4.8
Facility 4.8
NY AVG 5.1
Rank #201 / 397
-92--Elliot Strauss
$10.0MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $10.0MFiscal year ending 12/2023
NY AVG $29.2M
Rank #346 / 383
$7.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $7.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
NY AVG $15.4M
Rank #305 / 383
74.8%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 74.8%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
NY AVG 55.8%
Rank #36 / 382
335640
Buffalo Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
NH
SNF
Buffalo (Masten Park)
200
Facility 200
NY AVG 160
Rank #164 / 736
95.0%
Facility 95.0%
NY AVG 90.6%
Rank #179 / 392
+5%
4.30
Facility 4.30
NY AVG 3.58
Rank #49 / 395
 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ -39%+20%
$139.7k
Facility $139.7k
NY AVG $67.6k
Rank #382 / 398
36
Facility 36
NY AVG 18.5
Rank #362 / 397
6.0
Facility 6.0
NY AVG 5.1
Rank #278 / 397
3190-
76
Facility 76
NY AVG 64
Rank #514 / 1,150
David Denny
$29.7MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $29.7MFiscal year ending 12/2023
NY AVG $29.2M
Rank #156 / 383
$8.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $8.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
NY AVG $15.4M
Rank #272 / 383
28.2%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 28.2%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
NY AVG 55.8%
Rank #379 / 382
335638
Ellicott Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
NH
SNF
Buffalo (Lakeview)
160
Facility 160
NY AVG 160
Rank #293 / 736
90.6%
Facility 90.6%
NY AVG 90.6%
Rank #279 / 392
0%
3.42
Facility 3.42
NY AVG 3.58
Rank #164 / 395
 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ -30%-5%
$10.9k
Facility $10.9k
NY AVG $67.6k
Rank #317 / 398
32
Facility 32
NY AVG 18.5
Rank #356 / 397
8.0
Facility 8.0
NY AVG 5.1
Rank #347 / 397
1145-
89
Facility 89
NY AVG 64
Rank #285 / 1,150
Denise Marciano
$17.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $17.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
NY AVG $29.2M
Rank #260 / 383
$6.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $6.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
NY AVG $15.4M
Rank #321 / 383
37.2%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 37.2%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
NY AVG 55.8%
Rank #334 / 382
335437

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every NY community we track that reports that metric, not just the 11 analyzed for Buffalo.

Nursing Home Explorer
Facility logo with the name 'Sapphire Nursing and Rehab'.
Explore open rooms
Overview of Southtowns Care Center
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn

Located in Buffalo, New York, Southtowns Care Center is an assisted living community that delivers comprehensive healthcare services to senior residents. This assisted living community offers long-term care, extended and short-term rehabilitation, and beyond.

Discover the multitude of offerings that await your exploration within Southtowns. The harmonious blend of inviting premises, hospitable staff, and caregivers synergize to create an extraordinary experience for individuals and their loved ones. With a steadfast commitment, Southtowns Care Center aspires to establish an environment that resonates as a secure and comforting home for each resident and their family.

Phone: (716) 566-5252

Contact Southtowns Care Center

1 2
Ranking Methodology

How we rank these nursing homes

Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports.

  • CMS data
  • 5 weighted categories
  • Updated quarterly
Full methodology

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Care Quality
  • 20%
    Staffing
  • 20%
    Regulatory
  • 20%
    Operational
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Care Quality 35%

The largest single share of every ranking. CMS star ratings and quality measures that reflect actual care delivered to residents.

  • Includes
  • Overall Rating
  • Health Inspection
  • QM Rating
  • Long-Stay QM
  • Short-Stay QM
02

Staffing Adequacy 20%

The strongest predictor of resident outcomes. Volume and stability of nursing care, drawn from CMS Payroll-Based Journal.

  • Includes
  • Nurse Hrs/Res/Day
  • RN vs State
  • Total Nurse Staff Hrs vs State
  • RN Turnover
03

Regulatory & Safety Record 20%

Inspection patterns that star ratings can mask. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • Citations
  • Citations/Inspection
  • Severe Citations
  • Fines
  • Accreditations
04

Operational & Financial Stability 20%

Stable operations and sound finances are leading indicators of consistent care over time.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy vs State
  • Avg Length of Stay
  • Revenue
  • Payroll %
  • Years in Operation
  • Admin Tenure
05

Environment & Accessibility 5%

Context that matters to families but doesn't directly measure clinical care. Weighted lower for nursing homes than for assisted or independent living.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • BBB Rating
Full methodology →
No paid rankings Facilities cannot pay to influence placement.
Data source Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
How we're paid: If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
Submit a correction
Who we are

Your Senior Care Partner, Every Step of the Way

We help families find affordable senior communities and unlock same day discounts, Medicaid, and Medicare options tailored to your needs.

Contact us Today

Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in Buffalo, NY

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in New York?

Assisted living in New York is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does New York Medicaid cover nursing home care?

Yes — New York Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.

What is nursing home care?

Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.

How many nursing homes are listed on this page?

This page features 11 nursing homes in Buffalo, NY. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right nursing home in Buffalo, NY?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Buffalo, NY, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting nursing homes in Buffalo, NY?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.

Updated on