Page 13 of Best Nursing Homes in New York State

Serving Queens County, Meadow Park Rehabilitation and Health Care Center is a nursing home that strongly focuses on post-acute rehabilitation. Operated by the center’s management team and owned by Julie Lichtschein, the facility has 143 beds at 97% occupancy. Residents stay for an average of 142 days, as the home provides short-term rehabilitation and longer-term nursing care.

Clinically, Meadow Park mostly handles acute and rehabilitation cases. There’s a doctor on staff who provides structured rehabilitation services for recovery and recovery planning. Total nurse staffing averages 2 hours and 32 minutes per resident each day. This staffing is distributed across registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses throughout each day.

The neighborhood scored 88 on the Walk Score scale. Most daily errands can be done on foot. The surrounding area is accessible for visiting families and is near local services. That said, families can visit on foot or explore without a car.

Residents have access to recreation programs, off-site outings, resident council meetings, and beautician services. Dining includes Glatt Kosher meals, as well as a variety of ethnic and balanced menu options. Religious services are also available to meet residents’ spiritual needs.

State inspections found issues over time. They were mostly related to care planning, infection control, food safety, and fire safety systems. However, all were corrected following the citation. Families visiting Meadow Park can ask staff how they comply with these areas and how they manage everything to maintain the facility’s standards.

Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a 216-bed nursing home in Dunkirk, serving residents who need skilled nursing care and short-term rehabilitation after surgery or illness. The neighborhood is very walkable (Walk Score 71), which matters if family members are visiting regularly and want to navigate on foot. With 94% occupancy and an average resident stay of 161 days, the facility draws a mix of short-term rehabilitation residents and those who need ongoing nursing care.

The facility offers on-site rehabilitation services, cardiac management, and Alzheimer’s and dementia care. A notable feature is on-site dialysis, which means residents requiring renal treatment don’t have to leave campus for routine appointments. Nursing care is staffed at about 3 hours 4 minutes per resident per day across registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides, distributed to cover 24-hour operations.

Rooms include in-room and common area dining options, free Wi-Fi and cable, and access to complimentary barbering and salon services five days a week. These amenities, combined with a warm staff culture, suggest attention to the day-to-day comfort of residents.

The facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, making it accessible to residents with different coverage situations.

State inspections of this facility have focused on regulatory reporting and operational protocols. Deficiencies identified over the years have been corrected upon citation; the facility has no substantiated complaints or enforcement actions on record. The inspection history shows standard regulatory challenges that the facility has consistently resolved.

Overview of Maria Regina Rehabilitation and Nursing

Maria Regina Rehabilitation and Nursing sits on a 212-acre campus at 1725 Brentwood Rd in Brentwood, New York. Optima Care Brentwood, LLC runs it. Every single bed, all 188 of them, is in a private room.

Most residents come here for short-term rehab, usually under Medicare. But the facility also handles long-term nursing care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and recovery after a stroke.

Right now, occupancy is at 93 percent. That’s 175 of the 188 beds filled. The facility takes Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. As for getting around the area, the Walk Score is 49, so it’s somewhat walkable, but not fully.

The staffing numbers tell you something real about daily care. Total nursing time runs 3 hours and 44 minutes per resident, each day. Licensed practical nurses handle 1 hour and 19 minutes of that time. Outside of medical care, residents can spend time in a garden courtyard, attend services in the chapel, eat in the resident dining room, or visit the beauty and nail salon.

When it comes to inspections, this facility tends to get looked at for medication management, fire safety, and staffing and staff credentials. Those are common areas regulators check at large nursing facilities like this one.

Put simply, Maria Regina is a big, campus-style facility built for rehab and recovery. Every resident gets a private room, and the staffing levels show a real commitment to short-term, intensive care.

Overview of Woodland Pond at New Paltz

Located in Ulster County, Woodland Pond at New Paltz is a skilled nursing home owned by Michelle Gramoglia and operated by Woodland Pond, Inc. The 40-bed community is in New Paltz, a college town with a walkable downtown, scoring 89 out of 100 for walkability. That accessibility makes it convenient for family and visitors, who will find most errands and local services easily within walking distance.

The home accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, giving families several ways to cover the cost of care. Residents usually stay an average of 122 days, including post-acute rehabilitation residents and those in ongoing skilled nursing. At 90% occupancy, the home is nearly full with 36 residents.

Woodland Pond focuses on rehabilitation and respite care, so it’s a practical choice for those recovering from surgery, illness, or hospitalization. Total nurse staffing averages 5 hours and 44 minutes per resident each day. That level of staffing includes registered nurses, nursing aides, and licensed practical nurses, distributed throughout the day. They work together to provide consistent hands-on support and oversight.

State inspections conducted by the New York Department of Health over the past six years found no citations, enforcement actions, or substantiated complaints. The facility’s clean inspection record means it consistently complies with regulatory requirements and pays attention to resident care and operational standards.

Residents’ dining options extend beyond usual nursing home meals. It features gourmet dining, casual bistro selections, and private options.

The facility’s strong clinical staffing, clean regulatory record, and welcoming neighborhood setting make Woodland Pond a great option for families seeking skilled nursing care in the Hudson Valley.

Overview of Sky View Rehabilitation and Health Care Center

SKY View Rehabilitation and Health Care Center is a 192-bed nursing home in Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County. It is located at 1280 Albany Post Road. Because it has a low Walk Score of 41, you should plan to use a car if you visit often. Driving is the most common way to reach this facility.

Right now, 175 beds are in use, which means 91 percent of the rooms are full. Most people stay for about 112 days. This length of time shows that patients often need more recovery than a short hospital stay but less than permanent care. The center focuses on healing wounds and helping people move better after bone surgery.

Each person living there gets about 2 hours and 50 minutes of nursing care every day. In this time, registered nurses help for 33 minutes, and LPNs help for 45 minutes. Nurse aides provide the most care, spending 1 hour and 51 minutes with each resident during the day to help them with their needs.

The New York Department of Health checks this building to make sure it is safe. When they visit, they look at how the home keeps records and if the food and cleaning are good. These inspections help ensure the facility follows rules for health and safety to protect every person who stays there.

SKY View takes private money, Medicare, and Medicaid. It is not common for nearby homes to take all three. This helps families find a way to pay for long-term stays. The center is a good choice for people who need nursing help for a few months after leaving the hospital, especially if they are healing from surgery.

Overview of Park Gardens Rehabilitation Center

Park Gardens Rehabilitation Center operates as a 200-bed nursing home at 6585 Broadway in the Bronx, New York, managed by owner Leon Goldenberg with administrator Eli Schonbrun.

The facility is 4.7 miles from downtown Bronx and situated in a moderately walkable neighborhood (Walk Score: 67).

It serves a primarily long-term Medicaid population (88.8% of current census), with Medicare comprising 6% and private pay 5% of admissions; average length of stay is 300 days. The facility maintains 90% occupancy.

CMS ratings place Park Gardens at 3 stars overall. The health inspection rating is 3 stars (5.6% above New York average), but staffing performance is weak at 2 stars, reflecting 2h 48m of nursing per resident daily, 20% below the state average of 3h 29m. Registered nurse hours are particularly low at 29 minutes per day (31% below state), while licensed practical nurse hours run 28 minutes (39% below state). The 209-person workforce includes 35 contract staff (17% of total); the staff-to-resident ratio is 1.11:1.

Between 2019 and July 2023, four inspections yielded 12 citations. A July 2023 complaint investigation substantiated financial abuse by a certified nursing assistant who misappropriated funds from a cognitively impaired resident; the employee was terminated in January 2023. Inspection reports cite a persistent pattern: incomplete baseline care plans, failure to revise comprehensive care plans after assessments, improper narcotics storage and documentation, delayed reporting of alleged verbal abuse, poor facility maintenance (peeling wallpaper, rusted fixtures), and infection control lapses (uncleaned medical equipment, staff hand hygiene failures). The facility received 110 complaints since 2019, 39% higher than the state average.

No federal penalties occurred in the past three years. Seven active lawsuits are currently in court.

Residents experience worsening walking ability at 28.3% (71% worse than state average), a marker of functional decline. Hospitalizations run at 2.92 per 1,000 resident days (71% worse than state). Pressure ulcers and falls with major injury track better than average.

Financial performance is strained: payroll consumes 45.2% of revenue (below typical 53-65%), and net operating loss was $31,800 in 2023.

Park Gardens is oriented toward long-term Medicaid care. The facility’s compliance record, combined with low staffing levels and elevated hospitalization rates, suggests heightened clinical risk.

Located on Port Washington Boulevard in Port Washington, New York, Sands Point Center for Health and Rehabilitation is a skilled nursing facility operated by AGMA, Inc under the ownership of the Estate of Mayer Laufer. Families can choose from Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay to cover both short-term rehabilitation and longer-term skilled nursing care. The 180-bed community has an occupancy rate of 89%, with 161 residents. Most stay an average of 115 days, which includes post-acute rehabilitation and extended nursing care.

Rehabilitation is the foundation of the facility’s clinical services. Residents have access to specialized programs for amputee rehabilitation, neuro-rehabilitation, certified cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, stroke recovery, and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. Dedicated memory care units provide specialized support for residents living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Staff are trained in therapeutic approaches for cognitive care. Respiratory care is available on-site for residents recovering after surgery or acute illness.

Nursing staffing averages 2 hours and 26 minutes per resident each day. The care is composed of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides.

Comfort and practical support are blended in daily living. Residents may choose private or semi-private accommodations, and each room has a flat-screen television. Meals are served in an elegant dining setting. Therapeutic diets are customized to meet individual medical needs. Recreation programming includes holiday celebrations, live entertainment, and fitness classes. Modern rehabilitation equipment is available for therapy sessions.

Other amenities include secure on-site parking, complimentary Wi-Fi, daily newspapers, and concierge services for residents and visiting families.

The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 46. Some nearby destinations are walkable, but most errands require transportation. Department of Health inspections have identified areas of concern involving infection control practices and staffing. All cited deficiencies were corrected within the required timeframes.

Operated under Leonard Russ’ ownership, Bayberry Nursing Home is a 60-bed SNF at 40 Keogh Lane in New Rochelle, New York. Operating at 80 percent occupancy, it serves individuals requiring skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, and specialized medical support. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are welcome, providing residents with flexible options to cover care costs.

The facility maintains robust staffing support, with a total nursing presence averaging 3 hours 53 minutes per resident daily. This comprises registered nurse coverage of 55 minutes per day, nursing aide support of 2 hours 27 minutes per day, and licensed practical nurse availability. The combination reflects a commitment to attentive care and supervision all day. Bayberry Nursing Home offers rehabilitation services and respite care, making it a fitting choice for occupants recovering from surgery or acute illness, plus families seeking temporary care arrangements. The home provides 24-hour staffing and maintains a religious services program. The average stay length is 254 days, indicating a mix of residents in short-term rehabilitation and longer-term care. The home is in an average walkable neighborhood with a Walk Score of 69, allowing visitors some ability to run nearby errands on foot while keeping the setting relatively residential.

State inspections have noted themes around fire safety, infection control, respiratory care protocols, food safety practices, and antibiotic stewardship. During follow-up reviews, all identified concerns have been corrected.

Overview of Sprain Brook Manor Rehab

Operated by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab, LLC under owner Leopold Schwimmer, Sprain Brook Manor Rehab is a skilled nursing facility in Scarsdale, New York. The 121-bed home focuses on short-term rehabilitation and longer-term skilled nursing care.

Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several ways to cover post-acute recovery and ongoing care. The facility is 83% occupied. Residents stay an average of 110 days, which includes rehabilitation patients and longer-term residents.

Rehabilitation is a major strength of the facility. Specialized programs include amputee rehabilitation, neuro-rehabilitation, cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation, and recovery support for stroke and traumatic brain injury patients. The home also has dedicated Alzheimer’s and dementia care units, reflecting strong experience in memory care.

Nurse staffing averages 2 hours and 39 minutes per resident each day. Residents are supported by registered nurses who provide 1 hour and 42 minutes of support and nurse aides who contribute 2 hours and 29 minutes of daily care.

There are private and semi-private rooms with flat-screen televisions and access to a modern rehabilitation gym. The dining program includes kosher, vegetarian, and vegan meal options in an elegant dining setting. Residents are also offered complimentary Wi-Fi, phone service, secure parking for visiting family members, and a daily newspaper. Activities for residents include holiday celebrations, live entertainment, and fitness classes to keep them engaged throughout their stay.

The area has a Walk Score of 25, meaning most trips require transportation. Visiting family members will generally need to drive or arrange transportation to reach the facility.

State inspections by the Department of Health have focused on areas such as care planning, food handling, emergency preparedness, and compliance reporting. Families touring the facility should ask how these areas are managed and monitored as part of daily operations.

Overview of Kendal at Ithaca

Under the company name Kendal at Ithaca, Inc., Kendal at Ithaca is a skilled nursing home at 2230 North Triphammer Road in Ithaca. The facility operated by owner Gregory Sommers welcomes Medicare and private pay, offering families a direct route to coverage for short-term rehabilitation and ongoing nursing care. With 48 beds operating at 88 percent occupancy, the home has steady demand. The average stay length of 181 days reflects its mix of post-acute rehabilitation residents and those needing longer-term nursing care.

Clinically, total daily nursing care averages 5 hours and 32 minutes per resident, spread out across registered nurses, nurse aides, and LPNs and LVNs. That level of staffing bolsters residents recovering from surgery, acute illness, or hospitalization, as well as those with active chronic care needs. Rehabilitation services and enhanced assisted living are within the facility’s nursing care framework. The community is deeply integrated into Ithaca’s walkable neighborhoods. The location, with a Walk Score of 91, offers easy foot access to retail, restaurants, and services, making it easy for residents to get out and for family members to visit without parking or long drives worries. Plus, public transportation connections are readily available. The community is known for its unique lifestyle amenities, including a woodshop, dog park, TV studio, winemaking program, clay tennis courts, and aviaries, adding texture and engagement to daily life well beyond standard nursing care.

With a specific focus on electrical systems, egress illumination, and hazard containment, state inspections address building and life safety code compliance. Kendal at Ithaca works to address and correct any identified concerns. When touring, residents and families can inquire about how such safety areas are handled.