Page 9 of Best Nursing Homes in New York State

Located on Linden Street in Ogdensburg, New York, St Josephs Home is a skilled nursing facility with 82 beds. The home is operated by St Joseph’s Home, and it’s owned by Michael Backus. The community provides nursing care to a stable population of residents, many of whom remain for extended stays. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay from families managing both short-term rehabilitation and longer-term care needs.

Daily nurse staffing averages 2 hours and 37 minutes per resident. They are supported by a care team of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing aides. Residents stay for an average of 899 days as they typically settle in for ongoing nursing care rather than brief post-acute rehabilitation. The facility operates respite and pastoral care programs. There are also general resident care services that provide both routine care and specialized support for families seeking temporary placement.

State inspections by the Department of Health, Office of Aging and Long Term Care reviewed areas such as facility operations, food handling, and safety systems. Like many nursing homes, the facility has addressed these findings to maintain regulatory compliance.

The area around St Josephs Home is moderately walkable, with a Walk Score of 62. Some errands and local services can be reached on foot, but other trips require driving. This quieter environment may suit families who want convenient access to the home.

Overview of St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center

Focused on rehabilitation and post-acute recovery, St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center is a skilled nursing home on Moriches Road in St. James, New York. The 230-bed facility is operated by St James Operating, LLC under owner Tanya Kelly. Families can choose from Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay to cover care costs. The community has an occupancy rate of 97%. It has a robust census of residents and steady demand for its services.

The center offers daily physical, occupational, and speech therapy, along with subacute post-operative care for residents recovering from surgery or hospitalization. For those with more complex needs, services include respiratory care, IV therapy, diabetic management, pain management, bariatric care, and restorative care. A dedicated Alzheimer’s and memory care program is also available for residents who need specialized cognitive support.

Nurse staffing 2 hours and 51 minutes per resident daily. Registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses work across all shifts to provide consistent hands-on support and clinical oversight. Residents stay an average of 112 days. The population is a mix of post-acute rehabilitation residents and those transitioning to longer-term care.

The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 66, meaning it is somewhat walkable. Visiting family members can run some errands on foot and explore portions of the surrounding area without relying solely on a car.

On-site dental, podiatry, and optometry services minimize the need for outside appointments. An in-house chef and staff dietitian prepare daily meals with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Recreational therapy, 24-hour admissions, a veterans program, and concierge services are also available. Amenities include private suites and both indoor and outdoor community spaces for residents and visitors.

State inspections by the Department of Health have focused on environmental cleanliness and medication management practices. The home had responded to the areas of concern raised, and families viewing the home could ask about how these areas are monitored and managed daily.

Overview of Highland Park Rehabilitation & Nursing Center

A member of the Excelsior Care Group, Highland Park in Wellsville, New York, is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center. Tranquility surrounds the home-like setting with a family-like atmosphere, contributing to an inspiring and relaxing recovery. Highland Park boasts an elegant home with delightful hospitality that encourages residents to live on their terms while receiving quality service from the dedicated care staff. They excel in keeping a tight-knit relationship between the families of residents for a more personal approach and trusting relationship in making medical decisions.
Specializing in long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, and nursing care, benefits include medical professionals for each continuing care: podiatry, dermatology, neurological, ENT, and surgical care. Other services include social services, adult medical day care, pet therapy, restaurant-style dining, and private/semi-private bedrooms.

Overview of Berkshire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Berkshire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center sits at 10 Berkshire Road in West Babylon, a 175-bed facility owned by Susan Aschkenazi through Berkshire Nursing Home, LLC. It’s been Medicare and Medicaid certified continuously since 1970, more than five decades of operating history, and the focus here leans toward short-term rehabilitation, with a physician on-site. Occupancy runs at 90 percent, 158 of 175 beds filled.

The facility takes Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, and sits in a somewhat walkable pocket of West Babylon, Walk Score of 46. Staffing numbers give a real picture of daily care: total nursing time averages 2 hours and 45 minutes per resident, per day, with licensed practical nurses contributing 45 minutes of that.

The clinical programming here has real specificity. Cardiac rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy, an enteral nutrition specialty, and dementia-focused care are all named, structured offerings, not vague service categories. The physical setting backs that up too: 4 acres of grounds and gardens, plus complimentary Wi-Fi, television, phone, and laundry service, and concierge support for residents and families navigating day-to-day logistics.

Inspections here have tended to focus on fire-safety systems and care planning and documentation, the kind of operational areas regulators typically review at established skilled nursing facilities.

Altogether, Berkshire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a long-running facility built specifically around short-term rehabilitation, backed by real clinical specialization and a physical campus substantial enough to support both residents and the families visiting them.

Located in Franklin Square, New York, Garden Care Center is a 150-bed nursing home serving the greater Garden City area. The home is operated by Garden Care Center, Inc. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, providing several ways for families to cover both short-term rehabilitation and longer-term nursing care.

The facility’s occupancy rate is 93%, and residents stay for an average of 156 days. Garden Care Center serves post-acute rehabilitation residents and those requiring longer-term skilled nursing support. The facility is well-positioned for rehabilitation, with dedicated rehab and subacute services. These are specialized and outpatient programs for residents recovering from surgery, illness, or hospitalization.

Clinically, the home maintains 24-hour staffing. Nurses provide an average of approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes of care per resident each day. This includes registered nurses (29 minutes per day), nurse aides (2 hours and 14 minutes), and LPN/LVN support (37 minutes), providing consistent hands-on care across shifts.

The home’s location in Franklin Square has a walkability score of 89. Most errands can be accomplished on foot, and essential services are nearby. Residents and visiting family members can easily navigate the community.

State inspections identified concerns related to infection control, pressure ulcer management, life safety code compliance, respiratory care, and quality-of-care practices. Like many facilities, the home addressed deficiencies with varying success across survey cycles.

Located at 5606 15th Avenue in Borough Park, The Heritage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center operates 79 beds under the management of Palm Tree Care Center, serving residents throughout Kings County. The facility specializes in orthopedic, cardiac, and neurorehabilitation services, along with cognitive therapy, drawing a patient population oriented toward short-term post-acute Medicare rehabilitation and longer private-pay stays. Occupancy stands at 92%, pointing to solid local demand.

Two inspections conducted since 2021 resulted in eight citations overall, a markedly better outcome than the typical New York nursing home’s record. Health deficiencies numbered just four, and a serious finding from November 2021 involving improper use of physical restraints was promptly corrected. The facility’s inspection in May 2025 identified five deficiencies spanning care planning, electrical infrastructure, and fire safety codes, all of which were remedied by June. No federal penalties have been assessed in the past three years.

Direct nursing care operates at 3 hours 3 minutes per resident daily, lagging the New York state benchmark by about 13 percent. Licensed practical nurse staffing presents a notable shortfall, though the facility compensates partly through registered nurse coverage on weekends that exceeds state averages by 11 percent. Round-the-clock staffing is maintained, along with respite care and comprehensive rehabilitation services.

The facility’s food service reflects Orthodox certification standards, featuring Glatt Kosher cuisine. Other offerings include a gym outfitted for rehabilitation work, a library for resident use, and daily religious services with regular engagement from neighboring educational institutions. The neighborhood itself scores highly for walkability, with a rating of 84, making local amenities readily accessible.

The Heritage’s care model aligns with short-term rehabilitation patients and residents seeking private-pay skilled nursing over months-long stays in Brooklyn.

Overview of Helen Hayes Hospital

Operating at 51 North Route 9W in West Haverstraw, Helen Hayes Hospital represents a unique institutional asset: a state-owned specialty physical rehabilitation hospital established in 1900 through gubernatorial act, now a 125-year-old cornerstone of American rehabilitation medicine. Chartered by the New York State Department of Health, the facility maintains affiliation with New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System and holds preferred provider status in the Montefiore Health System Skilled Nursing Facility Collaborative. Joint Commission accreditation and the 2025 Press Ganey Human Experience Award (HX NDNQI) underscore institutional standards.

CMS assigns perfect 5-star ratings across health inspection, staffing, and quality measures.

Staffing depth is extraordinary for the rehabilitation specialty: 8 hours 3 minutes daily nursing/resident (ranking #2 in New York, +138% above baseline).

Registered nurses work 2 hours 59 minutes/resident daily; 326% above standard. Nursing aides contribute 3 hours 12 minutes, 47% above state. Weekend nursing maintains 7 hours daily, with registered nurse presence at 2 hours 20 minutes (400% above state). Physical therapy spans 53 minutes/resident daily (657% above average).

The Q4 2025 workforce comprises 54 RNs, 56 CNAs, and 1 LPN; all direct hires, zero contractors.

One May 2018 inspection yielded two Level 2 resident rights citations, since corrected. A September 2025 inspection found no deficiencies. Zero complaints exist in the registry against an average of 79. No enforcement actions or fines appear on record.

The facility operates 28 specialty program tracks, encompassing spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, amputee care, cardiopulmonary, orthopedic, and multi-trauma rehabilitation. Adjunctive services include Parkinson’s, oncology, pediatric, and pulmonary rehabilitation; aquatic therapy; assistive technology consultation; a driving rehabilitation program; lymphedema management; osteoporosis treatment; prosthetics and orthotics fabrication; recreational therapy; dental medicine; and a wellness center. Inpatient and outpatient modalities are both available. An updated pediatric outpatient suite opened in October 2024. U.S.

News & World Report designates short-term rehabilitation performance as High Performing (5/5).

Pneumococcal vaccination rates reach 99.8% (30% above state). Antipsychotic medication initiation is 0% (100% better than state). Influenza vaccination spans 99.5%.

Hospital readmission occurs in 12% of short-stay discharges (42% below state). Emergency department visits are documented in only 4.7% (52% better). Major injury falls total 0%.

Self-care recovery at discharge measures 82% (53% better than state). Community return rates reach 72.2% (43% better).

Occupancy stands at 72% (18 of 130 beds), with current census 100% Medicare-funded.

Litigation activity is documented: 27 total cases since 2012 (25 disposed, 2 active), with next court proceeding scheduled April 24, 2026.

The facility operates car-dependent location (walk score 8).

Helen Hayes Hospital’s is a premier option for intensive inpatient rehabilitation in the lower Hudson Valley, particularly for those prioritizing specialized depth and post-acute recovery outcomes.

Overview of Tupper Lake Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation

Sixty beds, nearly six decades in the same spot in Tupper Lake, New York. That’s the baseline for Tupper Lake Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, a nonprofit skilled nursing facility in Franklin County, in the Adirondack region, that’s been operating since 1967. It’s Medicare and Medicaid certified, and it sits in a neighborhood with a Walk Score of 58, so some errands are walkable and others aren’t.

Right now the place is running at 88 percent occupancy, 53 of 60 beds filled. Nursing staff put in an average of four hours and thirty-two minutes of total care per resident every day. That’s the number that actually tells you something about day-to-day coverage, more than a bed count ever could.

The clinical roster here is broad for a facility this size: physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, dental care, and psychiatry, all with physician oversight built into the skilled nursing care. On the softer side, there’s beauty and barber service on-site, plus nutrition and exercise work and wellness planning, the kind of stuff that fills the space between clinical appointments.

When New York’s Department of Health, Office of Aging and Long Term Care comes through for its inspections, the categories they look at match what regulators check everywhere: medication management, infection control, staffing credentials, environmental safety, documentation, dietary service, and resident rights. What you’re left with is a small, rural nursing home that’s been part of Tupper Lake for a long time, with a clinical bench that’s more extensive than you’d expect for 60 beds, and a nursing care hour figure that’s worth weighing against whatever else is on your shortlist.

Jamaica Hospital Nursing Home Co sits at 89-40 135th Street in Jamaica, Queens County, a very walkable stretch of New York with a Walk Score of 88. Most errands here don’t require a car. The facility itself is a 228-bed skilled nursing operation, run by Jamaica Hospital Nursing Home Co, and it’s doing brisk business: 221 of those 228 beds are filled, putting occupancy at 97 percent. That’s a high number for a facility this size, and it points to steady, sustained demand rather than a building trying to fill empty rooms.

Care here centers on nursing support. Staff provide an average of 3 hours and 40 minutes of daily nursing care per resident, a figure that blends registered nurse time, licensed practical nurse time, and nurse aide hours into one total. For families comparing facilities, this kind of number matters more than a glossy brochure does, because it’s a rough proxy for how much hands-on attention a resident actually gets across a typical day. Rehabilitation services are also part of the care model, alongside named programs in patient care, medical and nursing services, and social work.

Residents have patient lounges, expanded dining areas, and recreational rooms to move through, plus a hair salon, massage therapy, and acupuncture for anyone who wants something a little less clinical. A library and reading room and a fitness center with group exercise options round out the daily options, and private dining rooms are available for families who want a quieter meal together. The kitchen also offers a halal and kosher menu, which isn’t a small thing for residents whose dietary needs are tied to faith or culture. Entertainment programming fills in the rest of the calendar.

On the regulatory side, state inspections here (run by the Department of Health’s Office of Aging and Long Term Care) circle back to a familiar set of themes: medication management, infection prevention and control, fire-safety systems, emergency preparedness, and care planning and documentation. None of that is unusual. These are the areas regulators scrutinize at nursing homes across the state, not red flags specific to this address.

Put together, Jamaica Hospital Nursing Home can be described as a large, nearly full skilled nursing facility in a walkable part of Queens, with a nursing care commitment substantial enough to matter to anyone weighing hands-on daily support against a more independent living arrangement.

Overview of Mount Sinai South Nassau

Mount Sinai South Nassau Transitional Care Unit is a 20-bed nonprofit transitional care unit in Oceanside, Nassau County, located within Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital. The facility provides short-term rehabilitation and is Medicare certified. Part of a 455-bed hospital with over 900 affiliated physicians, it maintains 85 percent occupancy with 17 residents on average. Operating since 2014, the unit earned a five-star overall CMS rating with a high-performing designation for short-term rehabilitation.

Recent inspection records documented 13 citations, primarily related to fire safety and emergency preparedness deficiencies that were corrected. The facility reported zero complaints on record. Nursing staff provide 5.95 hours of daily care per resident. That markedly exceeds the national average of 3.90 hours. Physical therapists provide approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes per resident per week. The facility does not maintain family or resident councils.

Mount Sinai South Nassau offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and skilled nursing services for post-acute transitional care. As a hospital-based unit, residents access Mount Sinai’s comprehensive services including advanced cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, bariatrics, pain management, and mental health care. Automatic sprinkler systems and fire safety compliance protect residents. The unit specializes in rehabilitating patients transitioning from acute hospital care, enabling efficient progression toward discharge or placement in appropriate long-term care settings.

The hospital’s on-campus location eliminates transportation barriers for post-acute patients requiring physician oversight and diagnostic services. Cardiologists, oncologists, orthopedic surgeons, and specialists remain immediately available for resident care coordination.

Mount Sinai South Nassau Transitional Care Unit is exceptionally well-suited for patients requiring high-intensity post-acute rehabilitation with access to comprehensive hospital services, exceptional five-star quality ratings, and staffing levels substantially above national norms.