Selfhelp Home is a senior living community run by Selfhelp, a Jewish nonprofit with roots in New York since 1936
Selfhelp Home operates residential communities for older adults, with locations primarily in the New York area. The organization was founded to serve Jewish seniors and their families, though admission is not limited to Jewish residents. The community provides housing, meals, activities, and support services on a campus model, meaning residents live in one location with multiple levels of care available.
The organization is part of a larger Selfhelp network that also runs social services, job training, and housing programs. Selfhelp Home itself focuses on seniors aged 62 and older, with options ranging from independent apartments to assisted living and skilled nursing care.
Key Takeaways
- Selfhelp Home serves seniors 62 and older in New York-area locations, with independent living, assisted living, and nursing care on one campus.
- The community is Jewish-founded but open to residents of all faiths and backgrounds.
- Costs vary by location, level of care, and apartment type; you will need to contact the specific community directly for current pricing.
- Residents can move between levels of care within the same community as their needs change, without relocating.
- The organization accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private payment; coverage depends on your state, income, and the specific community.
Where Selfhelp Home Communities Are Located
Selfhelp operates multiple senior living communities in the New York metropolitan area. The main locations include communities in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and surrounding regions. Each community is a separate campus with its own staff, amenities, and resident population, so the experience and services can differ between locations.
If you are researching Selfhelp Home, confirm which location is closest to you or your family, because distance matters for visiting, medical appointments, and staying connected to your current neighborhood. You can find contact information for each community on the Selfhelp website or by calling their main office.
What Levels of Care Selfhelp Home Offers
Independent living means you have your own apartment, prepare your own meals (though dining options are available), and manage your own schedule. This is the right fit if you are active, do not need daily help with personal care, and want community and social activities without hands-on support.
Assisted living includes help with bathing, dressing, medication management, and meals, plus 24-hour staff on site. You still have your own apartment but use communal dining and activities. This level suits people who need some daily help but do not require nursing care.
Skilled nursing care is for residents who need medical supervision, wound care, physical therapy, or round-the-clock nursing. This is the highest level of care Selfhelp Home provides and is appropriate for people with serious medical conditions or significant cognitive decline.
One advantage of a campus model is that you can move from independent living to assisted living or nursing care without leaving the community. This matters because staying in a familiar place with known staff and friends can reduce stress during a health change.
How Much Selfhelp Home Costs and What Payment Options Exist
Costs depend on which community you choose, what level of care you need, and what size apartment you want. Independent living is less expensive than assisted living, which is less expensive than nursing care. Prices also vary between the Bronx and Brooklyn locations and change over time.
Selfhelp Home works with Medicare, Medicaid, and private payment. Medicare covers skilled nursing care for a limited time after a hospital stay (usually up to 100 days, with conditions). Medicaid covers long-term assisted living and nursing care for people who meet income and asset limits; those limits vary by state and change yearly. Private pay means you or your family pay out of pocket.
To learn current costs and what your insurance or Medicaid coverage would be, you need to contact the specific Selfhelp Home community you are interested in. They have admissions staff who can walk through pricing, payment plans, and what your coverage would pay for. Bring your insurance card and recent tax return if you think you might be Medicaid-may be able to access.
What Daily Life Looks Like at Selfhelp Home
Residents have access to dining rooms, fitness classes, art programs, religious services, outings, and social clubs. Many communities offer transportation for medical appointments and shopping. Staff organize activities by interest — some communities have book clubs, gardening groups, or technology classes.
Because Selfhelp Home has Jewish roots, many communities offer Shabbat services, kosher meal options, and Jewish holiday programming. These are available to all residents, regardless of faith. Non-Jewish residents are welcome and participate in secular activities and general programming.
The social side matters as much as the practical side. Residents often form friendships, attend events together, and feel part of a community rather than isolated in their apartments. If staying socially active is important to you or your family member, visiting during a community event and talking to current residents can give you a real sense of the culture.
How to Start the Admission Process
Contact the Selfhelp Home community you are interested in and ask to speak with admissions. They will ask about your age, health needs, financial situation, and what level of care you are looking for. You will likely tour the community, meet staff, and see available apartments.
Bring documentation: a photo ID, proof of income or assets, insurance information, and medical records if you have them. If you think Medicaid might pay, bring recent tax returns and bank statements so admissions can give you a rough idea of whether you would be may be able to access in your state.
The admissions team will explain the contract, costs, what is included, and what costs extra (like phone service, cable, or outings). Ask about the waiting list — some communities have a wait, especially for independent living or specific apartment types. If there is a wait, you can usually put down a deposit to hold your place.
Questions to Ask When Visiting Selfhelp Home
Before you decide, ask the admissions staff and tour guide these questions: What happens if my health needs change and I need a higher level of care? Can I stay in the same community? What is included in the monthly fee and what costs extra? How often do staff check on independent living residents? What is the staff-to-resident ratio in assisted living and nursing? What happens if I run out of money — can I switch to Medicaid? Can I bring my own furniture and decorate my apartment?
Also ask to speak with a current resident or family member if possible. They can tell you what the community is really like day-to-day, whether staff respond quickly, and whether they feel safe and happy there. This conversation is worth the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be Jewish to live at Selfhelp Home?
No. Selfhelp Home was founded to serve the Jewish community and offers Jewish programming and kosher meals, but residents of all faiths are welcome. You do not have to participate in religious services or activities if you do not want to.
What if I need nursing care now but might move to independent living later?
Most people move in the other direction — from independent to assisted to nursing — as health declines. If you need nursing care now, you would start there. Moving down to a lower level of care is less common but possible if your health improves significantly. Ask admissions whether that has happened at their community and what the process would be.
Can I bring my spouse if we need different levels of care?
Yes. Couples can live in the same community even if one person is in independent living and the other is in assisted living or nursing. They are usually in separate apartments suited to their care level, but they can visit each other and eat together in the dining room. Ask admissions how this works at the specific location.
What if I change my mind after I move in?
Your contract will spell out the terms, including whether you can leave and under what conditions you get your deposit back. Most communities have a trial period or a notice period (like 30 or 60 days). Read the contract carefully before you sign and ask admissions to explain any part you do not understand.
How do I know if Medicaid will pay for Selfhelp Home?
Medicaid covers assisted living and nursing care at facilities that are certified to accept it. Not every apartment or community level may be Medicaid-certified, so ask admissions directly which units accept Medicaid in your state. Income and asset limits vary by state, so you will need to check with your state Medicaid office or a local elder law attorney for your specific situation.