Rochester Senior AdvisorWhat is the main difference between an adult home and enriched housing?
The main difference is supervision and living space: an adult home must provide 24-hour supervision and personal care in a congregate setting, while an enriched housing program provides personal care and supervision fewer than 24 hours a day in apartment-style units, mostly to residents 65 and older.
The Department of Health's roster lists 46 licensed adult care facility buildings in Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, Livingston and Orleans counties, with 3,632 certified beds: 31 hold an adult home license and 16 an enriched housing license (a few hold both), and 31 are certified as Assisted Living Residences.
Which one serves more meals?
An adult home provides all meals, while an enriched housing program must provide at least one hot meal a day and make other food available, since residents often have their own kitchenettes.
In practice most enriched housing buildings around Rochester serve three meals in a dining room. The license sets the minimum; the residency agreement tells you what is included.
Do both kinds of residence offer assisted living certification?
Yes; an Assisted Living Residence must be located inside either an adult home or an enriched housing program, and both can add EALR, SNALR or Assisted Living Program beds.
Because the certification sits on top of the base license, an enriched housing program with SNALR beds can offer memory care just as an adult home can. Look at the certification counts rather than the base license when comparing care levels.
Which is better for a parent who values independence?
Enriched housing usually suits a parent who wants an apartment, keeps a daily routine and needs help a few times a day, while an adult home suits a parent who needs supervision around the clock or benefits from a more structured day.
Tour both. A parent who spends most of the day alone in an apartment may do better in a congregate building with more people around, especially through a long Rochester winter.
Why do some Rochester residences hold both licenses?
Some campuses hold an adult home license for one wing and an enriched housing license for another so they can offer two living styles and certifications under one operator, and the state roster lists each license separately.
Our directory combines them into one building entry and lists each operating certificate on the facility page, so the counts are not double-counted.
At a glance
| Adult home | Enriched housing program | |
|---|---|---|
| Rule | 18 NYCRR Part 487 | 18 NYCRR Part 488 |
| Supervision | 24 hours a day | Fewer than 24 hours required |
| Living space | Rooms in a congregate building | Apartment-style units |
| Meals | All meals | At least one hot meal a day |
Sources include the N.Y. Social Services Law and Public Health Law, 18 NYCRR Parts 487-494, 10 NYCRR Parts 415 and 1001, Department of Health GIS messages, CMS, the VA and CareScout, as cited above; see our editorial standards.
