Best Nursing Homes in Buffalo–Cheektowaga
Quick Answer
Buffalo–Cheektowaga has 20 Medicare-certified nursing homes with an average SunsetWell score of 81.5/100. Top-rated facility: SUNSHINE CHILDREN'S HOME AND REHAB CENTER (score: 100). Typical costs range $6,000-$12,000/month for private pay. 65% of facilities score 75+ (high-performing).
Market Overview
Buffalo's skilled nursing landscape shows excellent quality with 20 facilities averaging a SunsetWell score of 81.5. 65% of facilities score 75 or higher, indicating strong availability of high-performing options.
The 35-point gap between highest and lowest-rated facilities highlights quality variation in this market. Families should review current state inspection reports, tour multiple facilities, and verify Medicaid/Medicare acceptance before making decisions.
Score Distribution
🏆 Exceptional Care (90-100)
SUNSHINE CHILDREN'S HOME AND REHAB CENTER
Nearby best optionST JOSEPHS PLACE
Nearby best optionWESTERN NEW YORK STATE VETERANS HOME
Nearby best optionMCAULEY RESIDENCE
Nearby best optionELLIS RESIDENTIAL & REHABILITATION CENTER
Nearby best optionNORTH SHORE - L I J ORZAC CTR FOR REHABILITATION
Nearby best optionBEDFORD CENTER FOR NURSING AND REHABILITATION
Nearby best option⭐ Excellent Options (75-89)
BAYBERRY NURSING HOME
Nearby best optionST CATHERINE OF SIENA NRSG AND REHAB CARE CENTER
Nearby best optionSEA CREST NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER
Nearby best optionLIVINGSTON COUNTY CENTER FOR NURSING AND REHAB
Nearby best optionMEADOWBROOK CARE CENTER
Nearby best optionST ANNS COMMUNITY
Nearby best optionAbove Average (60-74)
KENDAL AT ITHACA
Nearby best optionGUTHRIE CORTLAND MEDICAL CENTER
Nearby best optionQUEENS BOULEVARD EXTENDED CARE FACILITY
Nearby best optionWELLSVILLE MANOR CARE CENTER
Nearby best optionORCHARD REHABILITATION & NURSING CENTER
Nearby best optionHIGHLAND CARE CENTER
Nearby best optionHARRIS HILL NURSING FACILITY, L L C
Nearby best optionHow to Choose the Right Facility
If quality is your top priority:
→ Consider: SUNSHINE CHILDREN'S HOME AND REHAB CENTER, ST JOSEPHS PLACE, WESTERN NEW YORK STATE VETERANS HOME
These facilities score 75+ and demonstrate consistent excellence in health inspections, staffing, and quality measures.
For urgent placement:
Contact top-rated facilities first to check availability. Consider expanding search to nearby metros if needed. Avoid rushing into lower-scoring facilities—invest time in thorough evaluation even in emergencies.
Important: Always tour facilities personally, review current state inspection reports, and verify Medicare/Medicaid acceptance before making final decisions. Scores provide objective comparison but cannot replace in-person evaluation.
Detailed Comparison
| Rank | Facility | SunsetWell Score® (0-100 weighted) | Percentile (vs. state peers) | Health | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SUNSHINE CHILDREN'S HOME AND REHAB CENTER | 100 | 100 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 2 | ST JOSEPHS PLACE | 98 | 98 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3 | WESTERN NEW YORK STATE VETERANS HOME | 96 | 96 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4 | MCAULEY RESIDENCE | 96 | 96 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5 | ELLIS RESIDENTIAL & REHABILITATION CENTER | 93 | 93 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 6 | NORTH SHORE - L I J ORZAC CTR FOR REHABILITATION | 90 | 90 | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 7 | BEDFORD CENTER FOR NURSING AND REHABILITATION | 90 | 90 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 8 | BAYBERRY NURSING HOME | 89 | 90 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 9 | ST CATHERINE OF SIENA NRSG AND REHAB CARE CENTER | 87 | 88 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 10 | SEA CREST NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER | 82 | 83 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 11 | LIVINGSTON COUNTY CENTER FOR NURSING AND REHAB | 79 | 79 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 12 | MEADOWBROOK CARE CENTER | 78 | 79 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 13 | ST ANNS COMMUNITY | 76 | 77 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| 14 | KENDAL AT ITHACA | 72 | 73 | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 15 | GUTHRIE CORTLAND MEDICAL CENTER | 71 | 72 | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 16 | QUEENS BOULEVARD EXTENDED CARE FACILITY | 70 | 70 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 17 | WELLSVILLE MANOR CARE CENTER | 67 | 68 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| 18 | ORCHARD REHABILITATION & NURSING CENTER | 66 | 66 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 19 | HIGHLAND CARE CENTER | 66 | 66 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 20 | HARRIS HILL NURSING FACILITY, L L C | 65 | 66 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Additional Resources
State Oversight
- • State Health Department: Check current inspection reports
- • Medicare Nursing Home Compare: medicare.gov/care-compare
- • State Ombudsman: Resident advocacy and complaints
Financial Planning
- • Elder Law Attorney Referral: Plan Medicaid eligibility
- • Veterans Benefits: VA Aid & Attendance
- • Long-Term Care Insurance: Review policy coverage
Disclaimer: This guide is educational only. SunsetWell scores are based on CMS data and peer-group analysis. Always tour facilities personally, speak with staff, review current state inspection reports, and consult healthcare professionals before making placement decisions.
Last updated: January 2025 | Data source: CMS Nursing Home Compare, State Health Departments, SunsetWell Analysis