The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Lexington, KY

The Cost of Senior Living and Care in Lexington

Assisted living and home care are pricier than other cities in Kentucky. Assisted living costs in Lexington are roughly 13% more per month than the state median, and home care costs are nearly 5% more. Nursing home and adult day care are a bit cheaper in Lexington than the rest of the state.

According to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care Survey, Lexington’s average monthly cost for home care is the same as the national median, while nursing home and adult day care are 9-10% cheaper. Assisted living is slightly more expensive, about 1% higher than the national average.

How much does Assisted Living Cost in Lexington?

Assisted living and home care are pricier than other cities in Kentucky. Assisted living costs in Lexington are roughly 13% more per month than the state median, and home care costs are nearly 5% more. Nursing home and adult day care are a bit cheaper in Lexington than the rest of the state.

According to the Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Survey, Lexington’s average monthly cost for home care is the same as the national median, while nursing home and adult day care are 9-10% cheaper. Assisted living is slightly more expensive, about 1% higher than the national average.

How much does Home Care Cost in Lexington?

Assuming 44 hours of care per week at $25 per hour, Lexington comes in near the higher end of home care costs at an average of $4,004 a month. That’s nearly $200 more per month than the state median.

The less populous area of Owensboro costs significantly less, having the lowest average at $3,337, a fraction lower than Elizabethtown’s $3,432. Bowling Green is slightly higher than Lexington, coming in at $4,052, while Louisville has the highest costs in the state with a monthly average of $4,290.

How much does Adult Day Care Cost in Lexington?

Adult day health care is very affordable at an average of $1,408 per month, marginally cheaper than the state’s average of $1,463. Louisville is also on the lower end, averaging $1,430 a month.

The smaller city of Owensboro has the highest monthly average at $1,962, while Bowling Green and Elizabethtown are several hundred dollars cheaper.

How much does Nursing Home Costs in Lexington?

The cost of nursing home care in Lexington is among the lowest in Kentucky. The $6,768 monthly cost for a semi-private room is less expensive than the state’s average of $6,844.

Bowling Green is the cheapest option, averaging $6,722 a month. Other cities average between $7,087 to $7,604 a month.

Financial Assistance Programs in Lexington

Medicaid Program in Lexington

In Lexington, Medicaid provides state-administered health care to low-income individuals in accordance with federal requirements. While state plans are entitlement programs and don’t have enrollment caps, Medicaid waivers do. Once the cap is reached, incoming participants will be placed on a wait list, so some senior and disabled citizens may experience difficulties receiving that type of financial assistance.

Some in-home personal services are covered, such as Home Health Services, which are short term and must be prescribed by a physician. They’re intended to help Medicaid recipients remain at home through access to home health aides, non-routine medical supplies for episodic care and other medical social services. Medicaid also pays for nursing home care. 

Medicaid is available to senior applicants with a monthly income of up to $2,313 and assets of up to $2,000. An applicant’s home (if less than $585,000 in value), vehicle, household items and personal effects are exempt from the latter requirement. Married applicants can transfer a portion of their income, up to $3,161 a month, to a non-applicant spouse.You can apply for Medicaid by visiting your local office or calling the Department for Community Based Services at (855) 306-8959.

Medicaid Waivers in Lexington

Home and Community Based Services Waiver

The Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver program helps elderly residents age in their homes instead of institutions like nursing homes. Residence, age, functional ability, income and assets determine an applicant’s eligibility for this program.

Learn more about the application process via the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) website, by visiting the Lexington office or by calling (502) 564-5560.

Michelle P Waiver

The Michelle P Waiver (MPW) is a Medicaid-funded program providing services to adults and intellectually disabled children to help them stay at home. Eligible individuals must have an intellectual or developmental disability, require a dedicated learning environment and meet the financial requirements for Medicaid. Services include adult day training, personal assistance and various forms of therapy (such as physical and speech).

MPW services currently have a wait list. Applications can be handled through the benefind online portal, in person at either a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) or an Area Development District (ADD).

Supports for Community Living Waiver

The Supports for Community Living (SCL) waiver provides assistance to the intellectually or developmentally disabled. To be eligible, the applicant must have developed the disability before age 22 and receive no more than $2,313 per month in income. The Kentucky Division of Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities handles the initial application process, which is outlined on its webpage.

Assisted Living Waiver (ALW)

The Assisted Living Waiver program is available for Hayward residents seeking financial help to pay for assisted living. However, it must be determined that the individual qualifies for a nursing facility level of care and that they can live safely in an assisted living setting or subsidized housing instead.

Seniors must be eligible for full Medi-Cal coverage with no share of cost to qualify for the ALW. Aged & Disabled Medi-Cal and SSI-Linked Medi-Cal are full coverage options that allow individuals to apply for this waiver.

ALW services aren’t an entitlement in California, which means there’s often a waiting period before qualified residents begin to receive assistance.

Applications can’t be submitted without going through a Care Coordination Agency to receive an assessment. Hayward and Alameda County residents should contact Norcal CCA on the website or by calling (916) 385-2784.

Read more about the benefits of this program in our California Assisted Living Waiver guide.

Medi-Cal Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers

HCBS waivers offer alternatives to nursing home placement for eligible residents. A waiver is required because the federal government places restrictions on which services can be offered by individual states, and these waivers allow Medi-Cal to bypass the restrictions.

Applicants must be eligible for full Medi-Cal coverage. It must also be established that the requested waiver services are medically necessary to avoid placing the individual in a nursing facility.

HCBS waiver services include respite for caregivers, home health care, case management and private duty nursing. Various habilitation services are also covered, such as physical and speech therapy.

The services offered through HCBS waivers aren’t considered to be entitlements in California, which means applicants are placed on a waiting list if the limit for participants has been reached.

Applications for waiver services can only be made by staff at In-Home Operations (IHO) which is part of the California Department of Health Care Services. Email [email protected] or call IHO in Northern California on (916) 552-9105 to arrange a home visit.

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

Alameda County Social Services Agency manages the In-Home Supportive Services program to help seniors, and the blind or disabled to live at home for as long as possible by delaying the need for nursing facility care.

IHSS provides services based on the individual needs of each applicant with a focus on how well they are able to carry out regular activities of daily living. These services include general hygiene and personal care, housekeeping and laundry, food prep, mobility assistance and escort to appointments.

Individuals must be aged 65+ or blind, or disabled and approved for Medi-Cal. It must also be established by a social worker through the assessment process that the individual can’t safely live in their home without the assistance of IHSS.Applications for the In-Home Supportive Services program can be made over the phone on (510) 577-1900. Postal applications are also accepted, as well as in-person applications at the Eastmont Self-Sufficiency Center in Oakland.

Other Financial Assistance Programs in Lexington

Kentucky Hart-Supported Living Program

The Hart-Supported Living Program provides state-funded grants to the physically and mentally disabled, regardless of age, to help them remain at home or with a family member. These funds can be used for live-in support, home modifications and other lifestyle aids.

Since this isn’t an entitlement program, fund availability can vary from year to year. Learn more about eligibility, provided services and how to apply.

Personal Care Attendant Program

The Kentucky Personal Care Attendant Program (PCAP) is available in Lexington to those who have lost two or more limbs. Participants can hire a personal attendant with PCAP funds to help with daily activities and household chores.

This is a non-Medicaid program, and as of March 2019, this program has a wait list. More information about the financial requirements, benefits offered and application process can be found here.

Kentucky Homecare Program

Lexington residents 60 years of age or older who are at risk of being placed in a nursing home can apply for the Kentucky Homecare program. Read more about eligibility requirements, program benefits and how to apply.

Adult Day Care and Alzheimer’s Respite Program

Daytime supervision and care services are available in Lexington to elderly residents, as well as individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease, through the Adult Day Care and Alzheimer’s Respite program. For additional information about eligibility and how to apply, click here.

More Senior Living Resources in Lexington