20 Assisted Living Communities in Lexington, Kentucky

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,050 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 20 Assisted Living Communities in Lexington and several in surrounding areas.

• Assisted living: $4,050
• Nursing home semiprivate room: $6,768
• In-home care: $4,004
• Adult day health services: $1,408

In Lexington, the average monthly cost of assisted living care is $4,050, which is slightly more expensive than the national average of $4,000. Compared to the Kentucky state average of $3,520, Lexington’s assisted living care is about $500 more expensive.

All of Kentucky’s major metropolitan areas offer more affordable assisted living care than Lexington. In some of these areas, such as Bowling Green ($3,430) and Louisville ($3,498), the costs are close to the state average. Other cities are significantly less expensive, such as Owensboro, where the average cost is $1,780 per month, which is approximately half the state average.

Senior care costs can vary significantly based on the location and the type of care. At an average cost of $6,768 per month, nursing home care is nearly 70 percent more expensive than assisted living care. In-home senior care, such as homemaker services and home health aides, cost an average of $4,004 per month, which is comparable to assisted living care. However, seniors should consider the other costs they may be responsible for if they remain at home, such as rent or home maintenance. Lexington’s most affordable senior care option, adult day health care, costs just over one-third the price of assisted living care. Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $4,050

• Homemaker services: $4,004

• Home health aide: $4,004

• Adult day health: $1,408

• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $6,768

 

Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program that provides eligible low-income Americans with free or low-cost health coverage. Senior citizens, pregnant women, people with disabilities and other groups may be eligible for Medicaid coverage. Each state operates its own Medicaid program based on federal guidelines, so coverage varies between states. Kentucky’s Medicaid program (KMP) covers a wide variety of medical services, including emergency services, doctor visits, dental services, home health care and private duty nursing.

Low-income seniors may be eligible for coverage through the KMP if they are U.S. nationals, U.S. citizens or permanent residents who live in Kentucky. Single seniors must have an annual pretax household income that is below $16,146, and the Medicaid income limit for couples is $21,892.

Seniors who earn more than Kentucky’s Medicaid income limit may be able to receive coverage through the state’s spend-down program. This program provides short-term medical assistance to people with high medical bills. Seniors can use their medical bills to bring down their excess income, and when they reach their spend-down limit, Medicaid kicks in. Seniors with a monthly income over $217 may be eligible for the spend-down program, and eligibility for this program is determined on a quarterly basis.

Seniors can use benefind, Kentucky’s online portal, to check their eligibility for Medicaid or apply for coverage. They can also apply in person at a local Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) office.

Seniors who have questions about KMP or need help applying for coverage, can call (855) 306-8959 to speak to a DCBS representative.

Optional State Supplementation

Low-income seniors in Lexington may qualify for assistance from the Optional State Supplementation (OSS) Program. This program provides an additional monthly payment to seniors who already receive federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. The maximum monthly OSS payment is $520 for single seniors. The state of Kentucky treats couples as two individuals and each can receive up to $520. This cash assistance can be used to pay for room-and-board costs in assisted living facilities.

To receive assistance from the OSS program, seniors must be eligible for SSI payments. Seniors who have questions about this program can contact the Social Security Administration by calling (800) 772-1213. They can also visit a local Social Security office.

Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance

Veterans or their surviving spouses who live in assisted living facilities may be eligible for the Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance program. This program provides an additional monthly allowance to seniors who are eligible for a VA pension, which can be used to help pay for care in an assisted living facility.

The VA may add this allowance to a senior’s pension if they need help from another person to perform certain daily activities, such as getting dressed or adjusting prosthetic devices. The pension may also be paid to seniors who have very limited vision or are bedridden due to a disability.

Seniors can apply for this benefit in person at the Louisville Regional Office or submit a written request to the Pension Management Center (PMC) at the address below. Seniors must provide evidence to support their need for the increased pension amount, and the VA recommends including a doctor’s report.

Milwaukee VA Pension Center
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
Attention: Milwaukee Pension Center
P.O. Box 5192 
Janesville, WI 53547
Fax: (844) 655-1604

Seniors who have questions about this benefit can call the Department of Veterans Affairs at (844) 698-2311.

Assisted Living Bridge Loan

Lexington seniors who need short-term help paying for assisted living care may want to consider an assisted living bridge loan. These loans can help seniors pay for care while they wait for a long-term source of funding, such as benefits approval or the proceeds of a home sale. Approval decisions are made quickly, and the funds are sent directly to the senior’s assisted living community. Good credit is required and a senior may have up to six cosigners  to help with approval and paying back the loan. 

Seniors who want to apply for an assisted living bridge loan can complete an online application through Elderlife Financial or call (888) 228-4500. Seniors may need to provide information about their expected source of long-term funding.

The local AAA provides information and support to help seniors learn about programs and services they may be eligible for. They can also participate in free health-promotion and disease-prevention programs. Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging 
699 Perimeter Dr, Lexington, KY 40517
(859) 266-1116

Lexington is home to several Veterans Affairs resources. Two VA medical centers provide medical care to eligible seniors, and they can visit the Vet Center to receive individual or group counselling. For assistance with VA benefits, seniors can travel to the nearest benefits office located in Louisville.

Lexington VA Medical Center – Cooper 
1101 Veterans Dr, Lexington, KY 40502
(859) 233-4511

Lexington VA Medical Center – Leestown 
2250 Leestown Rd, Lexington, KY 40511
(859) 233-4511

Lexington Vet Center 
1500 Leestown Rd, Ste 104, Lexington, KY 40511
(859) 253-0717

Louisville Regional Office 
321 W Main St, Ste 390, Louisville, KY 40202
(800) 827-1000

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.