Home Care in Kentucky
Thanks to its low cost of living and pleasant climate, Kentucky is a popular state for retirees. U.S. News ranks Kentucky among the top 15 most affordable states for housing and general cost of living. Of the state's 4,467,673 inhabitants, 16.8% are senior citizens.
The SeniorScore for Kentucky is 74, meaning it's rated two points above the national average. The SeniorScore is a ranking of how desirable a place is for seniors to live in based on criteria such as the cost of living, access to medical care, leisure facilities, crime rates and weather. Kentucky scores particularly well in the Finances category, thanks to having lower-than-average sales tax rates and fees for senior care. The state is also rated well in the General Quality of Life category thanks to a low population density and generally mild climate.
This guide looks at the cost of home care and home health care services in the state, as well as financial support available to Kentucky seniors and other resources that may help seniors looking to remain in their homes as they age.
Top Home Care Agencies in Kentucky
Cardinal Hill Home Care is a senior in-home care service provider based in Lexington, Kentucky at 2050 Versailles Rd. They offer in-home medical services and personal home care services for senior clientele. They have been operating in the area ...
Home Instead Senior Care is a senior home care company located in Louisville, KY at 4610 Taylorsville Rd Ste 100. They offer in-home personal care and also in-home nursing care to senior clientele. They can provide a variety of ...
Caretenders is a home healthcare company located in Louisville, KY at 4545 Bishop Lane, Suite 200. They provide in-home care and in-home health care for senior clients. They have been operating in the area for 24 years. They provide ...
Located in Lexington, KY at 2432 Regency Road, Suite 150, Caretenders is a senior home healthcare provider offering in-home medical services and also personal care services. Since 1983, they have been providing care to seniors in the Lexington area. ...
Located at 1722 Gagel Ave in Louisville, KY, Home Instead Senior Care is a senior in-home care provider that offers personal home care and also in-home medical services. They provide various medical services such as diabetes management, licensed nurses, stroke ...
Located at 20 North Grand Ave in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, Personal Touch Home Care of Ky is a senior home health care provider offering in-home nursing services in addition to in-home personal care services. They have been serving seniors in ...
Located at 327 West 18th Street, Suite D in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Jennie Stuart Medical Center is a home care service provider that offers in-home health care as well as personal care. Since 1979, they have been providing care to ...
Located in Owensboro, Kentucky at 2200 East Parrish Avenue, Bldg E, Suite 203, Caretenders is a home health care provider that offers in-home health care as well as home care services. They have been serving seniors in Owensboro for 12 ...
Highlands Home Health is a senior home care company based in Prestonsburg, KY at 121 Oak Ridge Court. They offer in-home nursing care and also personal care services for senior clients. For almost 19 years, they have been serving ...
Located at 431 Capp Harlan Rd in Tompkinsville, Kentucky, Lifeline Home Health is a home health care service provider offering in-home medical services and also in-home personal care services. For nearly 33 years, they have been helping seniors in the ...
Located at 2020 Liberty Road, Suite 115 in Lexington, KY, Gentiva Health Services is a in-home care service provider that offers in-home health care as well as in-home personal care services. For nearly 34 years, they have been providing care ...
Baptist Health Home Care Lexington is a in-home care service provider located in Lexington, Kentucky at 2100 Nicholasville Rd. They offer home health services in addition to home care services to seniors. For nearly 33 years, they have been ...
Located in Louisville, Kentucky at 6420 Dutchmans Parkway, Suite 360, BAPTIST HEALTH HOME CARE IN LOUISVILLE AND LA GRANGE is a senior home health care company offering home care services along with home healthcare. Since 1984, they have been providing ...
Located in Florence, Kentucky at 7209 US Highway 42, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a home healthcare service provider offering in-home health care in addition to home care services. They offer CPR / First Aid and memory care. Additionally, ...
Amedisys Home Health is a senior home care company based in Lexington, Kentucky at 2480 Fortune Drive, Suite 120. They provide in-home personal care services in addition to home health care for senior clientele. They have been serving seniors ...
Located at 110 Richie Ln Ste D in Somerset, Kentucky, Comfort Keepers is an in-home care company that offers in-home personal care services as well as in-home health services. They provide different medical services including cardiac care management, memory care, ...
Located at 261 Hospital Dr in Barbourville, Kentucky, Knox County Health Department is a senior home healthcare service provider offering personal home care and home healthcare. Since 1969, they have been helping clients in the Barbourville area. They ...
Hazard Arh HHA is a home healthcare company located in Hazard, KY at 100 Airport Gardens Rd. They provide in-home nursing care as well as personal care services for senior clients. They have been in business in Kentucky for ...
Located at 100 John Sutherland Drive Suite 1 in Nicholasville, Kentucky, Lifeline Health Care of Fayette is a senior home health care company that offers in-home personal care along with in-home nursing services. For almost 49 years, they have been ...
Located in South Williamson, Kentucky at 260 Hospital Dr, Arh Pike County Home Health Agency is an in-home care service provider offering personal care services along with in-home health care. For almost 51 years, they have been providing care to ...
The Cost of Home Care in Kentucky
Home care services in Kentucky cost $477 per month less than the national average. The Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey 2019 lists the price of both home care and home health care in the state as $3,813 per month. Home care services include light housework, shopping, cooking, cleaning and support with the activities of daily living. Home health care includes those services plus basic medical care, so fees may be higher in some states and cities.
The Cost of Home Care in Kentucky Compared to Nearby States
Kentucky's home care costs are lower than those in most neighboring states. The average paid for home care in Tennessee is similar, but home health care costs $79 per month more. The costs of home care and home health care in Virginia are both lower than the national average, but still above the rates charged in Kentucky. Agencies in Ohio charge rates in line with the national average for both services, and Illinois is the most expensive neighboring state, with home care costing $4,481.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Kentucky | $3,813 | $3,813 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Tennessee | $3,813 | $3,892 |
Virginia | $4,195 | $4,382 |
Ohio | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Illinois | $4,481 | $4,576 |
The Cost of Other Senior Care Options in Kentucky
Kentucky residents can choose from several types of senior care in addition to home care and home health care services. These include adult day care, delivered in a group environment, assisted living services that provide room and board plus support with the activities of daily living and nursing home care. Of these, adult day care is the most affordable, costing just $1,560 per month. Assisted living facilities charge slightly lower fees than home care services, at $3,497 per month. The level of skilled care provided in nursing homes makes them more expensive, at $6,905 per month.
- In-Home Care: $3,813
- Home Health Care: $3,813
- Adult Day Care: $1,560
- Assisted Living Facility: $3,497
- Nursing Home Care: $6,905
The Cost of Home Care in Kentucky's Top Cities
The cost of home care varies across the state of Kentucky. Fees in large cities such as Louisville are above average, at $4,194 per month for home care and $4,385 for home health care. Rates for Lexington's home care services are in line with the state average, but home health care service costs are slightly higher, at $4,004 per month. Elizabethtown is the least expensive city for both types of service, with fees averaging $3,432. Owensboro is also a relatively affordable city, with average monthly costs $190 lower than the state average. Bowling Green is the most expensive city in the state, with fees for home health and home health care services averaging $4,429 per month.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Kentucky | $3,813 | $3,813 |
Louisville | $4,195 | $4,385 |
Lexington | $3,813 | $4,004 |
Elizabethtown | $3,432 | $3,432 |
Owensboro | $3,623 | $3,623 |
Bowling Green | $4,429 | $4,429 |
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Kentucky
Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for the Aged
The Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for the Aged is a Medicaid waiver aimed at those aged 65 and over or deemed disabled by social services. The waiver can be used for a variety of services, including home delivered meals, personal emergency response systems, case management and adult day care. To be eligible, seniors must require a nursing home level of care and meet the income and asset limitations. Those who have excess income may be able to establish a Qualified Income Trust to meet the program's requirements.
Contact Information
To learn more about this Medicaid waiver, call (844) 784-5614.
Kentucky Hart-Supported Living Program
This Hart-Supported Living Program is a state-funded grant program open to those who are living with a physical or mental disability. It provides eligible individuals with funding which can be used for self-directed care. Seniors are permitted to hire anyone they wish, including friends, spouses and adult children, to provide care services as long as the person passes a background check. Applicants must meet medical, income and asset requirements to qualify for assistance.
Contact Information
For more information or to apply for a grant, contact a Regional Hart-Supported Living Coordinator.
Kentucky Homecare Program
The Homecare Program is open to all Kentucky residents aged 60 and over who are at risk of requiring nursing home care. The qualification criteria are based on the applicant's ability to perform activities of daily living, such as grooming and self-care, and instrumental activities of daily living, such as financial management, cooking, shopping, driving and medication management. The program provides a variety of services including case management, meal delivery, home repairs, chores and respite services to eligible seniors. The program operates on a sliding fee scale, with free services provided to those with the lowest incomes.
Contact Information
For more information about this program, call (502) 564-6930.
More Ways to Pay for Home Care
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
Kentucky Home Care Rules and Regulations
Nonmedical home care in Kentucky is not regulated, although those who are hired with funds from state-funded programs may be required to pass a background check. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services lays out several rules and regulations regarding home health care services in the state, including training requirements for home health aides, and care plans for patients.
Scope of Care | Home care aides support seniors with the activities of daily living, providing nonmedical services such as meal preparation, help with grooming and bathing, light housework, day-to-day administrative tasks and other chores. Home health aides offer nursing, occupational therapy, diet counseling and other personal care services that are within the scope of their expertise. |
Care Plan Requirements | Before accepting a patient, home health care agencies should consult with the physician responsible for the patient's care and establish a care plan, ensuring that a home health aid can deliver the services required under the care plan within their scope of practice. Any changes to a patient's care plan must be made only after consulting with their physician. The patient's status must be reviewed at least once every 2 months by their physician and the agency providing care. |
Medication Management Requirements | Home health care aides may administer medication as long as doing so is within the scope of their training and only if the medication is a part of the patient's plan of care. Home care aides may assist with self-medication and provide medication reminders for a client's prescribed medication. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Home care aides must pass a background check before they can be employed by a person receiving state-funded support for home care services. Home health agencies must perform preemployment criminal background checks and cannot employ care aides to provide direct services who have been convicted of certain felony offenses, or crimes relating to the abuse, neglect or exploitation of children or adults. |
Staff Training Requirements | Home health care aides must complete a training and competency evaluation program that covers promoting self-reliance in patients, the aging process, nutrition and meal preparation, reporting, cleanliness, health and safety, the work of others in the health team, ethics and confidentiality. |
Medicaid Coverage | Kentucky seniors receiving Medicaid may qualify for home care or home health care support via the Home and Community-Based Services for the Aged Waiver. |
Reporting Abuse | Concerns about abuse, exploitation or neglect of a senior citizen can be reported to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services via the 24-hour, toll-free elder abuse hotline at (877) 597-2331. |
Free Home Care Resources in Kentucky
Seniors in Kentucky have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living
There are several Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living located across Kentucky. These agencies provide a variety of services for seniors, including information and advocacy, congregate nutrition, home-delivered meal services and wellness programs. The exact services provided vary from region to region based on local needs.
Contact Information
Find the nearest AAAIL using this regional map.
Kentucky Property Tax Relief for Seniors
Kentucky homeowners who are aged 65 or older may be eligible to receive a homestead exemption on their property taxes. The exemption is based on the assessed value of the property, and a senior's yearly property tax liability is calculated based on this amount minus the homestead allowance.
Contact Information
Seniors can contact their local Property Value Administrator to learn more or apply for the exemption.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
This federally funded program helps low-income Kentuckians cover their yearly energy bills. To qualify for the LIHEAP program, seniors must have a household income at or below 130% of the state poverty level and assets worth $2,000 or less. Exceptions are made to the asset limits if a household member has a serious illness.
Contact Information
To learn more or request support from LIHEAP, call (800) 456-3452
Legal Aid Network
The Legal Aid Network of Kentucky offers free legal advice and services to eligible individuals, including veterans and low-income seniors. The network provides a variety of free self-help resources and also connects those seeking legal assistance with volunteer lawyers based in their local area. Assistance is available for civil legal issues only.
Contact Information
Use the Ask a Lawyer tool to request legal advice.
Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants
This program supports those who are unable to finance their home repairs in other ways. The program, also known as the Section 504 Home Repair Program, provides low interest loans to homeowners on a very low income to allow them to repair their homes. Those aged 62 or over with no or limited ability to repay a loan may be eligible for a grant. The maximum available loan is $20,000, and grants are capped at $7,500. Loans and grants may be combined for those who require more than $7,500 in assistance.
Contact Information
To request more information, contact the local USDA Home Loan Specialist.
Other Cities in Kentucky