Memory Care in Kentucky
Dementia is a growing concern for seniors in Kentucky. Alzheimer's disease already affects more than 75,000 residents statewide, and 11,000 new cases are expected in the coming years. Symptoms related to cognitive decline can progress slowly over time, and individuals may require increasing care as they enter more advanced stages of the disease.
Seniors who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease have more hospital admissions and readmissions, and many benefit from 24-hour care provided in a licensed assisted living facility. These secure communities provide one-on-one assistance, specialized daily activities and therapeutic services designed to maximize cognitive function. Kentucky families who are considering memory care for a loved one can expect to pay $4,371 per month, which is significantly lower than the national average of $5,064.
If you're ready to learn more about your options, this guide includes information about memory care costs in Kentucky's largest cities, statewide financial assistance programs and free resources that may be available in your area.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Kentucky
According to data from SeniorScore, Kentucky is more age-friendly than most states in the union. Its rating of 74 is two points higher than the national average of 72. This proprietary livability index uses algorithms to assess more than 100 community features to determine the age friendliness of a given area.
The Bluegrass State received above-average ratings for Finances and General Quality of Life at 72 and 68 points respectively, while Health & Safety and Recreation & Leisure were tied at 61 points. Seniors benefit from a rosy financial outlook that's enhanced by low property and sales taxes as well as affordable rates for all types of long-term care, including assisted living. Kentucky residents enjoy a good General Quality of Life thanks to the state's moderate climate, above-average annual rainfall amount and strong school system.
Other ratings that influenced Kentucky's overall SeniorScore include the number of recreational facilities as well as the total population of older adults. The state has nearly 2,000 churches and more than 270 golf courses. Retirees are also wise to assess their state's Health & Safety rating. Despite having an average number of home health care workers, Kentucky performed well based on the high number of hospitals and Medicare-registered physicians. Scoring was also affected by the state's moderate crime rates and below-average life expectancy.
Top Memory Care Communities in Kentucky
Bridge Point Center is located at 7300 Woodspoint Dr in Florence, Kentucky. It is a 151 unit senior care community. The neighboring area has a dense population, with roughly 51,000 residents in the 41042 zip code. With ...
Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital is situated within the Gardenside-Colony neighborhood of Lexington, Kentucky. It is a 74 room nursing facility. With around 27,000 people residing in the 40504 zip code, the encompassing area is heavily populated. It ...
Nazareth Home is a 118 room senior care community situated within the Deer Park area of Louisville, Kentucky. The encompassing area is densely populated, with roughly 25,000 residents in the 40205 zip code. It is a primarily middle ...
Coldspring of Campbell County is located at 300 Plaza Dr in Cold Spring, Kentucky. It is a 143 room senior community. The community is in a mostly middle income area, with a median family income of $51,837. ...
The Episcopal Church Home is located at 7504 Westport Rd in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a 139 unit senior care facility. The surrounding area has a dense population, with approximately 22,000 individuals residing in the 40222 zip code. ...
Located near by the Rock Creek Lexington Road area of Louisville, Kentucky, Westport Place Health Campus is a 62 unit nursing facility. The surrounding area has a dense population, with around 31,000 poeple living in the zip code of ...
Bradford Square is a 100 room senior housing community. It is located at 1040 US 127 South in Frankfort, Kentucky. With an average household income of $49,853, the community is in a largely middle income area. It ...
Heartland of Louisville is a 178 bed senior care community. It is located within the Hikes Point area of Louisville, Kentucky. With approximately 34,000 residents in the 40220 zip code, the encompassing area has a dense population. ...
Jefferson Manor is a 100 room senior care facility. It is located at 1801 Lynn Way in Louisville, Kentucky. With a median family income of $67,257, the community is in a mostly middle income area. It has ...
Clark Regional Medical Center is located at 175 Hospital Dr in Winchester, Kentucky. It is a 25 room senior care facility. The community is in a largely middle income area, with a median household income of $47,844. ...
Grant Center is a 95 bed senior care community. It is located at 201 Kimberly Ln in Williamstown, Kentucky. With about 8,000 people residing in the 41097 zip code, the neighboring area has a medium-density population. It ...
Brookdale Richmond Place Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center is located around the Idle Hour area of Lexington, Kentucky. It is a 120 bed nursing home facility. The encompassing area has a dense population, with around 33,000 individuals residing in ...
Park Terrace Health Campus is an 88 room nursing facility located in the Valley Station neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. With roughly 38,000 poeple living in the 40272 zip code, the neighboring area has a dense population. It is ...
Wesley Manor is a 68 room senior community. It is located near by the Okolona area of Louisville, Kentucky. The neighboring area has a dense population, with around 39,000 individuals living in the 40219 zip code. With ...
Summit Manor is a 104 bed senior care facility. It is located at 400 Bomar Heights in Columbia, Kentucky. The encompassing area has a medium-density population, with approximately 17,000 individuals residing in the 42728 zip code. With ...
Countryside Center is a 53 unit senior housing community. It is located at 47 Margo Ave in Bardwell, Kentucky. With an average per-family income of $29,321, the community is in a generally lower income area. It has ...
Located at 460 South College St in Woodburn, Kentucky, Hopkins Center is a 50 unit senior care community. The surrounding area has a sparse population, with approximately 2,000 poeple living in the zip code of 42170. With a ...
Situated nearby the Central Business District area of Covington, Kentucky, Providence Pavilion is an 82 room senior community. With an average household income of $37,857, the facility is in a mostly middle income area. It is sparsely populated, ...
Hillside Center is a 71 unit senior housing community. It is located at 1500 Pride Ave in Madisonville, Kentucky. With an average per-household income of $39,541, the facility is in a primarily middle income area. It is ...
Kensington Center is an 82 unit senior care community. It is located at 225 Saint John Rd in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The surrounding area has a dense population, with roughly 49,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 42701. ...
The Cost of Memory Care in Kentucky
Data about the cost of dementia care is limited. However, in most cases, rates are 20 to 30% higher than basic assisted living due to the specialized care and type of facilities provided. According to research from Genworth Financial's 2019 Cost of Care Survey, Kentucky seniors benefit from competitive rates on long-term care.
At $4,371 per month, estimated memory care costs are significantly lower than the U.S. median of $5,064, which represents a savings of nearly $700 or 15%. Monthly costs are as much as $1,050 lower than other states in the region. Seniors in Ohio pay more than $5,400 per month for memory care followed by Indiana at $5,125. Rates are more affordable than average in Tennessee and West Virginia. However, average prices of $4,875 and $4,688, respectively, mean that seniors in these states still pay anywhere from $320 to $500 more per month than those in Kentucky.
- Kentucky: $4,371
- United States: $5,064
- West Virginia: $4,688
- Tennessee: $4,875
- Indiana: $5,125
- Ohio: $5,424
The Cost of Memory Care in Kentucky's Top Cities
The average cost of memory care varies substantially across the Bluegrass State. Monthly rates are highest in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky's largest cities, at $5,091 and $5,371, respectively. With an average cost of $4,500, prices are slightly lower in Bowling Green, but they still exceed the state median by $130. On the other hand, seniors in Elizabethtown enjoy below-average rates of $4,250 per month, and in Owensboro, the most affordable major metropolitan area for memory care, seniors pay just over $2,708 per month, which is almost half as much as in Lexington, the state's most expensive city.
- Louisville/Jefferson County: $5,091
- Lexington: $5,371
- Bowling Green: $4,500
- Owensboro: $2,708
- Elizabethtown: $4,250
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Kentucky
With average rates of $4,371 per month, memory care is more expensive than most supportive services. However, it offers a competitive value when compared to skilled nursing, and it provides a secure environment for seniors who are unable to live at home safely. Memory care facilities in Kentucky cost $2,535 less than nursing homes, which typically charge $6,905 for each month of care. They cost just $550 more than in-home care provided by a homemaker or home health aide. Plus, prices include meals, activities and housing, which aren't represented in the $3,813 average for home care. Some individuals who have Alzheimer's benefit from daytime care provided in a community-based center. The monthly cost difference between 24-hour residential memory care and daytime services exceeds $2,810, but adult day health care isn't appropriate for everyone.
- Memory Care: $4,371
- Assisted Living: $3,497
- In-Home Care: $3,813
- Home Health Care: $3,813
- Adult Day Care: $1,560
- Nursing Home Care: $6,905
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Kentucky
Optional State Supplement
Address: 275 E. Main St., Suite 3W-A, Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone Number: (855) 306-8959
Website: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dfs/Documents/OMVOLV.pdf
Kentucky does not offer a Medicaid waiver for personal care services provided in assisted listing facilities, but certain residents who are disabled and meet financial eligibility criteria may qualify for a cash benefit that can help with the cost of room and board. Individuals who are disabled and live in a personal care home may qualify for an Optional State Supplement of $520 per person or per spouse. This payment is provided in addition to the standard Supplemental Security Income benefit, which is $783 for individuals or $1,175 for couples. Applicants can learn more by contacting the Social Security Administration or the Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children, Department for Community Based Services. Medical and financial records are required to qualify.
Kentucky Memory Care Rules and Regulations
Assisted living facilities that provide memory care are licensed and overseen by the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living, and smaller personal care homes are regulated by the Office of the Inspector General. Here are some of the requirements that these facilities must follow.
Scope of Care | Assisted living facilities in Kentucky are authorized to provide personal assistance with daily activities, three meals plus snacks and appropriate recreational activities. Facilities that offer dementia-specific care must establish a detailed written disclosure describing their qualifications, philosophy, staffing standards, voluntary training requirements and admission policy. |
Care Planning | Residents must complete a functional needs assessment before admission, and the facility must have written policies covering their standards for evaluating individuals with memory loss and establishing or updating service plans. They must also describe the family's role in care planning. |
Medication Management | Kentucky does not allow staff members at assisted living facilities to administer medications. However, they can help residents with a variety of self-administration tasks, such as reading labels, opening containers and providing reminders. |
Staffing | All individuals who are employed by an assisted living facility or personal care home must pass a comprehensive criminal background check. Additionally, the facility must establish written policies for all dementia-specific training requirements. Caregivers must attend a mandatory eight-hour orientation seminar during their first 90 days of employment. A five-hour continuing education orientation must be completed annually. |
Medicaid Coverage | The state does not offer a Medicaid waiver to cover personal care provided in a licensed residential facility. However, an Optional State Supplement can help with the cost of room and board provided at personal care homes. |
Reporting Abuse | Kentucky is a mandatory reporting state. All instances of suspected elder abuse, exploitation or neglect must be reported to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The state's 24-hour hotline can be reached at (877) 597-2331. |
Free Memory Care Resources in Kentucky
Alzheimer's Association
Kentucky is served by two regional chapters of the Alzheimer's Association. The Kentucky & Southern Indiana Chapter operates offices in Louisville and Lexington, and the Greater Cincinnati chapter serves residents of northern Kentucky. This nonprofit organization offers local resources, such as support groups, memory café events and educational seminars as well as online message boards and virtual supports that unite dementia patients and caregivers from communities across the nation. It also engages in advocacy and supports Alzheimer's research. Seniors and caregivers can call the national helpline at (800) 272-3900 to locate resources in their area.
Sanders-Brown Center on Aging
The Sanders-Brown Center on Aging is home to the University of Kentucky Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, which has been studying this progressive condition for more than 35 years. It's one of a limited number of federally recognized facilities supported by the National Institutes of Health. The center offers memory screenings as well as comprehensive case evaluations and clinical research opportunities. It can also direct Kentuckians to caregiver resources, educational materials and other helpful services. The facility is located in Lexington, and virtual services, including telehealth consultations, are available to residents statewide.
Kentucky Senior Living Association
This industry association represents medical professionals and licensed residential facilities, including personal care homes, assisted living facilities and memory care units, that provide long-term care in Kentucky. It provides training and works to implement more effective rules and regulations that protect providers and benefit the public. The Kentucky Senior Living Association offers a variety of consumer resources, including information about residential facilities, dementia support groups and licensing requirements. It also develops helpful guides to aid in long-term care planning.
Kentucky Agencies
Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living
Address: 275 E. Main St., Suite 3E-E, Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone Number: (502) 564-6930
Website: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dail/Pages/default.aspx
This state agency manages a wide range of programs that support older adults as well as residents who are living with disabilities. The Department for Aging and Independent Living oversees assisted living and memory care facilities, sponsors the long-term care ombudsman program and develops Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services waivers. It also supports the state's Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Disorders Advisory Council, which is committed to identifying and supporting the needs of Kentuckians living with memory loss. Services are available to seniors, caregivers and disabled individuals statewide.
Area Agencies on Aging in Kentucky
Seniors in Kentucky have access to 15 regional Agencies on Aging and Independent Living. These nonprofits connect seniors with local, state and federal programs aimed at residents aged 60 and older. AAAs provide health insurance counseling as well as referrals for delivered meals, legal advice and in-home services. They're also the first point of contact for individuals who are interested in applying for Medicaid assisted living or memory care waivers. Seniors can locate their local AAA online through the Department for Aging and Independent Living.
Veteran Affairs Offices in Kentucky
The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs offers free services to help the state's 295,000 veterans and military families maximize their government benefits. Counselors provide information about medical services, long-term care and state-level benefits. The agency can also help veterans apply for VA pension supplements, such as Aid & Attendance, that can be used for memory care and personal assistance. This impartial state-sponsored agency is headquartered in Frankfort, and services are provided by regional Field Offices located in communities statewide.
Social Security Offices in Kentucky
The Social Security Administration provides important services to working adults, retirees and disabled individuals in Kentucky. Local offices can handle benefits applications and appeals and help seniors enroll in Medicare or apply for ExtraHelp, which can lower the cost of copays and premiums. Staff members also process applications for Supplemental Security Income that can help with the cost of long-term care. Seniors who want to contact the Social Security Administration can use this convenient online tool to locate an office in their area.
Other Cities in Kentucky