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Memory Care in Ohio

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in Ohio and nationally. The rapidly aging population in Ohio means that Alzheimer’s disease and other memory conditions will continue to be a concern. Ohio has the seventh-largest senior population in the U.S, with 2.6 million people aged 60 and older. This is projected to grow by 30% percent to 3.37 million by 2030. Similarly, the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase from 220,000 to 250,000 by 2025. Based on these figures, Ohio needs more than twice as many geriatricians by 2050 to meet the state’s needs. 

Ohio has a number of clinics and hospitals that offer specialized geriatric services, including the Cleveland Clinic, which is ranked second in the country for geriatric care. There are several memory care facilities across the state that can provide care and support to seniors and their loved ones, and the average cost of care in these facilities is $5,424 per month. Facilities can offer a range of services and amenities that may include memory-focused activities, secure areas and specially designed facilities. 

This guide provides seniors and their loved ones with information about memory care in Ohio. It also includes detailed information about the cost of memory care, available financial assistance programs, facility rules and regulations and free resources available to seniors in the state.


SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Ohio



Ohio has an overall SeniorScore of 74, which is slightly higher than the national average of 72. This score is calculated using over 100 data points sourced from government and private sources and provides an unbiased rating of how comfortable a location is for older adults. The score is further broken down into four categories: Health & Safety, Finances, Recreation & Leisure and General Quality of Life.

The state received its highest score of 68 in Recreation & Leisure. Seniors retiring to the state can enjoy golfing, arts and culture and a range of festivals and events. Ohio also has a relatively high senior population, with 17.5% of the population aged 65 and over, and the state has a large number of senior centers offering social and educational opportunities.

Ohio also scored highly in Finances and Health & Safety, receiving a rating of 66 in both categories. The state has a low cost of living and also offers seniors tax credits on retirement income. There is a high number of hospitals in the area, including many that rate highly for memory disorders or geriatrics. Ohio’s lowest score of 62 was in the General Quality of Life category, which was largely due to the cold weather.



Top Memory Care Communities in Ohio



Parkside Villa - Middleburg Heights, OH

Parkside Villa

7040 Hepburn Rd

Middleburg Heights, OH 44130

1-855-238-4376

23 Reviews  

Parkside Villa is a 165 unit senior housing community located nearby the Riverside area of Middleburg Heights, Ohio. The facility is in a predominantly middle class area, with an average per-family income of $47,300. With roughly 52,000 people ...

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Montefiore - Beachwood, OH

Montefiore

One David N Myers Pkwy

Beachwood, OH 44122

1-855-233-7205

11 Reviews  

Located at One David N Myers Pkwy in Beachwood, Ohio, Montefiore is a 247 bed senior housing facility. The encompassing area has a dense population, with about 35,000 residents in the zip code of 44122. With an average ...

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Whetstone - Columbus, OH

Whetstone

3710 Olentangy River Rd

Columbus, OH 43214

1-855-240-2530

10 Reviews  

Whetstone is a 175 room senior care facility situated in the Knolls-Thomas neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. The community is in a primarily middle income area, with an average per-household income of $60,865. It is heavily populated, with roughly ...

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The Cost of Memory Care in Ohio



Memory care in Ohio is provided by special units in assisted living facilities, which are formally called residential care facilities. No concrete data on memory care costs is available for any state; however, it’s generally assumed that it costs 20% to 30% more than regular assisted living. Specialized care, such as higher staff ratios, enhanced security features and personalized care and activity programs account for the increased costs. The memory care costs below were calculated by adding 25% to the standard assisted living costs in Genworth Financial’s 2019 Cost of Care Survey. Actual rates can vary based on the location, amenities and services provided. 

The average cost of memory care in Ohio is $5,424, which is $360 higher than the national average of $5,064. The Buckeye State’s rate is also higher than its neighbors. Indiana’s rate is higher than the U.S. average, at $5,125 per month. Seniors in Pennsylvania pay $4,891 monthly, while their counterparts in West Virginia pay $4,687. Kentucky has the most affordable memory care of Ohio’s neighbors. Seniors there pay just $4,371 per month, more than $1,000 less than those in Ohio. 

  • Ohio: $5,424
  • National: $5,064
  • Pennsylvania: $4,891
  • West Virginia: $4,687
  • Kentucky: $4,371
  • Indiana: $5,125

The Cost of Memory Care in Ohio’s Top Cities 

Memory care costs vary widely across Ohio. Among the state’s biggest cities, Columbus and Cleveland offer the most affordable care, with costs of $4,931 and $4,469 respectively. Cincinnati seniors pay $5,306, which is $118 lower than the state average. Other big cities have higher costs, with memory care averaging $5,569 in Dayton and $5,781 in Akron. Toledo is the most expensive of Ohio’s big cities, where seniors pay an average of $6,295 per month, $871 more than the national average. 

  • Columbus: $4,931
  • Cleveland: $4,469
  • Cincinnati: $5,306
  • Toledo: $6,295
  • Akron: $5,781
  • Dayton: $5,569

Senior Care Cost Comparison in Ohio

Memory care is one of the most expensive types of senior care in Ohio. Only nursing home care is less affordable, with the cost of a semiprivate room averaging $6,996 per month, $1,572 more than memory care. Seniors who choose to remain living at home pay more than $1,000 less than those in memory care, with in-home care averaging $4,290 and home health care averaging $4,385. Standard assisted living costs $4,339 per month, which is $1,085 less than memory care. Adult day care is the most affordable care option at $1,376 per month and may be an option for people with mild cognitive impairments.

  • Memory Care: $5,424
  • Assisted Living: $4,339
  • In-Home Care: $4,290
  • Home Health Care: $4,385
  • Adult Day Care: $1,376
  • Nursing Home Care: $6,996

Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Ohio



Assisted Living Waiver

Address: 246 N High Street, 1st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone Number: (866) 243-5678
Website: https://ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/site/residents/resources/assisted-living-waiver-program 

Ohio’s Assisted Living Waiver is a Medicaid waiver program that covers the cost of care and certain services provided in assisted living facilities. The program does not pay for room and board, but the program can significantly lessen the cost of assisted living care. Some of the services covered by the program include personal care, housekeeping and recreational activities. The program is available to residents aged 21 and older, with those 64 or younger requiring a physical disability to be eligible. All applicants must require a nursing home level of care and meet the financial eligibility requirements. Local Area Agencies on Aging manage applications for the program, and there may be a waiting list. 

Residential State Supplement Program

Address: 30 E Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone Number: (614) 752-9316
Website: https://mha.ohio.gov/Families-Children-and-Adults/For-Adults/Housing-Assistance/Residential-State-Supplement 

The Residential State Supplement Program provides financial assistance to pay for the cost of accommodation in eligible living arrangements, which can include assisted living facilities. It’s intended to supplement assistance received from Social Security or Disability benefits. The program is available to people aged 60 and over and those aged 18 to 59 with a physical disability. Applicants must also have a need for care and meet the financial eligibility criteria for Medicaid. The RSS is administered by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and applications can be started on their website. 


Ohio Memory Care Rules and Regulations



In Ohio, memory care can be provided by assisted living facilities, which are known as residential care facilities in the state. There are no specific provisions made for dementia care, so these facilities must follow the rules and regulations set out for standard RCFs. These facilities are licensed and monitored by the Ohio Department of Health.

Scope of Care

Residential care facilities are defined as settings that provide accommodations and care services for residents. One license type is for RCFs that accommodate at least 17 people and provide care services for at least three. The other type can have as few as three residents that all receive care services, with at least one requiring skilled nursing. 

Facilities may admit people who require intermittent skilled nursing, defined as not more than 120 days in a 12 month period. There are exceptions made for hospice patients or when a physician determines that skilled nursing is routine.

Care Plan Requirements

An assessment must be completed on or before admission, with reviews annually. Assessments must also be completed whenever there is a significant change in condition. The assessment should include:

  • Medical diagnoses
  • Psychological history
  • Health and physical history
  • Cognitive status
  • Medications
  • Functional status
  • Need for skilled nursing

In addition, a licensed health professional must determine whether the resident can self-administer medication or if they require medication administration. 

Medication Management Requirements

Medications must be administered by people licensed to do so, which includes physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified medication aides. 

Non-licensed, trained staff can help residents self-administer medications as long as the resident is mentally alert and able to participate in the process. 

Staff Screening Requirements

A criminal background check is required for all staff who have contact with residents. This is conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and includes fingerprint impressions. Individuals who have lived in Ohio for less than five years also require an FBI check. 

Staff Training Requirements

All staff must receive training in their job responsibilities, facility procedures, securing emergency assistance and resident rights, and they must have first-aid training within 60 days of hire. All staff must complete eight hours of continuing education each year. 

Additional training is required for staff of RCFs that admit residents with:

  • Late-stage cognitive impairment
  • Cognitive impairments that present with increased emotional needs or behaviors that may cause problems for the resident or other residents
  • Diagnosis of serious mental illness.

This extra training consists of an initial two hours regarding the care of such residents and four hours of this training annually. These four hours can count towards the general staff training requirements. 

Medicaid Coverage

Ohio’s Assisted Living Waiver pays for some of the costs of assisted living for qualified residents. The Residential State Supplement is also available to help pay for RCF care. 

Reporting Abuse

Suspected abuse in an Ohio RCF should be reported to the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program at 1-800-282-1206. 


Free Memory Care Resources in Ohio



Alzheimer’s Association - Central Ohio Chapter

The Central Ohio Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has resources available to assist people who have dementia and their caregivers. Support is available through the national organization’s Helpline at (800) 272-3900. The organization also provides local support groups and events. The chapter offers activities specially designed for people in the early stages of the disease, including educational activities and art and exercise programs designed to help people with cognitive impairments. The Care Consultation Program helps people understand their options and make decisions in every stage of the disease.

Opening Minds Through Art

Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) is a program operating out of Scripps Gerontology Center that helps people with dementia take on new roles as artists. It pairs people with dementia with volunteers who are trained to help them rely on imagination rather than memory and focus on strengths rather than skills that have been lost. The program gives seniors opportunities for social engagement and creative expression, and the goal of the program is to build a more dementia-friendly community. 

Music and Memory

Ohio has a statewide Music and Memory initiative that is a partnership between the Ohio Department of Aging and Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman. The Music and Memory program is built around creating personalized playlists for people with dementia to help them activate cognition, boost communication and decrease pain. In Ohio, the program aims to have 250 memory care facilities and nursing homes certified in Music and Memory. 



Ohio Agencies


Ohio Department of Aging

Address: 246 N High Street, 1st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone Number: (614) 466-5500
Website: https://aging.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/aging

The Ohio Department of Aging administers a range of programs and services that help older adults in the state. This includes the Golden Buckeye program, which offers a range of savings, including free products and services, at Ohio businesses. The department also has a falls prevention program, programs that help people manage chronic conditions and resources to help seniors stay active. 



Area Agencies on Aging in Ohio


Ohio has 12 Area Agencies on Aging that support older adults, their families and caregivers throughout the state. They offer a range of services that include long-term planning, safety monitoring, adult day care and alternative housing options. Available services can differ between agencies due to the needs of the local senior population. AAAs can also provide information and connect seniors to benefits and local resources. 



Veteran Affairs Offices in Ohio


The Ohio Department of Veterans Services can help older Ohioans who have served in the military access the benefits they’re entitled to. The Aid and Attendance benefit is available to veterans and their surviving spouses and can go towards the cost of memory care. Ohio also has Veterans Homes that provide long-term care to veterans, which may include assisted living and memory care. 



Social Security Offices in Ohio


Ohio residents who receive SSI may be eligible for the optional state supplement. It’s available to adults living in specified living arrangements, which includes residential care facilities. Seniors can contact their local Social Security Office for more information and assistance. 

 

Other Cities in Ohio

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