10th
OVERALL STATE RANK
State scorecard
How we determine rankings
Our 2023 state ranking for assisted living uses A Place for Mom’s proprietary data collected from our community partners. First, we sorted through our metrics and grouped them into three pillars that are key in a quality assisted living experience. We weighted these pillars differently based on insights from our senior living experts. Then, we used these categories and their weighting to determine how each state ranks. Read our full methodology
Top ranked Kentucky cities for assisted living overall
Key findings
State highlights
In Kentucky, assisted living facilities offer a balance of care and services. And nearly all these facilities provide residents with unique opportunities to engage socially and explore a dynamic lifestyle. Residents at 83% of our partner communities get to enjoy the fun of celebrating birthdays and holidays with their neighbors and friends. Residents who like to get out and explore don’t have to worry about driving, as 71% of Kentucky assisted living partners offer complimentary transportation.
Top ranked Kentucky cities - Services & Amenities
Key findings
Kentucky vs. the national monthly median cost of assisted living
Top ranked Kentucky cities - Affordability
Key findings
Top ranked Kentucky cities - Ratings
Reviewer Ranking
4.9/ 5.0
(48)The caregivers at Legacy Living of Florence are amazing. They help in all area such as dining, trash pick up, laundry and everything in-between. We would absolutely recommend them to other families!! I...
Reviewer Ranking
4.9/ 5.0
(133)We are very pleased overall. There is one big problem that we along with other residents that needs a soluton. THE DINING ROOM IS ALWAYS COLD AND UNCOMFORTABLE. Dining should be a pleasing experience. It is...
Reviewer Ranking
4.5/ 5.0
(49)Experience to-date has been exceptional. Caring, informative staff. Mother has no complaints. We chose this community based on the type of environment me felt our mother would choose. Nice, clean,...
Reviewer Ranking
4.9/ 5.0
(48)The caregivers at Legacy Living of Florence are amazing. They help in all area such as dining, trash pick up, laundry and everything in-between. We would absolutely recommend them to other families!! I...
Reviewer Ranking
4.7/ 5.0
(138)Staff was very friendly and took great care of my father. [name removed] , the kitchen manager was amazing. He went above and beyond for my father. We would definitely recommend this community to other...
Reviewer Ranking
4.6/ 5.0
(19)The staff at Dominion of Florence are helpful, patient and kind. The housekeeping is efficient. Communication with the family is good. The move in process was smooth. The meals are of good quality. The...
Reviewer Ranking
4.9/ 5.0
(133)We are very pleased overall. There is one big problem that we along with other residents that needs a soluton. THE DINING ROOM IS ALWAYS COLD AND UNCOMFORTABLE. Dining should be a pleasing experience. It is...
Reviewer Ranking
4.5/ 5.0
(49)Experience to-date has been exceptional. Caring, informative staff. Mother has no complaints. We chose this community based on the type of environment me felt our mother would choose. Nice, clean,...
Reviewer Ranking
4.8/ 5.0
(82)When we started looking to move my in-laws to Louisville, this was the closest community and the parents of a friend of mine who lived here, where very happy so, we thought we'd check it out. So glad we did...
Reviewer Ranking
4.8/ 5.0
(158)I moved my wife into the memory care unit at Magnolia Springs after things didn’t work out at another community. Magnolia Springs welcomed her with open arms and has done a wonderful job caring for her. It...
Reviewer Ranking
4.8/ 5.0
(21)Dad is very happy there! Everyone seems to be on the same wavelength on resident care. They are friendly and very helpful. When we looked at other places, Cedarhurst was far above the others!
Reviewer Ranking
4.1/ 5.0
(118)My loved one is currently a resident at Richmond Place. The housekeeping and maintenance are well maintained. The staff is friendly and gives a small town feeling, everyone speaks and smiles. I would...
Reviewer Ranking
4.7/ 5.0
(15)I would say it's a lovely, safe space for safe living. I feel it's an upscale place to be, close to many amenities in Bowling Green!
Reviewer Ranking
4.3/ 5.0
(18)I highly recommend Cardinal Landing Memory Care to others. The facility has a homey feel because it seems as though everyone is a family there. The place is exceptionally clean and everyone, director to...
Reviewer Ranking
4.6/ 5.0
(19)[name removed] really lives it at Charter. She has lots of Friends and this is her first time living on her own. She is thriving. [name removed] can't stand or walk without a walker. She has fall a few times...
The median cost of assisted living in Kentucky can range from approximately $2,700 to $6,300 per month, which is lower than the national median. This range is based on A Place for Mom’s internal data and reflects what referred families actually paid at partnering assisted living facilities in Kentucky.
There are several factors that affect costs, including location, services, and amenities offered, as well as the specific care needs of each senior. Communities located near larger cities like Louisville or Lexington are likely to be more expensive. Luxury amenities can affect price, as well as specialized services and programming, such as chef-prepared meals, concierge desk, or on-site educational classes.
Other factors that can affect the cost of assisted living may include the following:
Families typically pay out of pocket for assisted living room and board fees. However, to reduce the costs of medically necessary care, many families look into Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance, or veteran’s benefits.
Average monthly costs
Kentucky
US National average
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
It’s common for families to blend a variety of payment methods to pay for assisted living in Kentucky. Keep in mind that, even with a variety of options for payment, early planning often provides families with the widest range of options. The following section has information on private pay, public and private insurance options, and veteran’s benefits. For a more detailed overview, you can also visit our complete guide to paying for long-term care.
Private pay is the use of personal funds to pay for assisted living costs. Personal funds may include money from a savings account, pension payments, or retirement accounts. Many families use a combination of personal funds to pay for assisted living. The seniors and families we refer to assisted living most commonly use the following options.
There are nearly 238,000 veterans living in Kentucky, 49% of whom are 65 and over.[03] The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may provide pension or disability benefits for eligible senior veterans and their surviving spouses. These benefits may help provide monthly income to help pay for room and board at an assisted living community, in addition to other long-term care services.
Determining eligibility and applying for benefits is a complicated and time consuming process. However, benefits counseling is offered through veterans service organizations (VSOs). Veterans are encouraged to utilize these services by connecting with an experienced veteran service officer at their local VSO. These service officers can advise and advocate for veterans or their spouses who are trying to access VA benefits.
These VA offices can provide information and connect veterans to their nearest Kentucky VSO:
For assistance with determining and applying for benefits and for advocacy while applying for benefits, visit the following Kentucky VSOs:
Kentucky Medicaid is a health insurance program funded by the state and federal governments. The program provides health insurance to low-income seniors or adults with disabilities and may cover certain care costs in an assisted living facility. However, Medicaid will not cover the cost of room and board.
Kentucky’s home and community based waiver program (HCB) supports adults 65 and over by covering some long-term care services. This program helps reduce the need for seniors to move to a nursing home, so they can remain in the living environment of their choice, including assisted living communities. While the program doesn’t cover room and board expenses, it may help pay for services like the following:[04]
Additionally, Kentucky’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) provides seniors 55+ who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid access to supportive health and personal care services. This program helps seniors remain in the community of their choice. Examples of services provided include those listed below:[05]
Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 or older. It doesn’t cover room and board expenses for assisted living communities in Kentucky. However, it can be used to cover medically necessary services in an assisted living community, as directed by a doctor.
The Kentucky State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is designed to educate Medicare beneficiaries to be better equipped to make decisions about their health care. The program offers seniors and their families the following services:[07]
Seniors in Kentucky who require prescription medication that’s not covered by their health insurance may qualify for the Kentucky Prescription Assistance Program. This program collaborates with pharmaceutical companies to provide assistance for qualified seniors in Kentucky.
Kentucky’s Medicare Savings Program helps qualified seniors cover their Medicare Parts A and B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.[06]
For older adults 55 and over, Kentucky’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) provides access to health and care services to help them continue living in their community. The program supports individuals who eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Examples of services provided include those listed below:[05]
The Kentucky long-term care ombudsman program works to improve care and encourages positive change for seniors residing in long-term care facilities, including assisted living communities. Trained volunteers monitor conditions by regularly visiting facilities and advocating for residents. Find a long-term care ombudsman in your area by searching the state directory that lists ombudsman by county.
Kentucky has implemented laws and regulations for assisted living facilities to help ensure the safety and care of seniors. Assisted living communities are required to be licensed and undergo regular on-site reviews. The following rules highlight the system of accountability developed for communities when managing resident care and facilities.
Assisted living communities are required to provide the following types of services and amenities:[08]
Seniors living in an assisted living facility can expect to be treated with dignity. All residents have the right to live in an assisted living facility without experiencing abuse and/or neglect. Kentucky state law requires staff to report any suspicion of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.[09]
In Kentucky, staffing requirements dictate that assisted living facilities be sufficiently staffed round-the-clock to meet the needs of residents. Regulations also require facilities to have one staff member always on-site and awake.
Kentucky’s facility requirementsfor assisted living require communities to maintain adequate utilities and safety codes in regards to the following systems:
Assisted living communities in Kentucky are certified annually through the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living. Kentucky doesn’t provide online reports for annual reviews. However, you can find a list of currently licensed facilities at the Kentucky Division of Health Care website.
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
We developed a system to rate each state on how easy — or difficult — it is to find important assisted living records and reports, and compiled tips to help you in your search.
States with the most transparent records allow you to look up important information about each assisted living facility online, including inspections, complaints, survey results, violations, capacity, and whether the facility accepts Medicaid.
Public access to assisted living records and reports for the state of Kentucky is basic. Key findings that informed this rating include:
We developed a standard methodology for state data collection and evaluation, and we based our rating primarily on the objective, state-specific accessibility criteria outlined in these questions:
1. Are licensed assisted living communities listed online in any form? Yes
2. If Yes to #1, is the information updated frequently? Yes
3. If Yes to #1, is the list of licensed communities searchable? No
4. Does the state post inspections, complaints, survey results, or violations online? No
5. If Yes to #4, is the information updated frequently (within 90 days)? No or N/A
6. If Yes to #2 and #4, is the enforcement information included in the same place as licensed communities? No or N/A
7. If Yes to #4 and No to #6, are violations and inspections searchable at all? No
8. Is information about special licensing for care shown? Yes
9. Is capacity shown? Yes
10. Are payment types shown (e.g., Medicaid, private pay)? No
11. Is the administrator/contact name shown? No
12. Can the state fine a facility? Yes
13. What is the frequency of inspections? [Every 12 months]
14. Does the website include pricing of facilities? No
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. (2019, July 1). Division of Family Support Operation Manual Volume V.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). American community survey: Kentucky, 65 to 74 years, 75 years and over, veteran status (S2101).
Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services. (2022). Home and community based (HCB) waiver. Division of Community Alternatives.
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. (2022). Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. (2022). Medicare Savings Program.
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. (2022). State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Kentucky General Assembly. (2023, August 21). Services provided to assisted living community residents. 194A.705
Kentucky General Assembly. (2023, August 21). Rights of residents and duties of facilities. 194A.705
Overview of assisted living in KY
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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