Assisted Living in Kentucky

Once known as the “Great Meadow,” the state of Kentucky is a land of rolling hills and beautiful lakes. Kentucky is defined by a rich history of sophistication and long tradition of horse breeding excellence. It is the birthplace of both Abraham Lincoln and Bluegrass music.

From “Museum Row” in Louisville to a wide variety of breathtaking natural attractions, there is always something for residents of assisted living in Kentucky to show off to their guests. Kentucky enjoys a humid subtropical climate that keeps the bluegrass growing lush and dense. Seniors in Kentucky will observe four distinct season changes each year, but the exact weather conditions can vary drastically and are often unpredictable.

Assisted Living in Kentucky Defined

In Kentucky, an “assisted living community” is defined as a series of living units on the same site that is certified by the state to provide services for five or more adult persons not related to the owner or manager. Residents of assisted living in Kentucky must be ambulatory or mobile non-ambulatory in order to qualify for this level of care.

Assisted living communities are required to provide 24-hour care, assistance with transportation, all meals and daily social activities. However, Kentucky assisted living facilities are not able to provide healthcare services beyond assistance with the self-administration of medications. Seniors in need of on-going medical attention must reside in a nursing home.  

Regulation of Assisted Living in Kentucky

Kentucky’s Department for Aging and Independent Living conducts the initial and annual certification reviews of every assisted living home to determine compliance with the applicable state laws and regulations. This agency is a subsection of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Some of the regulations for the dignified care that must be given to residents of assisted living in Kentucky are:

• Units may only be shared by choice.
• Rooms must be 200 square feet in size, have a window open to the outdoors, and contain private toileting and bathing amenities. (Note: Establishments in operation prior to July of 2000 have less stringent housing requirements.)
• Meals served must meet specified requirements for nutritional content.
• Staff must pass a background check.
• Training for food staff must cover therapeutic diets.

All employees at a Kentucky assisted living community receive orientation and on-the-job education in the following topics as applicable to the duties of the employee:

• Assisting residents with activities of daily living
• Community policies
• Client rights
• Emergency procedures
• Adult first aid and CPR
• Adult abuse and neglect
• Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
• Assistance with self-administration of medication
• The aging process
• Any specialized services that the facility offers to residents

Cost of Assisted Living in Kentucky

The typical annual cost for an apartment within a Kentucky assisted living community is in the upper $30,000 range across most of the state. Here is a list of the average monthly rates* broken down by city for a one-bedroom, single-occupancy apartment in a Kentucky assisted living facility:

*Genworth Financial 2011 Cost of Care Survey.

There are no Medicaid waivers or other programs in place to provide help with the cost of assisted living in Kentucky. Many seniors pay for residency in their golden years through retirement savings or long-term care insurance policies.

Find Assisted Living in Kentucky

Browse our comprehensive directory to find assisted living in Bluegrass, Lexington, Louisville, Murray, Paducah and other parts of Kentucky. 

Written by senior housing writer Josh Talbot.