Assisted Living in Evansville, IN

Assisted Living Costs in Evansville

According to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care study, assisted living in Evansville has a higher monthly cost than both the state average of $4,385 and the national average of $4,000.

Within the state of Indiana, the least costly areas for assisted living are Fort Wayne, with an average cost of $2,978 a month, followed by Terre Haute at $3,400 a month. The only areas that are more expensive than Evansville are Indianapolis and Lafayette at $5,053 and $5,205 a month, respectively.

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• Evansville: $4,800
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $4,385
• Bloomington: $4,483
• Terre Haute: $3,400
• Columbus: $3,946
• Indianapolis area: $5,053
• Fort Wayne: $2,978
• Lafayette area: $5,205

Care Cost Comparison

The cost of care varies widely based on the level of services required, although in Evansville the difference is not quite as much as in other cities and states. The cost of nursing home care in Evansville, for example, is almost 50 percent more than the cost of assisted living. However, the same comparison in Fort Wayne makes nursing home care more than twice as expensive as assisted living.

In-home care, either with a health aide or homemaker service, is at least $1,000 cheaper on average compared to assisted living in Evansville. This is in contrast to other areas such as Fort Wayne, Kokomo, Michigan City and Terre Haute where in-home care is more expensive than assisted living. It’s important to account for additional expenses when considering in-home care, such as rent, utilities, maintenance and groceries. These costs are typically included in assisted living fees. 

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $4,800
• Homemaker services: $3,480
• Home health aide: $3,718
• Adult day health: $1,636
• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $6,803

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Evansville

Medicaid in Indiana

Indiana Medicaid is available for low-income residents of any age who need financial help to pay for care in-home or in a facility. Traditional Medicaid (Package A) provides a long list of benefits including hospital care, prescription and OTC drugs, home health care and nursing facility services.

Traditional Medicaid does not directly cover assisted living costs unless specifically granted through a home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver. The applicable waiver is explained in the A&D waiver section below.

Applicants for Medicaid must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Monthly income limit of $1,041 for an individual
• Maximum of $2,000 in assets for an individual (includes bank balance, cash, stocks, bonds, property not including place of residence, etc.)
• If applying for a program based on disability, must meet the Social Security definition of disabled

Visit the Indiana Medicaid website to get more information and apply for coverage.

Aged and Disabled (A&D) Waiver

There are a handful of Medicaid waivers available in Indiana; however, only one of them is applicable to assisted living: the Aged and Disabled (A&D) waiver. This waiver allows anyone who would qualify for a nursing facility level of care to remain living in their own home or elsewhere in the community rather than entering a nursing home.

Services under the A&D waiver include adult day care, assisted living, homemaker services and meal delivery.

Applicants for the A&D waiver must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• At least 65 years old (or disabled)
• Assessed as needing a nursing facility level of care
• Currently living in or moving to a setting that is HCBS-compliant (private residence, assisted living, adult family care, nursing home, etc.)
• Monthly income below 300 percent of maximum Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which equates to $2,313 per month as of 2019

To apply for the A&D Waiver, Indiana residents should contact their local Area Agency on Aging, which is the Southwestern Indiana Regional Council on Aging (SWIRCA) in Evansville. It is important to apply as early as possible because there may be a waiting list to receive services.

Call (812) 464-7817 to reach the Aging and Disability Resource Center at SWIRCA and talk to one of their counselors to find out more and begin the application process.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Residential Care Assistance Program (RCAP)

The RCAP may be another option for seniors who need help covering the cost of services. This program is fully funded by the state of Indiana and designed to give financial assistance to low-income seniors, as well as the blind, disabled or mentally ill, who can no longer live alone. However, unlike most other programs mentioned in this guide, applicants will only qualify for the RCAP if they do not require a nursing facility level of care.

This program covers services such as room and board as well as laundry, but it does not cover all services associated with assisted living, and it’s only available in approved RCAP facilities.

Applicants for the RCAP must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• At least 65 years old (or blind, disabled or mentally ill)
• Currently receiving Medicaid or participating in the SSI program
• Living in a RCAP-approved facility
• Assets and monthly income under the maximum limit for Medicaid

The RCAP-approved facility where the applicant is currently living can assist in applying for this program. Alternatively, seniors or their guardians may apply directly by downloading the form on the RCAP website and submitting it by email.

Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance (A&A) Program

The A&A program helps veterans or their surviving spouse who can no longer safely live alone and require assistance from another person. Payments from this program may be used for assisted living, in-home care and private-pay nursing homes. This is an extra benefit that is paid on top of the regular monthly pension.

Applicants for the A&A program must meet at least one of the following eligibility requirements:

• Require help to perform activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, eating, etc.)
• Bedridden due to disability (does not include being bedridden due to treatment)
• Currently in a nursing home due to mental health or physical reasons
• Limited eyesight or visual field

Applicants for the A&A program must also meet all of the following requirements:

• Minimum 90 days active duty and 1 day during wartime (does not necessarily involve combat)
• Honorably discharged
• Household countable income and asset limits ($22,577 for an individual, $26,765 for a couple or $14,529 for a surviving spouse)

The financial eligibility requirements for A&A are far more complicated than most Medicaid and other state programs, so the figures above are merely a starting point. It’s highly recommended to reach out for help on eligibility and the application process. Contact the Evansville Vet Center at (812) 473-5993 or the local Pension Management Center for Indiana residents (Milwaukee VA Pension Center).

Assisted Living Resources in Evansville

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Seniors can receive free support and advice on applying for Medicaid, Social Security and housing by contacting the local branch of Area Agency on Aging. Residents of Evansville should contact the Southwestern Indiana Regional Council on Aging (SWIRCA).

Area Agency on Aging (SWIRCA)
16 West Virginia Street, Evansville, IN 47710
(812) 464-7817

Veterans Services

The following agencies provide free support to veterans and their family members. This is a good place to start researching which VA benefits are available and what the eligibility requirements are. They can assist with both federal and Indiana VA benefits.

Vanderburgh County Veterans Services
201 NW 4th Street, Old Court House Room 303, Evansville, IN 47708
(812) 435-5239

Evansville Vet Center
1100 North Burkhardt Road, Evansville, IN 47715
(812) 473-5993

Senior Centers and Wellness Programs

Evansville residents can take advantage of the many senior centers and wellness programs available. Senior centers can be a great place for older residents to remain active during the day, take part in activities and exercise, and have lunch and chat with other locals. Find more services and locations in the senior resource guide for Vanderburgh County.

Carver Community Organization
504 S E 8th Street, Evansville, IN 47713
(812) 423-6941

Newburgh Senior Center
529 Jefferson Street, Newburgh, IN 47630
(812) 853-5627

Primewise (health screenings and education)
3700 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714
(812) 485-5850