9 Assisted Living Communities in South Bend, Indiana

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,625 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 9 Assisted Living Communities in South Bend and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in South Bend, IN

• Assisted Living: $4,625
• Nursing Home Care: $8,030
• In-home Care: $4,385
• Adult Day Health Services: $2,145

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care report, assisted living costs in South Bend ($4,625) are more than $600 higher than the national average of $4,000. Additionally, they’re $240 higher than the statewide average of $4,385 per month.

Seniors and their families can find more affordable assisted living in nearby Elkhart or Michigan City, where this level of care costs $4,043 and $3,675, respectively. Of all the Indiana communities surveyed, the capital city of Indianapolis has the highest assisted living cost at $5,053 per month, while Fort Wayne has the most affordable rate at $2,978. 

Senior care costs are affected not only by geographic region but also the level of care provided. In South Bend, the most expensive options are assisted living and nursing home care. In these types of residential facilities, room and board, meals, activities and services such as transportation are typically included. Nursing home care is, on average, more than $3,400 more expensive than assisted living.  Home care, including homemaker and home health aide services, costs roughly $250 less than assisted living, and adult day health services cost nearly $2,500 less per month. However, fees for these services don’t include living expenses such as food and housing. 

 

Low-income seniors may receive free or low-cost health care coverage through Indiana’s Traditional Medicaid and Hoosier Care Connect programs. These two programs provide coverage for hospital care, doctors visits, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as home health and nursing home care.

Indiana Medicaid is an entitlement program that guarantees services to all eligible residents. To qualify, applicants must be at least 65 years old, legal U.S. citizens and permanent residents of Indiana. They must have a monthly income of $1,041 or less and no more than $2,000 in countable assets. For married applicants, the limits are $1,409 in income and $3,000 in assets.

Some assets aren’t counted, including an occupied home, one vehicle, personal effects, household furnishings and burial and funeral trusts.

Aged and Disabled Waiver

Indiana Medicaid provides coverage for assisted living and related services through an Aged and Disabled waiver program. 

To be eligible, seniors must meet the Medicaid age and residency requirements and need assistance with at least three activities of daily living. Individuals are limited to $2,313 per month in income and up to $2,000 in countable assets (couples are allowed $3,000 in countable assets). 

Those making more than $2,313 per month may qualify for the waiver program by using a Miller Trust to lower their income to the Medicaid limit. The over-limit amount is automatically deposited into the trust each month and can only be used for medical expenses. 

The Age and Disabled waiver program has an enrollment cap, and qualified applicants may be placed on a waiting list. 

Seniors can apply for Medicaid or the waiver program online through Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, by calling (800) 403-0864 or by visiting their local Division of Family Resources office.

Residential Care Assistance Program

Indiana’s Residential Care Assistance is a non-Medicaid program that provides state-funded financial assistance to seniors who can’t live in their own home due to age or disability.

The program provides a supplemental payment toward the cost of room and board, laundry services and care coordination in specific licensed residential care facilities under contract with the Indiana Division of Aging. Eligible applicants can’t require a nursing home level of care and must:

• Be age 65 or older, blind or disabled

• Have a maximum monthly income below $1,501.06

• Have $2,000 or less in assets if single and $3,000 if married

• Be Medicaid eligible or an SSI program participant

For more information, interested seniors can contact the local Area Agency on Aging at (574) 284-2644. To apply for the RCAP program, they can submit a completed application and necessary documents to the Division of Family Resources. 

Saint Joseph PACE Program

The Saint Joseph Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly provides essential services to help South Bend seniors avoid or delay nursing home placement. The services provided may include primary and specialized medical care, personal care, prescription drugs, hospital and nursing care. Medicaid-eligible seniors receive PACE services at no cost, while others may pay a monthly fee.

To qualify, applicants must be age 55 or older and live within the program’s service area. They must require nursing home-level care but be able to safely live at home or in the community with the provided support services.

Seniors can learn more about the program or apply by contacting Saint Joseph PACE at (574) 247-8700.

The Howard Park Recreation Center offers a wide variety of senior activities, including picnics, card and table games, bus trips and informational wellness walks. The Charles Black Community Center is a REAL Services nutrition site, where seniors can socialize while enjoying a healthy lunch.

Howard Park Recreation Center
604 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46617
(574) 235-9428

Charles Black Recreation Center
3419 W Washington St., South Bend, IN 46619
(574) 235-9446

Senior veterans can get help applying for benefits at the St. Joseph Veterans Service office and routine medical care, laboratory services and mental health care at the county VA outpatient clinic. Veterans can socialize with fellow service members at the local American Legion post.

St. Joseph Veterans Service Office
129 S Main St., 3rd Floor, South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 235-9978

St. Joseph County VA Clinic
1540 Trinity Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545
(574) 272-9000

American Legion Post 357
5414 W Sample St., South Bend, IN 46619
(574) 234-5073

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.