5 Assisted Living Communities in Florence, Kentucky

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,998 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 5 Assisted Living Communities in Florence and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Florence, KY

• Assisted Living: $4,998
• Nursing Home Care: $7,528
• In-home Care: $4,195
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,560

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study collects senior care cost data nationwide. The study shows monthly assisted living prices in Florence are higher than the state ($3,520) and national ($4,000) averages. Prices are significantly more expensive in nearby cities, such as Lexington ($4,050), Elizabethtown ($2,800) and Louisville ($3,498), while to the southwest in Owensboro ($1,780), assisted living costs are less than half the cost in Florence. 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Florence, so data for the closest city, Cincinnati, was used. 

The wide range of senior care costs are due to significant differences in the type of care provided, the number of direct service hours each week, and, to a lesser extent, the location. In Florence, nursing home care ($7,528) is the most expensive option because it includes around-the-clock skilled nursing care in a state licensed facility along with room and board. Adult day health services ($1,560) are the least expensive option because this type of care is provided on weekdays in a communal setting.  Assisted living in Florence costs about $800 more per month than 44 hours weekly of in-home care, however, assisted living prices include accommodations, meals, utilities and home maintenance. 

 

Medicaid is the nationwide, government-funded health benefit program that provides basic health care for Americans who are unable to afford health insurance. In Kentucky, approximately 22% of residents are covered by Kentucky Medicaid, and about 53% of the state’s Medicaid expenditures go to support the elderly and disabled. 

To qualify for long-term care through Medicaid in Kentucky, seniors 65 and older must meet income and asset limits as well as specific needs-based criteria. Medicaid applicants can earn no more than 300% of the current Federal Benefit Rate, which is $2,313, and own no more than $2,000 in countable assets, such as cash, investment properties, stocks and bonds. 

Some assets are exempt, including the principal residence of the applicant valued up to $585,000, personal belongings, one vehicle and a non-revocable burial trust. 

As an income cap state, Kentucky doesn’t allow applicants to spend down their excess income on medical expenses in order to meet the Medicaid income limit.

Home and Community Based Waiver for the Aged

Medicaid-eligible seniors aged 65 and older and adults under 65 with a Social Security disability designation may qualify for services through the Home and Community Based Waiver for the Aged. This Medicaid waiver is designed to reduce nursing home placements by providing enrollees with services and supports needed to prevent their placement in a nursing home. 

To qualify, seniors and the disabled must meet the criteria for nursing home care and prefer to live in an assisted living facility or their own home. If approved, services provided through this waiver may include: 

• Adult day health care
• Personal and attendant care to help with activities of daily living
• Homemaker services
• Home meal delivery
• Minor home modifications, such as installation of safety bars

For more information on Medicaid and the HCB waiver, contact Kentucky Medicaid at (855) 459-6328. 

Optional State Supplementation

Seniors 65 and older who receive federal Social Security Income payments and reside in an assisted living facility due to age-related deterioration or disability may qualify for SSI top-up funding through the Optional State Supplementation program. 

OSS money is designed to help seniors pay for the room and board portion of their monthly living costs. If approved, SSI recipients may receive a maximum combined federal and state SSI/OSS payment of $1,194.00. 

For more information, contact the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services at (855) 306-8959. 

Assisted Living Bridge Loans

Seniors who are selling their home to move into an assisted living facility and  need access to cash to fund their move may qualify for an assisted living bridge loan through Elderlife Financial. 

Structured as a 12-month line of credit with monthly interest-only payments, bridge loan applications can be made over the phone at no cost to the senior, and up to six people can be listed on the loan. Approvals generally take less than 24 hours, and borrowers can pay off the entire balance at any point without penalty. 

For more information contact Elderlife Financial Services at (888) 228-4500. 

Outpatient VA health services are available at the Florence VA Clinic, which is affiliated with the Cincinnati VA Medical Center. Assistance with VA benefit applications and appeals is available by appointment through the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, District 12. There is also an American Legion Post where veterans can participate in communal meals, socialize and learn about local resources.

Florence VA Clinic
7310 Turfway Road, Suite 510, Florence, KY 41042-1385
(859) 282-4480

Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs – District 12
5409 Madison Pike, Independence, KY 41051
(859) 409-6551

American Legion – Florence Boone Post 4
8385 U.S. Highway 42, Florence, KY 41042
(859) 817-0924

The Northern Kentucky Area Agency on Aging provides area seniors with assistance navigating health coverage options, referrals to assisted living facilities and help accessing transportation to medical appointments.  Northern Kentucky Area Agency on Aging
22 Spiral Drive, Florence, KY 41042
(859) 283-1885

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