Assisted Living in Mankato, MN

Assisted Living Costs in Mankato

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study reveals a notable variance in assisted living costs within the state of Minnesota. Average monthly rates are highest in the Minneapolis area ($4,425) and lowest in Rochester ($3,770) and St. Cloud ($3,716). Although Mankato is the smallest city surveyed at $4,393, rates here are only a bit lower than in Minneapolis and just above those in Duluth, where assisted living averages $4,250 per month. The cost in Mankato also tops the identical state and national monthly averages of $4,000.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

The Genworth study also shows that nursing homes are the most expensive senior care option in Mankato. Adult day health services are about one-fifth the cost, but they only provide services Monday through Friday in a daytime care center. Assisted living rates are over $5,500 less than nursing home care and over $1,000 less than in-home services.

Nursing homes offer specialized, round-the-clock services, which helps justify the higher cost. Seniors who choose in-home care must still pay household operating expenses on top of the amount paid for provided services, which increases the overall cost. In contrast, monthly assisted living facility fees usually include room and board.

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Mankato

Medicaid in Minnesota

Minnesota provides free or low-cost health care coverage to over 750,000 low-income residents with joint funding from the federal government and within the framework of the national Medicaid program. Through the state Medical Assistance program, eligible Minnesotans receive a range of essential services, such as doctor visits, hospital care, clinic and urgent care visits, prescription drug coverage, ambulance and nonmedical transportation, laboratory and x-ray services and nursing home care.

Mankato seniors aged 65 or older or disabled can qualify for medical and long-term care services through the MA program if they’re U.S. citizens or legal residents and meet specific financial guidelines. To qualify, individuals must earn less than $1,012 per month, or 100% of the federal poverty level, and have $3,000 or less in assets.

All sources of income count, but some assets don’t, including a vehicle, principal home worth less than $572,000, household furnishings and personal belongings.

To apply for Medical Assistance coverage, seniors can visit the Mankato Blue Earth County Human Services office at 410 S. 5th St. or call (507) 304-4335.

Regular MA only covers long-term care in nursing homes. However, it does offer two waiver programs that may help seniors with assisted living costs. Unlike MA nursing home coverage, these programs aren’t entitlements, so waiting lists may be in effect. 

MA Elderly Waiver

The Medical Assistance Elderly waiver gives Mankato residents aged 65 and older an option to remain in the community and put off admission to an institutional care facility. To qualify for the waiver, seniors must complete a long-term care consultation and be assessed as needing the level of care normally provided in a nursing home. Additionally they must:

• Need services the waiver can provide at a lower cost than in a nursing home setting
• Have an income below $2,313 per month if single or $4,626 per month for a couple if both spouses are applying
• Own countable assets totaling less than $3,000 as an individual or $6,000 as a married couple

Once approved, an applicant may receive services, such as assistance transitioning from a nursing home, case management, nonmedical transportation, residential services, assistance with personal care, necessary equipment and supplies, housekeeping and companion services and intermittent skilled nursing care.

To apply for the Elderly waiver, seniors can call the Senior LinkAge line at (800) 333-2433 or visit the County Human Services office in Mankato.

Community Access for Disability Inclusion Waiver

The Community Access for Disability Inclusion waiver provides services and supports in community settings to those with disabilities who would otherwise require nursing home placement. To qualify for CADI waiver services, applicants must be eligible for MA and:

• Require a nursing home level of care, needing more support than provided under regular MA coverage
• Be certified as disabled by the state medical review team or the Social Security Administration
• Be under age 65 when applying

Upon approval, an applicant’s needs are assessed to determine the specific services they require, which may include case management, housing access coordination, night supervision, specialized supplies and equipment, extended personal care assistance and occupational, physical, respiratory and speech therapies.

While applicants must be aged 64 or younger to qualify, they have the choice of remaining with the CADI program or switching to the Elderly waiver upon reaching age 65.

To learn more about the CADI waiver or apply, Mankato residents can visit the local County Human Services office or call (507) 304-4222.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Supplemental Aid Benefits

The state Supplemental Aid program provides cash assistance and is available to Minnesota residents who receive or are eligible for federal Supplemental Security Income payments and have total assets below $2,000. Those who have higher incomes may also qualify if they’re aged 65 or older or have been deemed blind or disabled by the SSA and have less than $10,000 in assets.

To apply for Supplemental Aid, Mankato seniors can contact Blue Earth County Social Services at (507) 304-4335.

Minnesota Housing Support Program

The state Housing Support program is available to low-income, limited resource seniors and disabled adults to help pay for room and board in various assisted living settings. Applicants who don’t qualify for MA benefits and waiver programs may be eligible for additional services, including medical and social services coordination, medication reminders and transportation. To qualify, applicants must be aged 65 or older, or under age 64 with a health condition that affects their self-sufficiency. They must also have less than $10,000 in assets and meet one of these financial criteria:

• Qualify for or receive Minnesota General Assistance benefits
• Qualify for or receive federal Supplemental Security Income payments
• Be ineligible for GA and SSI assistance because of excess income but have income below the maximum amounts paid to HS providers

Currently, the HS program pays providers up to $904 for just room and board, and $1,386.84 if all additional services are provided. Housing support is only available through approved, licensed providers that have a county rate agreement in place.

Interested seniors can apply for the HS program online or by calling the Mankato County Human Services office at (507) 304-4222. 

Assisted Living Resources in Mankato

Area Agency on Aging

The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging serves the needs of seniors throughout the southwest region of the state, including Blue Earth County. Through the agency, Mankato seniors can access the Senior LinkAge Line to reach a reliable source of information on aging-related resources and programs in their immediate area, as well as assistance with a variety of needs and concerns, such as care transition, long-term care education, health care insurance options and local transportation assistance.

Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging
201 N. Broad St., Ste. 102, Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 387-1256

Adult Community Center

The VINE Adult Community Center offers Mankato seniors an opportunity to socialize and engage with their peers, improve their health and physical well-being, access needed services or get more involved in the community as a volunteer. The VACC welcomes adults of all ages to take part in exercise classes and a variety of social and recreational activities, attend seminars on various topics and join planned bus trips. The Center offers three membership levels to suit different needs and budgets, along with a sliding fee scale option for those aged 65 and older.

VINE Adult Community Center
421 E. Hickory St., Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 387-1666