Assisted Living in Lincoln, NE

Assisted Living Costs in Lincoln

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, the cost of assisted living in Lincoln is substantially higher than both the national ($4,000) and state ($3,844) averages. Lincoln is the most costly city in the state for assisted living, Costs in Nebraska’s next largest city, Omaha, are $1,144 less per month, and rates are $2,009 less in the city of Grand Island. Lincoln is also more expensive than the comparably sized city of Des Moines, IA ($3,950) and much larger Kansas City, MO ($4,050).

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

The cost of senior care varies depending on the type of service required. In Lincoln, nursing home care costs $2,327 more per month than assisted living. In-home care such as homemaker and home health aide services costs significantly less than assisted living. However, in-home services don’t include expenses such as rent, food or utilities that are typically included in the cost of residential care. These types of expenses should be considered when  comparing different types of care.

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Lincoln

Medicaid in Nebraska

Nebraska’s Medicaid program is run by the state Department of Health and Human Services as part of the Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care. It covers a variety of services for low-income residents including inpatient and outpatient health care, prescriptions, nursing home services, dental care, diagnostic screenings, mental health care, substance abuse treatment and medical supplies. To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a resident of Nebraska
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Be pregnant, under 19, a parent or caretaker of a dependent under 19, disabled, blind or age 65 or over
• Have a monthly income of $1,012 or less per person
• Have no more than $4,000 in countable assets

To apply for Nebraska Medicaid, visit ACCESSNebraska or call (855) 632-7633.

Aged and Disabled Waiver

The HCBS Aged and Disabled Waiver is designed to enable seniors who need a nursing level of care to stay in their homes or in assisted living environments instead of nursing facilities. It provides services such as housekeeping, laundry, personal care, transportation, home-delivered meals, respite care, assistive technology for homes and vehicles and help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing and managing medication. This program is not an entitlement, so there are a limited number of spots available and there may be a waiting list.

To qualify for this waiver, individuals must:

• Be disabled or at least 65 years of age
• Require nursing home level care that can be safely administered at home or in an assisted living facility
• Qualify financially for Nebraska Medicaid

To apply for the waiver, contact Nebraska DHHS at (402) 471-3121.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Optional State Supplementation

Nebraska provides an optional state supplement to aged, blind and disabled SSI recipients. Eligible residents may receive up to $438 per month for an individual or $1,213 for a couple. To qualify, applicants must:

• Be eligible for federal SSI benefits
• Meet the federal SSI resource limit of $2,000 per individual or $3,000 per couple
• Meet the federal SSI monthly income limit of $771 per individual or $1,157 per couple

To apply for OSS benefits, visit the ACCESSNebraska website or call Nebraska DHHS at (800) 383-4278.

 Aid and Attendance and Housebound Pension Supplements

Elderly veterans who receive a VA pension may be eligible for Aid and Attendance or Housebound pension supplements. These programs can increase a veteran’s monthly pension benefit if they meet certain conditions. Applicants can’t receive both Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits at the same time.

Housebound pension supplements are available to veterans who are substantially confined to their home because of a permanent disability.

To qualify for Aid & Attendance benefits, veterans must meet one of the following conditions:

• Be a patient in a nursing facility due to mental or physical incapacity
• Need aid from another person in order to accomplish essential daily tasks such as eating, dressing, toileting or adjusting prosthetic devices
• Be bedridden
• Have vision limited to 5/200 or less in both eyes even with corrective lenses or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less

Veterans Affairs requires applicants to submit proof of at least 90 days of active, wartime service and an honorable discharge to receive benefits. Senior veterans are encouraged to contact the VA benefits office for assistance in applying for these programs because the financial requirements for eligibility are complex.

For more information, call (800) 827-1000 or visit the Lincoln VA Regional Office.

Assisted Living Resources in Lincoln

Senior Centers in Lincoln

The city of Lincoln’s Aging Partners agency operates six senior centers for area residents age 60 and older. These facilities provide hot meals, transportation, community and social events, fitness opportunities and a free monthly newsletter with a schedule of activities offered at each center. Seniors can make a reservation for lunch or learn more about center programs and activities by calling (402) 441-7158.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Nebraska’s ADRC connects seniors and their caretakers with local programs and services to help them remain active and engaged in the community. They assist seniors with finding services such as in-home care, legal advice, physical and behavioral health care, prescription assistance, respite care, assistive devices and long-term care planning.

Aging and Disability Resource Center
1005 “O” St, Lincoln, NE, 68508
(844) 441-7070

Veterans Affairs

The VA Community Clinic in Lincoln provides veterans with outpatient care, prescriptions, behavioral health care, counseling and medical referrals. Veterans can obtain assistance applying for benefits at the Lincoln regional VA office.

Lincoln VA Regional Office
3800 Village Dr, Lincoln, NE 68501
(800) 827-1000

Lincoln VA Community Clinic
600 S 70th St, Lincoln, NE 68510
(402) 489-3802