Assisted Living in Hilliard, OH

Assisted Living Costs in Hilliard

The monthly cost of assisted living in Hilliard is about $100 less than the state median ($4,278) and approximately $200 more than the $4,000 national average. The average price in Hilliard is much more affordable than the monthly amount paid in some Ohio cities, such as Cincinnati ($4,998) and Dayton ($5,300). It’s fairly expensive compared to Youngstown ($3,600) and Springfield where the $3,093 average cost is almost $1,100 less per month.

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Hilliard, so data from nearby Columbus was used instead.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

Seniors care costs within a community can differ dramatically depending on the setting, level of care needed and what’s included in the rate. Hilliard seniors who need round-the-clock skilled nursing services pay the highest monthly rate of $7,330 in nursing homes. This is more than $3,000 above the $4,170 average for assisted living and the $4,195 cost of in-home services.

The setting and what’s covered by the rate make the cost of assisted living and in-home care appear almost identical. A closer look reveals that rates for homemakers and home health aides reflect service hours only whereas the assisted living price includes room and board. When household operating expenses, such as utilities, food, maintenance and property taxes, are factored in, the real cost of in-home care can be much higher than assisted living.

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Hilliard

Medicaid in Ohio

The federal government established the Medicaid program in 1965 to ensure basic health care coverage for Americans with limited income and resources. Today, more than 65 million individuals, including 2.6 million in Ohio, are covered by federal and state government-funded Medicaid programs from coast to coast.

The Ohio program, managed by the Department of Medicaid, provides coverage to one in five state residents through managed care plans. The health care benefits that eligible residents receive include:

• Primary and specialist care
• Inpatient, outpatient and emergency hospital treatment
• Prescription drugs
• X-rays and diagnostic tests
• Ambulance and nonemergency medical transportation
• Long-term care in a nursing home

Qualifying for Ohio Medicaid

Hilliard residents can qualify for medical and long-term care coverage through Ohio Medicaid if they’re American citizens or legal immigrants and:

• Aged 65 or older or under 65 and blind or disabled
• Have no more than $2,313 of income per month as an individual or $4,626 as a married couple applying jointly
• Own $2,000 or less in countable assets if single or $3,000 combined countable assets if applying with a spouse

Seniors who need Medicaid coverage for long-term care but don’t meet the income and/or asset limits have several qualification options:

• Those with excess income can set up an irrevocable Qualified Income Trust. Every dollar earned above $2,313 per month ($4,626 for couples) must be deposited into the trust where it no longer counts toward the limits. Once deposited, the funds can only be withdrawn to pay certain approved care- and medical-related expenses.
• Married applicants who exceed the income/asset limits may reduce both amounts to the required thresholds if their spouse doesn’t apply. According to Medicaid rules against spousal impoverishment, the non-applicant may be allowed to keep up to $3,160.50 of the applicant’s monthly income and retain up to $126,420 of the couple’s joint assets.

To learn more about Ohio Medicaid coverage for long-term care or to apply, Hilliard seniors can visit the Ohio Benefits website or call the Medicaid consumer hotline at (800) 324-8680.

Assisted Living Waiver

Nursing home care is the only long-term care entitlement provided by the Ohio Medicaid program. The state does offer an Assisted Living waiver that gives elderly residents an alternative to institutional care. The waiver’s goal is to decrease nursing home admissions in favor of less costly community-based long-term care that lets seniors enjoy greater independence and a higher quality of life. To be approved for the ALW, Hilliard residents must:

• Meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid long-term care
• Be assessed as needing a nursing-home level of care but able to live in the community without safety concerns
• Need help performing daily living activities, such as bathing, grooming, dressing and eating
• Have sufficient monthly income to pay the room-and-board portion of their assisted living facility fees

For those who are approved, the waiver covers the cost of many support services, such as:

• Transition assistance to relocate to a community setting
• Assistance with personal care and daily living activities
• Medication oversight and administration assistance
• Social and recreational programming
• Laundry and housekeeping services
• Intermittent nursing services
• 24/7 support

The ALW isn’t an Ohio Medicaid entitlement program, and participation is limited statewide. Those who are approved may be placed on a waiting list depending on current enrollment numbers.

For more information about the ALW program or to schedule an eligibility assessment, Hilliard residents should contact the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging at (800) 589-7277.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Reverse Mortgage

Married seniors who need extra funds to pay assisted living costs for one spouse may consider applying for a reverse mortgage. Instead of requiring a monthly payment, these mortgages provide qualified homeowners with a check that they can use as needed. If both homeowners move out or the property is sold, the mortgage balance must be repaid in full. Eligibility and monthly payments are based on the homeowners’ equity level, ages and other lending criteria.

For more information about reverse mortgages, Hilliard seniors can contact Elderlife Financial Services at (888) 228-4500.

Residential State Supplement

Hilliard residents who are eligible for Social Security, Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability benefits may qualify for a monthly top-up payment from the Ohio Residential State Supplement program. To qualify for this extra stipend from the state, applicants must be aged 60 or older or disabled if aged 18 to 59 and:

• Be enrolled in Medicaid and not participating in a waiver program
• Have no more than $2,000 in assets and an income within Ohio RSS guidelines

To apply for RSS benefits, seniors can contact OhioMHAS at (855) 777-6364.

Assisted Living Resources in Hilliard

Senior Legal Assistance

Hilliard residents with limited income who need help resolving a noncriminal legal issue may qualify for assistance from the Legal Aid Society of Columbus. This nonprofit law office provides free advice and/or representation to seniors who meet eligibility guidelines. Help may be available for various legal matters, including public benefits, guardianship defense, long-term care, housing, power of attorney documents, wills and advance directives.

Legal Aid Society of Columbus
1108 City Park Ave., Columbus, OH 43206
(888) 246-4420

County Office on Aging

The Franklin County Office on Aging provides a central access point for aging-related services and programs that can help Hilliard seniors maintain an independent lifestyle. The many resources the agency coordinates include case management, benefits counseling, home- and community-based services, protective interventions, transportation services, senior nutrition programs and subsidies for health care services, medical equipment and prescription medications.

Franklin County Office on Aging
280 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 525-6200

Senior Citizen Center

Hilliard is home to the thriving Phyllis A. Ernst Senior Citizen Center that welcomes city residents aged 55 and over. For a $15 annual membership fee, seniors can access a wealth of life-enhancing offerings, including a daily homestyle lunch, fitness classes and arts and crafts programs. The center’s staff also organizes health screenings, special social events, educational seminars on senior-centric topics and fun trips and tours. Membership is free to area residents aged 90 and older.

Phyllis A. Ernst Senior Citizen Center
3810 Veterans Memorial Dr., Hilliard, OH 43026
(614) 876-0747