Gary, Indiana, is one of the largest cities in the state and just 25 miles from Chicago. It’s adjacent to the southern shores of Lake Michigan and the Indiana Dunes National Park, which gives residents plenty of choices for spending time outdoors. Gary’s proximity to Chicago also benefits those who need to access big-city amenities and healthcare, although Gary has plenty of choices within the city limits.
About 18% of Gary’s 75,000 residents are aged 65 and older, and some of these seniors might be considering a move into an assisted living community as their needs change. Assisted living homes offer 24/7 personal care, assistance with mobility and prepare three nutritious meals a day. These apartment-style communities also offer amenities like pools, walking paths and fitness centers, plus scheduled activities for seniors to pursue favorite hobbies and meet new friends. Many assisted living communities also have a nurse available on-site. The average monthly cost of assisted living in Gary is $4,585.
In this guide, we cover the costs of assisted living and senior care in Gary, plus address the benefits and drawbacks of living here. We also included a brief list of resources for seniors and their families.
"My aunt lives currently at Miller Beach and she really likes it. We have had meals with her in the dining room and the food is very tasty. The staff is super friendly and really seem to care about their residents.
While there they were having a lua..."
"The residents have individual rooms and a wonderful well kept common area and kitchen. In summer months there is a great front porch and outdoor area in the backyard where residents can gather. The staff is very caring putting residents needs first. ..."
"My grandmother moved to Two Hearts Homes for Seniors - Crown Point. It's a small community of only 15 bedrooms. The number of caregivers to residents ratio is awesome. The caregivers there make the food for the residents. It's got a big open-concept ..."
"My mom lived at StoryPoint for more than 3 years. It is a community of caring professionals and friendly residents. With three different levels of care available (independent, assisted or memory care) my mom moved into independent living. A gorgeous ..."
"My parents are residents of Aviva Valparaiso. Most of the staff was very nice. I ate there. They have lots of choices of food. The food is good. The facility, it's nice and clean. It's pretty much updated. They have all kinds of activities. It is a l..."
"I had two aunts who stayed at Sunrise Villa Olympia Fields. They never complained about the food. The amenities were really good. They had a lot of programs for the seniors. They had a craft room and woodworking for the guys there. They had laundry f..."
"It has been a year since our Mom moved to The Residences of Deer Creek . It's a comfort knowing she is getting excellent care. The staff continues be concerned for her, as well as for us. A big THANK YOU!..."
"I was a resident of Victory Centre of South Chicago for 10 years. The staff were all nice. All the managers from the other building were nice to us. They had a lunch thing downstairs, you can go in and buy your food if you want. They could serve a me..."
"I normally don’t take the time to post reviews, but I felt compelled to share how wonderful our experience has been at the Residences. We feel very lucky to have found this place and although the road to assisted-living was not easy for my family, we..."
"I toured the Victory Centre of Roseland. The staff was very engaging and very informative. He let me know what would take place while my dad stayed there, the activities, the meals, and the things that he would get. They have daily activities. They d..."
"American House Oak Park was a brand-new facility. The layout was very well thought through. The rooms were nicely laid out in a way that made sense. There's enough room, but not too much room. It was a very modern, up-to-date sort of place. They didn..."
"My tour of Valparaiso Senior Village was excellent. I met the admissions lady and the senior manager. They all walked me around and answered my questions. For just one person, the room seemed very roomy. It had a kitchen facility, a refrigerator, and..."
"I liked Sunrise of Flossmoor. It's just that we could not afford it. They showed us the dining room, their church, the family room, and the library. It was nice. The food was OK. The living space was nice. It was good. The cleanliness was excellent. ..."
"I visited Waterford Estates Senior Living. The room was beautiful. The one I looked at was a one-bedroom. It has a nice-sized bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. It's clean. The dining area was fine, but you can cook your own dinners there. Y..."
"I toured The Pointe at Kilpatrick. I like that it's very clean and bright-looking, like it was sunny. The staff was very personable, informative, and helpful...."
"My friend's parents and my neighbor were at Victory Centre of Sierra Ridge. My friend's parents were in the assisted living, and it was very nice. The staff was good. They checked on them every day for medication reminders and all that kind of stuff...."
"We toured Charter Senior Living of Hazel Crest. The tour was nice. It has everything we need. They introduced me to some of the workers there. We got to see what the room would look like. We walked and she showed me the path where they had breakfast...."
"Wittenberg Village is an excellent facility. Actually, it's not a facility, it's like a village, and they age in place. You can go into a home or a villa home, to the assisted gardens, the price is reasonable, it's clean, and it's nice too. It' a tot..."
"My mom has moved into Brookdale Valparaiso. They were the only place that could offer all the services that my mom needed. Everything that she's had problems with at the other facilities, the hospital or clinics or whatever, she hasn't had to deal wi..."
"My mother has moved into Bickford of Crown Point. Location is one important factor for us, and it had both assisted and memory care, so their motto there is an age in place. We were hoping to move Mom somewhere and not have to move her somewhere else..."
We ensure you see providers in your desired location, and if you want to see those closest to you, you can use the Distance filter provided.
Reviews
Feedback from seniors and their loved ones is a valuable tool, so providers with the most reviews — no matter the rating — appear before others.
Partner Data
Caring’s verified partners provide the most accurate and detailed information, which helps you make an informed choice.
What you can do with Caring
Search the Caring database
Quickly search the largest online senior living and senior care directory
Read reviews and expert guidance
Read our authentic consumer reviews and content by experts
Speak to a Family Advisor for free
Guided, expert advice to find the best community or agency for you
Take a tour to decide yourself
We’ll help you book tours or get in touch with local agencies
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
Gary’s assisted living fees are higher than the state of Indiana, $4,585 compared to $4,382, and both of these are higher than the US average of $4,300. Looking at other large Indiana cities, Gary’s assisted living fees are comparable to most, with the exception of Fort Wayne, which is significantly less, just $3,503 per month. Indianapolis ($4,573) and Evansville ($4,455) are close in cost to Gary, and South Bend is just a bit more at $4,819 per month.
Indiana’s Regional Care Assistance Program (RCAP) helps seniors pay for the monthly cost of assisted living. The state also offers a Medicaid Waiver program, but it only covers costs for seniors residing in an RCF.
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
Veterans Benefits
Life Insurance Policy
Long-Term Care Insurance
Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Indiana page.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Assisted living isn’t the only long-term care option for seniors in Gary. Homemaker and home health aide services, both of which average $4,767 per month, provide in-home assistance. Homemakers can help with chores, meal preparation and grocery shopping and companionship, while home health care workers provide in-home medical care. Adult day care offers activities and assistance similar to that of an assisted living facility, but attendees return home at night. Nursing home care is intended for those with chronic medical conditions that require around-the-clock medical care and monitoring. The cost for a semi-private room is $8,060 per month, while a private room is $8,973.
Homemaker Services
$4,767
Home Health aide
$4,767
Assisted Living Facility
$4,585
Nursing Home (semiprivate room)
$8,060
Nursing Home (private room)
$8,973
Note:Data for Gary was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Michigan City, was used instead.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Gary
Gary seniors and their families have access to many free resources to help them find the right fit for an assisted living facility if they’re thinking of making the move. Seniors may also seek assistance applying for government benefits and medical care through state-funded agencies.
The Long Term Care Ombudsman Services agency advocates for the rights and interests of residents of long-term care communities, such as assisted living and nursing homes. These representatives investigate complaints filed by residents and refer these complaints to the appropriate disciplinary agency. Families or individuals seeking assisted living care may also find help through the Ombudsman to determine the right community to meet their needs.
The Vet Center helps local military veterans apply for pensions, including the Aid & Attendance pension, to help pay for assisted living and health care, including Medicaid. Representatives can help veterans file claims through the US Department of Veteran’s affairs and appeal rulings on these claims. Volunteers with the Vet Center visit area veterans who are in assisted living to help reduce isolation.
This Area Agency on Aging provides information about resources and service providers, from nutrition and meal delivery to finding long-term care and offering health screenings and seminars. The AAA also makes referrals to case managers who can help seniors apply for Social Security, Medicaid and other government benefits, plus find and apply for assisted living accommodations.
What to Consider About Assisted Living in Gary
The Indiana Department of Health licenses and regulates assisted living communities in the state under the Residential Care Facility Licensing Program. This agency conducts health inspections of long-term care communities and investigates complaints about assisted living communities.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Gary
The cost of living in Gary is significantly lower than the US average, which has a baseline of 100. Gary is 72.5, and Indiana overall is 82.1. Housing costs are just 20.3, and health care is 84.8, which may benefit seniors with limited income.
Crime rates in Gary are quite high. Due to this, many assisted living facilities have security features in place and take precautions to make sure residents are safe.
Winters in Gary are cold and snowy, averaging 36 inches of snow per year, compared to 28 for the national average, and January lows of 18 degrees. Summers can be mild and pleasant, with 186 sunny days per year and July highs of about 86 degrees. Seniors who have health conditions aggravated by colder temperatures may not be comfortable, but those sensitive to high heat may appreciate the respite.
The air quality in Gary is above the national average, 64 out of 100 compared to 58. Seniors here can enjoy a nice breath of fresh air when outside. Although the water quality is lower, 30 out of 100 compared to 55.
Indiana is moderately tax-friendly for retirees, as all Social Security income is tax-free. However, retirement income may be taxed at the same rate as other wages, a 3.23% flat rate.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Gary
Gary-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Indiana are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Indiana page for more information about these laws.
Reviews of Communities Nearby
Assisted Living
daisy67
5.0
I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident
Review of Miller Beach Terrace
My aunt lives currently at Miller Beach and she really likes it. We have had meals with her in the dining room and the food is very tasty. The staff is super friendly and really seem to care about...
I am heartbroken because my dad died, we believe, as a result of negligence by the Miller Beach staff. Before coming to Miller Beach, my dad had colon cancer and was taking 3 medicines to assist...
This is a horrible place! They put my 87y/o grandfather on respidone for no reason. But that explains why everyone seemed so dazed! Everyone was probably on it! They gave him no meds for his...