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Independent Living in Kentucky
Kentucky is located in the southeastern portion of the United States. It is home to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and the Mammoth Cave National Park, two of the most popular attractions. Seniors can also hike in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park or the Daniel Boone National Forest. Summers are hot and humid with July highs around 87, and winters are cold with average snowfalls of 11 inches. The state is relatively affordable for retirees. Social security income is not taxed, and the cost of living is low compared to the national average.
Independent living is any housing arrangement built specifically for seniors and older adults ages 55 and older. Unlike assisted living that provides help with daily living tasks like grooming and bathing, independent living is aimed at seniors who are still active and can take care of themselves with little to no help. In Kentucky, the cost of Independent living is around $2,404 per month.
This guide covers the cost of independent living within the state and surrounding areas and offers a guide to some of the most common resources for seniors in Kentucky.
The Cost of Independent Living in Kentucky
When trying to decide how to pay for independent living, one of the first questions that comes up is "How much does it cost?" With the impact of inflation, it's more important than ever to have up-to-date information when making a financial plan for senior living. To help shed light on real senior living prices, Caring.com has compiled proprietary cost data from its network of over 75,000 senior living providers to offer insight into the average cost of independent living in Kentucky and its 8 cities.
The Cost of Independent Living in Kentucky's Top Cities
Numbers can be quite different for independent living in Kentucky's diverse cities. The average cost in Union is $1,645, but there's a significant jump to $4,570 in Versailles, reflecting its pricier senior living scene. Somewhere in the middle is Prospect at $2,773, and the most affordable option is down in Hopkinsville at only $847 per month. These price variations highlight the importance of shopping around and comparing options throughout the state.
Kentucky
$2,794
Union
$1,645
Versailles
$4,570
Prospect
$2,773
Hopkinsville
$847
Inflation's Impact on the Cost of Independent Living in Kentucky
Although costs across the nation are seeing an increase due to inflation, Kentucky wasn't impacted as much In fact, the state saw a 3.58% decrease in 2023 compared to the U.S. rise of 5.1%. Neighboring states paint a similar picture, with Tennessee, Missouri and West Virginia all falling lower than last year. Ohio saw a very modest 2.4% increase, and West Virginia surpassed other reductions with a whopping 33.8% decrease. Everywhere is predicted to increase next year. Considering these varied trends, planning ahead becomes crucial to ensure financial preparedness and peace of mind amid fluctuating independent living expenses.
| Location | 2022 Cost (Historical) | 2023 Cost (Current) | 2024 Cost (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $2,898 | $2,794 | $2,830 |
| U.S. Average | $2,810 | $2,955 | $3,162 |
| Ohio | $2,801 | $2,861 | $3,116 |
| Tennessee | $3,123 | $2,629 | $2,800 |
| Missouri | $2,989 | $2,822 | $2,909 |
| West Virginia | $3,720 | $2,460 | $2,620 |
The Costs of Other Types of Senior Living
In Kentucky, senior living costs vary based on care types. Independent living is the most affordable at $2,794, followed by assisted living at $3,748. Memory care stands out at the top with its $4,852 price tag. Factors such as the level of assistance, specialized services and amenities contribute to cost variations. It's essential to consider individual needs and preferences along with any budget limitations in order to make a well-rounded decision.
Assisted Living
$3,748
Memory Care
$4,852
Independent Living
$2,794
Can You Use Medicare or Medicaid to Pay for Independent Living in Kentucky?
Unfortunately, you cannot use Medicaid and Medicare to help pay the monthly fee for residing in an Independent Living community. For seniors who need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), there may be financial assistance programs available to help cover the cost of care in Independent Living. For more information about financial assistance for those who need a higher level of care, read our guide to Assistant Living in Kentucky.
Read on for more information about using alternative means to make Independent Living more affordable, such as retirement funds, the sale of a home, etc.
Paying for Independent Living in Kentucky
Seniors who opt for independent living typically must pay for the service out-of-pocket because most insurance companies, including Medicaid, won’t pay for it. Some of the most popular payment methods include personal funds, including savings and reverse mortgages that allow seniors to access funds from the value of their homes. Others use their Social Security benefits or pensions to pay for independent living, while some use annuities from investments. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also has several programs that help low-income seniors find safe and affordable living arrangements.
Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Kentucky
There are many resources in Kentucky that assist seniors in their retirement. caring.com has compiled information on local organizations, programs and agencies and categorized them into care types for easy reference.
Area Agency on Aging
Retirees can find support and advice on various senior-related issues from their local Area Agency on Aging. The agency provides advice on topics such as financial assistance programs, in-home care and long-term care planning. It also connects seniors and caregivers with community-based resources.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Area Agencies on Aging | Kentucky's Area Agencies on Aging are nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving the needs of older adults and caregivers. They provide programs and services that promote independent living and help to enhance seniors' quality of life. These include care planning, transportation services, nutrition programs and caregiver support. They also offer information, referrals and benefits counseling. Kentucky's AAAs play a crucial role in advocating for seniors' rights and ensuring they have access to the resources they need to age with dignity. |
Cash Assistance Programs
Cash assistance programs in Kentucky provide financial support to help low-income retirees remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Seniors and caregivers can apply for tax rebates and reductions, discounts on vital services and help covering the cost of heating and cooling their home.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Lifeline Program | 800-234-9473 | The LifeLine Program offers a discount on landline or mobile telephone service, ensuring that participants can stay in contact with loved ones. |
Financial Assistance for Senior Care and Senior Living
Whether living in their own home or in a senior living community, Kentucky seniors can find financial assistance from numerous local resources. These organizations help residents cover some of the costs associated with in-home or long-term care and connect them with other helpful community-based resources.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Home and Community Based Waiver | 844-784-5614 | Kentucky's Home and Community Based (HCB) waiver helps seniors live at home or in the community, delaying or preventing placement in a nursing home. It supports this goal through services such as personal care assistance, home-delivered meals, minor home adaptation, adult day health care and homemaker services. |
| Kentucky Transitions | 877-564-0330 | Another service under the waiver program for seniors is Kentucky Transitions. It helps seniors currently living in a nursing home or institution move into their own homes or communities. Once applicants have moved from the nursing facility and live on their own, they qualify for an HCB waiver for further assistance. |
Food Assistance Programs
Local organizations help ensure elderly citizens have a balanced diet and receive essential vitamins and minerals to remain healthy. Through nutrition programs, congregate meals, home-delivered meals and food pantries, these programs help Kentucky seniors afford the nutritious food they need.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Feeding Kentucky | 502-699-2656 | Seniors needing food assistance who can travel independently or have access to transportation may benefit from community food pantries. Generally operated by churches and nonprofit organizations, food pantries provide fresh and nonperishable food that seniors can use to create meals at home. Kentucky boasts numerous food pantries throughout the state. Each program operates under its own eligibility requirements and has varying hours of operation, so call ahead to confirm when to come and what kind of information to bring. |
| Kentucky Emergency Feeding Assistance Program (EFAP) | 800-327-6568 | The Kentucky Emergency Feeding Assistance Program supplements the diets of low-income seniors with healthy foods available at no cost. By meeting federally established income guidelines, seniors in Kentucky ages 60 and older can receive foods that enable them to create nutritious meals at home. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture administers this program, making nutritious foods available to local agencies for distribution to seniors in need. |
| Kentucky Meals on Wheels | The Kentucky Meals on Wheels service is part of the federally-funded Senior Nutrition Program in the state. Accepted Kentuckians aged 60 or older can get hot meals delivered to their homes. A home visit is first done to determine eligibility, such as that the resident is ill and homebound. A senior can apply to be a part of the program or can get nominated by a caregiver or loved one. | |
| Kentucky Nutrition Program for the Elderly | 502-564-6930 | The Kentucky Nutrition Program for the Elderly provides one congregate or home-delivered meal per day to each Kentucky resident aged 60 and older. To qualify for home-delivered meals, seniors must be 60 or older, be unable to secure a congregate meal due to disability or Illness and have no one in the home to prepare them a nutritious meal regularly. Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living administer this program statewide. |
| Kentucky Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) | 502-782-9238 | The Kentucky Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides seniors ages 60 and older with $50 checks to purchase fresh, unprocessed and locally grown foods. Seniors can use this money to purchase Kentucky-grown fruits, vegetables and fresh-cut herbs. These checks are redeemable at authorized farmers' markets throughout the state. To be eligible, seniors must have an income less than or equal to 185% of the federal poverty level. |
| Kentucky Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | 855-306-8959 | The Kentucky Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds food purchases for low-income seniors. Individuals must be U.S. citizens, meet income eligibility requirements and have no more than $3,500 in resources, including cash and bank account assets. Qualifying seniors receive an electronic benefit transfer card, which they can use at a grocery store to purchase eligible foods. |
Free Used Medical Equipment
Due to the high cost of purchasing new medical equipment, several organizations in Kentucky collect lightly used medical devices such as wheelchairs, ramps and walkers and distribute them to local seniors and residents in need.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Assistive Technology Service (KATS) Network Coordinating Center | 800-327-5287 | Project CARAT promotes the reuse of assistive technology (AT) and durable medical equipment (DME) by transitioning unused AT and DME to individuals who need them at no cost. |
Health Insurance & Prescription Drug Coverage for Seniors
Kentucky seniors who meet certain income criteria can apply to local resources to help them pay for prescription drugs. Eligible residents can also receive assistance through health insurance and other programs to access free or discounted medical services.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Prescription Assistance Program | 800-633-8100 | The Kentucky Department for Public Health Division of Prevention and Quality Improvement (DPQI), Health Care Access Branch administers the Kentucky Prescription Assistance Program (KPAP). This free service helps qualified seniors obtain free or reduced-cost prescription drugs through assistance programs offered by drug manufacturers, discount pharmacy programs and discount drug programs. |
Home Repair and Modifications
Seniors and those with disabilities can access a variety of local resources to help them pay for home repairs and modifications. Programs in Kentucky have different eligibility criteria and often assist retirees by providing grants or loans.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants | 859-224-7353 | Seniors may qualify for a home repair grant of up to $10,000 in their lifetime. They must use their grant funds to pay for repairs and improvements that remove health or safety hazards. |
Social Security Offices
Social Security offices in Kentucky help seniors and disabled people access the benefits they're entitled to. Older adults can contact their local office for information about receiving retirement benefits, disability allowance and Supplemental Security Income.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Social Security | Social Security is a source of income available to retirees and people who can no longer work because of a disability. The money for Social Security comes from a payroll tax levied on employers, employees and self-employed individuals. When you retire, you'll receive monthly payments based on how much you earned when you were working. |
Tax Assistance
Seniors can apply for tax assistance from several Kentucky resources. Elderly residents and those with disabilities could be eligible for tax exemptions on medical expenses, reductions on property tax and other tax assistance programs.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Homestead Exemption | 502-564-4581 | Qualifying Kentucky homeowners may be eligible for a homestead exemption deducted from their home and property's assessed value. |
Utility & Energy Bill Assistance
Low-income seniors who are struggling to meet the costs of maintaining their homes can find support from organizations that offer assistance with utility and energy bills. Kentucky retirees could also qualify for emergency funding programs if they're in danger of losing utility services due to unpaid invoices.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | 800-456-3452 | LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps cover the home heating and cooling costs of eligible low income seniors and other Kentucky households. The Kentucky LIHEAP program initially uses annual funds to cover heating costs, then covers cooling costs if there are still funds available. |
Veteran's Services
Kentucky retirees who have served in the U.S. military can find support from local veteran services. These offices and organizations help vets access the benefits they're eligible for and provide advice and information on a variety of issues.
| Program Name | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky VA Benefits and Health Care | The Department of Veterans Affairs provides specialized medical care for senior vets throughout Kentucky. Primary VA Medical Centers, outpatient care sites and administrative buildings are located in Lexington, Fort Thomas, Louisville and other major cities. Memory care, skilled nursing and in-home medical and home care services may be financially subsidized for veterans over 65. Kentucky's Department of Veterans Affairs includes a total of 23 accredited benefits representatives who serve veterans in all 120 counties statewide. |
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