In-Home Care in Kentucky

Kentucky is home to more than 750,000 seniors, representing 16.8% of the state’s population. With access to top hospitals, including the Albert B. Chandler Hospital at the University of Kentucky and Baptist Health Lexington, and a median home price under $170,000 as of 2020, Kentucky has much to offer its senior residents, which is why many older adults are flocking to the state for retirement.

For a small state, Kentucky also has abundant options for in-home care and home health care. In-home care consists of nonclinical services such as help with grocery shopping, errands, cooking and other daily living activities. Home health care includes clinical services such as physical and occupational therapy. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, in-home care and home health care cost an average of $4,767 per month in Kentucky.

This guide provides an overview of what to expect when seeking in-home care or home health care in Kentucky, including average costs, Medicare and Medicaid coverage, eligibility requirements and COVID-19 policies for providers. Also covered are state-specific resources for seniors who wish to retain their independence and age in place.

According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the cost of in-home care in Kentucky averages $4,767 per month. This is less than the national average of $4,957 and comparable to many of the surrounding states. Of Kentucky’s closest neighbors, Illinois has the highest in-home care costs at $5,339 per month, followed by Ohio at $4,957. Indiana’s costs are the same as Kentucky’s at $4,767 per month, while Tennessee, with average monthly costs of $4,576, offers the least-expensive in-home care in the region.

The cost of care in Kentucky can vary from city to city, sometimes substantially. Louisville, the state’s largest metropolitan area, has costs that sit right at the state median of $4,767. The median costs in Lexington are slightly higher at $4,957 per month. The smaller city of Paducah on the state’s western edge has median in-home care costs of $4,767 per month, while Covington, a large suburb of Cincinnati, OH, is moderately more expensive at $5,148.

Kentucky seniors needing personal or medical assistance have options beyond in-home care. The highest level of care, but also the most expensive, is a nursing home facility, where a semiprivate room costs an average of $7,178 per month in Kentucky. Other options are much less expensive than either skilled nursing care or in-home care. These include an assisted living facility at an average of $3,448 per month and adult day health care at $1,690 per month.

While Medicaid covers certain in-home medical costs in Kentucky, it does not cover non-medical in-home care. However, the state has several waiver programs to help defray many of the costs associated with aging in place. These programs include the Home and Community Based Waiver, a benefit program for seniors over 65 who need home care; the Homecare Program, for seniors unable to perform certain daily living activities; the Hart-Supported Living Program, which promotes rights and autonomy for Kentucky’s older population; and the Personal Care Attendant Program, which helps subsidize the cost of in-home care.

Kentucky residents can apply for Medicaid online using the KYnect portal, over the phone by calling (855) 306-8959 or in person at a Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) office.

What Information You Will Need

You will need several pieces of documentation when applying for Medicaid in Kentucky. You should have:

• Multiple forms of ID, such as your driver’s license, passport or Social Security card
• Information about your finances, including tax returns, bank statements and income documents
• Information regarding current insurance or health care coverage

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.