The 10 Best In-Home Care Services for Seniors in Lexington, KY for 2023

Caring’s 2022 Senior Living Report shows that Lexington, Kentucky is the number one location for seniors in the state. People choosing to retire to the city can access discounted bus fares, allowing them to conveniently visit local shops and restaurants. It has a low cost of living and retiree budgets are boosted as there are no state income taxes on Social Security benefits. Home care costs in the city average $4,957 per month, according to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. The city is among the top five in the country for the number of dentists per capita and has an above-average number of other health care providers. Lexington is also home to Kentucky’s highest-ranked hospital, the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital, which has a high-performing geriatrics department.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Lexington– complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, average home care costs in Lexington are equal to the national average at $4,957. However, seniors pay almost $200 more than the Kentucky average, and costs in the city are high when compared to most other parts of the state. One exception is Elizabethtown, with average costs roughly $100 higher than prices in Lexington. Prices in Bowling Green and Louisville are slightly lower, while in northwest Kentucky, Owensboro offers significantly more affordable home care.

The average costs of home care and home health care in Lexington are the same despite home health care also including light medical services such as wound care and administering medication. Seniors who wish to remain living at home can also try adult day care, which is the most affordable option and offers care in a group setting during normal working hours. Assisted living costs almost $400 less than home care, while nursing home care is the most expensive option at $6,996.

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
• Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
• Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
• Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.