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The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Merrillville, IN for 2024

 

Merrillville is in the northwestern region of Indiana and may be a good retirement option for seniors seeking affordability and high access to health care. Of the city’s 36,000 residents, about 18% are at least 65 years old, promoting access to age-friendly recreational and social opportunities, as well as community-based resources. The city has one hospital, and there are numerous assisted living facilities to support older adults who need a helping hand throughout the day.

Assisted living facilities are for seniors seeking freedom from the stress and inconvenience of living alone but who don’t require extensive medical support. Residents in these facilities get daily assistance according to individualized care plans, including help with activities such as bathing and grooming. Facilities provide three daily meals and a variety of social and recreational activities throughout the week, and many feature apartment-style units. Seniors in Merrillville pay $3,617 per month for this level of care, which is well below the respective state and national norms of $4,283 and $4,500.

This guide features more information on assisted living costs in Merrillville and ways to pay for care. It also breaks down some of the licensing rules all assisted living facilities in the city follow.

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Assisted Living Facilities in Merrillville, Indiana

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What to Consider About Assisted Living in Merrillville

In Merrillville, all assisted living facilities follow the rules set forth by the Indiana Department of Health, Division of Long Term Care. This division has an extensive licensing process and conducts regular inspections to promote a consistent standard of care throughout the city and the state as a whole. It also investigates complaints made by or on behalf of residents.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Merrillville

 

  • While the cost of living in Merrillville is a little higher than the Indiana norm, it’s well below the national average and may make the city a financially viable destination for retirees. Based on a cost of living index set to a national norm of 100, the city scores 87.9 versus Indiana’s score of 83.7. Compared to national living costs, groceries, transportation and housing are affordable here, which may promote competitive assisted living rates.
  • Merrillville is a relatively safe place to live, particularly when it comes to violent crime. On a 100-point crime index that gives higher scores to communities with higher rates of crime, Merrillville scores 13.4 for violent crime compared to the national score of 22.7. While property crime is more prevalent with a score of 51.1 versus 35.7 nationally, recent years have seen a sharp decline in the number of reported incidents. This may provide peace of mind to those moving to Merrillville for assisted living.
  •  On a 10-point comfort index, Merrillville has a score of 9 for its pleasant weather and generally low humidity levels. Summer high temperatures are in the low 80s and winter lows are in the teens, appealing to those who enjoy changing scenery throughout the year, and the city gets about 38 inches of rain and 33 inches of snow. Assisted living residents typically have access to indoor recreational activities throughout the year, helping them stay safe and comfortable during the chilly months.
  • Health care costs in Merrillville come in about 14% below the national norm, which may provide financial benefits for prospective assisted living residents who are managing ongoing health conditions. The city is home to Methodist Hospital Southlake, an award-winning hospital with over a dozen specialties, and to promote further access to care, many assisted living facilities have on-call health care providers.
  • Hoosier seniors don’t pay state income taxes on their Social Security benefits. While income from pensions and retirement accounts is fully taxed, the tax rate is a modest 3.23%, which may make assisted living in Merrillville financially viable for seniors with retirement income from multiple sources.

 

Paying for Assisted Living in Merrillville

 

While monthly fees may vary depending on amenities and services, assisted living residents in Merrillville typically pay $3,617 for care.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

On average, assisted living facilities in Merrillville charge $3,617 per month for housing and care, which is 15% to 20% lower than state and national norms. Even so, some cities in Northern Indiana have more economical monthly rates, including Fort Wayne, where residents pay $3,485 for services, and South Bend, where care costs come in at $3,308. However, Merrillville is a budget-friendly alternative to Elkhart, where seniors pay $633 more for care, and Lafayette, where rates exceed Merrillville’s norm by about 45%.

Merrillville

$3,617

Indiana

$4,283

United States

$4,500

South Bend

$3,308

Elkhart

$4,250

Fort Wayne

$3,485

Lafayette

$5,255

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Seniors in Merrillville pay $3,617 per month for assisted living, making this the most economical senior care option recorded in the city. Those who arrange private care at home pay $5,625 per month for in-home care, which includes nonmedical custodial services, and home health care, which includes skilled nursing. Similarly, nursing home rates are significantly higher than assisted living rates at $8,456 per month for semi private rooms.

In-Home Care

$5,625

Home Health Care

$5,625

Assisted Living Facility

$3,617

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$8,456

Note: Data for Merrillville was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Michigan City, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Merrillville

Seniors in the Merrillville area who need help paying for the costs of assisted living can apply for the Regional Care Assistance Program (RCAP). Also, Indiana's Medicaid Waiver program helps pay costs of residing in an assisted living facility as long as the facility is registered as an RCF.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Indiana page.

Financial Assistance in Indiana

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

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.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Merrillville

Merrillville and the surrounding area are home to numerous government agencies and non-profit organizations offering help for seniors searching for or currently residing in an assisted living community. These organizations can also provide assistance in a number of other eldercare services such as geriatric care management, elder law advice, estate planning, finding home care and health and wellness programs.

To see a list of free assisted living resources in Merrillville, please visit our Assisted Living in Indiana page.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Merrillville

 

Merrillville Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities in Indiana are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Indiana page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Indiana

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Sherrill

I visited this facility

Review of Virginia Place

Virginia Place seemed a little congested to me. The place seemed like there was just a lot going on. They had a pretty nice-sized room. It had a dresser, nightstands, and large windows with blinds...

Read more

Assisted Living

Valerie

I visited this facility

Review of Belvedere Senior Housing

Belvedere Senior Housing was very nice. Everybody's friendly. It's a very clean place. The apartments were a decent size, very clean, and very nice. It still looks like a brand-new building. The...

Read more

Assisted Living

Daniel

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of Virginia Place

Mother has moved into Virginia Place. It's nice, clean, and kept up. They have a day room and a little courtyard where they could sit outside. The staff are friendly. They're taking care of my...

Provider response

Thanks for the review and feedback, Daniel! We appreciate you taking the time to share with us, and we’re so glad to hear that you’re so happy with your mother's care. Thank you again! – Team...

Read more

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The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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