The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Bowling Green, KY for 2023

Bowling Green, a city in southern Kentucky, has a population of 73,529, 11.5% of whom are of retirement age. Living in Bowling Green has many benefits for seniors, such as a low cost of living and access to affordable health care facilities. The city also has numerous agencies and assisted living communities to support seniors throughout the aging process.

Living in an assisted living community can be a good option for seniors who no longer feel comfortable living at home but don’t yet require 24/7 medical care. Assisted living communities typically provide support with personal care tasks such as grooming and dressing as well as services such as housekeeping and laundry. Costs can vary slightly across the city, but the average monthly cost is $3,500, according to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, which is slightly higher than the state average and $1,000 less than the national average.

In this guide, seniors will learn about the cost of assisted living in Bowling Green compared to other nearby cities, alternative long-term care options and ways to pay for care. There is also a resource table where seniors can learn about programs and services that are available to them.

Kentucky’s Department for Aging and Independent Living governs assisted living communities and independent living communities in Kentucky. It sets regulations and ensures communities meet all of the requirements. It has a directory of all of the facilities in Kentucky which can be used to search for facilities. 

• The climate in Bowling Green is pleasant. Summers are hot and winters are short and cold. Temperatures typically fluctuate between 28 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit, with winter temperatures rarely falling below 13 degrees and summer temperatures rarely exceeding 95 degrees.
• Bowling Green has a high crime rate for its size. The chance of being a victim of a violent or property crime is around one in 20. However, most assisted living communities have surveillance systems and 24/7 staffing to keep residents safe. 
• Kentucky is tax-friendly to retirees. It exempts all Social Security income from being taxed and it offers significant deductions for other retirement incomes. Sales and property tax in the state are relatively low.
• The cost of living in Bowling Green is also relatively low. On a 100-point scale where 100 is the national average, Bowling Green has an overall cost of living of 84.6, compared to the state average of 82.3. Despite its overall low costs, the cost of health care is higher than average at 115.2. However, housing and transportation costs are low. 
• Bowling Green is home to around 20 health care facilities, including hospitals and medical centers, so seniors have easy access to medical attention. TriStar Greenview Regional Hospital is located in the heart of the city and is highly rated. 
• There is a public transportation service in Bowling Green. Bowling Green Public Transit Program offers routes around the city Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. A standard fare is $2 but seniors ride for $1.

Assisted living costs on average $3,500 per month in Bowling Green, but this can differ, depending on the location, amenities and services offered. 

Care costs in Bowling Green are around $50 higher than the Kentucky average and $1,000 lower than the national average. The most affordable city in the state for care is Owensboro, where seniors pay on average about $400 less than Bowling Green per month. In Elizabethtown, care is also affordable, costing around $300 less per month, and in Louisville, costs equal those of Bowling Green. By far the most expensive city is Lexington, where care costs around $1,000 more per month. 

There are various other care options available to seniors in Bowling Green. In-home care and home health care typically cost around $1,300 more than assisted living. They differ in that in-home care includes personal care and home health care includes medical services. For seniors seeking the most affordable option, adult day health care costs roughly $1,800 less than assisted living. The most expensive and comprehensive care option is a semiprivate room in a nursing home, which costs around $5,000 more. 

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 Kentucky page.