Assisted Living Communities in Las Vegas, NV

Genworth's 2024 Cost of Care Survey notes that retirees in Las Vegas pay $827 less than the national median for assisted living and also spend $1,381 less than seniors in Carson City. Just across the border, care expenses rise to $5,324 in Riverside, CA, but seniors planning to retire in San Diego, CA, pay $2,727 more than retirees in Las Vegas.

Assisted living communities typically offer several payment options, including veterans’ benefits, state-funded assistance programs and private payments. Before choosing a facility, residents benefit from understanding long-term care costs, payment options and the eligibility criteria for financial assistance.

• Medicaid: The Nevada Medicaid’s Frail Elderly Waiver pays for many care services assisted living residents receive, including housecleaning, meal preparation and personal care. This waiver doesn’t pay for housing, but it can make care services affordable for those who meet financial and functional criteria.
• Medicare: Medicare doesn’t pay for assisted living, as this long-term care option primarily features nonmedical services. However, residents who obtain skilled nursing services from third-party providers can use their Medicare coverage for specialized services.
• VA Benefits: The VA helps qualified veterans pay for assisted living through two programs. The Geriatrics and Extended Care program provides direct coverage for assisted living services such as personal care and meals, while Aid and Attendance provides an increased pension that seniors can use at their discretion toward their care fees.
• Private Payments: Seniors use their income and assets to pay for assisted living. This includes Social Security benefits, money from investments and retirement savings accounts, long-term care insurance and home equity.

Older adults in Las Vegas pay about $4,767 per month for in-home care — a similar rate to assisted living. However, expenses also pivot across two extremes in the city. Adult day care costs only $1,625, making it the cheapest type of care, whereas a semi-private room in a nursing home costs $10,205. At $5,720, home health care offers a budget-friendly alternative for seniors who need medical assistance, although it is still costlier than assisted living.

The Division of Health’s Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance is responsible for regulating, monitoring and licensing assisted living facilities in Nevada. Its tasks include investigating the legal and financial backgrounds of license applicants and carrying out regular inspections of approved facilities to ensure they continue to uphold standards. The Bureau also has the power to revoke licenses.

• Overall, the cost of living in Las Vegas surpasses the national norm by 3%. While this reflects above-average utility, transportation and housing costs, people typically spend 8% below the national norm on health care and food, which may promote affordability for prospective assisted living residents.
• Nevada doesn’t have a state income tax, so seniors only pay federal taxes on their retirement benefits and withdrawals from savings accounts. While the state makes up for lost revenue with a high sales tax rate, it exempts groceries, prescription drugs and durable medical equipment.
• Summers in Las Vegas are hot, with average daytime highs in July hovering around 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The city has mild winters with lows around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and it only gets about 5 inches of annual rainfall. To support seniors’ comfort, many assisted living communities have unit-controlled thermostats.
• Compared to cities with similar population sizes, Las Vegas’s crime rate is considerably lower than the average, appealing to older adults seeking safe assisted living options. While the neighborhoods in the city's central region see high levels of crime, westside neighborhoods such as Stonebridge and Centennial Hills North are safer. 
• Three hospitals serving adults sit in Las Vegas, including Kindred Hospital Las Vegas - Sahara, MountainView Hospital and Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center, promoting access to robust medical services for assisted living residents.