
Assisted Living in Ohio
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Families looking for assisted living in Ohio (OH) have a wide array of communities to choose from, since estimated that there are more than 30,000 assisted living communities serving seniors across the U.S., and over 648 statewide. The state is also home to a rapidly growing number of senior citizens, with adults over 65 making up an estimated 16.7 percent of the population. A resident in an assisted living community in Ohio will pay $4,278 per month on average.
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What You Should Know About Assisted Living in Ohio
Ohio assisted living homes are licensed as residential care facilities and are considered a less expensive and less restrictive alternative to skilled nursing homes. There are currently more than 700 assisted living properties with a residential care license. These loving communities provide personal support assistance in a home-like setting.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Ohio
For Ohio seniors who find themselves without the means to pay for the care they need, there are subsidy programs available to help keep them under budget.
Assisted Living Waiver
The Assisted Living Waiver is provided through Medicaid to help pay for select services within an assisted living community. Although room and board are not covered under this program, covered services include personal care, skilled nursing, housekeeping, and medication assistance. Offsetting these costs can help bring the assisted living home's monthly cost down to stay within budget. Unfortunately, not all assisted living providers within Ohio have registered with this program, so the waiting list for these benefits is often long for certain properties.
Who Is Eligible?
The Assisted Living Waiver is available to Ohio residents over 21 years of age with a qualifying disability or anyone over the age of 65. Applicants must demonstrate a need for nursing home level of care and earn less than the $2,250 minimum monthly income. Qualified assets — or 'countable resources' — cannot exceed $2,000 for individuals.
How to Apply
Applications for the Assisted Living Waiver can be submitted through your local Area Agency on Aging Office.
Ohio's Residential State Supplemental program is available to residents who qualify for Medicaid. This program provides financial assistance to cover the costs of assisted living, adult foster care, and adult care facilities.
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must be over the age of 60 unless they have a documented disability. A need for care must be established by discharge from a hospital or nursing home with follow-up care requirements that exceed in-home capabilities. Applicants must also be enrolled in the standard Medicaid program with a monthly income below $1,300 and countable assets below $2,000 in value.
How to Apply
The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is the administrator of the RSS program. Application paperwork can be downloaded from the OhioMHAS website and submitted by fax or email.
More Ways to Finance 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. Visit our 9 Ways to Pay for Assisted Living page for more information.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Ohio
Ohio seniors can also make use of the free assistance services offered by government agencies or non-profit organizations. These organizations can often offer information and connect the elderly with additional services.
Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a)
This nonprofit organization advocates for Ohio seniors and provide services to the elderly and their families. There are 12 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) within Ohio, and they each offer education and referral services.
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio, AAA 1
175 Tri County Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45246
(800) 252-0155 or (513) 721-1025
Area Agency on Aging, AAA 2
40 W. Second Street, Suite 400, Dayton, OH 45402
(800) 258-7277 or (937) 341-3000
Agency on Aging, AAA 3
200 Easy High Street, Suite 2A, Lima, OH 45801
(800) 653-7277 or (419) 222-7723
Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, AAA 4
2155 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH 43609-0624
(800) 472-7277 or (419) 382-0624
Ohio District 5 Area Agencies on Aging, AAA 5
2131 Park Avenue West, Ontario, OH 44906-1226
(800) 860-5799 or (419) 524-4144
Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, AAA 6
3776 S. High Street, Columbus, OH 43207
(800) 589-7277 or (614) 645-7250
Area Agency on Aging, AAA 7
160 Dorsey Drive, Rio Grande, OH 45674-0500
(800) 582-7277 or (740) 245-5306
Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging, AAA 8
1400 Pike Street, Marietta, OH 45750
(800) 331-2644 or (740) 373-6400
Area Agency on Aging, AAA 9
1730 Southgate Parkway, Cambridge, OH 43725
(800) 945-4250 or (740) 439-4478
Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, AAA 10A
925 Euclid Avenue, Suite 600, Cleveland, OH 44115
(800) 626-7277 or (216) 621-8010
Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging
1550 Corporate Woods Parkway, Uniontown, OH 44685
(800) 421-7277 or (330) 896-9172
Area Agency on Aging, AAA 11
5555 Youngstown-Warren Road, Suite 2685, 2nd Floor, Niles, OH 44446
(800) 686-7367 or (330) 505-2300
The VA was created to provide assistance and medical care to those who served in the armed forces. Veteran seniors can be assigned a case manager who will help them understand their benefits and connect them to veteran assistance programs they may be eligible for. The VA can help identify care options and the organization has resources to help senior veterans and their families with financing options for senior care.
A list of Ohio VA offices and their contact information is found below.
Stark County Vet Center
601 Cleveland Ave N. Suite C, Canton, OH 44702
(330) 454-3120
McCafferty Outstation
4242 Lorain Avenue, Suite 203, Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 939-0784
Columbus Vet Center
20 Spruce Street, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 257-5550
Dayton Vet Center
627 Edwin C. Moses Boulevard, 6th Floor, Dayton, OH 45408
(937) 461-9150
Cleveland Vet Center
5310 1/2 Warrensville Center Rd., Maple Heights, OH 44137
(216) 707-7901
Cincinnati Vet Center
4545 Montgomery Road, Norwood, OH 45212
(513) 763-3500
Parma Vet Center
5700 Pearl Road, Suite 102, Parma, OH 44129
(440) 845-5023
Toledo Vet Center
1565 South Byrne Road, Suite 104, Toledo, OH 43614
(419) 213-7533
Cleveland Regional Benefits Office
1240 East Ninth St, A. J. Celebreeze Federal Building, Cleveland, OH 44199
(800) 827-1000
State social security offices offer assistance to seniors in understanding their social security benefits. The Ohio Social Security Administration is available to help you with Medicare benefits, SSI and disability benefits. A listing of offices in cities throughout the state is listed below.
Akron Social Security Office
2166 Romig Rd. Akron, OH 44320
1-800-772-1213
Akron Social Security Office
2 S. Main Street, 2nd Floor, Akron, OH 44308
1-800-772-1213
Ashtabula Social Security Office
4815 State Rd, Ashtabula, OH 44004
1-800-772-1213
Athens Social Security Office
743a East State Street, Athens, OH 45701
1-877-840-7683
Batavia Social Security Office
1050 Hospital Drive, Batavia, OH 45103
1-800-772-1213
Beachwood Social Security Office
3591 Park East Dr, Beachwood, OH 44122
1-800-772-1213
Bowling Green Social Security Office
745 Innovation Drive, Bowling Green, OH 43402
1-866-931-7674
Cambridge Social Security Office
1225 Woodlawn Ave Suite 105, Cambridge, OH 43725
1-866-883-5281
Canton Social Security Office
301 McKinley Ave. SW Suite 100, Canton, OH 44702
1-877-255-1509
Chillicothe Social Security Office
44 Stoneridge Drive, Chillicothe, OH 45601
1-877-452-6971
Cincinnati Social Security Office
550 Main St Room 2000, Cincinnati, OH 45202
1-800-772-1213
Cincinnati Social Security Office
10205 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45241
1-800-772-1213
Cleveland Social Security Office
7517 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102
1-800-772-1213
Cleveland Social Security Office
1240 E 9th St Rm793 AJC Fed Bldg, Cleveland, OH 44199
1-800-772-1213
Cleveland Social Security Office
11601 Shaker Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44120
1-800-772-1213
Cleveland Social Security Office
15250 S. Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110
1-800-772-1213
Columbus Social Security Office
220 S Hamilton Rd, Columbus, OH 43213
1-866-592-0733
Columbus Social Security Office
200 North High Street Room 225 Fed Bldg, Columbus, OH 43215
1-866-964-1723
Columbus Social Security Office
1060 Georgesville Road, Columbus, OH 43228
1-866-656-0178
Dayton Social Security Office
200 W 2nd Street Room 209 Federal Bldg., Dayton, OH 45402
1-888-329-5724
Dayton Social Security Office
4375 Hoover Ave, Dayton, OH 45417
1-877-895-0038
Defiance Social Security Office
273 Stadium Dr, Defiance, OH 43512
1-877-600-2860
East Liverpool Social Security Office
120 East Fourth Street, East Liverpool, OH 43920
1-855-269-9178
Findlay Social Security Office
1720 E Melrose Ave, Findlay, OH 45840
1-877-628-6548
Franklin Social Security Office
3715 Towne Blvd, Franklin, OH 45005
1-800-772-1213
Fremont Social Security Office
2220 Enterprise Street, Fremont, OH 43420
1-866-614-4760
Gallipolis Social Security Office
2455 State Route 160, Gallipolis, OH 45631
1-888-397-6343
Hamilton Social Security Office
6553 Winford Avenue, Hamilton, OH 45011
1-800-772-1213
Ironton Social Security Office
611 Vernon Street, Ironton, OH 45638
1-866-789-1073
Lakewood Social Security Office
17513 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107
1-800-772-1213
Lancaster Social Security Office
252 Venture Place, Lancaster, OH 43130
1-877-841-5712
Lima Social Security Office
401 West North St Federal Bldg., Ste 101, Lima, OH 45801
1-800-223-0288
Lorain Social Security Office
221 W 5th St, Lorain, OH 44052
1-800-772-1213
Mansfield Social Security Office
1287 South Trimble Road, Mansfield, OH 44907
1-888-491-1882
Marietta Social Security Office
1301 Greene Street, Marietta, OH 45750
1-855-433-5872
Marion Social Security Office
1363 Wellness Dr, Marion, OH 43302
1-888-475-0296
Medina Social Security Office
4035 N Jefferson St, Medina, OH 44256
1-800-772-1213
Middleburg Heights Social Security Office
7344 Pearl Rd Suite 101, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
1-800-772-1213
New Philadelphia Social Security Office
1260 Monroe St NW Suite 1c, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
1-866-731-4236
Newark Social Security Office
125 Derby Downs Rd, Newark, OH 43055
1-866-737-3514
Painesville Social Security Office
55 W Jackson St, Painesville, OH 44077
1-800-772-1213
Piqua Social Security Office
277 S Looney Rd, Piqua, OH 45356
1-866-931-2520
Portsmouth Social Security Office
921 Fourth Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662
1-866-613-3961
Ravenna Social Security Office
444 Enterprise Parkway, Ravenna, OH 44266
1-855-863-3562
Sandusky Social Security Office
252 Wayne Street, Sandusky, OH 44870
1-866-588-7397
Springfield Social Security Office
1610 N Limestone St, Springfield, OH 45503
1-877-405-1451
Steubenville Social Security Office
100 Mall Drive, Steubenville, OH 43952
1-866-253.6889
Toledo Social Security Office
Four Seagate Suite 1000, Toledo, OH 43604
1-866-331-2196
Toledo Social Security Office
4906 Monroe St Suite A, Toledo, OH 43623
1-877-274-5429
Warren Social Security Office
258 E Market Street 1st Floor, Warren, OH 44481
1-866-964-7339
Warrensville Heights Social Security Office
18711 Miles Avenue, Warrensville Heights, OH 44128
1-800-772-1213
Wooster Social Security Office
2345 Gateway Dr Ste B, Wooster, OH 44691
1-877-319-0729
Worthington Social Security Office
1051 Worthington Woods, Worthington, OH 43085
1-866-789-0957
Xenia Social Security Office
80 N Progress Dr, Xenia, OH 45385
1-866-755-5372
Youngstown Social Security Office
354 E Federal St, Youngstown, OH 44503
1-877-714-0393
Zanesville Social Security Office
3823 James Court, Zanesville, OH 43701
1-855-884-3408
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Ohio
Assisted Living Service Plan Requirements
A health assessment is required for all new residents before or immediately after the move-in date. These are used to create a plan for services provided by the community. Health assessments should also be performed annually and upon any resident who has recently experienced a significant change in condition. Each assessment should include a medical history, physical and mental functionality tests and lists of all medications and diagnoses. A licensed staff member checks the resident for the ability to self-administer medication and makes the determination if reminders are sufficient or if full medication setup is required.
The resident or their responsible party may become part of a risk assessment agreement with the assisted living community. A resident has the right to decline a recommended service as long as they fully understand the health risks involved and agree to shoulder the responsibility of these risks.
Assisted Living Admission Requirements
Lengthy periods of skilled nursing care may cause a person to become ineligible to live at an assisted living residence. The maximum allowable amount of skilled care is 120 days in a 12-month period. Individuals who are bedridden, have very complex medical conditions or have severe skin ulcers may not be admitted to an assisted living residence. Exceptions are sometimes made for hospice care.
Assisted Living Scope of Care
Assisted living communities in Ohio provide personal assistance, accommodations, and supervision to seniors and disabled individuals. Most communities provide one to three meals a day, however, it is not a requirement. If meals are not provided, each room must have the necessary conveniences to prepare meals. Limited part-time nursing skills are available to residents and occasional short-term periods of skilled nursing care.
Assisted Living Medicaid Policy
Assisted Living Waivers and the Ohio's Residential State Supplemental program may help supplement the costs associated with assisted living services. Applicants must demonstrate need for care and proof of low income.
Assisted Living Facility Requirements
Medicaid waivers require the use of apartment-style units and residents have a choice of whether to share their room. State licensing rules do not insist upon apartment-style for all other residents but do require a maximum of four persons to be allowed in one unit. Occupants may share a bathroom but there must be one toilet, tub/shower or sink for every 8 people.
Meals are considered optional by the licensing board and each community may vary between providing no-meal service to three meals a day.
Medication Management Regulations
If the patient has been approved during their health assessment to self-administer their own medication, trained non-licensed staff may assist with this procedure. This could include reminders, opening containers, helping the resident organize their pills, verifying and reading labels and handing the medication to the resident.
All other residents will receive their medication from licensed personnel such as an RN, LPN, physician or certified medication aide. Licensed home health and hospice agencies may also administer medications.
Staffing Requirements
The staff at an Ohio assisted living community is comprised of an administrator and assorted direct care staff. The administrator runs the day-to-day operations and should be available at all times when not on-site. This person must work a minimum of 20 hours per week during the times of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Direct care staff assist residents in their daily living activities. Communities will vary in the type of licensed staff they employ depending on the services offered. If medication administration is provided, a physician, RN or LPN under the direction of an RN must be in-house at all times.
In addition, communities may contract with a physician, psychologist and/or nurse if they have residents that need advanced care.
There are no minimum staff ratios, but the law states that each location must have sufficient direct care staff to meet each resident’s needs.
Staff Training Requirements
Ohio ensures that the residents in assisted living communities receive the best possible care by establishing a variety of training stipulations for all staff.
- Orientation - occurs immediately upon hire and includes job responsibilities, resident’s rights, emergency preparedness and building procedures
- Continuing education - must be completed annually and is comprised of 8 hours of training in personal care, communication and observation
- First aid - must be completed within 60 days of hire
Additionally the administrator must complete 9 hours annually of classes on aspects of senior care and health administration
Any assisted living residence that includes memory impaired individuals requires their staff to complete 2 hours of specialty training in dealing with cognitive issues along with a 4-hour annual continuing education class.
Background Check for all ALR Staff in Ohio
All staff who have any direct contact with residents are required to apply for a background check and provide fingerprints to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. Any staff member that has resided in the state of Ohio for less than 5 years must also apply for a background check with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Requirements for Reporting Abuse
In Ohio, the Adult Protective Services care about elder abuse. If at any time, you suspect abuse or neglect call 1-855-OHIO-APS (1-855-644-6277) toll-free 24/7. It is best to provide as much information as possible including name, address, age and suspected abuse.
In addition, you may file a complaint against a health-care community with the Ohio Department of Health at 1-800-342-0553.
Assisted Living Facilities in Ohio
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Top-Rated Caring Stars Winners in Ohio
Caring.com’s Caring Stars award program recognizes the best assisted living facilities across the U.S. based on reviews from family caregivers and older adults. This award is meant to help older adults and their loved ones find the best assisted living or in-home care option in their area. The list below shows up to 10 listings that have won the most Caring Stars annual awards in their state, sorted by their current overall average rating. For a complete list of Caring Stars winners for each year, please visit our Caring Stars info center.