Dayton is an urban city surrounded by farmland and wineries. Residents over 60 represent 19% of the 2020 population of 140,407, and Dayton ranked #8 out of 20 on America’s Most Affordable Cities list compiled by Forbes in 2016. A low cost of living makes the city appealing to budget-conscience seniors. Ohio is also a tax-friendly state for retirees. While income from pensions and retirement accounts are taxed, seniors receive comparable credits. Social Security retirement benefits are not taxed.
Assisted living communities provide services to help seniors enjoy their golden years, such as daily living care and help with chores. These communities make an excellent option for seniors who do not need the care of a nursing home. The monthly cost for assisted living in Dayton averages $5,245, which is $895 more than the Ohio cost of $4,350.
In this guide, you’ll find information about assisted living in Dayton, including the costs, benefits, drawbacks and free resources for seniors who retire in the area.
10 Wilmington Avenue
4.5
(45)
"The 10 Wilmington Place was the most impressive facility of all of the ones I toured. They seemed to have a lot more staff available and a lot of things to offer. They had a movie theater that no else had. They had activities centered around the c..."
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280 Walden Way
3.9
(45)
"I toured Brookdale Kettering for my dad, and it was a nice community. It was beautiful, it was clean, and the residents looked happy. The one who assisted me on the tour was very sweet, and she knew what she was talking about. They have puzzles, g..."
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140 East Woodbury Drive
4.5
(32)
"We toured Spring Hills Singing Woods. The community looks very clean. It was very nice. They greeted us very well. The room that we toured was almost on the small side, but it had a separate little bedroom and a living room area with a little door..."
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2656 West Alex Bell
4.0
(32)
"We are happy with The Wellington at Dayton. We are happy with the place and the care that my husband's uncle is getting. He loves it there. Anytime we go see him he tells us how happy he is. My husband's uncle has an apartment. He has a big room, ..."
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3797 Summit Glen Dr
3.5
(37)
"I've been living in Laurelwood Senior Living. It seems very nice here. The people have been very nice and very friendly. They made me feel welcome, and I don't have any qualms about it. The staff has been very nice. My apartment was all redone whe..."
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1701 Far Hills Avenue
4.4
(18)
"I liked Brookdale Oakwood a lot, but it's right by a busy street and it's private pay only. I visited their assisted living and memory care. There were two levels and it's laid out kind of in a circle, so people can just roam and not get lost. It'..."
READ MORECaring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.
6800 Paragon Rd
4.7
(7)
"My mom has moved into Fairmont of Washington Township. It's a nice place, it's clean, and it's relatively new. The facilities are nice. She is just there temporarily for respite care while her caretaker is on vacation. The staff all seem very frie..."
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3490 Far Hills Ave.
4.5
(2)
"The Carlyle House is beautiful. It is very nice, but they don't have any rooms. They have a chef, and it looks like he was preparing something really good. The interactions with the residents were a lot better than the other facilities. They all h..."
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5790 Denlinger Road
2.8
(15)
"At Friendship Village, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and more are all housed in one friendly and welcoming community. We ..."
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8130 Miller Farm Lane
4.2
(10)
"I moved into Miller Farm Place. It has been great. The employees are very helpful, and the communication is good. I bought a bed and actually, they put it together for me. One reason I came here is that they do accept cats. I have a cat, and they ..."
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55 Great Hill Dr.
4.0
(9)
"Having my family member stay at Hearth and Home of Vandalia has been the best decision our family and I have made since we began assisting our loved one two years ago. Our family member loves the facility and is constantly bragging about the exce..."
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264 wilmington avenue
3.3
(12)
"Recently the doctor for my elderly uncle decided it was time for him to move to an assisted living facility. This was a slightly overwhelming task because we live two states away. Pam and Beth where absolutely instrumental in making this move ha..."
READ MORE6105 N Main Street
3.7
(7)
"I live in Mercy Siena Gardens in independent senior living. I'm having a good experience, and I like my apartment. We have carry-in dinners, play games, and have a bus that takes us to the grocery store. They have exercise classes, but I don't do ..."
READ MORE6125 N Main St
4.0
(3)
"My sister has moved into Siena Woods. They had a lot of things that we were looking for, for my sister and it's close to where I live, so it made it more convenient for me. The staff is very friendly and very helpful. I have not heard her say anyt..."
READ MORE322 park drive
4.0
(1)
"While I was visiting a family friend that is a resident at South Park i was a but amazed and yet a little disappointed also.The staff seemed friendly at first but after a while of being there i could see a change. They seemed to grow less and less..."
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6451 Far Hills Avenue
3.0
(5)
"This facility continues to amaze me with the quality of care that is given to the residents. The facility is always so clean, the staff is so welcoming and the nurses always provide the best care. My great aunt has been a resident there for over a..."
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8212 north main street
2.7
(7)
"Nursing staff and aids are excellent. They are always professional and made my family member feel welcome from day 1. The facility is not as flashy as some other places, but the car is excellent!"
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800 Grayson Lane
4.6
(17)
"Traditions of Beavercreek is a very nice place. Mark is awesome; he's pretty much the only person I've dealt with there. I'm a little confused because I have 2 different people saying 2 different things on the visitation. One is saying that you ha..."
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95 West Wenger Road
4.3
(19)
"I like that Brookdale Englewood is very friendly, has a very clean atmosphere, it's very homey looking, and didn't look like a normal nursing home. It was quite homely looking and it just met all of the criteria that we needed. No patients were si..."
READ MOREThe Ohio Department of Health (ODH) licenses assisted living facilities regulated by the Bureau of Regulatory Operations. The ODH regularly inspects all care facilities, including at least one unscheduled visit. All services provided are evaluated to be sure they meet or exceed Ohio’s state laws and rules.
The average monthly cost for assisted living in Dayton is $5,245, as of the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. Ohio’s average is $4,350, making Dayton $895 more per month. The U.S. average is $4,300.
Cleveland, northeast on the shores of Lake Erie, has the lowest assisted living cost of $3,950. Akron, a suburb of Cleveland, is much higher at $4,875 per month. Also on the shores of Lake Erie, Toledo averages $4,779 monthly. To the northeast, Columbus averages $4,500. At the bottom southwest corner of Ohio, Cincinnati is $4,750. Dayton is the highest at $5,245, surpassing the state and national averages of $4,350 and $4,300, respectively.
Dayton
$5,245
Ohio
$4,350
The United States
$4,300
Columbus
$4,500
Toledo
$4,779
Akron
$4,875
Cincinnati
$4,750
Cleveland
$3,950
There are additional senior care options in Dayton. The least costly option is adult day care. Data for Dayton is not available, but the state average is $1,300 per month. Seniors who need help at home with daily chores and errands can opt for homemaker services at $4,763 a month. Home health aide includes some added medical care and averages $4,767 monthly. Nursing homes are for seniors who need more extensive medical care and cost $8,699 for a semiprivate room or $9,825 for a private room.
Homemaker Services
$4,763
Home Health Aide
$4,767
Assisted Living Facility
$5,245
Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)
$8,699
Nursing Home Facility (private room)
$9,825
If you need help paying for the costs of assisted living in Dayton, you can apply for one of Ohio’s two financial assistance programs. The Nursing Facility Level of Care Waiver also helps pay for the costs of assisted living. It’s part of the state’s Medicaid program. Also, the state offers supplemental SSI payments for those who qualify for SSI payments from the Social Security Administration. You can apply for both of these through the Lucas County Department of Job and Family Services Office.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Ohio page.
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:
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Ohio page.
Dayton offers many resources for seniors, including services that assist with care financing, advocates such as ombudsman and social activities and programs. Community services are in place to enhance and promote well-being for seniors as they age.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Resource Connection Representative Payee Programs | (937) 223-8246 | The Senior Resource Connection’s Representative Payee Program is a Social Security Administration certified service. This free service provides seniors 60 and older with a neutral, independent person to handle their financial needs. Adult Protective Services works with the Representative Payee Program. |
| Area Agency on Aging | (937) 341-3005 | The Area Agency on Aging helps seniors to age with dignity and wellness. Seniors and their family members are matched with the personalized services they need. The agency also provides guidance and resources free of charge. |
| Dayton Ombudsman | (937) 223-4613 | The Dayton Ombudsman handles complaints seniors may have concerning long-term care facilities, government programs and other senior services. They also offer a wealth of information and resources to meet the needs of seniors in Dayton. |
| MyCare-Ohio | (800) 324-8680 | MyCare-Ohio is a new program for residents in Ohio who qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare. The State of Ohio worked with the federal government to improve the way these programs are managed and to ensure seniors receive the services and care they need and qualify for. The program includes long-term care options. |
| New Horizons Music Program | (937) 229-2605 | Adults 50 and over can attend the University of Dayton’s New Horizons Music program to revisit musical skills already learned or learn a new instrument. The program offers a relaxed and enjoyable opportunity to learn new music and play together in an orchestra, ensemble or band. Seniors can meet other music lovers, create connections with other organizations and have a schedule of music events to enjoy. The health benefits of music instruction include breathing, using both sides of the brain, strengthening facial muscles and better strength and dexterity of fingers, hands and arms. |
Dayton-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Ohio are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Ohio page for more information about these laws.
