In Kentucky, where seniors comprise nearly 17% of the population of 4.5 million, Alzheimer’s is increasingly becoming a public concern. According to data published by the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the state, and the number of those with this disease is projected to increase in coming years. In 2018, the organization estimated that 71,000 Kentucky residents aged 65 and over were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. By 2025, that number is projected to increase by about 20% to 86,000 seniors.
Fortunately, Kentucky residents have access to a range of programs and services through government and nonprofit agencies that improve the lives of those with this diagnosis. The state is also home to outstanding medical facilities, including the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital, a 569-bed acute care hospital in Lexington, and St. Elizabeth Healthcare Edgewood-Covington Hospitals in Edgewood. Overall, health care costs in the state, such as hospital stays and primary care services, are about 10% lower than in the nation as a whole.
Memory care can either be offered on its own in a community designed especially for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s, or, more often, it’s provided as a service in a separate wing of an assisted living facility. Memory care programs are designed specifically for those with memory impairment, and the facilities often coordinate social activities and schedules specifically for the needs of those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
This guide provides an overview of memory care services in Kentucky, including how much residents pay for this type of care and how rates compare to those in nearby cities and other senior care types. It also provides an overview of the financial options available to memory care residents, the regulations governing memory care facilities and statewide resources for seniors and families affected by dementia.