Memory Care Communities in Louisville, KY

Louisville’s memory care providers typically charge $4,375 per month. This rate is $65 above Kentucky’s statewide average ($4,310), though $1,250 below the national average ($5,625). Kentucky’s second-largest city, Lexington ($5,710), averges $1,335 more than Louisville. Bowling Green ($4,375) matches Louisville’s average. Owensboro ($3,860) averages $515 less than in Louisville and Elizabethtown ($4,031) averages $344 less.

When trying to decide how to pay for memory care, one of the first questions that comes up is "How much does it cost?" With the impact of inflation, it's more important than ever to have up-to-date information when making a financial plan for senior living. To help shed light on real senior living prices, Caring.com has compiled proprietary cost data from its network of more than 75,000 senior living providers to provide insight into the average cost of memory care in Louisville and 10 other cities in Kentucky.

Louisville seniors often use public benefits and private funds to pay for memory care services. Depending on what an individual qualifies for and their access to financial resources, this mix may include state and federal health insurance benefits, retirement income and veterans’ benefits.

• Medicaid: Kentucky’s Medicaid program doesn’t pay for memory care services directly or through a waiver. However, qualified seniors can use Medicaid to cover expenses such as prescription drugs, durable medical equipment and skilled nursing, helping them reduce overall care costs.
• Medicare: Medicare doesn’t pay for nonmedical memory care services, such as personal care or meals. However, it covers eligible services and medical equipment, such as mobility aids, skilled nursing and medication administration, helping seniors reduce overall care costs.
• VA Benefits: Two VA programs help seniors pay for memory care services, including Aid and Attendance and the Geriatrics and Extended Care program. Through these programs, seniors can pay for a portion of their housing and personal care expenses.
• Private Payments: Memory care residents typically use their personal income and assets to cover housing and services. Some funding sources include their Social Security benefits, investments, savings accounts, long-term care insurance and income from renting out or selling their home.

Louisville’s seniors have many care options to choose from, according to their needs and budgets. Those who can still live on their own may select independent living for $2,773 per month on average. For people who require help with personal care, assisted living may be a good choice, but it costs more at $3,871. Seniors experiencing memory loss may desire the security and support of memory care at $4,514.

The Department for Aging and Independent Living, a subagency of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, regulates and certifies memory care facilities in Louisville and the Bluegrass State at large. A related agency, the Kentucky Office of Inspector General’s Division of Health Care, hosts a comprehensive directory of long-term care facilities on its website. 

Benefits

• Overall, the cost of living in Louisville falls about 3% below national norms, but seniors pay around 30% less for food, health care and housing. This promotes affordability for those budgeting for long-term care services in the city.
• Louisville seniors enjoy favorable state income tax laws, which include full exemptions for Social Security benefits and a large deduction of up to $31,110 on other forms of retirement income. This helps many families budget for local memory care expenses.
• As a long-term member of the AARP Age-Friendly Network, Louisville promotes a favorable environment for seniors and memory care residents through peaceful outdoor spaces, user-friendly transportation services and affordable housing repair initiatives.

Drawbacks

• The Louisville region has poor air quality, with the American Lung Association giving the region failing scores for ozone and annual particle pollution levels and a C for short-term particle pollution. To promote seniors’ health and comfort, memory care communities typically offer indoor activities on high ozone or particle pollution days.
• Annually, Louisville reports approximately 37 crimes per 1,000 people, including about eight violent offenses and 29 nonviolent infractions. Fortunately, memory care facilities have safe environments with alarm systems and surveillance cameras, and our Caring.com database reports over three dozen local facilities with security gates.