Nursing homes and assisted living in Kentucky

In Kentucky, assisted living is called an Assisted Living Community, and there are several classes depending on the services offered. This guide helps you understand those names and know who to call.

What care settings are called here

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) licenses these places:

• Assisted Living Community: this is assisted living. There are three classes:
• Social model: offers housing and support, without basic health services.
• ALC-BH: also provides basic health services.
• ALC-DC: has a secure unit for people with dementia (memory care).
• Personal Care Home: a residence that offers supervision, personal care, and basic health services in a building that does not follow the building rules for assisted living.
• Family Care Home: a small home with no more than three residents, with supervision and personal care 24 hours a day.
• Nursing Home: a traditional nursing home. There are also nursing homes that specialize in Alzheimer's care.

The OIG publishes facility directories that are updated every month. It also publishes inspection results for nursing homes and Personal Care Homes. These are useful tools for comparing places calmly.

How Medicaid helps in Kentucky

The Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) pays for nursing home care for people who qualify. For those who would rather stay at home, there is the Home and Community Based (HCB) Waiver. This program is for people 65 or older, or with a physical disability, who need a nursing home level of care. It includes:

• adult day health care
• a personal attendant
• home modifications
• meals
• respite care for caregivers

DMS says there is a waitlist for the HCB Waiver. Your place in line is set by the date your complete application is received.

How to apply:

• Online, at kynect.
• By phone, for the financial part: Department for Community Based Services, (855) 306-8959.
• For questions about the waivers: (877) 315-0589.

How much care costs in Kentucky

These are the statewide medians from CareScout's Cost of Care Survey 2025, with data from July to November 2025:

• Assisted living (private one-bedroom unit): $5,528 a month.
• Nursing home, semi-private room: $320 a day (about $9,718 a month).
• Nursing home, private room: $370 a day.
• In-home caregiver (non-medical): $33 an hour.
• Adult day center (adult day health care): $88 a day.

Who to call

• Long-Term Care Ombudsman (a free advocate for residents): the state program of the Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) works with 15 district offices. The statewide number the program lists is 1-800-372-2991.
• DAIL / Aging and Disability Resource Center (the state aging helpline): (877) 925-0037. The state has 15 Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living.
• Eldercare Locator (national helpline): 1-800-677-1116.

Tips for your family

• Ask what class of license the residence has. If your loved one has dementia, look for an ALC-DC. If they need help with their health, look for an ALC-BH.
• Apply for the HCB Waiver early. The waitlist is ordered by the date of the complete application.
• If your loved one does not qualify for Medicaid, ask about the Kentucky Homecare Program. It offers help at home to people 60 or older through local agencies. Some areas also have a waitlist.
• Look for respite care. DAIL has a statewide directory of respite care providers so caregivers can get a break.

This is general information and does not replace medical or legal advice.