Assisted Living in Nebraska

Nebraska is a landlocked state that doesn’t offer beaches like the coastal states or the warm winters people can find in the south, but people in this state are happy. According to a Gallup poll, Nebraska ranks 6th in the nation for well-being. Gallup measures well-being through an analysis of five interrelated elements: financial security, social relationships, physical health, relationship with community and sense of purpose. These factors, coupled with a lower overall cost of living when compared to more urban states, have attracted a growing number of retirees to the state – many of whom ultimately opt for assisted living facilities.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Nebraska

The decision to pursue assisted living facilities for retirement is an extremely important choice that requires careful, diligent research to choose the best facility for your needs. Our comprehensive directory of assisted living facilities in the state of Nebraska is a great way to start that process. Locate information about amenities, size of the facility, pricing, health insurance, and more using the tool below.

How to Pay for Assisted Living in Nebraska

Determining how to finance assisted living often starts with the question, “What’s the cost?” In today’s economy, where inflation plays a significant role, having current data is crucial for senior living financial planning. AssistedLiving.org has gathered cost information from its expansive network of over 75,000 senior living providers. This data offers a glimpse into the average expenses for assisted living in Nebraska and 11 additional cities within Nebraska.

How Inflation Has Impacted the Cost of Assisted Living in Nebraska

Inflation had a significant impact on the average cost of senior living in Nebraska from 2022 to 2023. In that time, costs in the state rose 13% to $5,043. That’s slightly higher than the U.S. average increase of around 10%. Inflation impacted neighboring states differently. In South Dakota, costs decreased by 2%, while Kansas saw assisted living prices increase by 19%. Rates in Iowa and Colorado sit at $4,879 and $4,630 respectively.

Prices are expected to rise again in 2024 to $5,304 in Nebraska and $4,802 across the U.S. As such, financial planning is vital for seniors researching living options.

Assisted Living Costs in Nebraska's Top Cities

The cost of assisted living can vary widely, even within the same state. In Bellevue, the rate averages $3,448 per month. Grand Island’s costs are also lower than the state average at $4,296. Omaha and Lincoln have prices at the higher end of the range, with seniors in Omaha paying an average of $5,068 and $5,228 per month in Lincoln.

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Living

Various senior living options are available to older adults in Nebraska to meet different needs and budgets. The cost reflects the amount of care and type of amenities available. Independent living is the most affordable choice at $3,040 per month. Assisted living provides personal care and averages $5,043. At $5,997, memory care is the most expensive choice due to the specialized care available to residents.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Nebraska

The Aged and Disabled Waiver

While Nebraska’s Medicaid program doesn’t cover the cost of living at an assisted living facility, there is a program that helps to cover the cost of care, called the Aged and Disabled Waiver. For Nebraska seniors who reside in an assisted living community, this waiver can help offset costs for medical and care related services, as well as home and vehicle modifications. The waiver does not, however, cover expenses for room & board.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants need to meet certain asset limits and functionality requirements. There is a $2,000 resource cap for individuals and a $3,000 cap for couples. With respect to income limits, Nebraska follows a “standard of need” model, which allows people to deduct their housing costs (such as rent), or a portion thereof, from their income before income is considered in eligibility. For individuals, the standard of need is $520/month and $821/month for a married couple.

To be eligible, you also must meet the qualifications of needing a nursing home level of care.

How to Apply

To get more details about eligibility requirements and start an application, contact your local area agency on aging or apply for Medicaid by using the online application or by calling (855) 632-7633.

More Ways to Finance Assisted Living

Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits: Veterans can take advantage of several different pension programs to help cover the cost of assisted living. For more information, see the article on benefits.va.gov.

• Life Insurance Policies: Even if a spouse or loved one hasn’t died, certain types of life insurance policies can be used to pay for assisted living. More information is available at longtermcare.acl.gov

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance policy that pays for long-term care when it becomes necessary, including the cost of assisted living. For more information on the benefits and drawbacks of this financing method, visit longtermcare.acl.gov.

• Reverse Mortgages: Reverse mortgages allow seniors to access the equity from a home that they own, and these funds can be used to pay for assisted living. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a federally insured reverse mortgage program.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Nebraska

There are many resources in Nebraska that assist seniors in their retirement. Assistedliving.org has compiled information on local organizations, programs and agencies and categorized them into care types for easy reference.

Area Agency on Aging

Retirees can find support and advice on various senior-related issues from their local Area Agency on Aging. The agency provides advice on topics such as financial assistance programs, in-home care and long-term care planning. It also connects seniors and caregivers with community-based resources.

Cash Assistance Programs

Cash assistance programs in Nebraska provide financial support to help low-income retirees remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Seniors and caregivers can apply for tax rebates and reductions, discounts on vital services and help covering the cost of heating and cooling their home.

Food Assistance Programs

Local organizations help ensure elderly citizens have a balanced diet and receive essential vitamins and minerals to remain healthy. Through nutrition programs, congregate meals, home-delivered meals and food pantries, these programs help Nebraska seniors afford the nutritious food they need.

Free Used Medical Equipment

Due to the high cost of purchasing new medical equipment, several organizations in Nebraska collect lightly used medical devices such as wheelchairs, ramps and walkers and distribute them to local seniors and residents in need.

Home Repair and Modifications

Seniors and those with disabilities can access a variety of local resources to help them pay for home repairs and modifications. Programs in Nebraska have different eligibility criteria and often assist retirees by providing grants or loans.

Legal Resources

Many organizations offer free or low-cost legal services to Nebraska seniors. Older adults can access advice on issues such as estate planning, living wills and power of attorney. Some firms also act as long-term care ombudsmen, advocating for the rights of seniors in senior living communities.

Medicaid Resources

Navigating the Medicaid system is often difficult and confusing. Several Nebraska resources help older adults by providing advice on Medicaid options, waiver programs and eligibility criteria to help seniors receive the right health care benefits.

Senior Centers

Senior centers in Nebraska bring together residents through recreational activities and events. Many also offer advice and support on senior issues, run wellness and nutrition programs, and connect older adults with other resources in the local area.

Senior Engagement

Senior engagement resources and programs in Nebraska help older adults remain active and ensure they contribute to the community. Resources include wellness programs, volunteer opportunities, support groups and organizations that help residents connect with the community to live fulfilling lives.

Social Security Offices

Social Security offices in Nebraska help seniors and disabled people access the benefits they’re entitled to. Older adults can contact their local office for information about receiving retirement benefits, disability allowance and Supplemental Security Income.

Tax Assistance

Seniors can apply for tax assistance from several Nebraska resources. Elderly residents and those with disabilities could be eligible for tax exemptions on medical expenses, reductions on property tax and other tax assistance programs.

Utility & Energy Bill Assistance

Low-income seniors who are struggling to meet the costs of maintaining their homes can find support from organizations that offer assistance with utility and energy bills. Nebraska retirees could also qualify for emergency funding programs if they’re in danger of losing utility services due to unpaid invoices.

Veteran’s Services

Nebraska retirees who have served in the U.S. military can find support from local veteran services. These offices and organizations help vets access the benefits they’re eligible for and provide advice and information on a variety of issues.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Nebraska

Assisted Living Service Plans

A service agreement in a Nebraska assisted living facility outlines the services that will be provided to meet the resident’s needs as identified during an intake assessment. The agreement also outlines what care services are provided by facility staff versus other sources, including how often, when, and by whom they will be delivered.

Assisted Living Admission Requirements

Assisted living communities in Nebraska cannot accept any resident who is not capable of directing their own self-care. Individuals who need complex nursing care or who have unstable medical conditions cannot be admitted into assisted living facilities unless they have arranged for care through a licensed home health agency or licensed hospice agency.

Assisted Living Scope of Care

The scope of care offered in assisted living facilities in Nebraska generally covers the following:

• Assistance with personal care
• Activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living
• Medication administration, either by self or qualified staff
• Health maintenance activities, defined as non-complex nursing interventions

For residents requiring more complex care, care can be arranged through a licensed home health or hospice agency.

Beyond these necessities, facilities may also provide supportive services, including:

• Transportation
• Laundry
• Financial assistance or management
• Behavioral management
• Case management
• Shopping
• Spiritual services
• Salon services such as a beauty or barber shop

Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

The costs for assisted living are not directly covered by the state’s Medicaid program, but Nebraska does offer three different waivers to help offset the cost of care. One of the waivers, the Aged and Disabled Waiver, can help to cover the cost of care in an assisted living. However, the cost of room and board in the facility isn’t covered.

Assisted Living Facility Requirements

A resident unit in an assisted living community in Nebraska may be a bedroom or apartment. In apartments, there must be a private bathroom and kitchen area in addition to the sleeping area.

For older facilities (constructed prior to April 2007), a maximum of four residents are allowed per unit, with at least one toilet and sink fixture per six licensed beds. There must be one bathing facility for every 16 residents.

For more recent facilities, a maximum of two residents are allowed per unit, with one toilet and sink fixture per four licensed beds, and at least one bathing facility for every 8 residents. For any new construction after 2015, there needs to be a toilet room adjoining each residents bedroom.

Medication Management Regulations

There are three ways for residents to receive medications in an assisted living facility:

• If capable of doing so, residents can self-administer with or without staff supervision.
• Licensed healthcare professionals can administer medications, so long as their scope of practice includes medication administration.
• Trained medication aides that have demonstrated minimum competency standards can administer medications if they are appropriately directed and monitored.

A registered nurse must oversee medication aide training and review and document medication administration policies and procedures at least once per year.

Staffing Requirements

Direct care staff, also referred to as nursing assistants, assist residents with personal care, while trained medication aides are responsible for administering medications. The facility must have a registered nurse on staff to both review medication administration policies and procedures and to preside over medication aide training.

Nebraska has no minimum ratio for staff-to-residents in assisted living facilities, but the facilities are expected to maintain a sufficient number of staff with the required training and skills needed to meet residents’ specified needs. Resident service agreements stipulate that someone must be awake at all times to meet needs as required.

Staff Training Requirements

Assisted living facility administrators must complete requisite initial training within the first 6 months of their employment in that role. Requisite training consists of at least 30 hours covering the following topics:

• Resident care and services
• Social services
• Financial management
• Administration
• Gerontology
• Rules, regulations, and standards relating to assisted living facility operations

Beyond this requirements, administrators must also complete 12 hours of ongoing training relating to care provision and management of populations served.

Direct care staff members are required to complete orientations and ongoing training in topics appropriate to their specific job duties, and they must meet the physical and mental special care needs of current residents. Direct care staff, like administrators, must complete at least 12 hours of continuing education per year.

Background Checks for Assisted Living

Assisted living facilities must conduct criminal background and sex offender registry checks for all direct care staff. Providers must also contact the nurse aide registry, the adult central registry of abuse and neglect, and the child central registry of abuse and neglect to ensure potential employees are not listed for abuse, neglect or misappropriation of resident property. Anyone found to have adverse findings on the nurse aide registry may not be employed as direct care staff, but the facility can make decisions on an individual basis for any other findings.

Requirements for Reporting Abuse

There is an online complaint form available through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to conveniently and anonymously register concerns about a community.

Adult Protective Services, a specific division within Health and Human Services, is tasked with handling reports of elder abuse. The toll-free, 24-hour hotline for this division is 1-800-652-1999.

Nebraska COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living Facilities

Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/8/22. Since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, be sure to contact your assisted living facility or local Area Agency on Aging for the most up-to-date information.

Sources: dhhs.ne.gov www.cdc.gov