Assisted Living in Ohio

For many seniors, Ohio is a wise choice for retirement. The financial benefits include a low sales tax with certain items such as groceries and medicines exempt from any tax, and social security income is excluded from personal income taxes. As of 2010, 19% of Ohioans are over the age of 60. The state is also home to many historical native landmarks, natural attractions, wildlife reserves, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Ohio

It is very important to diligently research any facilities you may be considering for yourself or your aging loved ones. You’ll want to know what size the facility is, details about the rooms it offers, amenities they provide like exercise groups and social events, rates, and more. Use our research tool below to compare multiple facilities near you.

How to Pay for Assisted Living in Ohio

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 Ohio and 103 additional cities within Ohio.

How Inflation Has Impacted the Cost of Assisted Living in Ohio

Inflation has increased the cost of assisted living on the national level, with an impact felt more in some states than others. The cost of assisted living in Ohio rose from $4,110 in 2022 to $4,478 in 2023, representing a 9% increase consistent with the nationwide average. Among Ohio’s neighbors, West Virginia saw assisted living costs rise a jaw-dropping 23% from $4,198 to $5,173.

Ohio seniors can expect to pay $5,268 for assisted living in 2024, roughly 10% more than the 2024 estimated national average of $4,802. These estimates can help families make informed decisions when planning for senior care.

Assisted Living Costs in Ohio's Top Cities

The cost of assisted living in Ohio varies significantly depending on the city or metro area. Assisted living costs $4,409 in Columbus and $4,038 in Cincinnati, both just under the national average of $4,478. Cleveland offers the most affordable assisted living among Ohio’s large cities with a monthly cost of $2,913, or 65% of the state average. On the higher end of the spectrum, the price of assisted living in Akron stands at $5,199.

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Living

The cost of senior living in Ohio will also vary by the type of care provided. At $2,861, independent living is the most affordable option for seniors that are largely self-sufficient and don’t require intensive health monitoring. Memory care is the most expensive care type at $5,352 and includes specialized programming and caregivers trained in dementia treatment. Assisted living is best suited for seniors who value their independence but require some support and additional services.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Ohio

Ohio Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver

Ohio’s Assisted Living Waiver program helps pay for the cost of care services and skilled nursing received while living in assisted living. The program is designed to help free up the resources of eligible residents so that they are able to pay for their own room and board costs. The room and board rate is the SSI benefit rate, $750 in 2018, minus $50 for a personal needs allowance. There is a waitlist for this waiver, but the state has plans to eliminate the waitlist in the future.

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility is determined based on age, health status, income, and residency:

• Applicants must be legal US citizens or resident aliens, and residents of Ohio.
• Gross income cannot exceed 300% of the Social Security federal poverty level standard, which is a total of $3,036 in 2018.
• Assets cannot be greater than $1,500 for each individual.
• The applicants need to be age 65 or older and need a nursing-home level of care (LOC), which is determined during the level of care assessment.

Note that for married couples with a spouse remaining in the community, that spouse may keep up to half of their combined assets. In Ohio, applicants may set up an income trust if they make too much money to qualify.

How to Apply

Call 1-866-243-5678 to speak with an eligibility specialist, or speak with your local Area Agency on Aging.

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 Assisted Living Resources in Ohio

In Ohio, a multitude of resources are available to support seniors during their retirement years. AssistedLiving.org has gathered data on various local entities, initiatives, and agencies, and organized them according to the type of care they provide for effortless navigation.

Area Agency on Aging

Your local Area Agency on Aging is a valuable resource for retirees, offering guidance on financial aid, in-home care, and long-term care planning. They also link seniors and caregivers to community resources.

Cash Assistance Programs

In Ohio, financial aid programs are available to support low-income seniors in maintaining their home-based living. These programs offer tax relief, essential service discounts, and assistance with home heating and cooling expenses.

Financial Assistance for Senior Living

Financial aid is available for low-income seniors in Ohio living communities through local programs. These resources provide valuable assistance, helping older adults afford long-term care services.

Food Assistance Programs

In Ohio, various local initiatives are dedicated to promoting senior health through balanced nutrition. They offer services like meal delivery, communal dining, and food banks, ensuring elderly residents have access to affordable, nutritious food.

Free Used Medical Equipment

In Ohio, numerous groups are addressing the steep expense of new medical equipment. They gather gently used items like wheelchairs, ramps, and walkers, providing them to local seniors and individuals in need.

Home Repair and Modifications

In Ohio, numerous programs are available to aid seniors and individuals with disabilities in financing home modifications and repairs. These programs, offering grants or loans, have diverse eligibility requirements specifically designed for retirees.

Legal Resources

In Ohio, numerous agencies provide affordable or complimentary legal assistance to the elderly. They offer counsel on matters like estate management, living wills, and power of attorney. Some even serve as advocates for seniors’ rights in long-term care facilities.

Medicaid Resources

Understanding Medicaid can be challenging, especially for seniors. Numerous resources in Ohio offer guidance on Medicaid choices, waiver schemes, and eligibility requirements, ensuring older adults secure appropriate health care benefits.

Senior Engagement

In Ohio, a variety of programs and resources are available for seniors to stay engaged and active. These include wellness initiatives, volunteering options, and support networks, all aimed at fostering community involvement and enhancing life quality.

Social Security Offices

In Ohio, Social Security offices provide essential services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. They offer guidance on retirement benefits, disability allowances, and Supplemental Security Income.

Tax Assistance

Numerous tax aid resources are available in Ohio for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. These include potential exemptions on medical costs, property tax reductions, and other tax relief initiatives.

Utility & Energy Bill Assistance

Organizations are available to aid low-income seniors in {catalog.city} struggling with home maintenance costs, including utility and energy bills. Emergency funding may also be accessible for those at risk of utility service termination due to unpaid bills.

Veteran’s Services

Veteran services in Ohio offer invaluable assistance to retired military personnel. These local entities guide veterans in utilizing their rightful benefits and provide counsel on diverse matters.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Ohio

Assisted Living Admission Requirements

To be eligible for residency in an assisted living facility, a person must first undergo an assessment to verify that they are in need of nursing home level care. The assessment must be completed by an RN. A person-centered service plan must also be created that is reviewed at least yearly, or whenever the resident’s service needs change. Medicaid recipients must participate in a long-term care consultation. Generally, a resident can need skilled nursing services for no more than 120 days a year.

Assisted Living Scope of Care

A resident of a residential care facility (RCF) must qualify by needing either:

• Daily assistance with two or more activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Daily assistance with one ADL and medication assistance
• At least one skilled nursing service like continence care, or
• 24-hour support due to cognitive impairment

Ohio licenses RCFs to provide:

• Personal assistance with activities of daily living as needed
• Housekeeping and laundry service
• Three regularly scheduled meals per day and open access to snacks
• Regularly available non-medical transportation
• Care staff available 24 hours a day for all unscheduled needs of residents
• Recreational and social programs that promote autonomy and dignity
• An RN as needed to help with medication and other skilled nursing duties

Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

While Ohio Medicaid doesn’t directly cover the costs of assisted living, it does provide assisted living waivers for the elderly residents who qualify according to age and income requirements. This waiver helps pay for care received while in assisted living, allowing the participant to use their resources the room and board rate, which is $700 in 2018. There is a waitlist for the waiver, but there are plans to eliminate the waitlist in the next few years. Most facilities participate in the Medicaid waiver program; those that don’t must provide written notice to residents or their sponsor prior to admission.

Assisted Living Community Requirements

All residents of assisted living in Ohio are entitled to their own private apartments unless they elect to bring a roommate that they already have a relationship with before moving into the facility, and it is approved by the residents’ case managers. These units must also have locks on the inside unless this would pose a danger, such as a resident with dementia unable to operate the lock to open it.

Assisted Living Service Agreements

Residents of assisted living facilities need to create a person-centered service plan with their care team and anyone they choose to be involved. This plan needs to be updated at least yearly, and involve:

• Resident wishes, preferences, strengths, and weaknesses
• The location of the facility chosen by the resident as well as the other options for facilities that were considered
• Medical needs as determined by the initial health assessment and how the facility will meet those needs
• Any possible risks for the resident and a backup plan to meet their needs

Medicaid recipients also need to participate in long-term care consultations, which must include the resident, their care staff, medical team, sponsor, and anyone else the resident chooses. Facilities may enter into negotiated risk agreements if the need arises to plan for contingencies like special diets, or dying wishes.

Medication Management Regulations

In residential care facilities, an RN must be available to assess residents and create a medication management plan. Residents need to have doctor’s orders that state they are able to self-administer their medication, otherwise, the facility needs to provide skilled nursing services. Under federal law, medication can only be administered by a physician, RN, or nurses aide.

An RN may designate a member of the care staff that they believe to be competent. Designated medication assistants are able to:

• Open medication, or put medication in a cup and offer the cup to a resident
• Remind residents when and what medication they need to take
• Log when medication is taken
• Assist in the application of a topical cream

Ohio Assisted Living Staffing Requirements

There are no minimum staffing requirements for residential care facilities in Ohio. It is up to the facility administrators to determine how many staff are needed to provide all scheduled and unscheduled care services for all the residents, 24 hours a day. Staff members below the age of 18 may not assist with medications, transportation or hygiene tasks like bathing.

Assisted Living Staff Training Requirements

To provide assisted living services, a residential care facility must be licensed to do so and train all employees in the following subjects before they can provide care:

• Assisted living principles and philosophy
• The aging process
• Cognitive processes and care for cognitively or behaviorally challenged residents
• Resident confidentiality and rights
• Consumer service plans, processes, care-related decisions, and rights

Background Checks

In Ohio, all facilities must request a background check for all potential care staff no later than five days after they’re employed. The staff member must be denied employment or let go if already hired if they are found to have any violent, drug-related or insurance fraud convictions on their records. Any staff member that has been a resident of Ohio for less than five years must submit to an FBI background check.

Requirements for Reporting Abuse

Any employee that witnesses or suspects abuse must immediately report it to the facility, who is legally bound to investigate. There are whistleblower protection laws in place for caregivers who report abuse. To make a report against a facility, call the Ohio Department of Health at 1-800-342-0553.

Recently, new laws have increased protections for senior citizens in the state. More occupations are now classified as mandatory reporters, meaning that if they see or suspect abuse, they are required by law to report it to Adult Protective Services (APS). Also, financial elder abuse is now a crime punishable by jail time and is now more vigilantly investigated by APS as well as the state Ombudsman. If you see or suspect elder abuse, please visit this website or call the OhioHOPES helpline at 1-800-411-2267.

Ohio COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living Facilities

Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/13/22. 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: coronavirus.ohio.gov www.cdc.gov