I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Lexington, KY
Singled out as a great place to retire with excellent home care services, Lexington is home to some 323,152 residents, of whom 13.0% are seniors. Its selling points include a unique cultural identity and relatively low cost of living. Additionally, it boasts high-end medical facilities such as the University of Kentucky’s health care system and Baptist Health Lexington, which focuses on stroke and cancer care, among other specialties.
As one might expect in a region that’s so famous for horses, Lexington is awash in things to do outside. Among them are the Kentucky Horse Park and the Arboretum State Botanical Garden of Kentucky. Another beautiful option is the Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. If you’re a sports fan, you can take in horse races and games at the University of Kentucky, which features a highly successful men’s basketball program.
Lexington’s diverse population helps give it an exciting, eclectic dining scene perfect for enjoying with loved ones. Conveniently, if you have far-off family and friends, you and your visitors can make use of the Blue Grass Airport. Lexington makes even more sense as a retirement destination when you factor in its lack of Social Security taxes.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Lexington, KY
In Lexington, according to Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, home care and home health care providers both charge an average of $4,385 a month. In some areas, home health care costs more, reflecting the additional services that come with it.
Those figures assume a senior receives 44 hours of care per week, which would translate to just over eight hours per day, five days a week. If you need more or less care, your price will go up or down accordingly. To zoom in even more, on average, you can expect to pay $23.00 per hour for home care and home health care in Lexington.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
On average, Lexington’s home care and home health care rates are higher than those seniors pay in Elizabethtown, Bowling Green and Owensboro. The typical rate for both services in Elizabethtown is $3,432. In Owensboro, it’s $3,623, and in Bowling Green, it’s $4,242. Compared to Lexington, Kentucky overall features slightly lower average home care and home health care rates.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
In Lexington, in terms of average price, home care and home health care are middle-of-the-road services. The least expensive option is adult day care, at $1,768 per month, followed by home care and home health care. Assisted living is slightly more costly, coming at $4,400 per month. Nursing homes represent the most expensive arrangement: Semiprivate rooms cost an average of $7,178.
III. How to Find Home Care in Lexington, KY
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Lexington, KY.
Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Lexington, KY
Meals on Wheels
What You Should Know
A humanitarian operation, Meals on Wheels uses volunteers to pack and deliver meals to homebound individuals. The volunteers also give clients a chance to talk to someone friendly. The cost for this service is $30 per week. In return, you receive three meals per day Monday through Friday, including holidays. The deliveries include milk and a combination of hot meals for immediate consumption or refrigeration and cold items that need to be refrigerated as well. When something seems amiss, the volunteers check to make sure clients are OK.
Who Is Eligible?
All individuals who cannot obtain or prepare meals for themselves can participate. The organization works with you to determine eligibility. To receive meals, the organization asks that you be available when the driver arrives or leave a lidded cooler loaded with ice or ice packs at your door.
How to Get Started
You can reach Meals on Wheels by calling (859) 276-5391. Its physical location is in the Trinity Baptist Church at 1675 Strader Drive.
Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living
What You Should Know
The BGAAAIL operates the Aging and Disability Resource Center, which is the point of entry for the BGAAAIL’s programs and a source of referrals to other helpful organizations. The BGAAAIL’s offerings include a caregiver support program and a home care program; the latter can help you with grocery shopping, meal preparation, personal care and minor home repairs, among other tasks. The BGAAAIL is also Lexington residents’ access point for the Kentucky State Health Insurance Assistance Program. The trained counselors of SHIP can answer your questions regarding Medicare, supplemental insurance, prescription coverage and related topics. Additional programs are available via the BGAAAIL as well.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility requirements apply for many services; for instance, the home care program’s minimum age is 60 and involves a needs assessment. All seniors, as well as their caregivers and family members, can utilize SHIP. Seniors and caregivers should contact the BGAAAIL for more information on a specific program’s eligibility requirements.
How to Get Started
SHIP’s number is (877) 293-7447. If you’d like to know more about other programs, contact the ADRC by calling (859) 266-1116 or (866) 665-7921. You can also send an email to [email protected].
Lexington Senior Center
What You Should Know
The Lexington Senior Center supports seniors in a variety of ways. For instance, its social workers help older adults find helpful resources and information on home care. They assist with Medicare Part D and insurance matters as well as medical equipment and medication. You can also ask them for advice on senior housing and transportation. Additionally, the Center puts on educational, recreational and fitness activities. Certain forms of food assistance are available as well.
Who Is Eligible?
The Lexington Senior Center helps seniors 60 years of age or older and spouses of such individuals. It asks that a friend or caregiver accompany clients who aren’t independent.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the Senior Center’s offerings, you can call (859) 278-6072. The Senior Center’s address is 195 Life Lane.
Independent Transportation Network
What You Should Know
By providing rides, the ITN assists seniors and visually impaired adults who need a hand getting around. Rides from trained drivers are available around the clock, seven days a week, and they can be scheduled for any purpose. Discounts may be available, and shared rides have a 20% price reduction. The organization’s drivers offer door-to-door service. It draws payments for rides from clients’ accounts, which are set up ahead of time, so riders don’t need to make cash transactions with their drivers.
Who Is Eligible?
ITN’s service population is individuals with disabilities and seniors 60 years of age and older. Its clients reside in Fayette County and northern Jessamine County.
How to Get Started
For more information on the ITN, you can call (859) 252-8665 or send a message online. Additionally, you can download an application form, complete it and then email it to [email protected]. You may also mail or bring the completed form to the organization’s office at 1206 North Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40505.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
What You Should Know
LIHEAP is a nationwide program that helps low-income individuals cover their utility bills, especially when shutoffs and eviction notices are in play. In Kentucky, the LIHEAP program has three components: a subsidy program that helps residents cover heating costs in November and December, a crisis program that does the same starting in January and, when funding allows, a summer program to help with cooling costs.
Who Is Eligible?
The LIHEAP program focuses on vulnerable populations. The subsidy program is available if your income falls at or under 130% of the federal poverty level and you have limited access to cash reserves. (You can have up to $2,000 in liquid assets unless a household member has a severe illness. If assets are used for living and medical costs, the limit rises to $4,000.) The income and asset limits, along with additional hardship requirements, apply to recipients of the other programs as well.
How to Get Started
You can learn more about how to sign up for LIHEAP by calling the National Energy Assistance Referral project at (866) 674-6327 or emailing [email protected]. Alternatively, you can contact Kentucky’s LIHEAP office at (502) 564-3440.