Assisted Living in Ohio
Costs and Local Resources
Discover why they call Ohio the Heart of it All when you explore assisted living options in this Midwestern state. Small-town living and big-city amenities abound in Ohio, offering a variety of senior living options, from cozy and cloistered to high-end and metropolitan. Enjoy the way the seasons change while making the most of the golden years. Whether you choose assisted living services in the Appalachian region or the Great Lakes area, there’s something for everyone looking for their next housing opportunity in Ohio.
Cost of assisted living in Ohio vs. nearby states
Cost of assisted living in a selection of Ohio cities
We noticed people seem to be searching for assisted living in these Ohio cities more frequently than others: Canton, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Middletown. We've provided their pricing here.
The cost of assisted living in Ohio
Seniorly 2021 data shows that the average cost of assisted living in Ohio is $4,432 per month. The national average monthly cost is $4,057. The average Ohio cost is a few hundred more monthly than the national average. Keep in mind as you start your senior living search that some areas (particularly those where the cost of living is high) will be more expensive than others. Explore our assisted living listings to start comparing properties, or get in touch with one of our local advisors to get expert advice on what you can afford in the areas in which you’re interested.
Assisted living communities can provide the peace of mind that comes from not worrying about home maintenance, chores, or errands, as well as help with personal care like grooming, eating, and other activities of daily living seniors might have trouble with. However, if your loved one requires nursing care, or has diagnosed Alzheimer's or dementia that has progressed to a certain point, they might need a skilled nursing facility/home health care, or memory care community instead. These types of care providers (and for that matter, in-home care) might cost more in Ohio than assisted living facilities, but the important thing is that your loved one’s needs are cared for in order to provide them with the best quality of life.
If your loved one currently lives in a retirement community, ask whether it is a Continuing Care Retirement Community: these senior living properties are generally designed for residents to age in place. Seniors can get the different levels of care they need, from independent living to memory care, without having to move to a different community all together.
Overall cost of living in Ohio
Compared to other states, Ohio’s cost of living is on the lower end of the spectrum. Behind Kentucky and Nebraska, Ohio’s cost of living index is 90.8, where the US national average is 104.63. This is due to lower-than-average costs for groceries, transportation, and utilities, and much lower-than-average housing costs.
Financial assistance for assisted living in Ohio
Medicaid options for Ohio seniors
According to benefits.gov, to be eligible for Ohio Medicaid, you must be a resident of the state of Ohio, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien, in need of health care/insurance assistance, whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income. You must also be one of the following:
- Pregnant, or
- Be responsible for a child 18 years of age or younger, or
- Blind, or
- Have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability, or
- Be 65 years of age or older.
Ohio's Medicaid pays for medical care for children and adults with limited income and resources. It is supported by State and Federal funding and designed to help a wide variety of families and individuals who need assistance.
Several Medi-Cal programs can help Ohio seniors get the care options they need, such as the Medicare Premium Assistance Program (MPAP), which helps eligible enrollees pay for Medicare premiums, Medicare deductibles, and Medicare coinsurance. For those who qualify, there is also the Private Duty Nursing (PDN) program, an opportunity to receive continuous, skilled nursing services in the comfort of home.
Non-Medicaid State assistance programs
There are a few non-Medicaid assistance programs in Ohio, including the Assisted Living Waiver Program. Based on need, this program pays for the assisted living needs of some Medicaid enrollees. There is also advocacy for those who reside in assisted living via the Long-term Care Ombudsman program administered by the Ohio Department of Aging.
More ways to finance assisted living in Ohio
There are several options available to finance assisted living for yourself or a loved one. Long-term care can be financed several ways:
- Life insurance - Some life insurance policies have a provision for long-term care benefits.
- Long-term care insurance - This type of insurance is intended to cover long-term health care needs by covering costs for assisted living or long-term care communities.
- Pensions, 401K, and IRA - If you have a pension, 401k or an IRA to fall back upon this would be a great benefit in paying for assisted living costs.
- Real Estate - Having a home is a great source of income. When it is time to move into assisted living the sale proceeds from your home can cover the costs.
- Veteran’s benefits - While the VA will not directly cover the costs of assisted living, you can obtain help from the VA under the Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits. The Aid & Attendance benefits helps eligible veterans and their surviving spouses to pay for assistance for assistance of daily living (ADLs) activities. Aid & Attendance benefits are often referred to by other names such as “improved pension,” “VA assisted living benefit,” or “veterans elder care benefits.”
Free assisted living resources in Ohio
Ohio residents can explore state resources that can help answer your questions about eligibility for certain types of benefits and how they might apply to assisted living.
Find your local Area Agency on Aging. There are multiple agencies per state, enter your ZIP code or city to find the one closest to you.
The Ohio Department of Veterans Services (DVS) may be able to help you determine if your loved one is eligible for VA benefits.
Find Ohio Social Security offices where you can understand your benefits and get answers to your questions about claims.