A thriving Midwestern metropolis with a growing senior population, Cincinnati, Ohio, prides itself on its action plans to cultivate a senior-friendly and accessible environment, making it a great place to retire. Cincinnati flaunts distinguished universities, fascinating museums, major league sports teams, and its famous Skyline Chili.
A Place for Mom partners with 23 memory care facilities within a 10-mile radius of Cincinnati’s city center, which includes parts of northern Kentucky. Cincinnati memory care communities are skillfully designed to provide safety, comfort, and dignity for seniors with dementia. Cincinnati memory care communities offer an array of quality amenities, personalized care services, and engaging activities to support cognitive function. Browse memory care listings to find a community that fits your loved one’s unique support needs.
We’ve created this guide to Cincinnati, Ohio, memory care options based on our extensive senior living experience, proprietary data, and access to local senior living experts. Find information about payment options, health and safety regulations, and other resources for Cincinnati seniors below.
Mom reluctantly agreed to move to an assisted living community after a third fall. She is 99 and had been living alone for 6 years since my Dad died. She had lived in the same house for 72 years. She was...
I'm currently a resident at The Kenwood by Senior Star. I came to look at this place and loved it, so I moved in! There is lots to do, everyone is so friendly at this facility. I'm happy to be here. I live...
The staff at traditions is exemplary, from the director to the aides. They are willing to listen to our concerns, and any questions are quickly answered. The arrival at traditions was a bit confusing and...
My father in law has passed away about a year and a half ago, but his stay there was a good experience for him as well as his loved ones., I would have to say 5. Overall good experience and was very pleased...
Everyone at Legacy has been amazing. The staff is always smiling and greeting us by name. They have helped my mom with transitioning from her home that she shared with her husband to living alone at the...
My mom has lived here many years and we have been very happy with the care as staff there. The facility is very clean and very accommodating.
I think Artis is a great place for my mother-in-law. I've had other experiences with my own parents at a different facility and Artis is really a wonderful place. I really have no criticisms of Artis, so on...
We cannot express the loving care our mother and “[name removed]” received at Arden. We really struggled with the decision to place Mom in memory care but we knew we needed more care than we could provide....
My mom has been living at Northgate Park since this past January and she has been happier than I've seen her in a long time!! They really care about their residents in all aspects of care, physically and...
Our therapy company has been contracted at Arden Courts for the last year and it's been a pleasure serving the community and working with the staff here. Everyone is very caring, helpful toward the care...
All 5 stars! We were very pleased with the experience at Celebration Villa of Summit Hills. [name removed] was very helpful and all residents and staff were very friendly and welcoming.
What we like about Barrington of Fort Thomas is that the staff are very informative and all aspects. Sit there facility. It's extremely clean. Staff and faculty is very accommodating.
The dining area is very nice but the food isn't very good. I think it's expensive for my mom but I also haven't compared it to other facilities. The fee had gone up substantially after her first year.
They've had a lot of changes in personnel...from the top to the bottom...no consistency. My mom complains about this. Since she's in independent living, I don't think it's really affected her too much. ...
She likes it very much but the cost is too high. Rent increase are too much. Will probably have to move her soon which is very disappointing
My experiences with all who worked there were great. Special commendation to [name removed], who moved my mother in. Never saw anything out of place. My mother was in independent living, so she didn't get...
I am very happy with Brookdale and how they treat my mother. Yesterday she told me her aide took care of her like she was her mother. As far as rating everything else I will give them all a 4, no one is...
People should ask or know about the difference in care levels. This facility is mostly for those with high amounts of independence. Once my father worsened, there was limited floor space in the "extra...
I would definitely recommend Christian Villages at Mt. Healthy! Everyone who works there is kind, compassionate, and always so helpful. The activities are wonderful, too. My mom loves being there!
My loved one was previously a resident at The Victorian at Riverside and the experience was great! We liked this facility very much. I would recommend The Victorian at Riverside to others.
Most of the vegetables are hard and aren't cooked long enough for the residence to chew them. Most of them have false teeth or missing teeth, so soft veggies would probably be eaten more often if they were ...
We have had an excellent experience with the Cottingham community. We picked this community because of the price, and they accept Medicare.
The director , and nurses, are great. The aides who I have worked with are good . But the newer ones may need a little more training. The cleanness is a 4 because the hallways carpets need to be replaced...
The staff at Brookdale Finneytown were friendly and very welcoming. It seems like everyone works very hard at making it feel like home as much as possible.
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Cincinnati community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
Memory care in Cincinnati costs an average of $5,155 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01] This amount represents the cost of room and board in a memory care facility, plus costs of add-ons and amenities. This average is calculated from costs paid in 2022 – 2023 by real families we referred to our Cincinnati memory care partners.
The following are examples of add-ons that may affect the cost of Cincinnati memory care:
The costs in the chart below represent baseline costs before optional add-ons for memory care in Cincinnati and nearby cities. These figures may illustrate how Cincinnati compares to surrounding cities.
Families in Cincinnati can combine several private and public assistance options to help pay for memory care. Start by assessing your loved one’s unique financial position to determine the best way to pay for memory care.
Even if your loved one has private pay options, make sure to also apply for any aid or benefits offered to seniors in the Cincinnati area. They may qualify for assistance that will help their private pay options go further.
To pay for your loved one’s Cincinnati memory care community, first consider any income your loved one receives, including Social Security benefits, savings, pensions, or investments. Other private pay options include the following:
Number of veterans who live in Cincinnati
About 74% of Cincinnati veterans are 55+.
If your senior loved one has served in the United States military, they may be eligible to receive assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Veterans pensions and benefits like Aid and Attendance or Housebound Allowance can provide senior veterans and their surviving spouses with financial support to elevate their quality of life. Like any type of regular income, many VA benefits can be used however the recipient chooses, which includes covering the cost of memory care.[03]
Applying for veterans benefits can be a frustrating task. Even if your loved one is eligible, any errors in the application could cause them to be disqualified. Applying successfully often requires assistance or advocacy. You and your senior loved one can visit an Ohio Department of Veterans Affairs field office to receive help and referrals from local veterans service officers. Veterans service officers are fellow veterans who are trained and certified in VA benefits offerings. They can help Ohio senior veterans take advantage of their eligibility.
Visit the Ohio Department of Veterans Services webpage or contact the local VA office for assistance with accessing benefits. The Ohio Attorney General website offers information on additional community resources for veterans, including financial support, legal advocacy, housing assistance, and more.
Both Kentucky and Ohio have veterans service organizations that are overseen by the VA, including Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled Veterans of America offices. Find information on Cincinnati veterans service organizations and other local resources below.
Resources for Cincinnati veterans
Cincinnati Veterans Center
4545 Montgomery Road
Norwood, OH 45212
Phone: 513-763-3500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Hamilton County Veterans Service Office
230 E. Ninth St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513-946-3300
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Louisville Regional Office
321 W. Main St., Suite 390
Louisville, KY 40202
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
1111B Louisville Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: 502-564-9203
Fax: 502-564-9240
Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS)
Ohio Department of Veterans Services
Verne Riff State Office Tower
77 S. High St., #7
Columbus, OH 43215
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
VFW — Ohio
35 Chestnut St., Suite 506
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-224-1838
DAV — Ohio Department Headquarters
35 E. Chestnut St., Suite 503
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-221-3582
Cincinnati DAV Services Office
VA Medical Center
3200 Vine Street, Room B147
Cincinnati, OH 45220-2288
Phone: 513-475-6443
Medicaid is federal- and state-funded medical insurance for U.S. citizens and some immigrants with disabilities or low incomes. Each state’s Medicaid program varies; however, all Medicaid programs are required to follow federal guidelines. While individual state Medicaid programs often have unique names, Medicaid in Ohio and Kentucky are simply referred to as Ohio Medicaid and Kentucky Medicaid.
In order to receive Medicaid benefits, eligible seniors must be enrolled in a managed care organization (MCO), and the agency providing the care services must be contracted with that MCO. Dementia care qualifies as a medical care service, so Cincinnati Medicaid recipients should be able to receive assistance with paying for memory care, though they will be responsible for covering the cost of room and board themselves.
Ohio Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid offers coverage for Ohio seniors and individuals with qualifying disabilities. To be eligible for ABD Medicaid, your loved one must meet Medicaid’s basic eligibility requirements and at least one of the following additional criteria:
Qualifying seniors can use ABD Medicaid to cover costs of medical care, as well as some long-term care services, including memory and dementia care.[04]
Medicaid programs will not cover the costs of room and board for memory care. However, Ohio and Kentucky seniors may be able to receive financial support with personal and medical care services, including dementia support, through Medicaid waivers, which are offered by both states’ Medicaid programs.
Ohio Medicaid offers an Assisted Living Waiver Program, which is intended to provide coverage for qualified Ohio residents in an assisted living or memory care community. The Assisted Living Medicaid waiver will cover costs associated with personal care and medical care, including dementia care, though room and board will need to be paid for by your loved one’s income or other financial assets.
The Ohio Assisted Living Medicaid waiver can be used to cover two categories of services: Assisted living services and community transitional services. The following are examples of assisted living services:
Community transitional services typically consist of moving a senior from a skilled nursing facility to an assisted living or memory care community, which includes moving their furniture and other household items.[05]
The Ohio PASSPORT waiver is designed to cover a nursing facility level of care for Ohio residents who choose to live in the community rather than living in a skilled nursing facility. This home and community based services (HCBS) waiver is for Ohio residents aged 60 and up. Eligible seniors can use the PASSPORT waiver to cover the cost of care in their own home, a memory care facility, or another senior care facility, rather than move into a skilled nursing facility.
The following are examples of services that may be covered by the PASSPORT waiver:
PASSPORT waivers include basic Medicaid, which can cover other medical needs like physician visits, prescription medications, and hospital stays.[06]
Cincinnati seniors across the Kentucky state line can take advantage of Kentucky’s Home and Community Based (HCB) waiver. Kentucky’s HCB waiver can cover the costs of services such as the following:
Like Ohio’s HCBS waivers, the Kentucky Medicaid HCB waiver has its own qualifications. To be eligible, Kentucky residents must meet regular Medicaid requirements, either be aged 65+ or have a qualifying disability, and require a nursing facility level of care.[07]
If your loved one is an Ohio Medicaid recipient, you can manage their care through the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline Member Portal. The Ohio Department of Aging has several area agencies on aging (AAAs) where Ohio residents can find additional help with Medicare, Medicaid, and other services. A long-term care ombudsman can provide advice and advocacy on your loved one’s rights as a resident in senior living.
Kentucky residents can use the Kynect website to find out more about Medicaid benefits eligibility and how to access their benefits. Residents also have their own area agencies on aging, ombudsman advocacy, and more.
Cincinnati resident Medicaid resources
Ohio Medicaid Member Portal
Phone: 800-324-8680
Ohio Department of Medicaid
50 W. Town St., Suite 400
Columbus, OH 43215
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio
4601 Malsbary Road
Blue Ash, OH 45242
Phone: 800-252-0155
Pro Seniors Long-Term Care Ombudsman
7162 Reading Road, Suite 1150
Cincinnati, OH 45237
Phone: 800-488-6070
Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services
275 E. Main St. 3W-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: 502-564-4321
Email: dmsweb@ky.gov
Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program for Americans 65 or older and individuals with qualifying disabilities. Because Medicare is a federal program, its rules and requirements will be the same in both Ohio and Kentucky. Medicare has multiple parts that cover different aspects of health care such as the following:
Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of room and board in a memory care community, but it will cover medical care costs, including dementia care. You can find more information on Medicare costs and coverage by visiting the federal Medicare website or by reaching out to a local Ohio Social Security Administration office. Qualified seniors may get help paying for Medicare deductibles and premiums through Medicare Savings Programs.
The Social Security Administration can help your loved one receive access to any Medicare support they qualify for. Your loved one may also be able to dual enroll in Medicare and Medicaid, which will enable them to pay Medicare premiums using their Medicaid benefits.
A long-term care ombudsman can help your loved one access the benefits they qualify for and advocate for their rights. A long-term care ombudsman can also investigate complaints of seniors in long-term care and help ensure that they receive the quality of care they deserve. Find links to these resources below.
Cincinnati resident Medicare resources
Memory care and assisted living facilities, or residential care facilities as they are designated in Ohio, must be licensed by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The ODH inspects the facility prior to granting it a license and then inspects it again a minimum of every 15 months after licensure. Ohio memory care facilities have the same regulations as assisted living facilities.[08]
Kentucky memory care and assisted living facilities alike must be certified annually through the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living to ensure they comply with state regulatory standards.[09]
There are no minimum staff requirements for Cincinnati memory care facilities. However, facilities do have required types of personnel. Ohio’s and Kentucky’s individual staff requirements are a bit different.
While there are no minimum staff requirements for residential care facilities in Ohio, facilities are required to employ specific types of personnel.
Ohio memory care facilities must have a psychologist or physician either on staff or contracted to oversee the care of residents with late-stage cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Other staff requirements for memory care and assisted living facilities are as follows:
Memory care staff in Ohio must all meet the following criteria:
Kentucky memory care and assisted living regulations are in some ways less rigid than those in Ohio. Staff requirements are also a bit more relaxed in Kentucky.[10]
Both Kentucky and Ohio memory care facilities are required to provide residents with the same baseline services as are required in assisted living, including the following:[08,11]
Ohio memory care and assisted living services also must include the following:[08]
In Kentucky, however, housekeeping and laundry services are not required, though residents must have access to facilities to take care of their own laundry.[12] Three meals per day and snacks are required in Kentucky memory care and assisted living facilities.[11]
Kentucky requires memory care communities to provide residents with specialized services which include the following:[13]
Ohio and Kentucky memory care facilities must abide by health- and safety-related building code standards. Each facility must be approved by the local certified building department.[08,12]
You can use the Health Care Provider Search tool to view details on a memory care or other long-term care facility in Ohio. Search for a specific facility by choosing the care provider category from the drop-down menu. Narrow your search by entering the county, city, organization’s name, or any information you have for the corresponding fields. Note that while Ohio does show whether a care community’s license is active, it does not reveal the full inspection report.
To find details on memory care and other senior care facilities in Kentucky, use the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Nursing Home Survey Inspection Findings Search tool. Follow the link for the relevant year, and then enter the facility’s name and relevant details into the corresponding search fields. Note that while Kentucky’s search tool shows some complaints or other inspection results for some care facility types, it does not reveal specific inspection findings of memory care facilities.
Cincinnati Health Department
3101 Burnet Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45229
Phone: 513-357-7200
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Campbell County Health Department
1098 Monmouth St.
Newport, KY 41071
Phone: 859-431-1704
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
In both Ohio and Kentucky, most COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxed. However, Ohio long-term care facilities, such as memory care, are encouraged to implement precautionary practices in alignment with CDC guidelines. Kentucky similarly abides by CDC guidelines, such as COVID-19 by county recommendations, updating guidelines as needed based on each county’s number of COVID-19 cases.
General guidelines for Cincinnati memory care communities include the following:
Testing. Memory care staff and residents should be tested for COVID-19 if they’re experiencing symptoms or if they’ve had contact with someone who has tested positive.
Masking. Masks should be worn by those who are immunocompromised, those who have tested positive for COVID-19, and health care workers caring for patients with COVID-19.
Quarantining. Memory care residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 should be placed in isolation or in rooms with other patients infected with COVID-19.
Cincinnati memory care communities offer cozy environments with personalized programs to make each resident feel as at home as possible. Memory care staff make an effort to know each resident personally and foster a holistic relationship. By knowing each resident’s preferences, interests, and idiosyncrasies, care staff do their best to cultivate quality care and engagement.
Cincinnati memory care communities provide the same leisure and care services of assisted living, as well as additional offerings to meet the unique needs of seniors with memory loss. Such offerings include the following:
Out of our partnered Cincinnati communities offering memory care, 78% contain some combination of memory care, assisted living, and independent living, all within one community. Multiple care types together offer more variety among residents, often providing more opportunity for friendships and social engagement, regardless of an individual’s specific level of need.
Communities that integrate multiple levels of care enable residents to conveniently transition to a support level that fits them if their needs change, making it ideal for aging in place. Assisted living can often cost less per month than memory care, so multitiered communities also enable individuals in the earlier stages of dementia to start in assisted living and then transfer to memory care when they need to, allowing their financial resources to last longer.
Most Cincinnati memory care communities offer private apartments with access to the following care and support services:
Our Cincinnati memory care partner communities feature communal leisure areas and on-site conveniences, which include some or all of the following:
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Cincinnati
Mean retirement income for Cincinnati seniors 65 and older[14]
Cincinnati seniors have access to several state-of-the-art teaching hospitals and medical centers.
Providing caring expert medical care to the Cincinnati metropolitan area for more than a century, the Christ Hospital is ranked No. 1 in Cincinnati and No. 5 in the state of Ohio, according to U.S. News and World Report. The Christ Hospital is nationally ranked in 14 procedures/conditions and in four adult specialties including cardiology.
St. Elizabeth Edgewood Hospital
St. Elizabeth Edgewood Hospital is ranked No. 2 in Cincinnati and No. 1 in Kentucky, according to U.S. News and World Report. It is high performing in several procedures and features exceptional orthopedic care, cardiovascular care, cancer care, and more.
Bethesda North is a general medical and surgical hospital that performs highly in 10 adult specialties. As the third-highest ranking hospital in Cincinnati, according to U.S. News and World Report, Bethesda North is a teaching hospital with a Level III trauma center.
Out of A Place for Mom’s memory care partners in Cincinnati, 83% offer complimentary and/or at-cost transportation services. While prescheduled transportation may be free, on-demand rides often have an additional cost, though it depends upon the individual community’s policies.
Most downtown Cincinnati errands can be accomplished without a car, as the area is quite walkable. If your loved one and their caregiver venture out from the city center, however, they may want to rely on a vehicle or public transit. For enjoying downtown entertainment, they might enjoy the free Cincinnati streetcar which loops through the heart of the city.
Cincinnati’s public transportation system is called Go Metro. Go Metro covers several bus routes, and passengers can explore routes in the Cincinnati area or search by popular destinations. Go Metro’s buses comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, so Ohio residents who have disabilities can ride, even with a wheelchair or a service animal. If a person’s disability makes buses inaccessible even with these accommodations, they can instead use Cincinnati’s Access rideshare program, which offers vans designed specifically for passengers with special needs.
Cincinnati boasts wonderful attractions, activities, and dining options for its residents, visitors, and growing senior population. It even has a number of dementia-friendly events and programs. Explore the city’s family- and senior-friendly entertainment offerings below.
Cincinnati has wonderful entertainment and cultural offerings for the entire family, right within its walkable downtown area. Some of the city’s most popular downtown attractions include the following:
Cincinnati residents and visitors can enjoy the city’s symphony orchestra, ballet, Broadway Cincinnati, opera, Shakespeare in the Park, and much more. For Cincinnati families on a budget, the city has many exhibits and historical sites that are free to the public.
Cincinnati is home to diverse cuisine options, from pizza to waffles to artisan seafood. Cincinnati is famous for its chili, with the iconic Skyline brand featuring the city’s striking skyline. As an added bonus, seniors and their families can enjoy many dining options from restaurants with rooftop seating or floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic views of this city’s beautiful landscape.
Cincinnati has wonderful resources for seniors with dementia, their loved ones, and their caregivers to participate in. Scripps Gerontology’s Opening Minds through Art is a program designed for seniors with memory loss to reconnect with their own strengths through art. The Cincinnati Art Museum offers accessibility programs for individuals with various special needs, including programs for seniors with dementia. The Cincinnati chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association offers support groups, education programs, fundraisers, and more events for seniors with dementia and their families to get involved.
Legacy Living of Florence, StoryPoint Fairfield and The Woodlands of Hamilton are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Cincinnati, OH. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Cincinnati is $5,051 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2022-2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Cincinnati [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Ohio Department of Medicaid. Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid.
Ohio Department of Aging. Assisted living Medicaid waiver program.
Ohio Department of Aging. PASSPORT.
Commonwealth of Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Home and community based waiver.
Residential Care Facility, Ohio Revised Code § 3701.16 (2018).
Department for Aging and Independent Living. (2022). Assisted living communities. The Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Assisted Living Communities, Kentucky Revised Statutes § 194A.717 (2023).
Assisted Living Communities, Kentucky Revised Statutes § 194A.705 (2023).
Assisted Living Communities, Kentucky Revised Statutes § 194A.703 (2023).
Assisted Living Communities, Kentucky Revised Statutes § 194A.7052 (2023).
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): Cincinnati. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best hospitals in Cincinnati.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2022-2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Cincinnati [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Ohio Department of Medicaid. Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid.
Ohio Department of Aging. Assisted living Medicaid waiver program.
Ohio Department of Aging. PASSPORT.
Commonwealth of Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Home and community based waiver.
Residential Care Facility, Ohio Revised Code § 3701.16 (2018).
Department for Aging and Independent Living. (2022). Assisted living communities. The Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Assisted Living Communities, Kentucky Revised Statutes § 194A.717 (2023).
Assisted Living Communities, Kentucky Revised Statutes § 194A.705 (2023).
Assisted Living Communities, Kentucky Revised Statutes § 194A.703 (2023).
Assisted Living Communities, Kentucky Revised Statutes § 194A.7052 (2023).
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in the United States (S0103): Cincinnati. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023). Best hospitals in Cincinnati.