Cincinnati, Ohio, is a bustling Midwestern metropolis with a growing senior population. Cincinnati prides itself on its action plans to boost accessibility and senior-friendliness, making it a great place to retire. The city boasts several reputable universities, captivating museums, major league sports teams, and its impressive Art Deco architectural structures. Among its many senior living options, browse Cincinnati assisted living communities, where seniors can live as independently as they like, with on-site care services to support their health and boost their quality of life.
We’ve created this guide to Cincinnati assisted living facilities based on our extensive senior living experience, proprietary data, and access to local senior living experts. The data and listings in this guide are from our 32 assisted living partners within a 10-mile radius of the Cincinnati city center. As this range overlaps with Kentucky, we’ve included relevant information for residents of that state. 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...
My caregiver at Home Sweet Home are the best that we have encountered. They are personally connected with their residents and treat everyone like a great home with caring compassionate caregivers providing...
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
Cincinnati assisted living communities cost an average of $4,405 per month, according to A Place For Mom’s proprietary data.[01] This figure represents the actual amount paid in 2022 and 2023 by seniors referred to our Cincinnati assisted living partners. This cost includes rent plus the costs of add-ons like following:
The rates outlined in the chart below represent a baseline of assisted living costs in the broader Cincinnati area before add-on fees.
Cincinnati residents can combine several private and public assistance options to help pay for assisted living. Assessing your loved one’s particular financial position will help you determine the best way to pay for assisted living costs.
Your loved one may be able to fund assisted living care in Cincinnati through private pay methods if they have the resources. Private pay methods can include any income source, such as your loved one’s savings, Social Security benefits, pensions, investment returns, and any of the following:
Number of veterans who live in Cincinnati
About 74% of Cincinnati veterans are 55+.
If your senior loved one is a U.S. military veteran, they may qualify for assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Veterans pension benefits, such as Aid and Attendance or Housebound Allowance, can provide senior veterans and their surviving spouses with supplemental income to improve their quality of life. Like any type of regular income, some VA benefits can help cover the costs of long-term care services, including assisted living.[03]
The application process for veterans benefits can be frustrating. Even if your loved one qualifies, any errors in the application could keep them from receiving benefits. Successfully applying usually requires assistance or advocacy. You and your senior loved one can visit an Ohio Department of Veterans Affairs field office to receive assistance and referrals from your local veteran service officers. As fellow veterans who are trained and certified in benefits offerings, veteran services officers are there to help Ohio senior veterans take advantage of their eligibility.
For assistance with finding veterans benefits, visit the Ohio Department of Veterans Services webpage or contact the local VA office. The Ohio Attorney General website offers information on additional community resources for veterans, including financial support, legal advocacy, housing assistance, and more.
Each state has veterans service organizations vetted by the VA, including Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans offices. Find information on Cincinnati veteran service organizations 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
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 Americans with disabilities or low incomes. Each state’s Medicaid program varies; however, all Medicaid programs are required to follow federal guidelines. Medicaid in Ohio and Kentucky are simply referred to as Ohio Medicaid and Kentucky Medicaid, respectively. 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.
Ohio Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid offers coverage for Ohio seniors and individuals with qualifying disabilities. To be eligible for ABD Medicaid, your senior loved one must meet Medicaid’s basic eligibility requirements, as well as one of the following criteria:
Qualifying seniors can use ABD Medicaid to cover costs of medical care, as well as some long-term care services.[03]
Medicaid programs will not cover the costs of room and board in an assisted living facility. However, Ohio and Kentucky seniors may be able to receive financial support with personal and medical care services in assisted living through home and community based services (HCBS) waivers, which are offered by both states’ Medicaid programs.
Ohio Medicaid offers an Assisted Living Waiver program that is intended to provide coverage for qualified Ohio residents in an assisted living community. The Assisted Living Medicaid waiver will not cover costs of room and board; however, it will cover costs associated with personal care and medical care, including dementia care.
Eligible Ohio residents can use the Assisted Living Medicaid waiver for two categories of services: Assisted living services and community transitional services. Assisted living services include the following:
Community transitional services typically consist of moving a senior from a skilled nursing facility to an assisted living or memory care community. Moving the senior’s household belongings and furniture is part of transitional care.[04]
The Ohio PASSPORT waiver is designed to cover care for people who need a nursing facility level of care but choose to live in the community instead of in a skilled nursing facility. This home and community based services waiver is for Ohio residents age 60 and over. Seniors who qualify can use the PASSPORT waiver to cover the cost of care in their own home, an assisted living facility, or another senior living facility, rather than move into a skilled nursing facility.
The PASSPORT waiver can cover costs of care services such as the following:
PASSPORT waivers also include basic Medicaid coverage and may cover costs such as physician visits, prescription medications, and hospital stays.[05]
Kentucky Medicaid also offers the Home and Community Based (HCB) waiver, which Cincinnati seniors on the Kentucky side of the state line can take advantage of. Kentucky’s HCB waiver can cover the costs of services such as the following:
Similar to Ohio’s HCBS waivers, Kentucky Medicaid HCB waivers have certain eligibility requirements. In addition to meeting regular Medicaid eligibility requirements, Kentucky residents must be aged 65 or older or have a qualifying disability, and they must require a nursing facility level of care in order to use this waiver.[06]
Ohio Medicaid recipients 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 receive additional support 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 seniors can use the Kynect website to learn more about Medicaid benefits eligibility and 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 federal program designed to extend health coverage to Americans 65 or older and individuals with qualifying disabilities. As a federal program, Medicare eligibility 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:
While Medicare health insurance doesn’t cover the cost of room and board at an assisted living community, it will cover many of the costs associated with medical treatment, including dementia care. 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 offices. 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 Medicare support, if they’re eligible. Your loved one may also be able to dual enroll in Medicare and Medicaid, which will enable them to pay Medicare premiums using Medicaid benefits.
A local long-term care ombudsman can help your loved one access the benefits they qualify for and advocate for their rights. They can also investigate complaints of residents of long-term care communities and help ensure that seniors receive the quality of care they deserve. Find links to these resources below.
Cincinnati resident Medicare resources
Ohio assisted living facilities must be licensed by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The ODH performs facility inspections before licensing the facility and then a minimum of every 15 months after licensure.[07]
Kentucky assisted living facilities must be certified annually through the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living to ensure they’re in compliance with state regulatory standards.[08]
While there are no minimum staff requirements for Cincinnati assisted living facilities, these facilities are required to employ specific types of personnel. Ohio and Kentucky have slightly different staff requirements.
Kentucky assisted living regulations are in some ways less restrictive than in Ohio. Staff requirements are no exception.[09]
Both Kentucky and Ohio assisted living facilities must provide residents with the following services:[07,10]
Ohio assisted living services must also include the following:[07]
In Kentucky, however, housekeeping and laundry services are not required, though residents must have access to facilities to do their own laundry.[11] Three meals per day and snacks are required in Kentucky assisted living facilities.[10]
Ohio and Kentucky assisted living facilities must uphold building code standards for health and safety. Each facility must be approved by the local certified building department.[11,12]
You can use the Health Care Provider Search tool to view details on a given facility. Look up a particular facility’s inspection report by selecting the category of care provider from the drop-down menu. Then, you can 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 an assisted living community’s license is active, it does not reveal the full report as the tool implies.
To find details on assisted living and long-term care facilities in Kentucky, use the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Nursing Home Survey Inspection Findings Search tool by following the link for the relevant year and then entering 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 assisted living 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.
Most COVID-19 restrictions in both Ohio and Kentucky have been lifted. However, Ohio assisted living facilities are recommended to implement precautionary measures in accordance with CDC guidelines. Kentucky similarly follows CDC guidelines, particularly COVID-19 by county recommendations, updating guidelines based on the number of COVID-19 cases in each county.
The general guidelines for Cincinnati assisted living communities may include the following:
Testing. Staff and residents of assisted living facilities should be tested for COVID-19 if they’re experiencing symptoms or if they have had exposure to someone who has tested positive.
Masking. Masks should be worn by individuals who are immunocompromised, by individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, and by health care workers caring for COVID-positive patients.
Quarantining. Residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 should be placed in isolation or in rooms with other patients infected with COVID-19.
Cincinnati assisted living communities cultivate an environment where your loved one can receive personal care services that promote wellness and quality of life while maintaining as much independence as possible. Our Cincinnati assisted living partners offer elegantly furnished communal spaces where seniors can relax, enjoy meals and cups of coffee with friends, and take part in community activities and entertainment.
At our Cincinnati assisted living partner communities, your loved one can relish the many cozy shared spaces specially designed for their enjoyment. Residents can be pampered, socialize, take in entertainment, and more in on-site amenities like the following:
When they’ve had their fill of activity, your loved one can relax in the privacy of their own apartment. Cincinnati assisted living residents can enjoy cozy private accommodations with convenient features like the following:
As a resident of Cincinnati assisted living, your loved one has access to an array of personalized care services administered by the community’s direct care staff. In addition to dignified care, seniors can expect home upkeep services that improve their quality of life and enable them to capitalize on the freedom of their retirement years. Personal care and home maintenance service offerings include the following:
Out of our 32 partnered Cincinnati communities offering assisted living, 66% feature some combination of independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Senior communities integrated with multiple levels of care make it easy for residents to transition to a support level that fits if their needs change, making them ideal for aging in place. Multiple care types together also offer more variety among residents, often providing more opportunity for friendships and social engagement, regardless of an individual’s specific level of need.
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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[13]
Cincinnati is home to several state-of-the-art teaching hospitals and medical centers.[14]
Offering compassionate expert medical care to the Cincinnati metropolitan area for over 100 years, 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. It’s nationally ranked in 14 procedures/conditions and in four adult specialties, including cardiology.
St. Elizabeth Edgewood Hospital
St. Elizabeth is high performing in several procedures and offers exceptional orthopedic care, cardiovascular care, cancer care, and more. St. Elizabeth Edgewood Hospital is ranked No. 2 in Cincinnati and No. 1 in Kentucky, according to U.S. News and World Report.
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. Bethesda North is a general medical and surgical hospital that is high performing in 10 adult specialties.
Out of A Place for Mom’s partnered Cincinnati independent living communities, 81% offer complimentary and/or at-cost transportation services. Prescheduled transportation may be free, while on-demand rides may have an additional cost, depending on the individual community.
Downtown Cincinnati is quite walkable, and most errands can be accomplished without a car. As your loved one gets further from the city center, however, they may want to rely on a vehicle or public transit. For enjoying some downtown entertainment, they can take 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 your loved one can explore routes in the Cincinnati area or search by popular destinations. Go Metro’s buses are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), so Ohio residents with 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.
Downtown Cincinnati is considered a “walker’s paradise” by Walkscore.com, which awards it the following transportation ratings out of 100:[15]
Cincinnati boasts wonderful attractions, activities, and dining options for its residents, visitors, and growing senior population. Explore the city’s family- and senior-friendly entertainment offerings below.
Cincinnati has excellent cultural and entertainment options within its walkable downtown area for the whole family to enjoy. Some of the city’s most popular downtown attractions include the following:
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Fountain Square
Cincinnati Art Museum
Cincy Brew Bus
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Cincinnati residents and visitors also enjoy the city’s symphony orchestra, ballet, Broadway Cincinnati, opera, Shakespeare in the Park, and many other art and cultural attractions. For Cincinnati families on a budget, the city has many exhibits and historical sites that are free to the public.
Cincinnati is famous for its chili, with the iconic Skyline brand featuring the city’s striking skyline. But Cincinnati is also home to diverse cuisine options, from pizza to waffles to artisan seafood. 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 a panoramic view of this beautiful city.
The Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC) offers many programs for Cincinnati residents to stay active and connected with each other, as well as programs specifically for older residents. Through the CRC, your loved one can enjoy fitness classes, activities, meals, group outings, and the Southwest Ohio Senior Olympics event. There are CRC locations all over the city where seniors can gather for fitness, friendship, and fun.
Home Sweet Home Adult Living, Legacy Living of Florence and StoryPoint Fairfield are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Cincinnati, OH. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Cincinnati is $5,213 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
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The average cost of Assisted Living in Cincinnati is $5,213 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.
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).
Residential Care Facility, Ohio Revised Code § 3701.16 (2018).
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.
Walk Score. (2023). Downtown, 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.
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).
Residential Care Facility, Ohio Revised Code § 3701.16 (2018).
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.
Walk Score. (2023). Downtown, Cincinnati.