Assisted Living in Indiana

The state of Indiana is attractive to seniors due to a relatively low cost of living. The state’s cost of living index is 87, which is much lower than the national average of 100. Indiana is also known to be tax-friendly to retirees since social security retirement benefits are excluded from the state income tax.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Indiana

Every long-term care facility in Indiana has different policies regarding applicants, financial assistance, nursing services, and costs. It’s important to research those aspects as well as the amenities offered by each facility when looking for an assisted living facility for you or your loved one. The directory below lists information on 311 assisted living facilities in the state of Indiana.

How to Pay for Assisted Living in Indiana

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 Indiana and 48 additional cities within Indiana.

How Inflation Has Impacted the Cost of Assisted Living in Indiana

When it comes to assisted living, not all states have been impacted equally by inflation. In Indiana, the average cost of care went down from $4,360 in 2022 to $4,357 in 2023. Illinois also saw a decrease, as its average dipped 4.5% during the same time. Indiana and Illinois are two of only five states to experience this reduction. Nationally, the average cost of assisted living rose by 10%.

Decreasing prices aren’t expected to continue in Indiana. The projected average for 2024 is $4,699. For Illinois, it’s $5,313. Therefore, families will need to plan ahead to keep up with increases.

Assisted Living Costs in Indiana's Top Cities

Assisted living costs across Indiana’s top cities can vary by about $600. South Bend is at the low end of the scale, with an average of $3,773. Evansville is near the top of the range, with an average of $4,349, but this is still reasonable compared to the state average. Indianapolis falls in the middle with a rate of $4,036. Fort Wayne’s is similar at just $138 more per month than the state capital.

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Living

When researching different senior living options in Indiana, it’s important to consider how levels of care affect prices. For instance, memory care provides specialized activities and treatments for seniors experiencing cognitive decline, so it costs about $1,500 more per month than assisted living, which doesn’t offer these services. Independent living, on the other hand, costs about $2,000 less than assisted living because it doesn’t need to employ caregivers to assist with activities of daily living.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Indiana

Indiana Aged & Disabled Medicaid Waiver

While Medicaid doesn’t directly pay for assisted living in Indiana, there is a waiver program which does. The Indiana Aged & Disabled Medicaid Waiver is designed to help the elderly and disabled who require care services similar to that of nursing homes. The program supports individuals in certain Medicaid-approved assisted living facilities and adult family care homes or foster homes. The waiver also provides the Consumer-Directed Attended Care Program (CDAC) that allows individuals to choose their own care providers, which can include friends and family members.

This waiver program has a cap of 13,000 people who can use the program at one time, and a waiting list of five years is available.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants who are eligible for Indiana Aged & Disabled Medicaid Waiver should:

• Be residents of Indiana
• Be aged, blind, or otherwise disabled
• Agree to live in approved care residences instead of nursing homes
• Qualify for institutional care that is provided at a nursing home
• Have a monthly income limited to $2,250 or/and countable assets limited to $2,000 as single applicants

How to Apply

The first step is to apply for Medicaid. The local Area Agencies on Aging will assess the level of care the applicant requires and initiates the Medicaid application process (Indiana Application for Health Coverage). On approval, the applicant can apply for the Aged & Disabled Medicaid Waiver.

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 Indiana

In Indiana, 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 Indiana, 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 Care and Senior Living

Seniors in Indiana, whether residing independently or in a senior living facility, have access to various local financial aid options. These entities assist in offsetting certain in-home or long-term care expenses and link them to beneficial community resources.

Food Assistance Programs

In Indiana, 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 Indiana, 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 Indiana, 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 Indiana, 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.

Senior Engagement

In Indiana, 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 Indiana, 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 Indiana 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 Indiana 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 Indiana

Assisted Living Service Plans

Every applicant for assisted living is individually examined before being admitted. Based on the evaluation, the facility should draw up a service plan specific to the needs and interests of the resident. The resident’s preferences for service provisions are also considered. The evaluation should be updated semi-annually to ensure the service plan is appropriate for the resident.

Assisted Living Admission Requirements

Individuals who can be admitted to an assisted living facility must be:

• Residents of Indiana
• Mentally stable
• Functional and able to do at least 3 daily living activities like eating, toileting, and moving without total assistance

Additionally, those seeking to reside in an assisted living facility should not:

• Be a danger to themselves or others
• Require 24-hour-a-day comprehensive, trained nursing care
• Require any rehabilitative therapies

Assisted Living Scope of Care

Assisted living facilities (or residential care facilities in Indiana) don’t require a license unless they administer medication or residential nursing care. The scope of care of an assisted living facility includes:

• Housing
• Meals
• Laundry
• Housekeeping
• Social or leisure activities
• Minimal assistance in daily living activities

A resident does not have to be discharged if he or she is receiving hospice services from a licensed practitioner of the resident’s choice. The resident has the right to choose his or her own physicians and providers.

Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

While Indiana’s Medicaid program doesn’t directly cover the cost of assisted living for all low-income seniors, there is a waiver program that can help cover the cost of assisted living called “Indiana’s Aged & Disabled Medicaid Waiver.” If a facility participates in the Medicaid Waiver program, it must provide its applicants and residents with written information about the programs benefits, services, and application process.

The waiver provides eligible elderly and disabled adults an alternative to a nursing facility and allows them to remain in an assisted living facility, an adult foster care, or their own home. This waiver program has a cap of 13,000 people who can use the program at one time, and a waiting list of five years is available.

Assisted Living Facility Requirements

An Indiana assisted living facility must file a disclosure form with the Family and Social Services Agency Division of Aging. Facilities that are enrolled in the Medicaid waiver program must offer units with a bedroom, a private bath, a substantial living area, and a kitchen. Kitchens must have a refrigerator, stove top or oven, microwave, and an area to prepare food.

The Indiana State Department of Health has specified living arrangements. All facilities must have:

• Provisions for the disabled as per Indiana’s rules and regulations
• Air conditioning, ventilation, heating, and plumbing systems that comply with the state’s safety commission.
• Access to and provide safe and potable water approved by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
• Proper sewage management as per the laws and rules by the state’s water pollution control board.
• Outside windows that provide light and ventilation in each room equal to one-tenth of the total floor area.
• An automatic control valve to control water temperatures, which should be between 100-120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Every resident should be provided with:

• A bed with a clean, comfortable mattress as per the resident’s requirements
• A bedside cabinet
• A bedside lamp
• A cushioned comfortable chair
• Curtains or screens as per the resident’s preferences
• A unit that opens directly into the corridor
• Equipment to summon a staff member
• Individual closet space

For a facility plan approved before April 1997, the state has drawn a certain ratio between toilet facilities and the number of residents. For facilities approved after April 1997, the state has made it mandatory for each unit to have a private toilet and a bathtub or shower.

Medication Management Regulations

The Indiana State Department of Health has spelled out rules and laws for assisted living facilities to manage medication, including the following stipulations.

• Administration of medications shall be ordered by the resident’s physician and supervised and administered by a licensed nurse, a qualified medical aid, or medical practitioner on the premises of the facility or on call.
• Each resident must have a primary care physician according to his or her preference.
• Effects of medications must be documented and reported to the physician.
• Each time a medication is administered, details like time, the name of the medication, dosage, and the name and initials of the individual administering the drug must be recorded in the resident’s treatment record.

Staffing Requirements

The facility must hire sufficient staff with qualifications and training that comply with the state’s laws. A minimum of 1 awake staff member with a CPR and first aid certificate per 50 residents shall be on the site at all times.

Staff Training Requirements

Each employee should be given an orientation which includes:

• Instructions on the needs of specialized individuals including aged, mentally and physically disabled, children, and people with dementia
• A review of the facility’s policy and procedure manual
• Instructions in first aid, emergency procedures, disaster management, and the evacuation process
• A review of ethical considerations and confidentiality
• Information on the particular needs of each resident.

An in-house education program should be designed to include residents’ rights, prevention and control of infection, and fire and accident prevention. An in-service program record must be maintained to indicate if each employee has met the required number of in-service hours annually.

Requirements for Reporting Abuse

Complaints or infractions in any healthcare facility must be reported to the Indiana State Department of Health. The ISDH Incident Reporting System is the state’s online system to process reports of any untoward incidents taking place at a healthcare facility. On receiving the complaint, the ISDH conducts an inspection in a day or two to ensure quality health care.

The Incident Reporting Form available on the ISDH website should be filled and e-mailed at [email protected] before reporting the incident online. A complaint can also be reported at the toll-free Complaint Report number at 1-800-246-8909.

Elder abuse should be reported to the Adult Protective Services by calling at 1-800-992-6978. There are 15 APS Units across Indiana to help elderly who are victims of neglect, exploitation, or battery.

Indiana COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living Facilities

Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/7/22. 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: www.coronavirus.in.gov www.cdc.gov