10 Best Independent Living Communities in Louisville, KY
Louisville, Kentucky, perfectly balances urban living with Southern hospitality. While you may see a beautiful skyline along the Ohio River, locals see a cluster of neighborhoods offering a nostalgic, small town feel. As the largest city in Kentucky, Louisville is a surprisingly affordable area lauded for its wealth of activities, events, and age-friendly environment.
Independent living communities in Louisville provide a home where seniors can relax without the constant worries of being a homeowner. Between concierge, housekeeping, and other on-site services, seniors in independent living communities experience convenience and resort-style amenities. However, if you’re looking for less luxury and more affordability, you may benefit more from our guide to senior apartments in Louisville.
A Place for Mom partners with independent living communities in Louisville, Kentucky, located in Jefferson County. While these independent living communities are scattered around the Louisville area, many rest to the east of downtown Louisville in the Middletown area. Additionally, we partner with communities in Jeffersonville, Indiana. This is why you’ll also find local resources for Indiana seniors in this comprehensive guide to independent senior living in the Louisville area.
This guide provides answers to questions on paying for independent living, local senior benefits, and the various types of communities in the area. Additionally, you’ll get a sense of what living in the Louisville area is like as a senior.
Louisville Independent Living Facilities | 980 Reviews
When it came time to find a new home for Mom, we toured multiple facilities and found the perfect place at The Ashton on Dorsey. It is the people that work there that make this the best. All the staff know...
My Family chose Magnolia Springs assisted-living for my mother after my father died. We are very happy she is there. That facility is gorgeous. We selected the one bedroom apt, which has ample space. The...
Our mother rapidly bonded with her care-givers and neighbors in the Sunrise of Louisville Community. She received truly wonderful care in the last months of her life--a level of care that we, her sons, were...
I have always loved here. When I became ill and unable to get around as easily as I used to the staff and follow residents have supported me. I really appreciate this company!
Quick and understanding. Was contacted in less than 24 hours and assisted in scheduling visit quickly. They provided information and support that was extremely helpful. They helped my family during a...
I have a lot of friends here. I met my 2 best friends here. I enjoy the activities they do. The management responds quickly to any concerns.
My Mom was only at Springhouse for two days before she passed away…please send me an assessment form to complete on the rehab center she was in before coming to Springhouse…it was The Willows at Springhurst...
My mother still resides at Creekside and we couldn't be happier. The staff is kind and considerate. The food is good which is a big deal to my mother. We did recommend to a friend and his Mother in Law...
My loved one went to Vitality Living Springdale for a respite stay. The staff were all very attentive and easy to reach when I wanted to check on my loved one. The only thing that was disappointing was that...
I'm very happy with Belmont Village, have said so many times. I have told a couple of friends that when their parents get to that point, Belmont would be a good place to consider.
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It is so much better than my previous top two. It. Seems like I would like to hug Almost everyone. Probably the dining is # 1. It seems that everyone wants to help you . I visited many homes, but this...
Harmony has an amazing staff they are so helpful and caring. I would highly recommend this senior care facility to anyone who has an elderly parent. The only thing I would wish they had more food choices...
My visit was very nice. Every body concerned went out of their way to amend me comfortable and cared for. I would definitely consider them if I need someplace to go.
The staff at Village Crossing Retirement Resort are friendly. The housekeeping is marginal / barely adequate. Communication with the family is good. The mover was reasonable, they recommended. The meals are...
The place & people was very nice. Additional comment: it was just too far away from her friends. They were all older ladies who just couldn't drive that far .
They are awesome! They are very family oriented, kind and supportive. My mom was in a one bedroom apartment and it was perfect for her. She had a stove, microwave, refrigerator, washer/dryer, and standing...
Vitality is well kept. It is very well organized. Lots of activities. The residents seem happy. The fact that there are nurses on staff is comforting. The young ladies that are mom's aids seem to really...
The only thing she's not liking, is the food they serve. It looked like a smaller version of her patio home. Everyone there was really nice and residents were friendly. Staff was also friendly and helpful.
I would recommend it to others. We were attracted by the price, the size of their rooms, the services like onsite physical therapy, outings, groups (social) and the meal options.
The Forum makes the transition to independent living so easy for the residents and their family members! Almost immediately my parents were participating in all kinds of activities and events and continue to...
Mom really likes the food that is served. The staff is very attentive and helpful. The director is easy to access and work with. This is a smaller assisted living facility which makes it better in my view.
There is a wonderful energy at Inspirations. It's not just a job to the staff, they are part of the community at Inspirations and love the residents. The staff cares about residents' families and are just...
We moved our mother into Arcadia assisted living and found everyone to be helpful, friendly and most importantly welcoming. Within a matter of days mom had connected with a group of residents and became...
Our methodology
How we rank order the Louisville community options above
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Louisville community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
- Proximity to your search location
- Availability of recent, high-quality reviews
- The amount of detailed community information available
Where we source our information
14,000+ communities
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
350,000+ reviews
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
- Costs of independent living in the Louisville area
- What families are saying about independent living in Louisville
- How people pay for independent living in Louisville
- Understand Kentucky and Indiana laws and regulations for independent living communities
- What to expect from independent living in Louisville
- Louisville independent living services and amenities
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with Louisville? Highlights for seniors
Costs of independent living in the Louisville area
Based on averages of what seniors paid over the last 12 months, A Place for Mom’s proprietary data shows seniors paid $3,480 per month at our independent living partner communities.[01] This price includes the cost for room and board, as well as add-on fees.
Breakdown for independent living costs in the Louisville area
The cost for independent living can vary depending on the location, amenities, and floor plan. For example, the starting price for a studio at our independent living partners in Louisville averages $2,640 per month, while a two-bedroom starts at $4,250 per month.[01]
Below are what the baseline costs typically include in independent living monthly fees, depending on the facility:
- Rent
- Meals
- Housekeeping
- Laundry services
- Complimentary transportation
- Concierge services
Many of our independent living partners in Louisville have a variety of on-site amenities, which may have add-on fees or increase the overall cost of living. On-site amenities at our Louisville-area partner communities may include the following:
- Fitness centers
- Libraries
- Beauty salons
- Barbershops
- Movie theater rooms
- Billiards lounges/game rooms
- Arts and crafts centers
- Bars/pubs
- Swimming pools
Additionally, depending on the community and your circumstances, there may be additional fees, such as the following:[01]
- Pet fees
- Community fees
- One-time buy-in fees
- A second person fee for couples
The following prices are average baseline costs across the area for all independent living communities. Unlike our independent living partner costs in Louisville, these figures do not include typical add-on fees. They are meant to give you an idea of comparative costs in the area.
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Louisville, KY vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Louisville, KY vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Independent Living in Louisville vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Independent Living in Louisville, KY by room type
Average cost of Independent Living in Louisville over time
What families are saying about independent living in Louisville
Recent reviews for independent living in Louisville
Village Crossing Retirement Resort in Louisville, KY
Bennett Place in New Albany, IN
Amber Oaks Assisted Living in Shelbyville, KY
Reviews mention these favorite features of communities
How people pay for independent living in Louisville
When seniors start looking to retire in an independent living community, they typically start to evaluate their payment options. Most retirees start by looking at their current personal income sources and rely on these to pay for their independent living community. For additional needs, like health care, Medicaid and Medicare may help seniors pay for home health care services while living at the senior community of their choice.
Most seniors planning for retirement in an independent living community use private pay methods, like personal income, retirement accounts, and savings. Since an independent living community is not considered a care facility, long-term care insurance will not cover rent or meal costs at these communities. However, additional income sources can help offset a senior’s costs of living during retirement, like Social Security benefits, pensions, investment returns, or any of the following options:
Number of veterans living in Jefferson County, Kentucky
About 70% of Jefferson County veterans are aged 55 and older.
Between pensions and assistance benefits, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a wide range of veterans benefits that can help disabled veterans or their surviving spouses pay for independent living costs. One of the most substantial and generous financial assistance can come from the Aid and Attendance benefit. However, to successfully file claims you must meet strict and complicated eligibility requirements. The best way to successfully apply for these benefits is to connect with a veteran service officer in your area.
How can I learn more about veterans benefits and eligibility requirements?
Since veterans benefits have an extensive list of eligibility requirements, it’s important to contact local resources to fully understand what types of benefits you may be eligible for. The Louisville area has many local veteran service officers to help you understand and apply for benefits. Additionally, local VA-vetted, nonprofit organizations offer counselors to further help you understand veterans benefits, file claims, and apply.
The following organizations may have local officers available:
Resources for Louisville veterans
Louisville Regional Office
321 West 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
Clark County veteran service office
County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO): Ronnie Iglesias
Assistant CVSO: Ashley Strange
300 Corporate Drive, Suite 101
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Phone: 812-285-6345
Fax: 812-280-5628
Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs
777 N. Meridian St., Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2738
Phone: 317-232-3910
Fax: 317-232-7721
Toll free phone: 800-400-4520
Kentucky Medicaid and Indiana Medicaid are state and federally funded health insurance programs that help low-income individuals and families pay for health care services. While Medicaid does not cover independent living room and board costs, it can help cover medically necessary in-home health care services. Both state programs have home and community based waiver programs that help seniors receive home health care services in their home of choice, rather than moving to a hospital or nursing home.
How can home and community based waivers help me?
Home and community based waivers can help cover health care services wherever you call home, including in an independent living community. Both Kentucky and Indiana programs cover different types of care services. Many of these care services can overlap. They include but are not limited to the following types:[03,04]
- Home modifications
- Vehicle adaptations/modifications
- Transportation
- Respite care
- Adult day health care
Besides home and community based waivers, Kentucky and Indiana have Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) — a Medicare and Medicaid program that helps individuals, like seniors, living in a community have access to a variety of health care services.
Other Kentucky Medicaid programs
If you’re looking for independent living in advance and currently need in-home health care, Kentucky Medicaid helps cover certain home health services through several active Medicaid providers. Additionally, Kentucky Medicaid can help cover private nursing home costs, if you need more than what a home health care agency can provide.
How are Indiana Medicaid programs different from Kentucky Medicaid?
Indiana Medicaid goes beyond traditional Medicaid programs with its Hoosier Care Connect program. This is a health care program for 65+ aged, blind, or disabled individuals who do not qualify for or receive Medicare.
Where can I receive assistance with Medicaid benefits?
Similar to any state or federal benefit, Medicaid eligibility and benefits are difficult to understand. While applying is a complex process, the benefits are extremely helpful to those who need health care coverage. Before you start applying for Medicaid, it’s important to contact local Medicaid advisors to ensure you apply for the benefits you are eligible for. There are many resources in the Louisville area, including the local area on aging agency, as well as the Department of Medicaid Services office.
Louisville area Medicaid resources
Kentucky departments and agencies
275 E. Main St., 6W-A
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: 502-564-4321
Clark County Division of Family Resources
285 Quartermaster Court
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Telephone/fax number: 800-403-0864
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
KIPDA Aging and Disability Resources
11520 Commonwealth Drive
Louisville, KY 40299
Phone: 502-266-5571
Fax: 502-266-5047
Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living
275 E. Main St., 3E-E
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: 502-564-6930
Email: chfs.listens@ky.gov
Lifespan Resources, Inc.
33 State St., 3rd Floor
New Albany, IN 47151-0995
Phone: 812-948-8330 or 888-948-8330
TTY Phone: 812-542-6895
Fax: 812-948-0147
Seniors aged 65 and older, and those with certain disabilities, may be eligible to receive health insurance coverage through the federal program, Medicare. Medicare does not cover custodial costs, like room and board at an independent living community. It can, however, help cover certain care costs in your home, like medically necessary in-home health care. However, the agency providing the services must be contracted with Medicare, and the services must be deemed medically necessary.
Not all Medicare plans cover such services. Below is a brief outline of the different types of Medicare plans:
- Medicare Plan A (hospital insurance) offers coverage for hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, nursing home care, hospice care, and home health care.
- Medicare Plan B (medical insurance) offers coverage for preventive services, durable medical equipment, limited prescription drugs, and outpatient care.
- Medicare Part D (drug coverage) offers optional coverage for certain prescription and generic drugs.
Can I save money on Medicare costs?
Yes, Kentucky and Indiana have different programs to help you save on Medicare costs. This includes Medicare Savings Programs, which help low-income recipients cover Medicare premium costs. Additionally, if you receive Medicare Part D, you may qualify to receive help through Extra Help. Indiana also has HooiserRx, another assistance program for Part D.
How do I find out if I qualify for Medicare benefits?
Between understanding and applying for benefits, Medicare and its assistance programs can be difficult to fully comprehend. Luckily, both Kentucky and Indiana have local agencies and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to help you or your loved one learn more about Medicare and its eligibility requirements.
You can also receive help with the application process and filing claims at your local Social Security offices. Additionally, your local long-term care ombudsman can help uphold your Medicare rights and work through any health insurance or claim issues with you. Louisville also has a Senior Medicare Patrol, where you can contact them to help identify health care scams, abuse, and billing issues.
Louisville resident Medicare resources
Jefferson County long-term care ombudsman
Natalie Brown-Radtke
Catholic Charities
2911 S. Fourth St.
Louisville, KY 40208
Phone: 502-637-9786
Toll free phone: 800-854-3233
Email: nbrownradtke@archlou.org
Kentucky state long-term care ombudsman
Sherry Culp
Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass, Inc.
3138 Custer Drive, Suite 110
Lexington, KY 40517
Phone: 859-277-9215
Toll Free phone: 800-372-2991
Email: sherryculp@ombuddy.org
Indiana long-term care ombudsman website
Lynn Clough
402 W. Washington St., Room W451
Indianapolis, IN 46207-7083
Information/complaint phone: 800-622-4484 or 317-232-7134
Fax number: 317-972-3285
Email: longtermcareombudsman@ombudsman.IN.gov
Clark County long-term care ombudsman
Mary Cleavinger
Indiana Legal Services
3303 Plaza Drive, #5
New Albany, IN 47150
Phone: 812-913-7361, ext. 11223
Email: mary.cleavinger@ilsi.net
Louisville Social Security office
601 W. Broadway, Room 101
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: 866-716-9671
Fax: 833-950-3149
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Jeffersonville/Clarksville, Indiana, Social Security office
3700 Blackiston Blvd.
New Albany, Indiana 47150
Phone: 800-772-1213
Fax: 833-950-2142
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Understand Kentucky and Indiana laws and regulations for independent living communities
Independent living communities aren’t regulated like assisted living facilities, since they’re not considered care facilities. However, independent living communities follow local rental regulations since they’re typically rented units. Most of our independent living partners in Louisville also have assisted living units, which must abide by more advanced assisted living state regulations. To learn more about assisted living regulations, visit our Louisville guides to assisted living and memory care. Read on for the general rental regulations of independent senior living facilities.
As a tenant in Kentucky or Indiana, you cannot be discriminated against for your disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender, thanks to the federal Fair Housing Act.[05,06] However, many independent living communities have minimum age requirements, such as requiring residents to be 55+ or 62+.
Landlord and tenant regulations for rentals
Both Kentucky and Indiana share common landlord and tenant obligations. These areas require landlords to provide a safe, clean, and habitable living environment. To meet these living standards, landlords must maintain working conditions for installed utilities, like the following:[07,08]
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing systems with hot and cold water
- Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems
- Appliances included in the rental agreement
While landlords have more extensive obligations under state and city laws, tenants, such as yourself, are required to maintain a clean and habitable living environment. This is mostly limited to maintaining your apartment appliances and the cleanliness of your living space.
Facility regulations
The City of Louisville also has requirements for the construction of the building or facilities. Apartment units and all common areas must meet structural code standards. Some examples of Louisville building codes for apartment units include the following:[07]
- The bathroom must have walls, water resistant flooring, a door, a toilet, and a tub or shower.
- There must be at least one window in every habitable room.
- There must be a working smoke detector in each unit.
- There must be safe exits that lead to an open area on the ground floor.
- All stairs must have firmly fastened handrails.
Accommodations for seniors with disabilities
Landlords are required to make reasonable accommodations and modification for those with disabilities. This may include offering accessible parking, installing hand rails in a unit, or allowing services animals even if a no-pet policy is in place. However, there are limitations to these accommodations. It’s always best to check with your prospective community ahead of time to get a thorough understanding of their accommodation practices.
Kentucky: Your landlord is allowed to require you to restore the property to the condition it was in prior to any modifications you made.[09] If you have a service animal, you can submit a request to the landlord, which, if approved, will allow your service animal in the apartment building. Landlords cannot charge a pet fee or deposit for service animals.[10]
In the Louisville area, you can take advantage of the independent living center, Center for Accessible Living (CAL). This center helps those with disabilities learn independent living skills, as well as experience support, advocacy, and more.
Indiana: While you’re allowed to make modifications, like installing a ramp or removing carpet in your unit, your landlord can make you, as a tenant, pay for these modifications. Additionally, the landlord can require these modifications be done professionally.[11]
COVID-19 regulations for Louisville independent living communities
As COVID-19 regulations begin to relax, so does the level of guidance provided by some states, such as Kentucky. The Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) is currently following community level COVID-19 guidance, and Jefferson County is currently under a low level of guidance. Below is Jefferson County’s COVID-19 guidance for general and senior living environments.
To be sure you completely understand your prospective community’s rules around COVID-19, it’s best to check with them before your move in.
Masking. A mask may be required after an indoor setting was exposed to a COVID-19 infection. Senior living care settings do not currently require masks.
Quarantining. If you test positive for COVID-19, you’re recommended to isolate for five days (with no symptoms) or 10 days (with symptoms). If you have close contact with someone with a COVID-19 infection, monitor your symptoms for 10 days.
What to expect from independent living in Louisville
Whether you’re looking for a community you can age in place at or one where you can experience a luxurious, convenient lifestyle, the Louisville area offers a variety of options. In this section you’ll learn more about the features of independent living communities in the Louisville area, so you know what to expect to find in the current market.
Stand-alone independent living vs. multiple levels of care
A majority of our independent living partners in Louisville offer multiple levels of care services on the same campus. This may include assisted living or memory care services and round-the-clock supervision. These types of communities help seniors age in place, so if additional care or assistance is ever needed in the future, they won’t have to worry about moving to a different community.
Only 5 out of our 12 independent living partners in Louisville are stand-alone independent living communities, meaning they only serve fully independent seniors who don’t need care. Our independent living partner in Jefferson, Indiana, is one of these stand-alone communities.[01]
Accommodating layouts
Similar to independent living communities across the county, Louisville offers a variety of room and apartment accommodations. Depending on your preferences, you’ll be able to find communities with studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. In addition to these standard layouts, some Louisville independent living communities have single-family cottages, allowing you to have more space and a sense of freedom. If you live in one of these types of cottages, you may be able to have a garage and/or yard.
Resort-like standards
Many of our independent living partners in Louisville go beyond the current market standards. For example, all our Louisville independent living partners provide meals. Additionally, if you’re looking to live in a resort-like atmosphere, many independent living communities have superior facility amenities, like the following:
- Fitness centers
- Pools
- Putting greens
- Art galleries and studios
- Yoga studios
- Game and card rooms
- Bocce ball courts
- Chapels
- Dog parks
- Playrooms for visiting grandkids
Besides communal amenities, some independent living communities have these features in their apartments to provide additional conveniences for seniors:
- In-unit washers and dryers
- Emergency call systems
- Private patios and/or balconies
Active living lifestyles
You won’t find yourself bored at any of our partner independent living communities that value active living. Between on-site activities and off-site outings, you’ll have access to a variety of options at a majority of our independent living partners in Louisville. Approximately 66% of our independent living partners in Louisville staff an activity director, who helps coordinate engaging, valuable activities.
In a Louisville independent living community you may have access to a variety of activities. These can include but are not limited to the following:[01]
- Classes for art, cooking, or stretching
- Happy hours
- Day trips and outings
- Dances
- Trivia games
- Wii Bowling
- Yoga
- Wine tastings
- Live performances
In addition to activities, many independent living communities encourage socializing and creating friendships through clubs for hobbies or interest groups. These can include but are not limited to the following:[01]
- Gardening
- Cooking
- Reading
- Bridge
- Cards
- Sewing or quilting
Louisville independent living services and amenities
Availability of select dietary accommodations in Louisville independent living
Availability of select dining options in Louisville independent living
Availability of select programs and activities in Louisville independent living
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Free, personalized guidance from our Senior Living Advisors can help you narrow your search.
Tour your favorite facilities.
Our free touring checklist can help you choose the right community.
Unfamiliar with Louisville? Highlights for seniors
Number of seniors over the age of 62 currently living in Jefferson County, Kentucky
Percentage of seniors 62 and older within Jefferson County, Kentucky
Average retirement income for seniors 65+ in Jefferson County, Kentucky
Health care for seniors in Louisville
As America’s Aging Care Capital, according to Forbes Magazine, Louisville offers innovative health care as it works to improve healthy aging solutions. You’ll have access to high-quality care through Louisville’s distinguished health care systems. With specialized aging care teams and certified stroke centers, many of these local hospitals perform well for adult conditions common to seniors. Read on to learn about some of the most distinguished hospitals in the area.
Baptist Health Louisville
Find top-notch care at Baptist Health Louisville, ranked as the No. 1 hospital in Louisville and No. 3 in Kentucky, according to U.S. News and World Report. With specialized teams for stroke and heart attacks, the hospital is high performing for those conditions. The hospital is also high performing in lots of other adult procedures and conditions, such as colon cancer surgery, multiple cardiology surgeries, diabetes, hip replacements, knee replacements, and more. In addition to this location, the hospital also has centers in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Norton Hospital
You can receive innovative care at Norton Hospital — the teaching hospital for the local University of Louisville School of Medicine. This hospital is ranked No. 2 in Louisville and No. 5 in Kentucky, according to U.S. News and World Report. This hospital has a Primary Stroke Center certified by The Joint Commission, a nonprofit organization that accredits health care in the United States, and the health agency, American Stroke Association. In addition to offering exceptional care for strokes, the hospital performs highly for several other adult procedures and conditions, like heart attacks, heart failure, diabetes, kidney failure, hip replacements, and knee replacements.
UofL Health — Jewish Hospital
UofL Health — Jewish Hospital is another distinguished hospital in the area and is known for many medical firsts in the United States. The hospital is ranked No. 3 in Louisville and No. 6 in Kentucky, according to U.S. News and World Report. With their certified stroke center, the hospital offers exceptional care for the common senior condition, strokes. Additionally, the hospital performs well for a variety of adult conditions, including but not limited to heart attacks, heart failure, kidney failure, and knee replacements.
Transportation for seniors in Louisville
You’ll be able to get around town and attend local appointments easily thanks to transportation services provided at our partner independent living communities. Nearly all our independent living partners (about 91%) offer on-site transportation services. A majority of Louisville residents have their own vehicle, and you can feel at ease knowing all of our independent living partners offer on-site parking options for residents.
Besides on-site transportation, approximately 66% of our independent living partners are conveniently located near public transportation options.[01] This is helpful, since the Louisville area can be difficult to get around due to few public transportation options. Public transit is available through the local Transit Authority of River City (TARC) system.
- Fixed routes: There are multiple fixed routes that run through Louisville with stops in Indiana cities, such as Jeffersonville, Clarksville, and New Albany. These buses typically run on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. However, availability depends on the route and bus.
- Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): This bus route runs more frequently along Dixie Highway into downtown Louisville during the weekdays.
- TARC3: Those who meet eligibility and disability requirements and cannot use other public transit systems may have access to this paratransit service. This service goes door to door and mostly uses vans and taxis.
While the area is difficult to get around without a vehicle, the downtown neighborhood is easier to walk, with a Walk Score of 95 in the Central Business District. However, as you can see below, the greater Louisville-Jefferson County area is difficult to get around without a vehicle. Overall, the city has rather low ratings (out of 100) for walking, transit, and biking.
Walk Score
Transit Score
Bike Score
Senior activities in Louisville
The Louisville area has an abundance of local entertainment opportunities, attractions, and activities. Known as a foodie destination and home to the Kentucky Derby, beloved sports teams, and the world’s best handcrafted bourbons, Louisville is famous for a lot. However, Louisville residents know the city goes beyond their famed cultural strengths, with a solid infrastructure, various shopping centers, exquisite performing arts theatres, and stunning nature areas. Plus, seniors can live an active lifestyle beyond their senior living community thanks to the city’s age-friendly mentality.
Active senior living in Louisville
The Louisville area is a wonderful place for seniors to retire with a copious amount of senior-friendly activities scattered throughout the city. The Louisville Metro Government partnered with AARP Kentucky, Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA), and the UofL Institute for Sustainable Health and Optimal Aging to create Age-Friendly Louisville — a community-driven initiative to make Louisville accessible for seniors and those with disabilities.
Besides senior centers, the area has a YMCA Forever Young program to help seniors aged 50+ stay healthy and active through activities and outings. Additionally, Clark County has a senior games gang through their area agency on aging location, Life Span Recourses. This is a membership for seniors aged 55+. You can compete in competitions all year round, as well as participate in activities that your area may or may not host, including but not limited to the following:
- Bowling
- Horseshoes
- Mini golf
- Dance contests
- Cards and games
- Chair volleyball
Senior centers
The Louisville area also has many active living opportunities for seniors through local senior centers. While all of our independent living community partners offer on-site activities, you may be able to find additional active senior opportunities outside of the community. Some local senior centers are managed through Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA), which you can find on their website. These centers offer meals, social opportunities, health and wellness programs, educational seminars, counseling, and more.
Must-see attractions
Whether you’re living in or visiting this Southern state, you may want to attend its most famous event — the Kentucky Derby. Get dressed up in full Southern flair for this annual horse race, which takes place in the legendary racetrack, Churchill Downs. While the Kentucky Derby tries to accommodate those with disabilities, the area has limited space and cannot store wheelchairs brought to the event. From the parking lot to the racetrack, the attraction offers accessible shuttles to help those with disabilities into the event.
Go deep underground with another must-see in Louisville. The Louisville Mega Cavern is a fantastic cave and cavern system with accessibility options in Kentucky. This is system is one of the most well-known, man-made caverns and can be explored through the historic underground tram tours, which are ideal for seniors with mobility issues. Prior to your visit, ask about wheelchair-accessible tours through the Mega Tram.
Collegiate and professional sports
Louisville goes beyond their legendary horse racing track with its multiple large stadiums, where you’ll find both collegiate and professional sports teams.
The city is home to the University of Louisville Cardinals. In addition to Division 1 college football in the Cardinal Stadium, you can enjoy local minor league baseball games watching the Louisville Bats play in Louisville Slugger Field. Besides these teams and stadiums, Louisville is also home to a large soccer stadium — Lynn Family Stadium. In fact, it’s known as one of the largest soccer stadiums in the area. This is where you can watch the professional soccer club, Louisville City FC, play during the exciting USL Championship.
Southern food and bourbon
The Brown Hotel in Louisville is where the famous Hot Brown was created, and to this day, people visit the hotel to enjoy the unique dish. This dish is not your ordinary turkey sandwich; this open-faced sandwich is topped with strips of bacon smothered in Mornay sauce. In addition to the Hot Brown, the Kentucky Derby Pie was created in the Prospect neighborhood. This delicious chocolate and walnut filled pie recipe continues to remain a secret by creators at Kern’s Kitchen. In general, Kentucky is known for many southern staples, from burgoo to benedictine.
Many Kentucky residents accompany their southern dishes with a nice bourbon. Louisville is known for having the best handcrafted bourbon out there. So much so that the area houses Bourbon District in downtown Louisville and Whiskey Row along Main Street. In the Louisville area, you can find many distillery tours where you can witness the distilling process and try some of the best bourbon in Kentucky:
Shopping in Louisville neighborhoods
While every Louisville neighborhood has a variety of shopping areas, the Westport Village is one of the most well-known shopping destinations with locally owned businesses. Additionally, you can find a copious amount of well-known stores at the local malls — Mall St. Matthews and Oxmoor Center.
Appreciate the arts in Louisville
Experience the loud thumping of music at live concerts or the exquisite theatrics of performing arts at accessible venues, like the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts and the Iroquois Amphitheater. The Iroquois Amphitheater offers experiences of a lifetime with their live concerts. And the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts goes beyond with additional performances listed below:
- Orchestra
- Opera
- Ballet
- Broadway
- Speakers
- Comedians
Explore outdoor areas
Whether you’re looking for a golf course, an outdoor park, or a river cruise, the Louisville area has a variety of outdoor areas for you to enjoy. You can enjoy the stunning views of the Louisville skyline on one of the many riverboat cruises. From beautiful views on sunset rides to picnics on the river, seniors aged 65 and older are sure to enjoy a riverboat ride at a discounted rate.
If you prefer to stay on land, you can enjoy one of the Louisville parks. At these parks you’ll have access to miles of hiking paths, as well as areas for activities like fishing, picnics, and camping. Crossing over the state line, you can find the Jefferson Memorial Forest in Indiana. With over 60 miles of charming hiking trails, including the wheelchair-accessible Tulip Tree Trail, which is one of the largest city-owned urban forests in the United States. Jeffersonville city parks also have specialty parks with the city’s Home of Champions Wall, where locals honor well-known people from their area.
The Louisville area also offers 10 unique golf courses with affordable golfing experiences. These golf courses push you to improve your skills with challenging holes. You can find the local golf courses and prices on the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government website.
Frequently Asked Questions
StoryPoint Middletown, The Ashton on Dorsey and Magnolia Springs Louisville are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near Louisville, KY. These Independent Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Independent Living in Louisville is $3,592 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Jefferson County, Kentucky [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Commonwealth of Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Home and community based waiver.
Indiana Medicaid for Members. Aged and disabled waiver.
Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission. Fair housing.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Fair housing and equal opportunity serving Indiana.
Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government. Check it out!! – Property maintenance.
Landlord-Tenant Relations, Indiana General Assembly § IC32-31. (rev 2022).
Discriminatory Practices; Fair Housing, Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government § 92.03 (2020).
Assistance animals — Reasonable accommodations in dwellings — Limitation of liability — Penalty for misrepresentation of an assistance animal, Kentucky State Government § 383.085 (2018 & rev. 2019).
Indiana State Government. (Feb. 2023). Frequently asked questions.
Kentucky Department of Public Health. {2022, July 27). Have you been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19?
Cabinet for Health and Family Services. (2022, Sept. 16). Provider guidance memo: Face coverings in long-term care and senior living congregate care settings.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101): Jefferson County, Kentucky [Data set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 years and over in The United States (S0103): Jefferson County, Kentucky [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News and World Report. Best hospitals in Louisville, KY.
Walk Score. Living in Louisville-Jefferson.
Martinson, M. (2023, March 29). Personal communication [Phone interview].
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