10 Best Nursing Homes in Louisville, KY

When families start looking at senior care, one of the most common questions is how to approach paying for senior living. Many seniors start by looking at their private income sources like savings, retirement accounts, or Social Security benefits. Even more, eligible seniors may be able to receive additional help paying for care through veterans benefits, Medicaid, or Medicare. It’s often the best choice to combine private pay methods with public senior benefits to pay for nursing home, assisted living, or memory care.

Seniors and their families can have peace of mind knowing both Kentucky and Indiana have laws and regulations for nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care communities. Every type of senior care facility has an extensive list of requirements to help ensure the safety of its residents. Below you’ll learn more about senior care requirements in both Kentucky and Indiana.

Kentucky nursing home laws and regulations

Kentucky nursing homes must be run by a licensed nursing home administrator and pass on-site inspections. These inspection reports are available through the Office of Inspector General website.

Nursing homes in Kentucky help ensure your loved one is receiving the best quality of care by having extensive staffing requirements. For example, nursing homes must have an adequate number of staff members, with at least one registered nurse or licensed practical nurse available around the clock. This number depends on how many residents live in the nursing home and what kind of care and supervision is required to meet their needs.^[04]

How Indiana nursing home laws and regulations differ from Kentucky

Indiana nursing homes differ from Kentucky in the ways facilities are licensed. Indiana skilled nursing homes are licensed as comprehensive care facilities by the director of the Indiana Department of Health Division of Long Term Care (IDOH). Similar to Kentucky, these facilities must undergo inspections, and these are available under “consumer reports” on the IDOH website.

Indiana also has an extensive list of requirements for skilled nursing facilities, such as requiring training for every staff member and which members can administer medication. Only licensed nursing staff or qualified medication aids can administer medications. If the drug is injectable, only licensed personnel can inject the medication.^[05]

How do on-site nursing services differ from skilled nursing care

While many senior care communities offer on-site nursing services, these services differ from skilled nursing services. Approximately 41% of our assisted living and memory care partners offer on-site nursing services, which could mean a facility provides any of the following:^[02]

• On-staff nurses
• On-site hospice care
• A rehabilitative care unit

In fact, about 72% of our assisted living and memory care partners in Louisville have on-site hospice care services. Plus, almost all (20 out of 22) of our Louisville partners have visiting physical, occupational, and speech therapists.

Since most nursing homes, assisted living, or memory care communities have rehabilitative services, there are certain requirements a nursing facility must meet to provide these specialized therapies. Kentucky requires rehabilitative services to be provided by licensed therapists on a planned and frequent basis. Indiana has similar requirements for rehabilitative services, but also requires a prescription from the senior’s physician.^[04,05]

Kentucky assisted living and memory care laws and regulations

Assisted living facilities are certified annually through the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living. Similarly, memory care facilities are licensed as assisted living communities with dementia care. Both must undergo on-site inspections, which are available for review through the Office of Inspector General website.^[06]

Similar to nursing homes, senior care facilities have multiple requirements to help ensure your loved one’s well-being. For instance, Kentucky assisted living communities must have a sufficient amount of staff members with at least one caregiver available on-site around the clock. Memory care communities require additional requirements, with staff required to have a dementia-specific orientation and annual dementia trainings to help ensure the safety of seniors with dementia.^[05,06]

How other Indiana senior care community laws and regulations differ from Kentucky

While nursing homes in Indiana are licensed as comprehensive care facilities, assisted living and memory care communities receive a residential care facility license. These facilities are regulated by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH). However, this license is not required if the senior care community does not administer medication or offer nursing care.^[07,08]

Staffing requirements for assisted living and memory care communities in Indiana are extremely similar to Kentucky’s. However, memory care communities in Indiana have additional dementia care training hours required for their staff. Memory care staff members in Indiana must undergo at least 6 hours of specialized dementia training annually.^[07]

What are your loved one’s rights in senior care facilities?

One thing that all senior care communities in both Kentucky and Indiana do is protect your loved one. In a senior care community, a senior should live free of abuse, neglect, restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, and reprisal. In the event of any issues, you can file a complaint through your state Department of Health or your local long-term care ombudsman.^[05,06]

Comparable to nursing homes, all senior care communities have extensive laws and regulations. To understand more about different community regulations, visit our guides to assisted living and memory care in Louisville.

COVID-19 regulations for Louisville nursing homes

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) loosen COVID-19 recommendations, so have individual states, including Kentucky. For this reason, senior care communities no longer require masks as of September 2022.^[09] However, communities can implement their own additional COVID-19 guidelines. So, before visiting or moving into the community, ask about their COVID-19 regulations.

While senior care facilities no longer require masks, the Kentucky Department for Public Health follows the community-level COVID-19 statewide guidance. Currently, Jefferson County falls under a low level of guidance, so the area still has relaxed recommendations, as found below.

Whether a senior is looking for a nursing home, assisted living community, or memory care facility, the Louisville area has options for everyone. Every senior care facility’s amenities and services vary to accommodate the needs of its residents. But, what are senior care communities in Louisville like? Here you’ll learn more about what you can expect.

Skilled nursing in Louisville

The Louisville area has plenty of skilled nursing facilities, ranging from small facilities to large ones. These skilled nursing facilities offer the highest level of 24-hour nursing and medical care outside of a hospital. They have many specialized services on-site, which may include but are not limited to the following:

• Rehabilitation services
• Nutrition services
• Pharmacy services
• Laboratory services
• Radiology services
• Palliative care
• Wound care
• IV therapy
• Stroke care
• Cardiac care

If your loved one doesn’t need long-term skilled nursing care, most senior care facilities in Louisville have short-term and/or respite care options. For example, many assisted living and memory care facilities have units for short-term rehabilitative care with services like the following:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Post-hospital care

While most of our assisted living and memory care partners do not have on-site skilled nursing units, there are many facilities that offer access to these types of advanced care services on their campus.

Assisted living in Louisville

Louisville assisted living communities go beyond simply supporting seniors with activities of daily living (ADLs). Most of our partners have on-staff activity directors to create varied on- and off-site activities. This helps your loved one maintain an active and social lifestyle while living at the community.

Our partner assisted living communities provide an array of additional services and amenities to personalize the resident experience. For example, many of our partners have devotional activities on-site, like Bible study groups as well as a visiting chaplain or priest. Our Louisville partners may also include additional resort-style amenities, from fitness centers to beauty salons.

Only two of our assisted living partners are stand-alone facilities dedicated to assisting seniors with their activities of daily living. The rest of our partners have either independent living or memory care services available on the same campus. This enables partners with different care needs to live on the same campus and lets seniors with advancing care needs access services without needing to move.

Memory care in Louisville

Almost all of our memory care partners in Louisville are part of a larger assisted living community. However, on-site memory care neighborhoods have different types of services and amenities catered to seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Whether a memory care community is a stand-alone facility or a part of a larger assisted living facility, memory care-designated areas are designed to help seniors with memory loss easily navigate their new home safely.

Memory care units also help families live worry-free and have peace of mind knowing their loved one is cared for in a personalized, homelike environment. These facilities help ensure the safety of your loved ones by having secured exits and entrances, as well as security systems like WanderGuard or emergency call systems. They also typically have on-site staff with experience and sensitivity training in nuanced memory care needs.

Our one stand-alone memory care partner in Louisville is extremely similar to those within an assisted living community, though safety and staff standards are more specialized. One unique part of this community that goes beyond the standard services is they have a licensed nurse on-site around the clock. This is not uncommon for memory care communities, but it’s not always the standard.

Nonambulatory care services in Louisville senior care communities

You or your loved one will receive the best assistance, as all our assisted living and memory care partners provide nonambulatory care services to help seniors get around. Here are some examples of these types of services: ^[02]

• One or two person assisted transfer
• Standby assistance
• Total transfer/Hoyer lift

Louisville was recognized by Forbes for its advanced aging health solutions and named “America’s Aging Care Capital.” Its distinguished hospitals offer specialized care for seniors and treatments for common adult conditions. In this section, you’ll find Louisville’s highest-rated health care systems.

The safest way for seniors in a senior care community to get around the city is through their facility’s transportation services. Luckily, about 95% of our assisted living and memory care partners in Louisville have on-site transportation services for their residents. A majority of these services are complimentary, but some facilities may charge an additional fee.^[02]

On-site transportation is extremely helpful in Louisville because the city lacks walkability and robust transit options. However, if you or your loved one need transportation outside of the community’s available services, there are ways to get around, thanks to the Transit Authority of River City (TARC).

Are there paratransit services available in Louisville?

Yes, TARC offers an ADA paratransit service called TARC3. TARC3 is best for those who can’t use regular buses due to accessibility and safety issues. This may include seniors who need assistance with activities of daily living or have dementia.

A personal care attendant (PCA) is likely best for these seniors and is required by TARC3 for seniors with dementia. A PCA helps seniors remain safe during rides, guides them to buildings, administers medications, and more. To have a PCA, a senior must request a PCA certification.

For more information on eligibility and TARC’s paratransit service, visit the TARC3 Rider’s Guide. On top of this, seniors can find additional transportation options recommended by the Office for Aging/Disabled Citizens on pages 71-72 in their resource guide.

Whether you’re a visiting family member or a local senior resident, the Louisville area has something for everyone, from sunset cruises along the Ohio River to shopping in historic neighborhoods. Louisville is known for endless attractions, sports, and iconic food. Below, you’ll find some senior-friendly and accessible things to enjoy in Louisville with your loved one.

Famous Southern food and the finest bourbon

You or your loved one can experience the authentic Southern experience in Louisville, where some of the most well-known Southern dishes were first created. For example, the Brown Hotel in Louisville was the birthplace of the open-faced turkey sandwich called The Hot Brown. This is not your ordinary turkey sandwich, since it’s topped with strips of bacon and smothered in deliciously creamy Mornay sauce.

The popular chocolate-filled Kentucky Derby Pie was also created in Louisville’s Prospect neighborhood. You can enjoy the creators’ secret recipe at Kern’s Kitchen.

Besides delicious Southern staples, Louisville is known to have some of the best bourbons. As a result, the area has Bourbon District in downtown Louisville along Whiskey Row on Main Street. Plus, you’ll find many distillery tours where you can try many of these handcrafted bourbons:

• Kentucky Bourbon Trail
• Bourbon Hall Tours and Tastings
• Kentucky Bourbon Boys

Local and chain stores in Louisville

Visitors and locals alike enjoy exploring the area’s local stores with loved ones. Many traditional chain stores are located in the local malls, Mall St. Matthews and Oxmoor Center, both situated along the TARC bus stops. These malls are also adjacent to many local hotels, making them easily accessible for visiting friends and families.

Beyond chain stores, Louisville has many locally owned shops and businesses. Westport Village in one of Louisville’s historic neighborhoods, is one of the charming areas where you and your loved one can appreciate local restaurants and shopping destinations.

Accessible performing arts

You and your loved one can delight in local performances at one of the many local accessible performing arts areas, including the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts and the Iroquois Amphitheater. Both offer reserved seating for those with wheelchairs, as well as free assisted listening devices for those experiencing hearing loss.

The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts goes above and beyond with additional accommodations for those experiencing vision loss or sensory issues. For example, some performances are sensory-friendly by modifying house lighting and loud noises, as well as adding captioning.

Wheelchair-friendly outdoor areas

Louisville is a lovely area to retire for those who love the outdoors. The area offers an abundance of outdoor areas, from riverboat cruises on the Ohio River to idyllic picnic spots in numerous lush parks. Many of these areas offer wheelchair-accessible options, so families and their loved ones can experience these nature areas together. You could even plan a day on one of the many local riverboat cruises, where seniors aged 65 and older receive a discounted rate.

Furthermore, Louisville has nearly 60 miles of hiking trails with wheelchair-accessible options, like Tulip Tree Trail. You can find many accessible options for fishing and more at one of the largest city-owned forests in the U.S., Jefferson Memorial Forest.

Well-known sports champions, teams, and monuments

Between baseball monuments and professional sports teams, the Louisville area is known for its many sports-related attractions. One must-see is the world’s largest baseball bat, replicated after Babe Ruth’s Louisville Slugger. This bat is the landmark of the local baseball museum, the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. Louisville is also known by many as the home to famous boxing champion Muhammed Ali, who has his own eponymous museum in the city — the Muhammed Ali Center.

When you’re not visiting these attractions, you can watch one of the local collegiate and professional sports team games. Louisville is home to the Division I football team, the University of Louisville Cardinals. In addition to collegiate teams, seniors and their families can experience the Louisville Bats play in Slugger Field, which offers accessible seating. You’ll need to contact the ticket box at 1-855-228-8497 to purchase seating in this area.

Additionally, soccer fans can enjoy games in one of the largest soccer-specific stadiums in the area, featuring Louisville City FC. Families can also experience these games with their loved ones in the accessible seating options. Guests with disabilities are allowed one guest to sit with them in the designated area.

Legendary attractions for tourists and locals

If you’re a visiting family member or friend, you must visit one of these well-known attractions with your loved one. The most legendary areas in Louisville include the famous racetrack, Churchill Downs. This stadium hosts the Kentucky Derby each year. Keep in mind that the arena has limited space, so they will not store any wheelchairs brought to the event. However, there are accessible seating options. The Kentucky Derby also provide accommodations, including accessible shuttles to and from the parking lots to help those with disabilities get inside the racetrack.

The second best attraction in Louisville is the underground Louisville Mega Cavern. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, this cavern is popular among all ages. Plus, the cavern has a wheelchair-accessible tour on the Mega Tram, so your loved one can easily visit the mysterious underground. Before your visit, however, you should check with the facility to ensure availability on the accessible tour.