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Cleveland is located in northeast Ohio on Lake Erie’s southern shore. With just over 381,000 residents, it’s the Buckeye State’s second-largest city, and seniors make up 13.5% of the population.
Cleveland was ranked the fourth best place to live in Ohio by U.S. News and World Report, and it has plenty to offer its older residents, including a very low cost of living. The city’s many cultural institutions include the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Cleveland Botanical Garden, and the city also hosts the Ohio Ballet and the Cleveland Opera. With nearly 10 million items, the Cleveland Public Library has one of the largest circulations in the country. The city also offers extensive green space, from its many parks to its Emerald Necklace trail.
Cleveland has 23 assisted living facilities, which have an average cost of $3,575 per month. However, these costs may vary depending on a facility’s location and the services and amenities offered.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
Across the country, the average monthly cost of assisted living is $4,051. At $4,339 monthly, Ohio’s average prices are nearly $300 higher than the U.S. norm. Every state that borders Ohio has lower assisted living costs. In Michigan and Indiana, assisted living costs are fairly close to the national average, while prices are significantly lower in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. To the south in Kentucky, assisted living costs are nearly $850 lower than in Ohio.
At $3,575 per month, Cleveland is tied with nearby Youngstown for the most affordable assisted living prices in Ohio. Other cities in northeast Ohio, including Akron ($4,625) and Canton ($4,545) have higher monthly average assisted living costs. Prices tend to vary in other parts of the state. Seniors in Columbus, the state capital, pay an average of $3,945 monthly. Near the Michigan border in Toledo, seniors pay the highest average prices in Ohio ($5,036).
Ohio’s Assisted Living waiver program may help Medicaid-eligible seniors pay for assisted living. The program covers many services provided by these facilities, including personal care and supportive services. Another program, the Residential State Supplement program, may help seniors pay for their room and board.
For more information about these programs, visit our Assisted Living in Ohio page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging | (800) 626-7277 | Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging helps connect seniors with community programs and government services. It serves seniors in five Ohio counties, including Cuyahoga. Seniors can contact the agency to learn more about Medicaid waivers, managed care programs, nutrition programs and other resources. In addition, it runs workshops to help seniors manage diabetes and other chronic illnesses. |
| Rose Centers for Aging Well | (216) 791-8000 | The Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging operates seven Rose Centers for Aging Well throughout the Cleveland area. Every month, these centers offer hundreds of fun activities for seniors. Art classes, book clubs and group outings are just a few of the many options. Some locations deliver the Aging Mastery Program, a 10-session program that aims to improve seniors’ well-being. Topics covered by these sessions include financial planning and healthy habits. |
| The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland | (216) 687-1900 | The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland provides free legal representation to low-income people. Seniors can receive help with many types of civil legal proceedings, such as hearings for Supplemental Security Income or veterans benefits. It also offers free Brief Advice Clinics, where seniors have the opportunity to ask a legal question or get help with a form. |
| Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (800) 282-1206 | Ohio’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman program can help seniors resolve issues or concerns with assisted living facilities. Ombudsman representatives can advocate for assisted living residents. They can also provide information about choosing a long-term care provider. |
| Cleveland Sight Center | (216) 791-8118 | The Cleveland Sight Center is a nonprofit organization that serves people who have low vision. The center’s rehabilitation staff aim to help seniors make the most of their remaining vision and can teach them how to use magnifiers and other accessibility tools. Through its Recreation Department, it offers engaging programming for seniors with low vision, including sports, music and games. |
| Assisted Technology of Ohio | (800) 784-3425 | A part of Ohio State University’s College of Engineering, this federally funded nonprofit helps Ohioans access assistive technology. Through its Device Lending Library, seniors can try out assistive technology devices for up to 30 days. These devices include magnifiers, Braille displays and reader pens. In addition, the organization may direct seniors toward resources for financing assistive technology. |
| Senior Transportation Connection | (216) 265-1489 | Senior Transportation Connection provides low-cost transportation for seniors in Cuyahoga County. Seniors can reserve rides to grocery stores, medical appointments, senior centers and other destinations three days in advance. The organization’s accessible vehicles have lifts or ramps to accommodate seniors who use walkers or wheelchairs. |
In Ohio, assisted living facilities must adhere to regulations, which set standards for everything from staffing levels to bedroom sizes. As the agency responsible for regulating these facilities, the Ohio Department of Health conducts regular unannounced inspections. To learn more, visit our Assisted Living in Ohio page.