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Kokomo is a large city in central Indiana with approximately 60,000 residents and a 1:5 ratio of seniors to non-seniors. The city is known for its unique cultural attractions, including the Seiberling Mansion and Howard County Museum and Artworks Gallery, and it’s just 60 miles from the plentiful restaurants, malls and recreational amenities of Indianapolis. The city is served by a fixed-route busing system with five routes, providing easy access to local amenities such as the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library and the local senior center.
There are nearly a dozen licensed assisted living facilities in Kokomo, with facilities ranging in size from 50 to approximately 170 beds. On average, seniors pay $4,516 per month for services, though exact care fees depend on a facility’s amenities and pricing structure. While these fees are a little higher than state and national averages, Kokomo has a very low cost of living, which may make it a budget-friendly option for retirees.
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 >
Senior care cost data in the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey shows that assisted living fees are a little higher in Kokomo than in most cities in Indiana and across the United States. On average, seniors pay $4,516 per month for care, which exceeds the state median of $4,382 and the national average of $4,300. Indiana’s assisted living fees are fairly consistent with those of other upper-Midwest states. In Michigan, which lies to the north, fees are a little lower at $4,200 monthly, and in Ohio, which borders Indiana from the east, seniors pay $4,350. Kentucky is the most affordable bordering state at $3,699 per month, and in Illinois, assisted living facilities typically charge $4,575 per month.
At $4,516 per month, Kokomo is among the pricier Indiana cities for assisted living. In Indianapolis, fees are a little higher at $4,573, and in the South Bend area, seniors pay the highest monthly costs of $4,819. Several cities offer more affordable care, including Columbus at $3,225 monthly and Bloomington at $2,840.
Assisted living services in Kokomo are covered for qualifying seniors under Indiana Medicaid’s Aged and Disabled waiver. Assisted living services may also be covered by the Residential Care Assistance Program. To be eligible to receive payment from either of these programs, an assisted living facility must be a licensed residential care facility.
To learn more about these programs and their eligibility requirements, as well as other options for covering services in Kokomo, visit our Assisted Living in Indiana page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Area Five Agency on Aging | (765) 454-5562 | The Area Five Area Agency on Aging provides services to benefit older adults in Kokomo and the surrounding region. The agency offers information and referral services for financial assistance, long-term care, health care and transportation through its Aging and Disability Resource Center. It administers community resources such as counseling and support groups, and its free basic income tax return preparation service helps retirees ensure that they pay the correct amount of taxes on retirement income. The agency also has a long-term care ombudsman program to advocate on behalf of seniors living in local assisted living facilities. |
| Senior Citizens Center | (765) 456-7757 | The city’s Senior Citizens Center is a handicap-accessible senior center that’s open to older adults aged 50 and over. This membership-based center provides social and recreational activities five days per week, including congregate meals, which are free or low-cost depending on the member’s age, ballroom lessons and dances, low-impact aerobics classes, pool tournaments and euchre. The center also helps seniors identify and obtain community-based resources and services. |
| Howard County Veteran Service Office | (765) 456-2511 | The Howard County Veteran Service Office administers the Aid and Attendance benefit, a non-service-related disability benefit that may be used to cover assisted living fees. The office can also help veterans identify other programs that they qualify for, including the VA pension, disability benefits, VA healthcare services and admission into veterans’ homes. Officers can help veterans determine and obtain the documents they need to apply for VA benefits, obtain discharge upgrades, fill out and submit applications and track them through the approval process. |
| Indiana Legal Services – Lafayette | (765) 423-5327 | Indiana Legal Services is a nonprofit legal firm that provides free and low-cost services to seniors throughout the state. At the Lafayette office, which serves seniors in Howard County, specialists help older adults obtain public benefits such as Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and the optional state supplement, Medicare and Medicaid, which may help them cover assisted living expenses. The office can also help seniors draft wills, assign powers of attorney and resolve issues related to the quality of care in assisted living facilities. |
| Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program | (800) 452-4800 | The statewide Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program provides free, unbiased health insurance options counseling for Medicare-eligible seniors. Through the program, seniors meet with volunteers who are trained to answer questions and provide guidance regarding Medicare and Medicare Advantage coverage, long-term care insurance and Medicaid, which can help seniors find solutions for covering assisted living expenses. To find their local office, seniors can search here. |
In Kokomo, assisted living facilities are officially called residential care facilities, and they’re licensed by the Family and Social Services Agency Division of Aging. This governing body monitors facilities and enforces comprehensive guidelines pertaining to hiring and training practices, care planning and admission and retention policies.
To learn more about these regulations, visit our Assisted Living in Indiana page.
