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Lancaster is a small suburb of Columbus, Ohio, located about 30 miles from the city center. Residents here can easily visit many big-city attractions, such as the Columbus Museum of Art and the Scioto Mile, a string of parks on the banks of the Scioto River, while still having the benefits of living in a smaller community. The Fairfield County Fair, a weeklong celebration in October, is one of the area’s most popular events. Lancaster itself has a lot to recommend it for retirees, including a cost of living about 15 points below the national average. While winters in Lancaster can be cold and snowy, summers are sunny, mild and pleasant.
Assisted living care is ideal for those who want to maintain their independence but cannot do so entirely on their own. This type of residence provides meals, housekeeping and 24-hour staff for seniors and adults with disabilities who need help with basic tasks, such as medication reminders or transportation. According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the monthly charge for assisted living in Lancaster averages $4,085, which is lower than both the national and state averages.
This guide includes information on local care costs and resources to assist seniors in navigating care options.
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 >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Ohio. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
In Lancaster, assisted living facilities charge seniors an average of $4,085 a month.
At $4,085 per month, assisted living costs in Lancaster compare favorably with the national and statewide rates of $4,500 and $4,635, respectively.
Lancaster is one of the state’s best places to find affordable care for seniors. At $3,660 per month, Springfield is one of only a few cities with lower costs. Assisted living facilities in Akron, Cleveland and Canton charge similar prices at $4,993, $4,940 and $4,905, respectively — averaging over $861 more than costs in Lancaster. The costs of care in Cincinnati ($4,666) and Lima ($4,603) are also considerably more than prices in Lancaster. Toledo and Dayton, with monthly costs of $4,219 and $4,250, are similar to Lancaster’s.
Note: Data for Lancaster was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Columbus, was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Ohio.
| Contact | Description | |
| Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging | (614) 645-7250 | The Area Agency on Aging administers many programs that address the needs of elderly Lancaster residents. Caseworkers help seniors apply for Social Security and health care benefits, offer education about Medicare options and can assist with long-term care placement. Other programs include a Volunteer Guardian program, which designates a substitute decision maker for those unable to make their own medical decisions. |
| Fairfield County Veterans Service Commission | (740) 652-7920 | Service officers with the Veterans Service Commission assist local veterans in filing for state and federal pensions, improved pension programs, such as VA Aid and Attendance, disability compensation, specific dependency indemnity compensation, death benefits for surviving spouses and other programs. Transportation to the local VA Medical Center is also provided for those who don’t have their own transportation. |
| Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) | (614) 228-1776 | COTA provides public transportation in the Central Ohio area, including fixed-route bus lines and handicapped shuttles. Seniors may be eligible for reduced fares, but must complete an application to qualify. |
| Olivedale Senior Citizens Center | (740) 687-6655 | Olivedale has a fitness center for members, with gym equipment for individual workouts and scheduled classes throughout the week. The Senior Center also has a pool for recreational use and hosts water aerobics classes. Other activities include arts and crafts groups, such as quilting, knitting and scrapbooking. Group outings and rounds of golf are regularly scheduled, as well as bingo tournaments, bridge and other card games. |
| The Legal Aid Society of Columbus | (614) 224-8374 | Seniors who meet certain income and resource limits may qualify for free legal representation with civil matters or advice from local attorneys. Other available pro bono services include drafting wills and living wills, or helping seniors file for divorce or bankruptcy. |
| Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman | (800) 282-1206 | Seniors may receive assistance from the Ombudsman office, including help with placement in an assisted living facility or obtaining state benefits. The agency also investigates claims and complaints filed by residents of long-term care communities, including cases of neglect or abuse. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Lancaster area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
