Memory Care in Kentucky

Known for its large fields of blue-tinged grass, Kentucky is often referred to as “The Bluegrass State.” The state is also famous for its role in horse breeding and equestrian sports. One of the most popular events in the state is the Kentucky Derby held at Churchill Downs, nicknamed “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports.” Cities like Louisville and Lexington have a welcoming charm, with plenty of historic sites and tons of world-class amenities to offer. The state is also in close proximity to other nearby major cities, such as Cincinnati, St. Louis, and Nashville, making it a convenient place to call home and an ideal place to retire.

When it comes to dementia care, Kentucky has many great options. Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 80 senior living communities in Kentucky that provide memory care. The median monthly cost of memory care in Kentucky is about $4,850.

Memory care facilities are a specialized type of assisted living and are licensed as assisted living with dementia care. In Kentucky, assisted living with memory care facilities are certified and licensed by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Aging and Independent Living. These facilities are qualified to provide basic health services for seniors to age in place comfortably.

Service requirements

Assisted living with dementia care facilities in Kentucky are required to provide the following types of services to residents:

• Three meals per day plus snacks
• Assistance with all activities of daily living (ADLs), including instrumental ADLs
• Special programming and therapies for seniors with dementia
• Activities catered to people with dementia
• Medication assistance
• Additional third-party services on-site when needed, like nursing care
• Yearly needs assessments

Facility requirements

Under the assisted living license in Kentucky, memory care facilities should also follow specific housing codes, like the following:

• Assisted living rooms must be at least 200 square feet. If a facility was built before July 14^th, 2000, then they are exempt from the square feet rule.
• Only two residents are allowed per room and it must be an agreed upon arrangement by both parties.
• Each unit must provide a private bathroom equipped with a tub or shower. Facilities built before July 14^th, 2000, should have a minimum of one bathtub or shower for every five clients.
• Facilities should have annual state fire marshal inspections, health department inspections, elevator inspections, and boiler inspections as well as renewals of beauty and barber shop licenses, food establishment licenses, and occupancy certificates.

Staffing requirements

Assisted living with dementia care has more specific staff training requirements so that all direct care staff is prepared to safely handle common dementia behaviors. As mandated by the state, all direct care staff members should receive dementia-care-specific orientation and annual memory care training classes. The state also requires sufficient staffing around the clock so that all residents have access to someone qualified to care for their specific needs.

Some of the staffing requirements for memory care facilities in Kentucky include the following:

• All staff including management must receive training orientation within 90 days of being hired, including memory care training protocols.
• All staff providing direct care to memory care residents should have a total of six hours of memory care training, with three hours annually.
• Staff should have the six-hour dementia care training before providing care to residents with dementia.
• There are no staffing ratio requirements, but there should be enough staff on-site at any given time to adequately care for all residents.
• Staff should have a criminal records check no later than seven days after the start of their first day on the job.
• Care staff must also have a check of the Central Registry, the Adult Protective Services Caregiver Misconduct Registry, and the Nurse Aide Abuse Registry upon initial date of hire and then yearly.

Kentucky Department of Public Health contact information

275 E. Main St.
Frankfort, KY 40621

Phone: 502-564-3970

Record requests on memory care facilities in Kentucky

To look up licensing and record requests on a prospective assisted living with memory care facility in Kentucky, you can use Kentucky’s Office of the Inspector General’s Open Records Center page.

To inquire about a specific facility in your area, you can create a login and use their online Open Records portal or make a request by mail, fax, or email at the following:

Mail: Attn. Public Records Custodian
Division of Health Care
Office of Inspector General
Cabinet for Health and Family Services
275 East Main Street, 5 E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621

Phone: 502-564-7963

Fax: 502-564-6546

Email: DHCOpenRecords@ky.gov

You can also contact your local Kentucky long-term care ombudsman for assistance with researching records and violations at prospective memory care facilities in Kentucky. These officials advocate for seniors and can also help them to file a complaint against a facility if needed.