10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati residents can combine several private and public assistance options to help pay for assisted living. Assessing your loved one’s particular financial position will help you determine the best way to pay for assisted living costs.

Ohio assisted living facilities must be licensed by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The ODH performs facility inspections before licensing the facility and then a minimum of every 15 months after licensure.^[07]

Kentucky assisted living facilities must be certified annually through the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living to ensure they’re in compliance with state regulatory standards.^[08]

Cincinnati assisted living staff requirements

While there are no minimum staff requirements for Cincinnati assisted living facilities, these facilities are required to employ specific types of personnel. Ohio and Kentucky have slightly different staff requirements.

Ohio assisted living staff requirements

• The facility must have an administrator who is responsible for overseeing the facility’s operations. They must be on-site at least 20 hours per week and available at all times when off the premises.
• The facility must have direct care staff. If the facility offers personal care, there must be one staff member trained in first aid on the premises at all times.
• If the facility provides medication administration, they must have a registered nurse, a physician, or a licensed nurse practitioner certified in medication administration on staff.
• If residents have late-stage cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, the facility must have a psychologist or physician either on staff or contracted with the facility.
• Staff in Ohio assisted living facilities must undergo proper training for their responsibilities, as outlined in Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3701-16-06.^[07]

Kentucky assisted living staff requirements

Kentucky assisted living regulations are in some ways less restrictive than in Ohio. Staff requirements are no exception.^[09]

• The facility must have enough staff to cover each resident’s individual needs and personal care plans for 24 hours per day.
• The facility must have at least one awake staff member at all times.
• The facility must have a manager who is age 21 or older and has earned a high school diploma. They must be able to manage the facility’s day-to-day operations.

Cincinnati assisted living service requirements

Both Kentucky and Ohio assisted living facilities must provide residents with the following services:^[07,10]

• Medication administration assistance
• Assistance with activities of daily living
• Recreation and social activities

Ohio assisted living services must also include the following:^[07]

• Housekeeping and laundry services
• Three meals per day or food-safe storage where residents can take care of their own food

In Kentucky, however, housekeeping and laundry services are not required, though residents must have access to facilities to do their own laundry.^[11] Three meals per day and snacks are required in Kentucky assisted living facilities.^[10]

Cincinnati assisted living building standards

Ohio and Kentucky assisted living facilities must uphold building code standards for health and safety. Each facility must be approved by the local certified building department.^[11,12]

You can use the Health Care Provider Search tool to view details on a given facility. Look up a particular facility’s inspection report by selecting the category of care provider from the drop-down menu. Then, you can narrow your search by entering the county, city, organization’s name, or any information you have for the corresponding fields. Note that while Ohio does show whether an assisted living community’s license is active, it does not reveal the full report as the tool implies.

To find details on assisted living and long-term care facilities in Kentucky, use the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Nursing Home Survey Inspection Findings Search tool by following the link for the relevant year and then entering the facility’s name and relevant details into the corresponding search fields. Note that while Kentucky’s search tool shows some complaints or other inspection results for some care facility types, it does not reveal specific inspection findings of assisted living facilities.

Ohio Department of Health contact information

Cincinnati Health Department
3101 Burnet Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45229
Phone: 513-357-7200
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Kentucky Department of Health contact information

Campbell County Health Department
1098 Monmouth St.
Newport, KY 41071
Phone: 859-431-1704
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Cincinnati assisted living facilities

Most COVID-19 restrictions in both Ohio and Kentucky have been lifted. However, Ohio assisted living facilities are recommended to implement precautionary measures in accordance with CDC guidelines. Kentucky similarly follows CDC guidelines, particularly COVID-19 by county recommendations, updating guidelines based on the number of COVID-19 cases in each county.

The general guidelines for Cincinnati assisted living communities may include the following:

Cincinnati assisted living communities cultivate an environment where your loved one can receive personal care services that promote wellness and quality of life while maintaining as much independence as possible. Our Cincinnati assisted living partners offer elegantly furnished communal spaces where seniors can relax, enjoy meals and cups of coffee with friends, and take part in community activities and entertainment.

Cincinnati assisted living community amenities

At our Cincinnati assisted living partner communities, your loved one can relish the many cozy shared spaces specially designed for their enjoyment. Residents can be pampered, socialize, take in entertainment, and more in on-site amenities like the following:

• Beauty salons/barbershops
• TV and movie lounges
• Patios
• Fitness centers
• Libraries/media centers
• Dining areas
• Cafes/bistros
• Bars/pubs
• Central fireplaces
• Game/craft rooms

Cincinnati assisted living accommodations

When they’ve had their fill of activity, your loved one can relax in the privacy of their own apartment. Cincinnati assisted living residents can enjoy cozy private accommodations with convenient features like the following:

• Private balconies or patios
• High-speed internet
• Kitchenettes
• Wheelchair-accessible showers
• Multiple floor plan options
• Ground floor units available
• Bath tubs
• Cable or satellite TV

Cincinnati assisted living care services

As a resident of Cincinnati assisted living, your loved one has access to an array of personalized care services administered by the community’s direct care staff. In addition to dignified care, seniors can expect home upkeep services that improve their quality of life and enable them to capitalize on the freedom of their retirement years. Personal care and home maintenance service offerings include the following:

• Ambulatory assistance
• Assistance with activities of daily living
• Incontinence care
• Medication management
• Diabetic care
• Restaurant-style dining
• Maintenance services
• Housekeeping services
• Management staff on-site
• Transportation services
• Laundry and dry cleaning
• Planned events and recreational activities
• Grocery and errand services

Multiple tiers of care on one campus

Out of our 32 partnered Cincinnati communities offering assisted living, 66% feature some combination of independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Senior communities integrated with multiple levels of care make it easy for residents to transition to a support level that fits if their needs change, making them ideal for aging in place. Multiple care types together also offer more variety among residents, often providing more opportunity for friendships and social engagement, regardless of an individual’s specific level of need.

Cincinnati is home to several state-of-the-art teaching hospitals and medical centers.^[14]

Out of A Place for Mom’s partnered Cincinnati independent living communities, 81% offer complimentary and/or at-cost transportation services. Prescheduled transportation may be free, while on-demand rides may have an additional cost, depending on the individual community.

Downtown Cincinnati is quite walkable, and most errands can be accomplished without a car. As your loved one gets further from the city center, however, they may want to rely on a vehicle or public transit. For enjoying some downtown entertainment, they can take the free Cincinnati streetcar, which loops through the heart of the city.

Cincinnati’s public transportation system is called Go Metro. Go Metro covers several bus routes, and your loved one can explore routes in the Cincinnati area or search by popular destinations. Go Metro’s buses are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), so Ohio residents with disabilities can ride, even with a wheelchair or a service animal. If a person’s disability makes buses inaccessible even with these accommodations, they can instead use Cincinnati’s Access rideshare program, which offers vans designed specifically for passengers with special needs.

Downtown Cincinnati is considered a “walker’s paradise” by Walkscore.com, which awards it the following transportation ratings out of 100:^[15]

Cincinnati boasts wonderful attractions, activities, and dining options for its residents, visitors, and growing senior population. Explore the city’s family- and senior-friendly entertainment offerings below.

Cincinnati attractions for the whole family

Cincinnati has excellent cultural and entertainment options within its walkable downtown area for the whole family to enjoy. Some of the city’s most popular downtown attractions include the following:

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Fountain Square
Cincinnati Art Museum
Cincy Brew Bus
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Cincinnati residents and visitors also enjoy the city’s symphony orchestra, ballet, Broadway Cincinnati, opera, Shakespeare in the Park, and many other art and cultural attractions. For Cincinnati families on a budget, the city has many exhibits and historical sites that are free to the public.

Cincinnati dining

Cincinnati is famous for its chili, with the iconic Skyline brand featuring the city’s striking skyline. But Cincinnati is also home to diverse cuisine options, from pizza to waffles to artisan seafood. As an added bonus, seniors and their families can enjoy many dining options from restaurants with rooftop seating or floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a panoramic view of this beautiful city.

Cincinnati 60+

The Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC) offers many programs for Cincinnati residents to stay active and connected with each other, as well as programs specifically for older residents. Through the CRC, your loved one can enjoy fitness classes, activities, meals, group outings, and the Southwest Ohio Senior Olympics event. There are CRC locations all over the city where seniors can gather for fitness, friendship, and fun.