10 Best Independent Living Communities in Lexington, KY

While independent living communities are created with seniors in mind, the rent costs of independent living are not covered by long-term care insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. This means seniors must pay for their own independent living rent fees. Fortunately, there are several public assistance programs that can help cover the costs of medical or other needs. Medicare, Medicaid and long-term care insurance can be used to help with medical costs in an independent living facility, should a senior require in-home medical care.

Here you will learn more about resources available to help you navigate private pay, housing assistance, VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid.

In Lexington, standalone independent living communities are treated like regular housing and are therefore subject to standard housing laws and regulations. However, this changes if an independent living facility is combined with a care facility, such as assisted living or memory care.

In Lexington, nearly 75% of our partner independent living options are part of wider assisted living and/or memory care facilities, which means they need to be licensed and regularly inspected.

Independent living facilities that include assisted living and/or memory care must be certified or licensed. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services certifies assisted living communities, which do not provide health care. The Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living’s Office of Inspector General licenses personal care homes as long-term care facilities, and they do provide health care. Facilities are regularly inspected by the Division of Health Care. You can view inspection reports for long-term care facilities on the Division of Health Care’s website here.

For independent living communities that are not combined with care facilities, they must follow regular housing laws and regulations. The main laws to be aware of are:

• Fair Housing Act (FHA) – When finding tenants for any rental, landlords cannot discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, nationality, etc.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – All apartments and homes must be ADA compliant, which means certain areas, like lobbies and a number of units, must be accessible for people with disabilities.
• Assistance animals – The FHA and ADA also dictate that tenants must be able to have an assistance animal if their disabilities require it.

In Lexington, all houses and apartments must also be compliant with the International Property Maintenance Code and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Code of Ordinance to ensure homes are safe. The Division of Code Enforcement carries out rental inspections which can be found through the Citizen Portal.

Properties that participate in the Section 8 housing program are subject to additional regulations, such as meeting specific eligibility requirements, using approved lease agreements, and taking part in regular inspections. Potential tenants can read more about their rights and responsibilities in this Kentucky rental guide.

Kentucky Department of Health contact information

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services

275 E. Main St.
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: 502-564-3970
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Lexington independent living communities

While there are no COVID-19 mandates in place in Lexington, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department encourages all high-risk residents to take precautions against COVID-19. High risk applies to individuals over 60 and residents with chronic health conditions.

See COVID-19 information below from the Kentucky Department of Health (KDPH). Some independent living communities have their own COVID-19 guidelines so seniors should check with their complex for more information.

Lexington offers a variety of options for independent living, from standalone independent living facilities to modern combinations with assisted living and memory care all in one. Here you’ll find some of the reasons to consider an independent living community in Lexington.

The majority of independent living options offer additional care options.

One of the best features of independent living in Lexington is the number of our partner communities combined with assisted living and memory care. Five of the seven independent living communities we partner with are also assisted living and memory care communities. The offering gives seniors the independence and community they want but also provides peace of mind should they need additional care in the future.

There are also standalone independent living options in Lexington if preferred, so whatever facility you’re looking for, Lexington can meet your needs.

All you need in one place

All of our partner independent living options in Lexington offer a fitness center and beauty salon, and the majority of them offer a bar, billiards lounge, and/or a cafe right on site. For seniors who need to run errands off-site but can’t drive or don’t have their own transportation, all of our partner facilities also offer complimentary transportation so seniors don’t have to worry about the stress of maintaining a car or driving.

A real sense of community

Finding a place with a strong sense of community is always popular with seniors and Lexington has plenty to offer. Read reviews and you’ll see seniors love the feeling of family in our partner independent living facilities, thanks to a caring staff and on-site activities that bring seniors together.

The Lexington Senior Center also offers a variety of classes, day trips, and drop-in activities, so seniors in Lexington always have a place to go and meet new people or spend time with old friends.

Health care for seniors in Lexington

Transportation for seniors in Lexington

For seniors in our partner independent living facilities, complimentary transportation is available for everyone. There are a few other options for seniors who are unable to drive or prefer not to. One option is Independent Transportation Network (called iTNBluegrass), a nonprofit transportation system designed specifically for the aging population and the visually impaired. Membership is required and riders can book journeys using a prepaid account, similar to a taxi or ride-sharing service.

Another option is Lextran, the city’s public transit system. With buses running every 30 minutes, Lextran offers a discounted fare of 50 cents for veterans, Medicare cardholders, people with disabilities, and people 62 or older. Seniors with disabilities can also use Wheels, a partnership between Lextran and the Bluegrass Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. The service is specifically for people with disabilities so an application is required to ensure all riders meet eligibility.

Walk Score, a service that rates the walkability of cities, gives Lexington a walk score of 34 out of 100, which means residents need a car to do most errands.^[08] It is also important to leave some extra time for heavy traffic during peak times.

One section of Lexington that’s very walkable, however, is the city’s downtown. On a nice day, you can walk across the whole downtown in less than 30 minutes. The area is home to restaurants, shops, and art galleries so there’s always something to do if you want to take a break.^[08]

Senior activities in Lexington

Lexington is the “Horse Capital of the World,” but even if you aren’t interested in Lexington’s vibrant Horse Country, the city has a wealth of other activities and sights to offer thanks to its rich history, thriving culture, and active senior community.

For horse lovers, the wider Bluegrass region is home to more than 400 horse farms which are popular for tours. Seniors can book a private tour or go by bus to learn about different horse breeds and even meet Kentucky Derby winners.^[09] Horse racing is also a big part of Lexington. The Keeneland Race Course is a must-see and it hosts races and events during the year.

For sports fans, Lexington is the home of the University of Kentucky Wildcats. The men’s basketball team is considered one of the most successful Division I teams in U.S. history.

In a state synonymous with bourbon, Lexington is also a great destination for bourbon enthusiasts. The city has its own Distillery District where visitors can tour and have a sip at working distilleries, including the Barrel House Distillery and the James E. Pepper Distillery.

For those who want some history with their bourbon, Lexington is also popular with history buffs. Two of the most popular attractions are the Mary Todd Lincoln House, where the famous First Lady grew up, and Ashland, the former estate of Henry Clay.

In addition to visiting popular attractions around Lexington, the city has plenty of activities for seniors to keep them busy throughout the year. The Lexington Senior Center is a gathering place for seniors and offers a variety of trips, events, and classes.