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Free personalized senior living guidance for families
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Kentucky · Everything here is free · Reviewed July 2026
Getting older in Kentucky can bring hard questions. How do I pay for care? What happens if I can't stay home safely? Can I afford my medicine this month? If those worries sound familiar, please know this: Kentucky has a strong network of free programs built to help older adults and their families — and you're allowed to use every one of them.
Not sure where to start? Call for free1-877-925-0037Kentucky's statewide starting line for aging and disability help. They connect you to your local services for in-home care, meals, caregiver support, and more.
Everything on this page is free. No fees, no catch. These are government and nonprofit services paid for so that seniors don't fall through the cracks.
You don't need to understand all of it right now. Just start with one phone call.
Tap what fits. You'll jump straight to the right help — no reading through the rest.
Still not sure? Just make the call above — they'll help you figure it out. One call is a great start.
Start here for most families
Most people would rather stay home than move into a facility, and Kentucky Medicaid has a program for that: the Home and Community Based (HCB) Waiver.
Call to apply for the HCB Waiver or ask what services you qualify for.
Call to apply for the HCB Waiver or ask what services you qualify for.
Medicaid usually doesn't pay the rent portion of assisted living, but a waiver may cover the care services there. Ask what applies to you.
Kentucky Medicaid covers doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and long-term care — including nursing homes and services that help you stay in your own home.
Eligibility for seniors is based on income and assets. The limits are lower than many expect, but there are protections for married couples and special rules for people needing long-term care, and things like your home and one vehicle usually don't count. These limits change every year, so don't count yourself out — call and ask.
Call DCBS to apply for Kentucky Medicaid. Hearing impaired: 1-800-648-6056.
Apply online (kynect)
Apply at Kentucky's benefits portal.
Visit your local DCBS office, or get help from the ADRC.
If the paperwork feels overwhelming, the ADRC and SHIP counselors can help you for free.
PACE wraps all your medical care, prescriptions, therapy, and social support into one coordinated program, usually centered on a day center. Most participants have both Medicare and Medicaid and pay little or nothing.
Kentucky has PACE, but it doesn't cover every county.
Call to check whether PACE is available in your county.
Find a PACE program
Search the national PACE directory to see if a program serves your area.
If you're on Medicare
Two programs can cut your Medicare costs, and many people who qualify never sign up:
DCBS handles Medicare Savings Program applications for Kentucky.
Apply for the prescription drug subsidy through Social Security.
SHIP can help you apply for both programs — free.
Kentucky SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) gives free, confidential, one-on-one Medicare counseling.
Counselors can compare drug and health plans so you pay less, help you enroll on time and avoid penalties, sort out billing problems, and check whether you qualify for programs that lower your costs. They don't sell insurance — their only job is helping you.
Choose option 2 to reach a SHIP counselor for free, unbiased Medicare help.
Everyday essentials
Run by DCBS. SNAP adds money to a card each month for groceries.
Available through your Area Agency on Aging — reach them via the ADRC.
Worried about rent, utilities, or staying safe at home? Start with one of these — they can connect you with senior housing, utility help, home repairs, and weatherization.
Help finding senior housing, utility assistance, home repairs, and weatherization.
Dial 211 for housing, utility, and home repair help in your area.
Guidance & protection
Kentucky has 15 regional Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living (AAAILs), each offering Meals on Wheels, caregiver support, transportation, and benefits counseling for people 60 and older. The simplest way to reach yours is the ADRC, or use the national Eldercare Locator.
One call connects you to the Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living that serves your county.
A free national service that can also help you find your local Area Agency on Aging.
Free civil legal help for older Kentuckians with issues like Medicaid denials, housing, consumer scams, and elder abuse.
Your Area Agency on Aging funds free legal services for people 60+ under the Older Americans Act.
You can also dial 211 for a referral to free legal help.
If a loved one is in a nursing home or assisted living and you have concerns about care or rights, the Kentucky State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate. They work to resolve complaints and protect residents' dignity.
A free, confidential advocate for residents of long-term care facilities.
The Consumer Voice
Additional resources and help for long-term care residents and families.
Dial 211 for free, statewide help with almost any need — food, housing, utilities, transportation, and more.
A free national service that connects older adults and caregivers to trusted local aging resources.
Call the ADRC at 1-877-925-0037 and describe what you need — home care, help with bills, or just answers.
Call for free1-877-925-0037It's the state's Medicaid program — health coverage, including long-term care, for people with limited income and resources.
Usually not. Medicare covers short-term medical care, not ongoing long-term care. Kentucky Medicaid and the HCB Waiver are what help with that.
Quite possibly. Many people on Social Security qualify for Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program. Limits change yearly, so call 1-855-306-8959 and check.
Ask about Medicare Savings Programs through DCBS (1-855-306-8959) and Extra Help through Social Security (1-800-772-1213). SHIP can help you apply.
Yes — that's what the HCB Waiver is for. Start with the ADRC at 1-877-925-0037.
Yes. The ADRC, SHIP, and 211 are all free. You never pay for guidance.
Reaching out for help is a strong, caring choice — for yourself or for someone you love. The people answering these lines want to help Kentucky's seniors live safely and with dignity. Make one call today, and let them guide you from there.
Program details, income limits, and contact information can change. The agencies linked above can confirm the most current specifics for your situation. This page is for general information and isn't legal or financial advice.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Program details, income limits, and contact information can change — the linked agencies confirm the most current specifics.