Lincoln, Nebraska, is a friendly college town with plenty of senior living options. While it’s the second-largest city in Nebraska and the state’s capital, Lincoln offers seniors an unhurried, community-oriented environment. The city has multiple senior care options, including nursing homes. The term “nursing home” is sometimes used to describe all senior care facilities, including assisted living and memory care. However, a “nursing home” actually refers to senior care facilities that provide medical care, 24-hour supervision, rehabilitative services, and hospice. Assisted living and memory care facilities have restrictions in terms of the medical care they can offer.
Traditional nursing homes aren’t the only place where seniors can receive skilled nursing care. While A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with stand-alone nursing homes, it does partner with assisted living and memory care facilities that offer skilled nursing care as an additional service. These partnering facilities are a good fit for seniors who need personal care, dementia care, or rehabilitation after a procedure or an illness. These senior care facilities may not be the best option for seniors who require indefinite skilled nursing services. All of A Place for Mom’s partnering senior care facilities provide compassionate and personalized assistance.
This guide has everything you need to know about senior care facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska. We compiled updated information about senior care in Lincoln, including the average cost of care, how to pay using private and public funds, senior care regulations, local health care centers, transportation options, and senior-friendly activities.
A nice smaller facility. Reminds me of a hotel. The food is very good. Friendly employees. Lots of activities. My mom is hard of hearing and can’t see well, so I do wish there was more for someone like her....
5 for all the categories that are listed. We had a good experience with CountryHouse, thank you. The director was very nice and they were all caring and helpful towards our loved one. Based on the experience...
My mother lived at High Plains for the past six years. The staff is exceptional and offers highly personalized care up to end of life care. The food and activities offered are also outstanding. During my...
It's been great! Moved my loved one to the memory care side. That was the reason we chose this facility due to the option of care and they allow her pet for comfort
I felt very welcome there, the staff was friendly and knew their patients well. It was cleaned often, and they offered a number of activities for everyone. I loved the style and openness of the facility. It...
Can't say enough great things about them. My mom just passed in January. But yeah they were wonderful. The staff at Independence House was incredibly kind and caring to mom as if she were their own mother...
We cannot thank them enough for all the wonderful care you have given to our Dad over the past two years. He was very happy living there and it was always comforting for us to know how well he was being...
Aviva staff are always very welcoming and Friendly when we come in. Usually one of the staff gives me an update on his activities. I love the key fobs and the ability to come and go; we even got a key for...
When Mom first moved in they weren't very clear how she was supposed to order non-gluten free food. Failing to inform my Mom they had a second menu for her to order from. On one occasion, with Mom...
our experience with CountryHouse has been so far so good. they offer a lot of activities, such as: making cookies, floral arrangements, trips out and about outside of community, and morning exercise classes...
Overall, it’s a good nice place for them to be my mom the only complaint I have is that they seem understaffed the stuff that is there are very caring and care about their jobs the care they give each person...
The value for cost is quite pricey but it is a smaller facility and all on one level so it is easily accessible for everyone. The meals and dining service according to our loved one is excellent, and the...
The experience with the community is fine. We picked this community because of the location mainly. I would maybe recommend this community to other families.
This community is like a family and they treat everyone like a family including my loved one and us. My loved ones loved being here and it made everything a lot better. Everyone here was fantastic with my...
Seasons has 32 apartments. There are community residents. It is part an non-profit Life Care Community. Sessions has dedicated exercise, hobby, dining and entertainment rooms. Often if one spouse needs...
The meals and dining service at Pemberly Place is very good, and even though our love one does not participate in the activities they do have an abundant amount. We would recommend the community to others.
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Lincoln community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
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On average, a private room in a Lincoln nursing home costs $8,745 per month, and a semi-private room costs $7,908 per month.[01] Skilled nursing care is considerably more expensive than other senior care types, because it requires extensive staff training, 24-hour supervision, and specialized equipment. The monthly fee for a Lincoln nursing home generally includes the following services:
If your loved one doesn’t require the level of care provided in a nursing home, you might find that assisted living or memory care facilities in Lincoln are a better fit. Both assisted living and memory care are considerably less expensive than skilled nursing care. According to A Place for Mom’s 2023 proprietary data, the median monthly amount that families pay for assisted living care is $4,913 and $6,099 for memory care.[02]
Most services, such as personal care and meals, in assisted living and memory care communities are included in the monthly fee. Others, like pet rent or covered parking, may have an additional fee. The monthly fee for assisted living and memory care facilities typically includes the following services:
Lincoln has a lower cost of living than most of the United States.[03] Groceries, housing, and transportation tend to cost less than in other similarly sized cities, while the cost of nursing homes in Lincoln aligns with the national average at $7,908 a month for a semi-private room.[01] The cost of assisted living and memory care in Lincoln are slightly above the national average.
While Lincoln may be at or slightly under the national average for living costs, Nebraska doesn’t have the same tax benefits for seniors as some Sunbelt states, such as Florida or Arizona. Nebraska taxes income, including Social Security benefits and pensions. As of 2023, graduated income tax in Nebraska is between 2.46% and 6.64%.[04] Additionally, Nebraska taxes retirement accounts such as 401(k) and IRA accounts.
There’s no one-size-fits-all method for paying for nursing homes or other senior care facilities in Lincoln. Many families use a combination of private savings, income from work, and public assistance. Read on to learn how to use private funds and public funds to pay for senior care near you. A few examples of public funds include veterans benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare.
Every family’s financial situation is unique. Some families rely on retirement savings accounts to pay for senior care, others focus on investments, and others use a combination of insurance plans, property, and Social Security. Whatever your preferred payment method is, you can learn to leverage it by reading the following articles.
Number of veterans over 65 who live in Lincoln
About 19% of Lincoln veterans are 65+
Veterans and family members living in Lincoln may be able to pay for some of their senior care costs using veterans benefits. There are many different kinds of veterans benefits available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and many have strict eligibility requirements. One of the most generous is the Aid and Attendance benefit, which can be used to pay for anything that improves veterans’ quality of life, including senior care costs.
Tax benefits for Nebraska veterans
Veterans in Nebraska are eligible for two tax relief benefits: the Military Retirement Benefits Exclusion and the Nebraska Homestead Exemption. The first excludes retirement benefits from the military from state income tax. The second limits the property taxes seniors and veterans pay in Nebraska.
How to apply for veterans benefits
Consider speaking with a veterans benefits counselor to help you or your loved one apply for benefits. Local veterans service organizations (VSOs) provide VA-vetted and professional benefits counseling, and they’re a helpful place to start when beginning the application process.
VSOs can help you determine which benefits you could be eligible for, help you apply, and may be able to help you appeal denied benefits. In Lincoln, the only VSO is through the Lincoln Regional Office (VA). Other nonprofit organizations, such as Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) can provide reliable, compassionate benefits counseling through their local chapters.
Lincoln veterans can contact the following VSOs and nonprofit organizations for benefits counseling:
Resources for Lincoln veterans
Veterans’ Affairs State Service Office.
3800 Village Drive
Lincoln, NE 68516-4737
Phone: 402-420-4021
Fax: 402-471-7070
Email: ndva.sso@nebraska.gov
Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs
P.O. Box 95083
301 Centennial Mall South, 4th Floor
Lincoln, NE 68509-5083
Phone: 402-471-2458
Fax: 402-742-1142
Email: ndva@nebraska.gov
3800 Village Dr. Lincoln, NE 68516
Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Medicaid is a state-run health insurance program for seniors and individuals with low income. Nebraska Medicaid covers most skilled nursing services, but doesn’t cover the cost of assisted living or memory care.
Will Nebraska Medicaid cover the cost of a nursing home?
Yes, Nebraska Medicaid will cover skilled nursing care if the individual receiving care is eligible for Medicaid and the nursing home is Medicaid-approved. Individuals are eligible for Nebraska Medicaid if they are over 65, disabled, or are responsible for an individual under 18 years of age and they meet the income requirements. Only those considered low-income or very low-income receive Medicaid benefits. The income cutoff for Medicaid eligibility is updated every year. As of 2023 in Nebraska, the annual pre-tax income is $19,392 for a single person.[06]
Nebraska Medicaid covers the full cost of nursing home care, including rent for a private or semi-private room, meals, and all health care services.
Will Nebraska Medicaid cover other senior care services?
No, Nebraska Medicaid won’t cover the cost of assisted living or memory care. However, if a senior is eligible for Medicaid and receives skilled nursing care — such as wound care or rehabilitation services after a procedure — from their home or assisted living facility, Nebraska Medicaid may cover the cost of the skilled nursing care only.
Medicaid assistance programs in Nebraska
Some seniors may need additional financial assistance. Nebraska Medicaid offers three different programs for seniors with financial and health needs:
How to apply for Nebraska Medicaid
You can apply for Nebraska Medicaid by completing the forms on the program’s application portal. If you need help applying for Medicaid benefits, consider reaching out to The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. This department offers benefits counseling to seniors and their loved ones at no cost. Additionally, the local senior care ombudsman can take any complaints or concerns you may have about your Medicaid coverage.
Medicaid resources for Lincoln residents
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: 402-471-3121
Medicaid assistance: 855-632-7633
Contact the department
P.O. Box 95026
Lincoln, NE 68509-5026
Phone: 402-471-2307
Email: DHHS.Aging@nebraska.gov
Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program that covers some health care costs for seniors 65+ and for individuals with disabilities. Eligibility is based on age and whether you or a spouse paid Medicare taxes. Medicare doesn’t pay for room or board in senior care facilities in Lincoln or elsewhere.
A breakdown of what Medicare covers
Medicare covers only short-term and medically necessary health care costs for eligible seniors. Generally, a physician and a Medicare representative need to agree that the service is both medically necessary and short-term before providing Medicare coverage. It’s important to note that what’s considered medically necessary for one person may not be for another.
To make this clearer, here are some examples of services that Medicare tends to cover:
Here are some examples of what Medicare doesn’t cover:
Medicare assistance programs in Lincoln
Seniors enrolled in Medicare are asked to contribute some funds toward their care. Medicare Savings Programs can help seniors pay for these additional expenses.
Navigating Medicare can be stressful, especially if you’re doing so in the midst of a health care emergency. If you need help understanding Medicare benefits for you or a loved one, reach out to the Nebraska State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Counselors can help you apply and answer your questions. You can also direct all complaints or concerns about your Medicare coverage to the long-term care ombudsman.
Lincoln Medicare resources
Nursing homes in Lincoln are regulated by both the federal and state government. When choosing a senior care facility, the safety of your loved one and their ability to maintain their dignity are some of the most important considerations. All partnering senior care facilities in Lincoln provide compassionate, ethical, and high-quality care.
Federal regulations for Lincoln nursing homes and other senior care facilities
Nursing homes are often eligible for federal programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. As a result, the federal government offers some oversight for nursing homes. The federal government outlines all requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations for long-term care facilities. In general, all nursing homes are required to provide the following:
The federal government publishes inspection results for all Medicare- and Medicaid-approved nursing homes on their provider search tool. You can search by location to find reports about nursing homes near you.
Assisted living facilities and memory care facilities don’t undergo the same type of scrutiny from the federal government. There are no federal requirements for these senior care facilities.
State regulations for Lincoln nursing homes and other senior care facilities
In Nebraska, nursing homes and other senior care facilities are regulated and licensed by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. This department provides licensure to both nursing homes and other senior care facilities, such as assisted living and memory care. To maintain their licensure, Nebraska senior care facilities have to meet staffing, care, safety, and quality of life standards. They also undergo regular inspections. All inspection reports are available to the public.
While senior care facilities including nursing homes ensure appropriate staffing levels, the state doesn’t provide a specific resident-to-caregiver ratio. All caregiving staff must complete initial and ongoing senior care training. Nursing homes in Nebraska are required to have a certain number of registered and licensed nurses on staff.
Most state regulations for senior care facilities are focused on maintaining resident safety, dignity, and autonomy. Some of the most important regulations include the following:
If you or your loved one don’t require round-the-clock medical care, consider reading about the laws and regulations for Lincoln’s assisted living and memory care facilities.
Nebraska Department of Health contact information
Visit the Nebraska Department of Health website to learn more about assisted living facilities.
Search for licensed assisted living facilities.
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: 402-471-3121
Nebraska doesn’t enforce any COVID-19 mandates in senior care facilities, but all senior care facilities including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and memory care facilities follow CDC guidance to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among residents and staff.
Individual facilities can ask residents, staff members, and visitors to mask but can’t prevent anyone from entering if they decide not to. Nebraska senior care facilities must also accept visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Most senior care facilities have a quarantine wing for sick residents, and all maintain high hygiene and cleanliness standards.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services updates COVID-19 vaccination and treatment center information on the COVID-19 Nebraska Guidance Documents webpage. The department also updates a Respiratory Illness Dashboard to inform the public about the spread of influenza.
Facility cleanliness. All senior care facilities in Lincoln maintain high cleanliness standards to mitigate the spread of disease.
Staff safety. Staff members are encouraged to stay home if they’re feeling ill.
Quarantining. Many senior care facilities have quarantine wings for ill residents.
Lincoln’s unhurried, community-focused culture is one reason why so many seniors choose to stay there during their retirement. In addition to the quiet neighborhoods and family-friendly atmosphere, Lincoln also outperforms other similarly sized cities in the quality of its senior care facilities. As the capital of Nebraska and home of the state’s flagship university campus, Lincoln is the best of both worlds for seniors who want to stay near family, maximize their senior years, and enjoy excellent senior care.
Skilled nursing care in Lincoln
Lincoln offers a few different options for seniors in need of skilled nursing care. Seniors who need short-term nursing care to recover from a procedure or an illness are good candidates for one of A Place for Mom’s partnering assisted living or memory care facilities. Around 38% of A Place for Mom’s partnering assisted living communities, and 33% of memory care facilities offer on-site skilled nursing services to serve the short-term needs of residents.[02]
Seniors who need 24-hour skilled nursing care for the rest of their lives are better suited for traditional, stand-alone nursing homes. A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with traditional nursing homes.
Assisted living and memory care in Lincoln
A Place for Mom partners with seven assisted living facilities and eight memory care facilities in Lincoln.[02] With a population of about 300,000, Lincoln has an average density of senior care facilities for a city of its size[07], and those communities offer above-average facilities and care. Almost all facilities were built or updated within the last 20 years, which means seniors can expect excellent amenities, stylish decorations, and updated security features.
Facilities tend to be moderately sized, accommodating between 25 and 75 residents. Lincoln senior care facilities also offer larger rooms for residents than facilities in denser cities. All of A Place for Mom’s partnering senior care facilities in Lincoln are on the east side of the city, close to great health care options and mostly surrounded by quiet suburbs and green parks.
Assisted living and memory care facilities in Lincoln receive overwhelmingly positive reviews from residents and family members. The quality of care, amenities, food, and cleanliness are cited as strengths in all of Lincoln’s senior care facilities. A focus on social activities such as card clubs, gardening groups, and movie nights are a main feature of the local senior care communities.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Lincoln
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Lincoln population
Median annual income for Lincoln seniors 65 and older
Seniors in Lincoln’s senior care facilities don’t need to worry about transportation often, as most communities offer complimentary transportation or transportation for a small fee. The most common reasons why a senior needs to leave their community is for health appointments or going to events. Family members and friends can help transport seniors to and from their appointments if the community’s transportation services aren’t available.
For seniors who don’t drive and wish to explore Lincoln on their own, the StarTran Bus Service may be a good choice. This local bus system is operated by the city government and provides an affordable, yet fairly reliable way to move around Lincoln. Routes and fee information are on the StarTran website. Seniors should sign up for the Senior Saver program to get a 50% discount on bus fees.
Visiting family and friends will appreciate Lincoln’s low traffic. It generally takes no more than 45 minutes to drive across the city.
According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data from 2023, 100% of Lincoln’s senior care facilities offer daily activities and programming to keep residents engaged.[02] This means few seniors need to leave their community to find something to do. This is especially true for seniors living in a nursing home or memory care facility. However, Lincoln still maintains plenty of excursions and activities for active seniors and their family and friends. Many of these activities make a great day trip for seniors and their families, and require very little planning or driving.
Museums in Lincoln
Lincoln has an unusually high number of excellent museums. This is partly because of its status as Nebraska’s state capital, and because of the local University of Nebraska campus, which houses many of the city’s best museums. All museums in Lincoln offer discounted admission to seniors.
Cultural and outdoor activities in Lincoln
Bailey Pointe on Van Dorn, Aviva Woodlands and CountryHouse at 70th and O - Lincoln 3 are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Lincoln, NE. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Lincoln is $4,904 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
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