What assisted living is called in Ohio, what it costs, how Medicaid can help, how to check a community’s license and inspections, and who to call if something goes wrong. Every fact links to the official source.
The median cost of assisted living in Ohio is $6,103 a month, below the national median of $6,200 (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, collected July to November 2025). Prices vary with the apartment, the level of care and the community, so ask each one for its current rate sheet, including care-level fees.
Plan with our free tools: how long will the money last? and home care or assisted living?
Medicare does not pay for assisted living. Families pay from savings and income, long-term care insurance, or benefits such as VA Aid and Attendance (estimate it). Who actually pays for long-term care.
Medicaid. Ohio Medicaid's Assisted Living Waiver can pay for services in a licensed residential care facility that the Ohio Department of Aging has certified. A person who is eligible is enrolled only if the waiver has not reached the number of participants the federal government approved for that year. Program: Assisted Living HCBS Waiver Program (Assisted Living Waiver).2 Medicaid does not pay rent or meals in assisted living in any state, and not every community accepts it, so ask each one.
Look up a license. Ohio's Long-Term Care Quality Navigator, built by the Ohio Department of Aging with other state agencies, is a dashboard to help you find a nursing home or assisted living facility. Assisted living facilities were added in February 2025. Search Ohio’s records.5
Inspection reports. ODH's public-information page describes online survey reports for nursing homes, but not for assisted living. To ask for other records, email a public information request to PRI@odh.ohio.gov or mail it to ODH's Bureau of Regulatory Operations.6
Always visit in person, at a mealtime or in the evening if you can. Bring the tour scorecard and the 8 tour questions.
Complaints about care or conditions. ODH's Complaint Unit takes complaints about residential care facilities and other licensed health care facilities. The online form is preferred; you can stay anonymous. Surveyors investigate unannounced. Call 1-800-342-0553 or file online.4
Abuse, neglect or exploitation. Call 1-800-342-0553. How to report.4 If someone is in danger, call 911.
The long-term care ombudsman is a free advocate for residents of assisted living and nursing homes: they help resolve problems with a community, including move-out notices. Call 1-800-282-1206 or find your local ombudsman.7
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Ohio Medicaid's Assisted Living Waiver can pay for services in a licensed residential care facility that the Ohio Department of Aging has certified. A person who is eligible is enrolled only if the waiver has not reached the number of participants the federal government approved for that year. Medicaid does not pay rent or meals in assisted living.
The median is $6,103 a month (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025), compared with $6,200 nationally.
Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Bureau of Regulatory Operations (Office of Health Assurance and Licensing).
ODH's Complaint Unit takes complaints about residential care facilities and other licensed health care facilities. The online form is preferred; you can stay anonymous. Surveyors investigate unannounced. Phone: 1-800-342-0553.
Ohio's Long-Term Care Quality Navigator, built by the Ohio Department of Aging with other state agencies, is a dashboard to help you find a nursing home or assisted living facility. Assisted living facilities were added in February 2025.
Facts checked against these official sources on September 28, 2026. Rules and programs change; confirm with the agency before making a decision. General information, not legal or financial advice.
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