Nursing Homes in Nebraska | SeniorAdvice.com
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Nursing Homes in Nebraska
Nursing Care Directory for Nebraska
Nursing Care Costs in Nebraska
Financial Assistance for Nursing Homes in Nebraska
Nebraska Nursing Care Rules and Regulations
Free Nursing Care Resources in Nebraska
According to a new Bankrate study, the Cornhusker state is the best place to spend retirement. An overall cost of living that is almost 11% below the national average and a temperate climate without the extreme heat of some southern states combines to create a place that many seniors feel comfortable in during their golden years. With two major cities, Omaha and Lincoln, to choose from, residents have easy access to urban amenities and plenty of suburban and rural options for a more relaxed take on retirement. With an average of 223 sunny days each year, even the winter weather doesn't cut down on the time seniors can soak up some sunlight. With a total population of 1,934,408, of which 16.2% are aged 65 or older, it is no surprise that Nebraska also has a well-developed network of senior supports.
The state's senior healthcare network includes 197 skilled nursing facilities registered with Medicare. Compared to Idaho and New Mexico, two states with similar population levels, Nebraska offers more than double the nursing home locations for seniors who need more complex assistance or for those with disabilities. This guide looks at long-term care costs, regulations, and assistance programs for nursing homes.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Nursing Home Care in Nebraska
SeniorAdvice research agrees with the Bankrate study and lists Nebraska ahead of the national average for seniors with a SeniorScore of 75. The national average is only 72. Using more than 100 data points, the SeniorScore looks at information important to seniors that falls into one of four categories: Health & Safety, Recreation & Leisure, Finances, and General Quality of Life. Texas is a smart choice for nursing home residents, according to research from SeniorAdvice.
It may come as a surprise that despite its high overall score, Nebraska scores lowest in the Recreation & Leisure category, but a 65 is a respectable score. Some data points that help keep that number high include a high population of seniors at 32% of the total population, 181 golf courses throughout the state, and a high number of public and private parks. With such a high ratio of seniors, it should come as no surprise that the state scores well in Health & Safety at 66 points. Lots of Medicare-registered health providers, easy access to long-term care facilities, and a longer than average life expectancy combine to give Nebraska a solid rating in this category.
Where the state really shines is in Finances. While property and income taxes are on the high side, and Nebraska does partially tax Social Security benefits, the extremely low housing costs help keep long-term, residential care costs low as well.
Top Nursing Care in Nebraska
Located at 1131 Papillion Pkwy in Omaha, Nebraska, Old Mill Rehabilitation (omaha Tcu) is a 44 unit nursing care facility. The encompassing area is densely populated, with around 24,000 individuals living in the 68154 zip code. It is ...
The Rehabilitation Center of Omaha
The Rehabilitation Center of Omaha is a 61 bed nursing facility located in Omaha, Nebraska. The community is in a generally lower income area, with an average per-family income of $33,458. It has a dense population, with around ...
12301 North 149th Cir
Ridgewood is a senior housing facility located at 12301 North 149th Cir in Bennington, Nebraska. The encompassing area has an average population density, with roughly 9,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 68007. It is a primarily ...
Lebensraum Assisted Living is a senior housing facility located at 118 Ingalls St in Grand Island, Nebraska. With an average household income of $48,336, the facility is in a generally middle class area. It is heavily populated, with ...
Legacy Garden Rehabilitation and Living Center is a 42 unit nursing facility located in Pender, Nebraska. The facility is in a primarily middle income area, with a median family income of $39,169. It has a sparse population, with ...
Brookdale Kearney Northridge is a senior community located at 5410 17th Ave in Kearney, Nebraska. With approximately 21,000 poeple living in the zip code of 68845, the neighboring area has an average population density. It is a generally ...
Ponca Nursing Home and Assisted Living Center
Ponca Nursing Home and Assisted Living Center is located at P O Box 628 410 Ball Park Rd in Ponca, Nebraska. It is a 42 bed nursing home facility. The facility is in a primarily middle income area, ...
Emeritus at Park Avenue Estates
Emeritus at Park Avenue Estates is a senior community located at 1811 Ridgeway Dr in Lexington, Nebraska. The encompassing area has a medium-density population, with about 13,000 poeple living in the zip code of 68850. It is a ...
Regency Retirement of Kearney
Regency Retirement of Kearney is a senior care community located at 208 E 48th St Apt 101 in Kearney, Nebraska. The surrounding area has a medium-density population, with about 18,000 individuals living in the 68847 zip code. With ...
600 West Kimball St
Callaway Good Life Center is located at PO Box 250 600 West Kimball St in Callaway, Nebraska. It is a 35 room senior housing facility. The community is in a predominantly middle income area, with a median household ...
Located at 1500 E 11th St, Brookdale McCook is a senior care community serving Mccook, Nebraska. With roughly 10,000 individuals living in the zip code of 69001, the surrounding area has a medium-density population. It is a largely ...
Located at P O Box 315 607 Smith Ave in Elwood, Nebraska, Elwood Care Center is a 43 bed senior care facility. The community is in a largely middle class area, with a median household income of $42,881. ...
Southlake Village Rehabilitation and Care Center is a 126 bed nursing facility situated near by the Family Acres area of Lincoln, Nebraska. The surrounding area has a sparse population, with about 6,000 individuals living in the 68526 zip code. ...
Heritage of Emerson is a 38 unit senior housing community situated in Emerson, Nebraska. The surrounding area has a sparse population, with approximately 2,000 individuals residing in the 68733 zip code. With a median per-household income of $44,509, ...
Prairie Pines Lodge is a senior care community located at 900 W 7th St in Chadron, Nebraska. The neighboring area has an average population density, with approximately 8,000 individuals living in the zip code of 69337. With an ...
Heritage of Red Cloud is a 43 unit senior community. It is located at 636 North Locust St in Red Cloud, Nebraska. With about 2,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 68970, the surrounding area is sparsely ...
Heritage Crossings is a 68 unit senior care community. It is located at 501 North 13th St in Geneva, Nebraska. The facility is in a mostly middle income area, with an average family income of $43,549. With ...
The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Nebraska
Nebraska offers fairly affordable nursing home care for seniors that need more complex medical oversight with an average monthly bill of $7,194, which is $562 below the national average. However, compared to nearby states, Nebraska is on the high side. Colorado tops the list at $1,323 more than Nebraska, but the Cornhusker state is solidly in second place. South Dakota is comparable at $7,011, while Kansas and Iowa round out the low end at $6,692 and $6,570, respectively.
The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Nebraska's Top Cities
Nebraska is home to three areas with nursing home cost data points. In Grand Island, the cost of nursing home care is well below the state and national averages at $6,608. In Lincoln, costs are comparable to the state average at just $60 more per month. Omaha is the most expensive are in the state at $8,182, but across the border in cities located in neighboring states, the costs can be as low as $5,735 or as high as $9,277.
Cost of care is often tied directly to the complexity of care a senior requires and the amount of time needed to provide that level of care. Nursing home care is the most expensive option at $7,194, but it is also the only option for those with complex medical needs that require round-the-clock care. Memory care and assisted living are slightly more affordable for those who qualify. In-home healthcare may be an option for seniors who don't meet the clinical requirements of nursing home care. Adult day care is the most affordable option for senior care, but it is only a solution for those who can provide at-home care during non-day care hours.
Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in Nebraska
Medicaid is the most comprehensive financial assistance program – but, not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid. And because each state operates its own Medicaid program within federal guidelines, eligibility and benefits vary from state to state. Below, we provide more information on Medicaid in Nebraska.
Medicaid, a government-funded health insurance program that often has no or very low out-of-pocket costs, covers primary preventive health services, emergency care, and long-term supports for the elderly or disabled. Nebraska voted to expand its Medicaid enrollment in 2018. As of 2017 according to the KFF Fact Sheet, Medicaid was the insurer for 247,000 Nebraskans out of a total population of 1.9M. Approximately half of all nursing home residents depend on Medicaid for financial assistance with the cost of care and, while seniors and the disabled make up only 27% of Medicaid enrollees, their cost of care is 69% of the total expense.
Medicaid Eligibility in Nebraska
Heritage Health Adult is the name of the expansion program originally approved in Nebraska. As of 2021, the HHA is being phased out and all enrollees are members of the state Medicaid program. For long-term care benefits, the elderly or disabled must meet both financial and functional need eligibility requirements. To qualify, an applicant must:
Earn a maximum of $2,147 per month with no premium payments or $2,685 with premium payments.
Retain no more than $4,000 in liquid, countable assets as an individual, excluding a home, personal vehicle, certain burial expenses, and property used to operate a business. For married couples, the asset maximum is $6,000.
Apply all of their income, barring any set aside in accordance with spousal impoverishment rules, to their cost of care. Accepted applicants may retain up to $60 per month as a personal needs allowance.
Be a legal resident of Nebraska that is eligible for benefits such as a legal permanent resident, refugee, or U.S. citizen.
Complete a functional needs assessment performed by a multidisciplinary team to ensure the senior requires a nursing home level of care.
Applications for Medicaid are available online at AccessNebraska or at a local Department of Health and Human Services office.
Nebraska Nursing Home Care Rules and Regulations
In Nebraska, all nursing homes or facilities that offer skilled nursing care must be licensed by the state. Licenses are administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to opening, all nursing homes are subject to an inspection and re-inspection is performed periodically to ensure facilities continue to meet minimum standards for facilities and care. Below are some of the rules and regulations that govern day-to-day nursing home operations.
A skilled nursing facility works with doctors, nurses, rehabilitative therapists, pharmacists, and a variety of other care providers to develop and implement personalized care plans for each patient. Nursing and other direct care staff follow written orders for dispensing medications, managing continence care, monitoring vitals, and perform many other critical care activities as needed. Some facilities also offer memory care wings where staff are specially trained to assist patients with Alzheimer's or dementia.
Nebraska takes a particularly comprehensive approach to care planning, requiring facilities to perform a nursing care plan within the first 24-hours of admission that ensures patients continue to receive high-quality medical care consistent with physician treatment orders. Following the original care plan, the facility must create a multidisciplinary care plan that includes input from a dietician and social/activities director within seven days. Additional changes to the care plan should be considered quarterly or care plans should be revised following any change to regular patient care.
Nursing homes must continue providing any prescribed medications to residents following admission. Medications may be obtained through an in-house pharmacy or from a licensed, third-party, but all medications must be reviewed by a Nebraska-licensed pharmacist. Oral, topical, inhaled, and droplet medications may be provided by direct care staff where medication administration is not a recognized part of their scope of practice provided all medication aides receive the appropriate training in medication administration.
Prior to employment, Nebraska nursing homes must perform background checks that include licensure and certification verification, health screenings, and criminal records searches. Prehire, all direct care staff must be checked against the Nurse Aide Registry, Adult Protective Services Central Registry, Central Register of Child Protection Cases, and Nebraska State Patrol Sex Offender Registry.
Ongoing training is required for all nursing home staff. Nurses must meet state minimums for continuing education to retain their licenses, and nursing homes must provide nursing assistants with a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education per year on topics related to resident care. The director of food service is required to complete 15 hours of continuing education related to dietetics and sanitation while medication aides must demonstrate a continued ability to meet the competencies laid out in 172 NAC 95.
Nebraska offers Medicaid coverage to the aged and infirm based on income levels. Currently, one out of two nursing home residents is enrolled in Medicaid and uses the benefits to pay for some or all of their nursing home costs. Most nursing home facilities in the state accept Medicaid.
In cases of suspected senior abuse, neglect, or exploitation in Nebraska, those concerned can contact the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program by calling (800) 942-7830. In emergencies, reports can also be made to local law enforcement by calling 911 or via the Adult Protective Services hotline at (800) 652-1999.
Free Nursing Home Resources in Nebraska
Nebraska Aging & Disability Resource Center
The Nebraska Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) offers streamlined access to a variety of long-term care and support services. The ADRC works with state agencies to develop systems that give seniors access to all potential benefits and supports through a single access point. By putting all benefits and supports in one place, the ADRC better allows seniors and those with disabilities to make informed decisions about their ongoing care and benefit applications. The ADRC works with all questioners to provide information and access to assistance for individuals who may already be disabled or those seeking to plan for the future.
ElderAccessLine
Administered by Nebraska Legal Aid, the ElderAccessLine offers aged 60 and older assistance with many types of legal advice or help. Seniors often need help with matters such as collections, wills, power of attorney, Medicare/Medicaid, and a plethora of other legal concerns. To help, Legal Aid offers assistance in all 93 Nebraska counties and seniors can speak to legal experts by calling (800) 527-7249.
Address: 301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
Website: dhhs.ne.gov
State-funded public health programs and other assistive services are administered primarily by the Department of Health and Human Services. Medicaid enrollment, SNAP benefits, cash assistance, and other programs designed to help with out-of-pocket expenses for the very low-income are all administered through one of the dozens of local offices located throughout the state.
Nebraska maintains 8 area agencies on aging, each with a designated region in which is provides services. AAAs are often the first point of contact for seniors seeking assistance at home or with the transition to a nursing home. Long-term care planning is just one of the many services available through a local AAA. Seniors can seek legal advice, apply for benefits, get help with appeals, or find insurance counseling help at their nearest AAA.
Veteran Affairs Office in Nebraska
The Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs offers former servicemen and women, along with their dependents, a one-stop location for information about a variety of possible benefits. The aid & attendance benefit available to qualifying service members is one of the few government programs that offers direct, cash assistance that can be applied to a variety of senior support services, including nursing home residency. Get in contact with the local office for more information about available benefits.
The Social Security Administration, a federal government agency, is responsible for the administration of a number of senior-centered benefits, including Social Security benefits. For those in the low-income category, the SSA also administers Supplemental Security Income and Medicare. For information about when to enroll in Medicare and how to start receiving retirement benefits, a local SSA office is often the place to go.