Senior support

Older adults & caregivers

Help to stay safe at home, get everyday support, care for someone, and sort out benefits in Kentucky.

You don't need to share your age, health or address to look around. Choose a county only if you want local phone numbers.

Phone lines

Immediate danger: Call 911. Emotional crisis: Text 988.

Kentucky Aging and Disability Resource Center(877) 925-0037Find your regional aging and disability agency
Adult Protective Services (report abuse, neglect or exploitation)(877) 597-2331Report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult. Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline988Call or text 988 for emotional support or a crisis
Kentucky SHIP (Medicare counseling)(877) 293-7447 (option 2)Free Medicare counseling
KATS Network (assistive technology)(800) 327-5287Ask about borrowed ramps and reused equipment

Start here

I'm an older adult Search the directory
I'm helping someone
I have a disability (any age)
Shared home-access route; age-limited programs are labeled.
Search the directory
I'm a veteran

Your county (optional)

Kentucky county

Showing programs that cover all of Kentucky. Choose your county to add local phone numbers and programs.

Make my home safer and easier to use

Ramps, grab bars, bathroom changes, safer steps, and repairs that make a home safe to live in. Many of these programs also help younger people with disabilities.

I need to make my home easier to use

Name the problem. Write down what is hard: getting in the door, steps, the bathroom, narrow doorways, getting in and out of bed or a chair, or a fall risk. Note whether something is unsafe right now or is a planned change.
Call one starting point. Your regional aging and disability agency can tell you which local programs to ask about. If you live in the country, separately check your address for USDA rural repair help.
Know if you own or rent. Most repair grants require you to own and live in the home. Some programs work with renters if the owner gives written permission. Ask before you assume.
Compare the kind of help. A grant, a forgivable mortgage, a loan, a Medicaid waiver service, a volunteer repair and a borrowed ramp are all different. Each card below says which it is.
Ask the same questions every time. Use the questions list and the call sheet. Ask about waiting lists, paperwork, approval before work starts, and who pays the contractor.
Keep a backup plan. While you wait, a borrowed portable ramp or reused equipment may help. If one program can't help, ask who else to call. Ask whether temporary equipment is suitable and who will arrange it; availability remains unknown. If you are leaving hospital or rehabilitation, tell the discharge team about the entry, bathroom or transfer barrier and ask for a safe interim plan. A long repair waiting list is not a safe-discharge plan.

If you own your home: Most grants and repair programs require you to own the home and live in it. Some add a deed restriction or a lien.

CAPABLE: you can take part with the homeowner's permission.
Hart-Supported Living: changes to a rental must be $2,500 or less and need the owner's written permission.
VA HISA: renters include a signed, notarized statement from the owner.
PWC: some PWC programs serve renters; ask about Modifications for Mobility.
RampUp! KY: a portable ramp is borrowed equipment, not a change to the building.
HCB waiver: home changes must be to a home owned by you or a family member.

For all of Kentucky

Start here: your regional aging and disability agency

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) · Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living with 15 regional agencies

Age: No age limit to call

Older adults: Open to this group (other rules apply)
Disability, any age: Open to this group (other rules apply)
Caregivers: Open to this group (other rules apply)

Information and referralInformation and referral; connects you to your regional aging and disability agency.Helps you find the right program.

One call can connect you to home help, meals, caregiver support, and benefits counseling in your area. Pick your county to see your regional agency.

How to start

Call (877) 925-0037, or choose your county to see your regional agency's number. Say what you need help with, for example a ramp, meals, or a break from caregiving.

Statewide ADRC line

(877) 925-0037

Find your regional agency and ask what is offered locally

Watch for

Your regional agency is a starting point. It does not mean every service is offered, funded, or has openings in your county.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

DAIL's page lists no age or diagnosis rule for calling. Each service they refer you to has its own rules.

Questions to ask

Which programs do you run in my county right now?
Is there a waiting list? About how long?
Can you do an assessment at home?
If you can't help, who should I call next?

Grant for disability-related home changes and supports (any age)

Hart-Supported Living grant · Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living

Age: No age limit stated; based on disability

Older adults: Needs a qualifying disability
Disability, any age: Open to this group (other rules apply)
Caregivers: Not for this group

GrantGrant for disability-related supports, which can include ramps, wider doors and other home changes, adaptive equipment, attendant help and respite. Conditions: Home modifications: $45,000 lifetime limit per person. This is a ceiling, not a typical award..Money or work you don't pay back if you meet the program's conditions.

Yearly deadline April 1, 2027

As of October 15, 2026, Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (910 KAR 1:270) says: State rules set April 1 each year as the deadline for new applications (a postmark by the deadline counts). If that rule stays the same, the next deadline is April 1, 2027; confirm the date with your regional coordinator.

Hart-Supported Living can pay for things like a ramp or wider doors when they are needed because of a disability. It can also cover some equipment, attendant help and respite. Applications are reviewed once a year.

How to start

Contact the Hart coordinator for your region well before April 1. Ask for the application and what estimates or letters to include.

DAIL main line

(502) 564-6930PCAP.HSL@ky.gov

General questions. The Hart page lists a coordinator for each region; choose your county to see yours.

Watch for

The 2026 deadline has passed. Under the yearly April 1 rule the next deadline would be April 1, 2027; confirm it with your regional coordinator.
Applying does not mean funds will be awarded. The $45,000 figure is a lifetime limit, not a typical grant.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

For Kentuckians with disabilities who want to live in their own home and community.
Not age-based. Disability rules are set in state law (KRS 210.790).
If you have Medicaid or a Medicaid waiver, you can still apply for items Medicaid doesn't cover or that go past Medicaid's limits.

Renters: no changes over $2,500 to a rental home, and none without the owner's written permission.

Not covered

Does not pay rent or mortgage, or home repairs not related to the disability, such as roofing, foundation or regular maintenance.

Questions to ask

What should my application include for a ramp or bathroom change?
Do you need contractor estimates? How many?
I rent. What does my landlord need to sign?
When will I hear about a decision for the April 1 cycle?

Home repair grant for homeowners, including accessibility changes

KHC Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) Home Repair · Kentucky Housing Corporation, through local nonprofit and local-government sponsors

Age: No age limit stated by the program

Older adults: Open to this group (other rules apply) (homeowners)
Disability, any age: Open to this group (other rules apply) (homeowners; accessibility work when a household member is disabled)
Caregivers: Not for this group

GrantRepair grant from $1,000 up to $25,000 per home, secured by a 5-year deed restriction. Conditions: 5-year deed restriction; no more AHTF help for that home during those 5 years..Money or work you don't pay back if you meet the program's conditions.

As of October 2, 2026, Kentucky Housing Corporation says: KHC awards this money to local sponsors (nonprofits and local governments). Whether a sponsor near you has funds now is not published.

A statewide grant of up to $25,000 for repairs that make a home safe to live in. If someone in your home has a disability, it can also pay for accessibility changes. You apply through a local organization, not KHC directly.

How to start

Ask your regional aging agency or your county Community Action office which local organization runs KHC home-repair funds in your county.

Watch for

The grant comes with a 5-year deed restriction. Ask what happens if you sell or move within 5 years.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

You own the home and the land, and it is your main home.
Single-family house or manufactured home.
Household income at or under KHC's limit. The limit is the greater of 60% of Kentucky's state median family income or 60% of your area's median income.
Savings and other assets, not counting the home, of $50,000 or less.

Work covered: Repairs needed to make the home safe and livable. If someone in the household has a disability, accessibility changes are also allowed.

Questions to ask

Who runs KHC AHTF home repair in my county?
Do you have AHTF funds right now?
What does the 5-year deed restriction mean if I sell or move?
Can the work include a ramp or bathroom change for my disability?

Rural home repair: grants for age 62+, low-interest loans

USDA Section 504 Home Repair loans and grants · USDA Rural Development (Kentucky)

Age: Grant: age 62 or older. Loan: no age limit stated.

Older adults: Open to this group (other rules apply) (grant 62+)
Disability, any age: Grant is 62+; loan has no age rule stated
Caregivers: Not for this group

GrantGrant up to $10,000 (lifetime limit) to remove health and safety hazards. Conditions: Age 62 or older; Very-low household income.Money or work you don't pay back if you meet the program's conditions.
LoanLoan up to $40,000 at a fixed 1% rate, repaid over 20 years, to repair, improve or modernize the home. Conditions: Low or very-low income homeowner.You pay this back, usually monthly.

Takes applications year-round

As of October 2, 2026, USDA Rural Development says: USDA says it accepts applications on an ongoing basis, October 1 to September 30. Money is limited.

In eligible rural areas, homeowners age 62 and older with very low income can get a grant of up to $10,000 to fix health and safety hazards. Low-income homeowners can also borrow up to $40,000 at 1%. A loan must be paid back.

How to start

First check your exact address on USDA's eligibility website. Then contact a USDA Rural Development home-loan specialist for Kentucky.

Watch for

A $50,000 combined package is a loan plus a grant, not a $50,000 grant.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

The home must be in an eligible rural area. This is checked by exact address, not by county.
Loans and grants can be combined, up to $50,000 total. The combined amount is not all grant.

Questions to ask

Is my address in an eligible rural area?
Would my project be a grant, a loan, or both?
What would my monthly loan payment be?
Are there conditions if I sell the home later?

Medicaid waiver: help at home, including small home changes

Home and Community Based (HCB) Medicaid waiver · Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services with DAIL

Age: Age 65 or older, or a physical disability at any age

Older adults: Open to this group (other rules apply) (65+ or physical disability)
Disability, any age: Open to this group (other rules apply) (physical disability, adults and children)
Caregivers: Helps through the person you care for (respite)

Medicaid waiver serviceApproved waiver services can include environmental and minor home modifications, attendant care, meals and respite.A service approved through a Medicaid waiver plan after an assessment.

Waiting list reported

As of October 3, 2026, Kentucky CHFS, Department for Medicaid Services says: The state reports a waiting list. Your place is set by the date your completed application is received.

For people who need nursing-home-level care but want to stay at home. Approved services can include small home changes, attendant care, meals and respite. Having Medicaid alone does not enroll you.

How to start

Get Medicaid financial eligibility first (kynect or DCBS at (855) 306-8959). Then follow the state's waiver application steps. NOLO's form guide walks through both.

DAIL HCB participant questions

(877) 315-0589

Questions about the HCB waiver

DCBS (Medicaid application)

(855) 306-8959

Apply for Medicaid first

Watch for

There is a waiting list. A home change needs approval through the waiver before work starts.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

Age 65 or older, and/or a physical disability.
Needs the level of care provided in a nursing facility (state rule 907 KAR 1:022).
Qualifies for Medicaid. Special financial rules apply to this waiver.

Renters: Home changes paid by this waiver must be to a home owned by you or a family member.

Questions to ask

How long is the HCB waiting list right now?
Who does the level-of-care assessment?
Can a home modification be added to my plan? Who approves it?

Borrow a portable ramp for up to 6 months

RampUp! KY portable ramp loans · Kentucky Assistive Technology Services (KATS) Network and partner sites

Age: No age limit stated by the program

Older adults: Open to this group (other rules apply)
Disability, any age: Open to this group (other rules apply)
Caregivers: Not for this group

Equipment loanBorrow a portable aluminum ramp for up to 6 months while you wait for a permanent one. This is a loan of equipment, not money.You borrow equipment for a set time and return it. Not a money loan.

As of October 2, 2026, Kentucky Assistive Technology Services (KATS) Network says: Very limited inventory; availability changes by site.

A short-term fix while you wait for a permanent ramp. Ramps come in fixed lengths from 2 to 12 feet. You arrange pickup, setup and return.

How to start

Call KATS at (800) 327-5287. Have the height of your steps ready so they can suggest a length.

KATS Network Coordinating Center

(800) 327-5287info@katsnet.org

Ask about a suitable ramp and the nearest site

Watch for

KATS does not build ramps. Inventory is limited and may not be near you.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

For people with disabilities who need a ramp now and are waiting for permanent access.

Cost: No cost to borrow.

Questions to ask

Do you have a ramp long enough for my steps?
Which site is closest?
Can someone help me move it?

Veterans: VA help with medically needed home changes

VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service

Age: No age limit stated; veterans and servicemembers only

Older adults: Veterans only
Disability, any age: Veterans and servicemembers only
Caregivers: Not for this group

VA benefitLifetime benefit for medically needed home changes: up to $6,800 for a service-connected disability (or other listed cases), or up to $2,000 for other disabilities.A VA benefit with its own medical and service rules.

Veterans can get a lifetime benefit for changes such as accessible bathrooms or permanent ramps, when a VA physician prescribes them. You need a prescription, VA Form 10-0103, an itemized estimate and a photo of the area.

How to start

Talk with your VA care team and ask for a referral to Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) about HISA.

Watch for

Get approval before work starts. Do not assume the VA will pay you back for work already done.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

Veterans and servicemembers. The project must be medically justified and prescribed or approved by a VA physician.
Age alone does not qualify.

Renters: Renters must include a signed, notarized statement from the owner approving the change.

Not covered

Does not cover things like decks, hot tubs, security systems, portable ramps, porch lifts, stair glides, or routine repairs such as roofs or furnaces.

Questions to ask

How much of my lifetime HISA benefit is left?
Can I request an advance payment?
Does VA need to inspect the site?

Free ramps after a spinal cord injury (outside Jefferson County)

Project Going Home (spinal cord injury ramps) · Center for Accessible Living (Craig H. Neilsen Foundation program)

Age: No age limit stated; spinal cord injury in the past 10 years

Older adults: Only for a specific injury
Disability, any age: Only for a specific injury
Caregivers: Not for this group

Repair or modification serviceFree temporary and permanent ramps for people going home after a traumatic spinal cord injury.An organization does the work, paid by its funding. Ask whether you owe anything.

For people with a traumatic spinal cord injury in the last 10 years who are moving home from rehab. After approval, a contractor checks what the home needs.

How to start

Call (502) 795-4273 to request an application. Have a doctor's statement confirming the injury.

Project Going Home coordinator

(502) 795-4273

Request an application

Watch for

This program is only for this type of injury. It is not for every mobility need or age.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

Traumatic spinal cord injury within the past 10 years.
Lives in any Kentucky county except Jefferson County.
Application, doctor's statement, proof of income and photo ID.

Questions to ask

Does my injury date fall within the 10-year window?
How long does the contractor assessment take?

Help at home for people 60 and older

Kentucky Homecare Program · Kentucky DAIL through regional Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living

Age: Age 60 or older

Older adults: Open to this group (other rules apply) (60+)
Disability, any age: Age 60+ only
Caregivers: Helps through the person you care for (respite)

Public program serviceAssessment and case management, personal care and home management, home-delivered meals, chore help, home repair, respite for family caregivers and home health aide service.A service from a state or regional program after screening. Not a cash payment.

Waiting list reported

As of October 2, 2026, Kentucky CHFS, Department for Aging and Independent Living says: Some areas have waiting lists, and not every service is offered everywhere.

Homecare can help with personal care, chores, meals, small home repairs and a break for family caregivers, so you can stay at home.

How to start

Call your regional aging agency and ask for a Homecare assessment.

Watch for

Waiting lists and services differ by area. Ask what is offered in your county.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

Age 60 or older.
You can't do two daily activities (like bathing or dressing) or three household tasks (like cooking or shopping) on your own.
Or you are at risk of moving into a care facility, or you could leave one and go home if you had services.

Questions to ask

Can someone come to my home for a Homecare assessment?
Which Homecare services do you offer in my county?
Is there a cost or a sliding fee?

Reused assistive equipment through Project CARAT

NOLO already has a page for this. Open it there.

Local programs

11 local programs appear when you choose a county.

Other regional providers (ask whether they serve your county)

Shown with or without a county; service area is not published, so never county-matched.

Free repairs for qualifying homeowners (Frontier Housing, eastern Kentucky)

Frontier Housing home repair · Frontier Housing (Morehead and Ashland offices)

Age: No age limit stated by the program

Older adults: Open to this group (other rules apply) (income-eligible owners)
Disability, any age: Open to this group (other rules apply) (income-eligible owners)
Caregivers: Not for this group

Repair or modification serviceRepairs and rehabilitation done by contractors, paid by grants. Free to households that qualify on income and assets.An organization does the work, paid by its funding. Ask whether you owe anything.

Waiting list reported

As of October 15, 2026, Frontier Housing says: Frontier says its typical waiting list is about a year. After a disaster, a fall that led to a hospital stay, or another emergency, it aims to assess the home within a week of the application.

Frontier finds grants and contractors for major repairs, including when a home is no longer accessible to you. The usual wait is about a year; emergencies are assessed faster.

How to start

Call 606-784-2131 (TTY 711) and ask whether Frontier serves your county.

Frontier Housing

606.784.2131TTY 711

Ask whether your county is served

Watch for

Frontier's repair page does not list the counties it serves.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

Income at or below 80% of area median income for your county.
No more than $49,999 in assets besides your main home.

Questions to ask

Do you serve my county?
Does my situation count as an emergency for a faster assessment?

Closed or not a fit right now

Strengthen Kentucky Homes (roof grants) (as of October 3, 2026): Strengthen Kentucky Homes is a roof-strengthening grant, not an accessibility program. Its Round 1 applications closed October 1, 2026. People already on its waiting list get first priority for future rounds; no future round date is posted.
Team Kentucky Homeowner Assistance Fund (as of October 3, 2026): The Homeowner Assistance Fund stopped taking new applications on June 30, 2025.

Questions to ask before work starts

Who pays the contractor, and when?
Does the program need to approve the work before it starts?
Who gets the permit, if one is needed?
What happens if the job costs more than the estimate?
Who do I call if something goes wrong after the work is done?

These are general questions. NOLO does not rate contractors or set building standards.

Get help at home: personal care, meals and rides

Help with bathing, dressing, chores and meals, an attendant you hire, coordinated care, and rides.

For all of Kentucky

Start here: your regional aging and disability agency

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) · Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living with 15 regional agencies

Age: No age limit to call

Older adults: Open to this group (other rules apply)
Disability, any age: Open to this group (other rules apply)
Caregivers: Open to this group (other rules apply)

Information and referralInformation and referral; connects you to your regional aging and disability agency.Helps you find the right program.

One call can connect you to home help, meals, caregiver support, and benefits counseling in your area. Pick your county to see your regional agency.

How to start

Call (877) 925-0037, or choose your county to see your regional agency's number. Say what you need help with, for example a ramp, meals, or a break from caregiving.

Statewide ADRC line

(877) 925-0037

Find your regional agency and ask what is offered locally

Watch for

Your regional agency is a starting point. It does not mean every service is offered, funded, or has openings in your county.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

DAIL's page lists no age or diagnosis rule for calling. Each service they refer you to has its own rules.

Questions to ask

Which programs do you run in my county right now?
Is there a waiting list? About how long?
Can you do an assessment at home?
If you can't help, who should I call next?

Help at home for people 60 and older

Kentucky Homecare Program · Kentucky DAIL through regional Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living

Age: Age 60 or older

Older adults: Open to this group (other rules apply) (60+)
Disability, any age: Age 60+ only
Caregivers: Helps through the person you care for (respite)

Public program serviceAssessment and case management, personal care and home management, home-delivered meals, chore help, home repair, respite for family caregivers and home health aide service.A service from a state or regional program after screening. Not a cash payment.

Waiting list reported

As of October 2, 2026, Kentucky CHFS, Department for Aging and Independent Living says: Some areas have waiting lists, and not every service is offered everywhere.

Homecare can help with personal care, chores, meals, small home repairs and a break for family caregivers, so you can stay at home.

How to start

Call your regional aging agency and ask for a Homecare assessment.

Watch for

Waiting lists and services differ by area. Ask what is offered in your county.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

Age 60 or older.
You can't do two daily activities (like bathing or dressing) or three household tasks (like cooking or shopping) on your own.
Or you are at risk of moving into a care facility, or you could leave one and go home if you had services.

Questions to ask

Can someone come to my home for a Homecare assessment?
Which Homecare services do you offer in my county?
Is there a cost or a sliding fee?

Senior meals at a meal site or delivered home (60+)

Senior meals (Nutrition Program for the Elderly) · Kentucky DAIL through regional Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living

Age: Age 60 or older (spouses of any age at meal sites)

Older adults: Open to this group (other rules apply) (60+; spouses any age at meal sites)
Disability, any age: Age 60+ only
Caregivers: Not for this group

Public program serviceOne balanced meal a day, at a meal site or delivered home, plus nutrition screening, education and counseling.A service from a state or regional program after screening. Not a cash payment.

Waiting list reported

As of October 2, 2026, Kentucky CHFS, Department for Aging and Independent Living says: Some areas have waiting lists.

Anyone 60 or older, and their spouse, can eat at a senior meal site. Home delivery is for people who can't get out because of illness or disability and have no one at home to cook.

How to start

Call your regional aging agency. Ask for the nearest meal site, or ask for a home-delivered meal assessment.

Watch for

Being 60 is not enough for home delivery. There may be a waiting list.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

Meal sites: age 60 or older, and spouses of any age.
Home delivery: age 60 or older, can't get to a meal site because of illness or disability, and no one at home can regularly make meals.

Questions to ask

Where is the nearest senior meal site and when does it serve?
Can you assess me for home-delivered meals?
Is there a waiting list?
What is the plan for weekends, holidays or a missed delivery?
Who should I contact if delivery or access needs change?

Medicaid waiver: help at home, including small home changes

Home and Community Based (HCB) Medicaid waiver · Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services with DAIL

Age: Age 65 or older, or a physical disability at any age

Older adults: Open to this group (other rules apply) (65+ or physical disability)
Disability, any age: Open to this group (other rules apply) (physical disability, adults and children)
Caregivers: Helps through the person you care for (respite)

Medicaid waiver serviceApproved waiver services can include environmental and minor home modifications, attendant care, meals and respite.A service approved through a Medicaid waiver plan after an assessment.

Waiting list reported

As of October 3, 2026, Kentucky CHFS, Department for Medicaid Services says: The state reports a waiting list. Your place is set by the date your completed application is received.

For people who need nursing-home-level care but want to stay at home. Approved services can include small home changes, attendant care, meals and respite. Having Medicaid alone does not enroll you.

How to start

Get Medicaid financial eligibility first (kynect or DCBS at (855) 306-8959). Then follow the state's waiver application steps. NOLO's form guide walks through both.

DAIL HCB participant questions

(877) 315-0589

Questions about the HCB waiver

DCBS (Medicaid application)

(855) 306-8959

Apply for Medicaid first

Watch for

There is a waiting list. A home change needs approval through the waiver before work starts.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

Age 65 or older, and/or a physical disability.
Needs the level of care provided in a nursing facility (state rule 907 KAR 1:022).
Qualifies for Medicaid. Special financial rules apply to this waiver.

Renters: Home changes paid by this waiver must be to a home owned by you or a family member.

Questions to ask

How long is the HCB waiting list right now?
Who does the level-of-care assessment?
Can a home modification be added to my plan? Who approves it?

Help paying an attendant you hire (adults with severe physical disabilities)

Personal Care Attendant Program (PCAP) · Kentucky DAIL with regional coordinators

Age: Age 18 or older

Older adults: Needs a qualifying disability
Disability, any age: Age 18+ (severe physical disability)
Caregivers: Not for this group

Attendant subsidyHelps pay for a personal attendant you hire, for personal care, housekeeping, shopping, travel, meals and other daily tasks.Helps pay an attendant you hire and manage.

PCAP helps adults with severe physical disabilities stay at home by paying part of the cost of an attendant they hire and manage themselves.

How to start

Contact DAIL or your regional aging agency and ask for the PCAP coordinator for your county.

DAIL main line

(502) 564-6930

The PCAP page names a coordinator for each region but lists no phone numbers. Ask DAIL to connect you with the coordinator for your county.

Watch for

You act as the employer, including payroll and tax forms. This is not a general paid-family-caregiver program.
The state's PCAP page lists the Region 3 coordinator post as vacant (checked October 15, 2026).

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

Age 18 or older with a severe physical disability: permanent or recurring loss of function in two or more limbs.
Needs 14 to 40 hours of attendant care a week.
Able to direct and supervise attendants and handle payroll and employer tax forms.

Questions to ask

Is there a waiting list for PCAP in my region?
Can a family member be my paid attendant?
Who handles assessment?

PACE: coordinated care at home, age 55+ in some areas

PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) · PACE organizations enrolled with Kentucky Medicaid

Age: Age 55 or older

Older adults: Open to this group (other rules apply) (55+)
Disability, any age: Age 55+ only
Caregivers: Not for this group

Care programOne organization coordinates medical and long-term care so you can keep living in the community.An organization coordinates covered care. Enrolling changes how your care is arranged.

In areas with a PACE program, one team coordinates medical and long-term care for people who need nursing-home-level care but can live safely at home.

How to start

Choose your county to see the PACE organization the state lists for it (state PACE page checked October 15, 2026). Call that organization and ask whether your exact address is in its approved area. You can also call DAIL at (888) 804-0884.

Kentucky DAIL

(888) 804-0884

Ask which PACE organization serves your address

Watch for

PACE is not available everywhere in Kentucky. Joining changes how your care is arranged, so ask questions first.
The state's PACE page was checked October 15, 2026. Horizon PACE's own website lists more counties than the state page does; ask before you rely on either.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

Age 55 or older.
Lives in an area with PACE services.
Needs nursing-facility level of care, but can live safely in the community when enrolling.

Questions to ask

Is my address in a PACE service area?
What would change about my doctors and care if I enroll?
What costs would I have?

Medicaid rides to medical appointments

NOLO already has a page for this. Open it there.

Reused assistive equipment through Project CARAT

NOLO already has a page for this. Open it there.

Local programs

1 local program appear when you choose a county.

Before arranging home help, meals or rides

Write down which tasks need help: bathing, dressing, toileting, transfers, meals, shopping, laundry or supervision; note how often and what the usual helper does.
Ask which tasks and hours are authorized, who performs them, which tasks are excluded and the earliest actual visit.
Agree on a backup for weather, missed delivery or a wait. Keep the provider’s contact and next check on the person’s own copy.
Ask who can help at the entrance and what assistance staff can or cannot provide during the visit.
Ask for the full current outbound and return fare, minimum charges, out-of-region charges, payment method, companion charges and any applicable subsidy.
Confirm outbound pickup, appointment arrival, return pickup process, accessible vehicle/escort arrangements and cancellation or delay contact.
Ask who is responsible for bathing, toileting, transfers, medicines, clinical monitoring and supervision; volunteers cannot be presumed to cover them.
Agree on what happens if the visit or transport is cancelled and the next follow-up date.

These are questions and preparation steps, not confirmation of eligibility, funding, available staff or a service start. Keep any unanswered item, the responsible contact and the next check date on your own copy.

Support for caregivers

If you help someone with daily life, there is support for you too: a break, training, peer support, and help for grandparents raising grandchildren.

For all of Kentucky

Start here: your regional aging and disability agency

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) · Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living with 15 regional agencies

Age: No age limit to call

Older adults: Open to this group (other rules apply)
Disability, any age: Open to this group (other rules apply)
Caregivers: Open to this group (other rules apply)

Information and referralInformation and referral; connects you to your regional aging and disability agency.Helps you find the right program.

One call can connect you to home help, meals, caregiver support, and benefits counseling in your area. Pick your county to see your regional agency.

How to start

Call (877) 925-0037, or choose your county to see your regional agency's number. Say what you need help with, for example a ramp, meals, or a break from caregiving.

Statewide ADRC line

(877) 925-0037

Find your regional agency and ask what is offered locally

Watch for

Your regional agency is a starting point. It does not mean every service is offered, funded, or has openings in your county.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

DAIL's page lists no age or diagnosis rule for calling. Each service they refer you to has its own rules.

Questions to ask

Which programs do you run in my county right now?
Is there a waiting list? About how long?
Can you do an assessment at home?
If you can't help, who should I call next?

Support and a break for family caregivers

Family caregiver support (National Family Caregiver Support Program) · Kentucky DAIL through regional Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living

Age: For caregivers of someone 60+ or with Alzheimer's; relatives 55+ raising a child

Older adults: Helps through the person you care for
Disability, any age: Helps through the person you care for
Caregivers: Open to this group (other rules apply)

Public program serviceFlexible support for unpaid caregivers, including respite care so the caregiver can take time off.A service from a state or regional program after screening. Not a cash payment.

If you care for an older adult or someone with dementia without pay, your regional aging agency can offer support, and in some cases respite so you can rest.

How to start

Call your regional aging agency and say you are a caregiver. Describe what would help most.

Watch for

This is support for caregivers. It is not a program that pays family members a wage.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

Unpaid caregivers of someone 60 or older or someone with Alzheimer's or a related disorder; also grandparents and relatives 55 or older raising a child up to age 18.

Questions to ask

What caregiver support do you offer in my county?
Is respite available? How many hours?
Are there caregiver classes or support groups near me?
Whose assessment is needed?
Can training be requested separately?
Is the barrier eligibility, funds or staffing?
What if a worker cancels?

Grandparents raising grandchildren

Kentucky Family Caregiver Program (grandparents raising grandchildren) · Kentucky DAIL through regional Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living

Age: For grandparents raising a grandchild 18 or younger

Older adults: Grandparents raising a grandchild
Disability, any age: Not for this group
Caregivers: Grandparents raising a grandchild

Public program serviceSupport groups, information, help getting services, counseling and training for grandparents raising grandchildren.A service from a state or regional program after screening. Not a cash payment.
GrantMay include a yearly grant or voucher per grandchild for approved needs like clothing, school supplies, respite, legal services, and medical or dental care. Conditions: Income no more than 150% of the federal poverty level; Not receiving state Kinship Care program benefits.Money or work you don't pay back if you meet the program's conditions.

As of October 2, 2026, Kentucky CHFS, Department for Aging and Independent Living says: Grants or vouchers are per fiscal year.

Support groups, help finding services, and possibly a yearly grant or voucher for a grandchild's clothing, school supplies, respite, legal, medical or dental needs.

How to start

Call your regional aging agency and ask about the Kentucky Family Caregiver Program for grandparents.

Watch for

The money part has an income limit (150% of the federal poverty level), and you can't also be getting state Kinship Care benefits. This is different from Kinship Care through DCBS.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

The grandparent is the main caregiver of a grandchild 18 or younger, related by blood, marriage or adoption. The child lives with the grandparent, and the child's parents do not live in the home.

Questions to ask

Do I qualify for the grandchild grant or voucher this fiscal year?
What expenses can it cover?
Are there support groups near me?
Is prior approval required?
Which form is accepted?
Could assistance affect other benefits?

Dementia: next steps and peer support for caregivers

Office of Dementia Services and KY PATH caregiver peer support · Kentucky Office of Dementia Services (DAIL)

Age: No age limit stated by the program

Older adults: Helps through the person you care for
Disability, any age: Helps through the person you care for
Caregivers: Open to this group (other rules apply)

Peer supportKY PATH connects caregivers with experienced peers for support, encouragement and links to resources.Someone with similar experience listens and shares resources.
Information and referralDementia Care Direction: suggested next steps after a dementia diagnosis.Helps you find the right program.

Kentucky's Office of Dementia Services offers guidance after a diagnosis, and KY PATH matches caregivers with someone who has been through it.

How to start

Visit the Office of Dementia Services page for KY PATH and Dementia Care Direction, or ask your regional aging agency about local caregiver support.

Office of Dementia Services (DAIL)

(502) 564-6930

Requests for information, including about KY PATH

Watch for

Peer support and information are not a diagnosis, medical care, or paid respite.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

For people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Questions to ask

How do I sign up for KY PATH?
Are there dementia caregiver groups near me?
What can a peer help with?
Who answers clinical questions?
Can the setting meet the support need?

Concerns about care in a nursing or personal care home

Long-Term Care Ombudsman · Kentucky Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (DAIL)

Age: No age limit stated; for care-home residents

Older adults: Care-home residents (or someone acting for them)
Disability, any age: Care-home residents (or someone acting for them)
Caregivers: Open to this group (other rules apply) (on behalf of a resident)

AdvocacyAdvocates for residents of nursing homes, personal care homes and family care homes, including looking into and resolving complaints.Someone speaks up for you and helps resolve complaints.

An ombudsman speaks up for residents of nursing homes, personal care homes and family care homes, and helps resolve complaints.

How to start

Use the state's ombudsman listing by county to find your local ombudsman.

Watch for

This is for people living in care homes. For help at your own home, start with your regional aging agency.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

Residents of these care homes, or someone raising a concern on their behalf.

Cost: Not stated by the program. Ask when you call.

Questions to ask

Will you keep my concern confidential?
Does the resident need to agree before you act?

Local programs

0 local programs appear when you choose a county.

Prepare a caregiver-support inquiry

Choose a break, training, support or help finding services.
Ask AAAIL which respite program/setting can assess the needed break.
Ask for family-caregiver classes/groups; provider registration is a different role.
Ask the healthcare team about follow-up; use ODS/AAAIL for education and support.
Ask what is allowed and whether help is a grant, vendor voucher or service; check approval first.

Benefits, bills and where to start

Medicare questions, help with utility bills, Medicaid, and one place to start for local aging and disability services.

For all of Kentucky

Start here: your regional aging and disability agency

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) · Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living with 15 regional agencies

Age: No age limit to call

Older adults: Open to this group (other rules apply)
Disability, any age: Open to this group (other rules apply)
Caregivers: Open to this group (other rules apply)

Information and referralInformation and referral; connects you to your regional aging and disability agency.Helps you find the right program.

One call can connect you to home help, meals, caregiver support, and benefits counseling in your area. Pick your county to see your regional agency.

How to start

Call (877) 925-0037, or choose your county to see your regional agency's number. Say what you need help with, for example a ramp, meals, or a break from caregiving.

Statewide ADRC line

(877) 925-0037

Find your regional agency and ask what is offered locally

Watch for

Your regional agency is a starting point. It does not mean every service is offered, funded, or has openings in your county.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

DAIL's page lists no age or diagnosis rule for calling. Each service they refer you to has its own rules.

Questions to ask

Which programs do you run in my county right now?
Is there a waiting list? About how long?
Can you do an assessment at home?
If you can't help, who should I call next?

Free help with Medicare and prescription costs

SHIP free Medicare counseling · Kentucky State Health Insurance Assistance Program (DAIL)

Age: No age limit stated (for people with Medicare, their families and caregivers)

Older adults: Open to this group (other rules apply)
Disability, any age: Open to this group (other rules apply) (people on Medicare due to disability)
Caregivers: Open to this group (other rules apply) (families and caregivers)

CounselingOne-to-one help understanding Medicare and other coverage, and help applying for prescription assistance.Someone explains your options. It does not decide your benefits.

Trained local counselors explain Medicare choices and can help you look for lower-cost prescriptions. SHIP does not sell insurance.

How to start

Call the SHIP Hotline at (877) 293-7447 and choose option 2.

SHIP Hotline

(877) 293-7447(option 2)

Ask for a SHIP counselor

DAIL main line

(502) 564-6930

Ask for a SHIP counselor

Watch for

Counseling helps you decide. It does not decide whether you get a benefit.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

Older adults and people with disabilities, plus their families and caregivers.

Cost: No charge.

Questions to ask

Can you compare my current Medicare plan with other options?
Can you check whether I might get help with prescription costs?
Can you help with a Medicare Savings Program application?
What happens to doctors/drugs/pharmacy before a plan change?
Cost reduction or monthly billing?

Help with heating and cooling bills (LIHEAP) through your county office

NOLO already has a page for this. Open it there.

Lower energy bills with weatherization

Weatherization (statewide, through local agencies) · Kentucky Housing Corporation with local Community Action agencies

Age: Age rule not stated

Older adults: Not stated
Disability, any age: Not stated
Caregivers: Not for this group

WeatherizationCAPKY's directory lists Kentucky's community action agencies. Ask your local agency whether it offers weatherization (energy audits and energy-saving work) and how to apply.Energy-saving and heating or cooling safety work. Not accessibility changes.

Weatherization can include an energy audit and work like insulation and heating repairs. Local agencies run it.

How to start

Find your county's Community Action agency and ask about weatherization and its income rules.

Watch for

Weatherization is energy work, not a general accessibility remodel.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Questions to ask

Do you run weatherization for my county?
What are the income limits?
Can renters apply?
Who gets landlord permission?
What does audit allow?
What can defer the property?

Concerns about care in a nursing or personal care home

Long-Term Care Ombudsman · Kentucky Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (DAIL)

Age: No age limit stated; for care-home residents

Older adults: Care-home residents (or someone acting for them)
Disability, any age: Care-home residents (or someone acting for them)
Caregivers: Open to this group (other rules apply) (on behalf of a resident)

AdvocacyAdvocates for residents of nursing homes, personal care homes and family care homes, including looking into and resolving complaints.Someone speaks up for you and helps resolve complaints.

An ombudsman speaks up for residents of nursing homes, personal care homes and family care homes, and helps resolve complaints.

How to start

Use the state's ombudsman listing by county to find your local ombudsman.

Watch for

This is for people living in care homes. For help at your own home, start with your regional aging agency.

Rules, costs and questions to ask

Rules

Residents of these care homes, or someone raising a concern on their behalf.

Cost: Not stated by the program. Ask when you call.

Questions to ask

Will you keep my concern confidential?
Does the resident need to agree before you act?

Local programs

2 local programs appear when you choose a county.

Prepare a benefits or bills inquiry

Ask what notice/coverage/pharmacy information is needed and how a helper is authorized.
Ask about discount interactions, cost reduction and installment obligations.
Use current bill/official page; ask status, action date, options, safety procedure and confirmation.
Keep bill help moving and use home-safety guide for needs beyond energy measures.
Use existing SNAP/Medicaid guide; distinguish application, renewal, verification and decision/coverage issue.
Ask phone/paper/supported route before buying a device; ask library about practical access and privacy/charges.
Use official recipient and authorized-helper method; keep records and credentials outside NOLO.

Questions to ask any program

Do you serve my county or my address?
Is this a grant, a loan, a forgivable mortgage, or a mix? If there's a loan, what is the monthly payment?
Is there a deed restriction or lien? For how long?
Is there a waiting list? About how long is it right now?
What papers do you need from me?
Does the work need approval before it starts? Who picks and pays the contractor?
I rent. What does my landlord need to sign?
If you can't help, who should I call next?

Call sheet

Print this and fill it in as you call. Keep it with your papers. NOLO doesn't see or save it.

Don't write Social Security or bank numbers on this sheet.

What I need help with
Program or agency I called
Number I called
Date and time
Who I talked to (first name or title)
What they told me to do next
Papers they asked for
Questions still open
When to call back

What I need help with
Program or agency I called
Number I called
Date and time
Who I talked to (first name or title)
What they told me to do next
Papers they asked for
Questions still open
When to call back

What I need help with
Program or agency I called
Number I called
Date and time
Who I talked to (first name or title)
What they told me to do next
Papers they asked for
Questions still open
When to call back

What I need help with
Program or agency I called
Number I called
Date and time
Who I talked to (first name or title)
What they told me to do next
Papers they asked for
Questions still open
When to call back