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Why trust this guide?
Our editorial team analyzed 207 nursing homes in KY using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in KY
Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the KY Cabinet for Health & Family Services (CHFS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.
The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This TableAL (Assisted Living):
Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing.
NH (Nursing Home):
24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs.
SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility):
Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness.
MC (Memory Care):
Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia.
RC (Respite Care):
Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break.
IL (Independent Living):
Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
HC (Home Care):
Professional care delivered in the person's own home, from companionship to skilled nursing.
HOS (Hospice Care):
Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
PC (Palliative Care):
Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community):
A campus with multiple care levels so residents can age in place without moving.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
A 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The Kentucky average is: 48.9% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
$2.1M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$1.3M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
63.5%*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each nursing home is ranked against every other KY nursing home we track that reports that metric, not just the 207 on this page. See how we rank facilities
Breathitt Health & Rehabilitation in Jackson, Kentucky, offers nursing home care, skilled nursing, hospice care, and respite care. Specialized recovery programs focus on short-term orthopedic rehabilitation, postsurgical care, pulmonary support, bariatric services, and oncology care. Temporary respite stays accommodate individuals whose primary caregivers require time away, while hospice programs provide comfort care.
The 120-bed facility operates under administrator Debra Hunt and operator Jett Snf Operations. Overall nurse staffing averages 2 hours and 9 minutes per resident each day across the building. Payment options accepted at the facility include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.
Prospective representatives are invited to reach out to the admissions office at Breathitt Health & Rehabilitation to ask about room availability, learn about clinical capabilities, and discuss payment coverage.
Highlands Nursing and Rehabilitation in Louisville, Kentucky, provides nursing home and skilled nursing care, memory care, hospice care, and respite care. Skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care around the clock, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for a resident at risk of wandering. Hospice care supports end of life needs, and respite care offers a short stay when a resident’s usual caregiver needs time to travel or recover.
The community has 154 beds. Short term rehabilitation and outpatient therapy support residents recovering from illness, injury, or a hospital stay, including people who need therapy before returning home or moving to their next care setting. Outpatient Therapy is a named program at the community.
Highlands Nursing and Rehabilitation may be a good fit for a family seeking nursing care alongside memory care, hospice care, rehabilitation, or a temporary respite stay. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several ways to cover eligible care. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 12 minutes per resident per day, representing the recorded daily hands on nursing time allocated per resident. A Walk Score of 70 means the area is very walkable, with most errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may still be able to get out independently. Ken Bogard serves as administrator.
Overview of Somerwoods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Somerwoods Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, situated in the picturesque town of Somerset, Kentucky, dedicates itself to providing compassionate and expert care for seniors. Whether residents require short-term rehabilitation, long-term support, or specialized memory care, Somerwoods remains committed to enhancing their quality of life.
The center supports those with dementia through its dedicated Memory Care Units. For individuals recovering from acute illnesses or accidents, Somerwoods offers 24/7 care and rehabilitation. Elderly residents and individuals with chronic conditions benefit from continuous skilled nursing care. Whether residents are recuperating from a short-term stay or embarking on a senior care journey, Somerwoods Nursing & Rehabilitation Center stands ready to provide quality care in a compassionate environment.
Mountain Manor of Paintsville is a nursing home and skilled nursing community in Paintsville, Kentucky. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock for residents who need ongoing medical support, including people who may also need physical, occupational or speech therapy or a short term respite stay.
There are 126 beds. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 40 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily hands on nursing time allocated to each resident. Private rooms suit residents who want a room alone, while semi private rooms are shared accommodations.
Physical, occupational and speech therapy are available through the rehabilitation center, so residents can receive these rehabilitation services at the community. A secured courtyard provides space for outdoor activities. Medicare, Medicaid and private pay are accepted, allowing care to be funded through those programs or personal funds. Jamie Slone serves as administrator, and Paintsville Investors operates the community.
Home of the Innocents in the Clifton Heights neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky, serves the region by offering nursing home care, skilled nursing, and respite care. Respite stays offer temporary support when a primary caregiver takes time away. Beyond traditional nursing services, the campus hosts mental and behavioral health programs, foster care assistance, parent education, custody exchange support, pediatric complex care, and residential treatment.
Founded in 1880, the 76-bed community operates under the guidance of administrator April Raddish. Total nurse staffing averages 9 hours and 38 minutes per resident each day across the building.
Prospective representatives seeking specialized nursing or short-term relief care can contact Home of the Innocents directly to evaluate program details, discuss current openings, and review enrollment steps.
Sayre Christian Village distinguishes itself as a standout residence, offering a unique blend of qualities that set it apart from the ordinary. This nonprofit, continuing care retirement community presents an exceptional living environment where residents can thrive, underpinned by a trio of diverse housing options, a comprehensive spectrum of care levels, and an abundance of enriching amenities and activities.
Rooted in Christian compassion and values, this community places a premium on providing quality housing, rehabilitation services, and long-term nursing care that exceeds expectations. The presence of highly skilled and experienced staff ensures that residents experience a level of care that truly stands out. With both independent living, assisted living, and senior living housing options available, Sayre Christian Village offers an effortlessly rewarding lifestyle that resonates with its residents.
Overview of Bradford Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation
Four care types carry the license at Bradford Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation in Hopkinsville, KY. Palliative care, nursing home care, skilled nursing, and respite care are those four, spread over 100 beds. Licensed nurses staff the nursing side, and palliative care centers on comfort for a resident with a serious illness.
Respite care puts a short-term stay in reach for a family caregiver facing time away, travel, or a recovery of their own. Private Room Availability appears among the amenities.
Rehabilitation services and the Rehab-to-Home Program work with residents heading back to their own address after illness, injury, or time in hospital. That mix suits a caregiver needing temporary cover and a resident working toward going home.
Depending on eligibility and resources, a family uses Medicaid, Medicare, or its own money. Each resident is down for 3 hours and 16 minutes of nursing a day. Tia Hopper is the administrator, and Hopkinsville Ky Opco operates the community.
On one license in Louisville, KY, Little Sisters of the Poor covers nursing home care and assisted living. The nursing home level is for a resident whose need for nursing does not let up. Assisted living is the lighter version, taking on medication management, dressing, and bathing.
Fifty beds makes the home a small one, and staff and residents have the chance to become familiar. A resident’s day here holds 7 hours and 1 minute of nursing. Both levels are licensed at the one address, so a change in what somebody needs is not a change of community.
Medicare, Medicaid, and private funds are each usable, and which one applies turns on eligibility and on what a family has. Linda Deardeuff administers the home for the Home for the Aged Little Sisters of the Poor, Inc. The Audubon neighborhood rates very walkable at 74, so errands are within walking distance.
Masonic Homes Kentucky is a 136-bed nursing home in Louisville, tucked into a very walkable pocket of the city. Walk Score puts it at 72, so a lot of daily errands are doable on foot. University of Louisville Medical Center sits close by too, which matters when extra healthcare access comes up.
Occupancy runs around 71.5%, and the average stay lands at 84 days. That number tells its own story: this is a place built for both short recovery stays and longer-term nursing care, not just one or the other. Someone bouncing back from surgery and someone settling in for months could both be down the same hallway.
Nursing hours land at about 5 hours and 12 minutes per resident each day, split across RNs, LPNs, and nurse aides. Rehab services run alongside that daily care, which matters most for residents working to rebuild strength or mobility after a hospital stay, an injury, or surgery.
Paying for care has a few routes here: Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are all accepted, so families are not boxed into one option.
The facts point toward a facility built for range; there is enough daily nursing support and rehab access to serve someone who needs a short recovery window, and enough structure to support someone settling in for a longer stay. Either way, the staffing and rehab combination gives residents a real shot at recovery or steady, ongoing care.
Christian Health Center of Louisville has been a cherished haven for seniors since its inception in 1884. Steeped in history and tradition, this esteemed facility provides a homey backdrop for seniors. Their staff is available 24 hours a day, providing exceptional support for both short-term rehabilitation and long-term skilled nursing needs. Various therapies are crafted to suit distinct circumstances, while private and semi-private rooms offer unmatched comfort and privacy. With an on-site chaplain, residents also have access to spiritual support that nurtures their faith and provides comfort during challenging times. The dining service is a culinary delight, offering delicious and nutritious meals, while the salon and barber shop renders opportunities for self-care. The outdoor spaces are a true treasure as well. With a balcony and other outdoor areas, residents can enjoy morning walks amidst the refreshing natural surroundings. These spaces provide opportunities for rejuvenation, and connection with nature, promoting holistic wellness in their twilight years.
Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports. Rank badges compare each home against other nursing homes in the same state — never against assisted living, memory care, or independent living communities.
How we're paid:If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in Kentucky
What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in Kentucky?
Assisted living in Kentucky is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.
Does Kentucky Medicaid cover nursing home care?
Yes — Kentucky Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.
What is nursing home care?
Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.
How many nursing homes are listed on this page?
This page features 207 nursing homes in Kentucky. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.
How do I choose the right nursing home in Kentucky?
Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Kentucky, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.
What should I look for when visiting nursing homes in Kentucky?
Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.
If you move into a community through us, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never changes your cost or which options we recommend. Learn more
Nursing Homes in Kentucky at a glance
Avg Overall CMS Rating:2.8/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Kentucky. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating:2.7/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Kentucky. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating:2.9/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Kentucky. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.0/ 5
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