Page 21 of Best Nursing Homes in Kentucky

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
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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Kentucky our team has analyzed — not a count of every nursing home provider in Kentucky.
207 homes
Other senior care options in Kentucky:

Compare Nursing Homes around Kentucky

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 Table AL (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. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment. ADC (Adult Day Care): Daytime supervision, health monitoring, and social activities for seniors who live at home. PC (Palliative Care): Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
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.
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.
Carmel Manor
NH
MC
RC
SNF
Fort Thomas
175
Facility 175
KY AVG 100
Rank #12 / 196
--
4.11
Facility 4.11
KY AVG 3.75
Rank #20 / 195
-49%+10%
$305.1k
Facility $305.1k
KY AVG $65.4k
Rank #195 / 199
38
Facility 38
KY AVG 13.5
Rank #188 / 196
7.6
Facility 7.6
KY AVG 4.4
Rank #176 / 196
1187-
34
Facility 34
KY AVG 46
Rank #150 / 208
Carmel Manor
$10.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $10.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
KY AVG $9.9M
Rank #72 / 188
$4.7MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $4.7MFiscal year ending 12/2023
KY AVG $4.9M
Rank #74 / 188
44.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 44.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
KY AVG 48.9%
Rank #121 / 188
185208
Madonna Manor
NH
AL
IL
MC
SNF
Villa Hills
64
Facility 64
KY AVG 100
Rank #154 / 196
--
4.88
Facility 4.88
KY AVG 3.75
Rank #12 / 195
+1%+30%
$181.3k
Facility $181.3k
KY AVG $65.4k
Rank #190 / 199
21
Facility 21
KY AVG 13.5
Rank #158 / 196
3.5
Facility 3.5
KY AVG 4.4
Rank #79 / 196
655-
4
Facility 4
KY AVG 46
Rank #205 / 208
Denise Corrou
$12.6MFiscal year ending 06/2024
Facility $12.6MFiscal year ending 06/2024
KY AVG $9.9M
Rank #43 / 188
$6.6MFiscal year ending 06/2024
Facility $6.6MFiscal year ending 06/2024
KY AVG $4.9M
Rank #31 / 188
52.5%Fiscal year ending 06/2024
Facility 52.5%Fiscal year ending 06/2024
KY AVG 48.9%
Rank #51 / 188
185241
Bourbon Heights Nursing Home
NH
ADC
IL
RC
SNF
Paris
109
Facility 109
KY AVG 100
Rank #65 / 196
41.3%
Facility 41.3%
KY AVG 84.9%
Rank #161 / 165
-51%
5.27
Facility 5.27
KY AVG 3.75
Rank #9 / 195
-23%+40%
$57.8k
Facility $57.8k
KY AVG $65.4k
Rank #182 / 199
29
Facility 29
KY AVG 13.5
Rank #178 / 196
7.3
Facility 7.3
KY AVG 4.4
Rank #170 / 196
1145-
77
Facility 77
KY AVG 46
Rank #10 / 208
Bourbon Heights, Inc
$8.2MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $8.2MFiscal year ending 09/2023
KY AVG $9.9M
Rank #119 / 188
$3.5MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $3.5MFiscal year ending 09/2023
KY AVG $4.9M
Rank #132 / 188
42.3%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility 42.3%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
KY AVG 48.9%
Rank #141 / 188
185283
Willowbrook Healthcare-
NH
MC
SNF
Carlisle
104
Facility 104
KY AVG 100
Rank #74 / 196
------+45%-
$0
Facility $0
KY AVG $65.4k
Rank #1 / 199
---41-
52
Facility 52
KY AVG 46
Rank #89 / 208
Willowbrook Healthcare Group, LLC---185489
Mayfield Health and Rehabilitation-
NH
HOS
MC
PC
RC
SNF
Mayfield
100
Facility 100
KY AVG 100
Rank #86 / 196
--------------
56
Facility 56
KY AVG 46
Rank #68 / 208
Mayfield Ky Opco, LLC$6.8M*Fiscal year ending 2021These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.$2.3M*Fiscal year ending 2021These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.33.2%*Fiscal year ending 2021These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.185142

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

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Overview of Baptist Life Communities

Baptist Life Communities has been part of Northern Kentucky’s senior care landscape since 1952. Located in Covington, it offers a full spectrum of care, nursing home, assisted living, independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing, under one roof. A resident who starts in independent living can move into higher levels of care without relocating to a different community entirely.

The neighborhood carries a Walk Score of 46, which puts it in “somewhat walkable” territory. A few errands are doable on foot, but most trips still require a car, worth knowing for family members who might visit often or residents who value walkable access to nearby services.

On the care side, Baptist Life Communities provides short term rehab and outpatient therapy, useful for residents recovering from surgery, illness, or injury who need structured therapy without leaving the building. Respite care is also available, giving family caregivers a way to step back temporarily while their loved one stays in a familiar, supervised setting.

For a Covington family navigating a parent or spouse’s care needs, the draw here is continuity. A single community that spans independent living through skilled nursing, backed by more than seven decades of operation in the area, offers a kind of long-term stability that’s harder to find in a facility built around one care level alone.

Contact Baptist Life Communities

Overview of Lifeline Health Care of Pulaski

Lifeline Health Care of Pulaski provides home care in Somerset, KY. Home healthcare lets a person receive support in their own residence instead of moving to a residential setting, while person-centered care shapes that support around individual needs.

Lifeline Health Care of Pulaski can be a good fit for someone who needs healthcare services at home, including a person managing ongoing health needs or recovering through rehabilitation. Programs include Behavioral Health Nursing, chronic disease management, heart disease care, fall prevention, pain management, infusion therapy, nutritional consultation, Medical Social Work and Home Health Aides. Together, these services address clinical care, daily support, coordination and social needs in the home. Care Transitions helps support a change between care settings, while respite care provides short-term support when a usual caregiver needs temporary relief. Rehabilitation services support recovery without requiring residential placement.

The area is car-dependent, with a Walk Score of 39. Most errands require a car or a ride, so getting to shops, appointments or other destinations generally requires access to transportation.

Contact Lifeline Health Care of Pulaski

Overview of Bardstown Heatlh & Rehabilitation

Bardstown Health & Rehabilitation provides nursing home, hospice, respite, and skilled nursing care in Bardstown, Kentucky. Nursing home and skilled nursing services include both short term rehabilitation and long term care, with licensed nursing oversight available around the clock. Short term rehabilitation may be a good fit for a resident recovering after surgery or orthopedic treatment.

Rehabilitation also includes orthopedic rehabilitation, post surgical care, pulmonary care, bariatric care, and oncology care. Hospice focuses on comfort for someone nearing the end of life, while respite care offers a short stay when a usual caregiver needs time away or time to recover. Personalized care plans organize services around each resident’s needs; Robb Durham is the administrator, and Bloomfield SNF Operations operates the community.

Contact Bardstown Heatlh & Rehabilitation

Overview of Mayfield Health and Rehabilitation

Mayfield Health and Rehabilitation provides nursing home, hospice care, memory care, palliative care, respite care, and skilled nursing in Mayfield, KY. Skilled nursing and nursing home care provide licensed nursing services on site, while memory care offers a supervised setting for a resident who may be at risk of wandering. Hospice and palliative care address comfort and support for people with serious or advanced illness, and respite care provides a short-term stay when a usual caregiver needs time away.

The community has 100 beds. Its range of care can suit a resident whose needs change over time, since moving among care levels may allow the resident to remain in the same community rather than begin again elsewhere.

A Walk Score of 56 places the area in the somewhat walkable band, meaning some errands can be completed on foot; a resident who no longer drives may be able to reach certain nearby destinations independently. Sarah Stewart is the administrator, and Mayfield Ky Opco operates the community.

Contact Mayfield Health and Rehabilitation

Overview of Chestnut Ridge Health & Rehabilitation

Chestnut Ridge Health & Rehabilitation is a nursing home in Louisville, Kentucky, offering hospice care, respite care, and skilled nursing. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while nursing home care supports residents who need ongoing care in a residential setting. Hospice care supports residents with end of life needs, and respite care provides a short stay when a person’s usual caregiver needs temporary relief.

The home is in the Old Louisville neighborhood and has 92 beds. Payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Medicare can cover short term skilled care after a hospital stay, Medicaid can help when savings may not cover a long stay, and private pay means the resident or family pays directly.

Rehabilitation services include short term rehab, orthopedic rehab, postsurgical care, pulmonary care, bariatric care, and oncology care. Residents can receive care directed toward recovery after surgery or orthopedic needs, along with care for pulmonary, bariatric, or oncology needs, within the community. The community may be a good fit for someone recovering after surgery or an orthopedic procedure, or for a family needing a temporary respite stay.

Walking paths, gardens, and courtyards offer places to walk or sit outdoors. A beauty salon and barbershop provide grooming services within the community. Chestnut Snf Operations operates the community, and Sherita Autrey serves as administrator.

Contact Chestnut Ridge Health & Rehabilitation

Overview of Sparks Nursing Center

Sparks Nursing Center offers nursing home and assisted living care in Central City, KY. Nursing home care supports residents who need ongoing nursing and daily assistance, while assisted living helps with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication. Having both options may suit a resident whose needs could grow over time without requiring a move to another community.

The center has 88 beds, with private and semi private rooms for residents who want a room alone or prefer to share with another resident. Medicaid is accepted, giving eligible residents a payment option when personal savings may not cover the full cost of care. Respite care offers a short stay when a usual caregiver needs time to travel, recover, or manage other responsibilities, while the salon, pool, monthly resident council, and weekly church services provide grooming, recreation, resident participation, and worship on site.

Contact Sparks Nursing Center

Overview of The Pavilion at Kenton for Nursing and Rehabilitation

Covington, Kentucky serves as the setting for The Pavilion at Kenton for Nursing and Rehabilitation, an 82-bed skilled nursing community built for medical recovery and long-term care. The business office processes resident billing through typical regional accounts, while the physical property sits in an area with a Walk Score of 50. This mid-range score means traveling family members can complete several quick errands on foot, though standard transit through the broader city requires a personal vehicle.

Clinical shift logs indicate a multi-tiered workforce that divides hands-on assistance across the 82 certified beds. Daily averages show residents receive 1 hour and 44 minutes of direct help from nurse aides, 45 minutes of care from licensed practical nurses, and 29 minutes of technical monitoring from registered nurses. This staffing structure distributes regular medication delivery, medical chart documentation, and mobility assistance across a 24-hour cycle.

Private quarters and shared lounges make up the building’s floor plan, offering spaces for quiet rest alongside common areas for family visits. The household crew manages standard domestic systems, including kitchen prep, laundry loops, and room cleaning, to keep the institutional footprint orderly and clean. Because specific internal guidelines and programming variables can adjust over time, the administrative staff routes detailed operational questions directly through the main office.

Interested individuals can set up an appointment to inspect the physical floor layouts, review the daily clinical logs, and verify the localized driving setup. The management team coordinates these basic property inquiries alongside standard services.

Contact The Pavilion at Kenton for Nursing and Rehabilitation

Ranking Methodology

How we rank these nursing homes

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.

  • CMS data
  • 5 weighted categories
  • Updated quarterly
Full methodology

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Care Quality
  • 20%
    Staffing
  • 20%
    Regulatory
  • 20%
    Operational
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Care Quality 35%

The largest single share of every ranking. CMS star ratings and quality measures that reflect actual care delivered to residents.

  • Includes
  • Overall Rating
  • Health Inspection
  • QM Rating
  • Long-Stay QM
  • Short-Stay QM
02

Staffing Adequacy 20%

The strongest predictor of resident outcomes. Volume and stability of nursing care, drawn from CMS Payroll-Based Journal.

  • Includes
  • Nurse Hrs/Res/Day
  • RN vs State
  • Total Nurse Staff Hrs vs State
  • RN Turnover
03

Regulatory & Safety Record 20%

Inspection patterns that star ratings can mask. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • Citations
  • Citations/Inspection
  • Severe Citations
  • Fines
  • Accreditations
04

Operational & Financial Stability 20%

Stable operations and sound finances are leading indicators of consistent care over time.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy vs State
  • Avg Length of Stay
  • Revenue
  • Payroll %
  • Years in Operation
  • Admin Tenure
05

Environment & Accessibility 5%

Context that matters to families but doesn't directly measure clinical care. Weighted lower for nursing homes than for assisted or independent living.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • BBB Rating
No paid rankings Facilities cannot pay to influence placement.
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
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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.

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