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Whether you are looking for an urban or suburban feel, Omaha, Nebraska, offers a seamless combination of both. While it’s a big city, the culture feels like a small town. Seniors in Omaha will feel at home with a variety of retirement options, including independent living communities. A Place for Mom partners with 13 independent living communities within 10 miles of the Omaha City Hall. This radius includes surrounding suburbs and part of Iowa, including Council Bluffs.
Similar to senior apartments, independent living communities offer senior-only living where older adults can maintain independence while enjoying services, such as meals, that help them live conveniently in a safe environment. There are many independent living communities in Omaha that even offer senior care options, so residents can age in place if their needs ever change.
A Place for Mom has collected information from our partner Omaha independent living communities to create this guide. It includes real resident reviews, the service options you can expect to find, and cost data. You can learn how residents tend to pay, what the Omaha regulations are for senior communities, as well as what tenant and landlord laws are in place. Find helpful, local senior resources in each section, as well as the area’s senior-friendly activities and transportation options.
Types of care available in Omaha, NE
Independent Living
We have no problem with the community, they people there are very nice. Our only issues would be the communication regarding our loved one. Sometimes it is hard to get information and updates but we think that could be because of covid. We would definitely recommend this community to others.
We've utilized The Waterford for respite stays, and we loved it. We would have put my loved one there long-term except they don't have memory care. Even though the building is old, the people were so nice. The care was great. And the food was good.
Our mother has only been at Via Christe for a week and a half but it has been a wonderful experience so far! {name removed} worked with us and moms doctor to sort out medications. Mom loves her room and has started to participate in the daily activities. Everyone has been friendly and welcoming. Its a community environment that is great for seniors. Highly recommend!
301 Cedardale Rd, Papillion, NE 68046
445 South 193rd Street, Elkhorn, NE 68022
445 South 193rd Street, Elkhorn, NE 68022
501 E Gold Coast Rd, Papillion, NE 68046
They did a great job, she loved the Wellington, she was there for almost 15 years. They had studios, one bedroom and two bedroom apartments, we were in the two bedroom and it was very nice, it's very similar...
The Wellington welcomes you home to a truly independent style of retirement living with all of the services and amenities to help ease the challenges of daily life. Located in Papillion, adjacent to Midlands Hospital, our studio, one and two-bedroom apartments feature fully equipped kitchens,...
6021 Grand Lodge Avenue, Papillion, NE 68133
6021 Grand Lodge Avenue, Papillion, NE 68133
13121 Constitution Blvd., Omaha, NE 68138
3121 MacIneery Drive, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
The community is a very nice place, and the staff seems to really care. I would recommend this community to others.
Fox Run Assisted Living Community is located on the 16th hole of Fox Run Golf Course in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Fox Run is where you can enjoy a life of beauty and independence.With 66 spacious apartments, Fox Run offers five convenient floor plans that range from 436 to 983 square feet at one low...
4609 Hilltop St, Bellevue, NE 68133
I'm really pleased with the communication from the staff to the family. This was a good choice for my loved one. The activities when they are able to have the residents participate; the community keeps...
3535 Piney Creek, Elkhorn, NE 68022
3535 Piney Creek, Elkhorn, NE 68022
The average monthly rate for an independent living community in the Omaha area is approximately $3,822, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01] This cost is an average of what seniors actually paid per month and includes add-on fees and services. The actual cost of an independent living community can vary depending on the floor plan, location, amenities, and services.
For example, the starting median price for a one bedroom in the Omaha area is $3,334 and $4,100 monthly for a two bedroom. While many independent living communities are all-inclusive without buy-in fees, some have a community fee, monthly parking fee, and/or monthly pet fee.[01]
The average cost for independent living typically includes rent, as well as some services and amenities. Common area amenities depend on the independent living community, but the following are some you may find on-site, according to our partners:
However, some of our independent living partners add onto these common amenities with even more special features like the following:
Independent living facilities include a variety of services to help seniors maintain independence while living in convenience. Per our independent living partners in Omaha, below are some on-site services ranked from most common to less common:
The following numbers show the average baseline costs for independent living facilities in the Omaha area. These costs do not include common add-on service costs, like our proprietary data above.
19.62 miles from you
Your zip code
11.97 miles from you
Most seniors pay for independent living privately, through their retirement income and assets. For seniors who grow to require care services at home, Medicaid, Medicare, and long-term care insurance may help eligible seniors cover costs related to in-home health care services.
In this section, you will find the different ways seniors pay for their costs of living. The following payment tabs also include suggestions on how eligible seniors can receive local assistance, including housing assistance, VA benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Seniors often pay privately for independent living, since independent senior living communities are not considered care facilities. So, monthly rental costs are usually paid for with options like savings, Social Security benefits, pensions, and investment returns. Depending on your resources, the following options may also be available to you:
All 13 of our independent living partners in Omaha have a minimum age requirement of 55+ or 62+, depending on the community. Independent living communities in Nebraska are not considered care facilities, so, aside from an age limit, they do not have specific facility requirements — like those of assisted living facilities. However, a handful of our independent living partners also have assisted living on the same campus. Those communities with multi-tier care types must follow assisted living regulations, as well.
Both Nebraska and Iowa assisted living communities must be licensed. In Nebraska, assisted living communities are licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services, while Iowa requires an Assisted Living Program license. These licenses require inspections, which can be found online at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services database or the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals database. Depending on the state, these facilities must meet certain requirements, including but not limited to:
Additionally, Nebraska and Iowa have their own requirements for assisted living buildings, which can be found in our guide to assisted living in Omaha.
Otherwise, independent living communities are generally rental properties and typically are required to follow the state apartment regulations and requirements. Read on to learn about some of the rental regulations in Nebraska and Iowa.
Nebraska and Iowa require property owners to provide a habitable living environment. This means the apartment building common areas must be a safe environment and kept clean, as well as meet the following requirements for the apartment complex:
Additionally, a tenant must help maintain a clean and safe apartment that complies with housing and building codes. Compliance means the following:
To learn more about your rights as a tenant visit the Nebraska’s Landlord and Tenant Handbook or the Iowa Landlord and Tenant Law Legislative Guide.
In addition to following apartment regulations, independent living communities must provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. Changing a rule or service can help provide an equal opportunity to those with disabilities. These type of accommodations may include the following:
Additionally, a facility may be required to make modifications to the design of the building to make it easily accessible. Such modifications may include installing the following:
If you have a disability and need accommodations, contact the Omaha Housing Authority, which can help you request accommodations.
Below you will find contacts for filing a complaint against your landlord if they have ignored your written requests. For a structural complaint, contact the Housing Enforcement department at the local City of Omaha Planning Department. If your landlord has not responded to your written requests and you need to file a rental complaint, you can contact the Council Bluffs Rental Housing department for guidance. It is advised to not file a complaint against your landlord until you have submitted multiple written requests to your landlord about the changes on safety issues.
Request form for accommodation of disability.
1823 Harney St.
Omaha, NE 68102
Phone: 402-444-6900
Find your local contact agency.
1819 Farnam St., Suite 1100
Omaha, NE 68183-1100
Phone: 402-444-5350
Learn more about filing a rental housing complaint form.
209 Pearl St.
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Phone: 712-890-5283
Since the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has relaxed its COVID-19 guidelines, Nebraska and Iowa have followed their lead. However, Nebraska Department of Health still recommends isolating after you have tested positive for COVID-19 infection. The following are the recommended steps after isolating for five days:
After testing negative twice on a COVID-19 antigen test, taken 48 hours apart, you can stop wearing a mask. Or, if you are symptom free for 11 days, you can stop wearing a mask. Nebraska also encourages eligible people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 through the official vaccination campaign, Finish Strong Nebraska.
Nebraska independent living facilities do not have any specific COVID-19 requirements. Though, many of our Omaha independent living partners with assisted living available on the same campus do. To learn more about those assisted living COVID-19 regulations, read our Omaha assisted living page.
Learn more about CDC COVID-19 guidelines.
If you’re looking for all-inclusive senior living with multiple services on one campus and an active living lifestyle, Omaha has a variety of options. Read on for an outline of what you can expect from independent living communities in Omaha.
Seniors in Omaha don’t have to worry about managing all their bills thanks to all-inclusive rates. This means all costs are wrapped in one monthly payment instead of paying for each service individually. Many of our independent living partners in Omaha are all-inclusive and don’t have buy-in fees. The services and fees included in this all-inclusive flat rate depends on the community. However, this fee generally includes the apartment, utilities, and community amenities and activities. Additionally, all of our independent living partners provide meals and may include them in the all-inclusive rate.
All of our independent living partners offer planned on-site and off-site activities for residents. These types of activities may include but are not limited to the following:
Additionally, independent living communities offer clubs and groups to encourage socialization. Depending on the community, you may be able to participate in interest clubs and groups like the following:
Five of our 13 partner independent living communities in Omaha are stand-alone independent living communities. The others have additional care types — including assisted living and memory care — on the same campus. These types of communities help seniors age in place. Since care needs can evolve, there is a possibility you may need additional care in the future. Therefore, these types of communities are beneficial and extremely popular in Omaha. If you believe you may eventually need assistance with activities of daily living or dementia care, there are memory care facilities and assisted living facilities in Omaha, some on the same campuses as our partner independent living communities.
Additionally, approximately 84% of our Omaha independent living partners have at least one of the following visiting medical professionals:
Some facilities also have an on-call doctor and on-site nursing services. On-site nursing services can provide the following:
If you grow to need even more advanced nursing care, many facilities also provide access to a third-party skilled nursing agency. The majority of our partner independent living communities give residents access to an on-site home health care agency.
Omaha is a hub for independent living communities. And between Jan. 1, 2022 and Feb. 14, 2023, approximately 66% of the seniors A Place for Mom referred were looking for a facility located in Omaha. However, many seniors gravitated toward the suburbs, with 11% desiring a facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The rest of our seniors looked for independent living in the following suburban areas:
Our independent living partners in these areas offer multiple care types — including independent living, assisted living, and memory care — on the same campus. And one of our partner communities in Council Bluffs is a faith-led continuing care retirement community (also known as a CCRC), meaning you can age in place. CCRCs typically provide unlimited on-site care services, but they come with a hefty admission fee. Some admission fees for CCRCs can be upward of $100,000, as this fee is used to offset future on-site nursing care costs. Many seniors opt to cover this fee with the proceeds from the sale of a home, or by digging into retirement resources.
In these suburban areas, you’ll find independent living communities that offer the same kinds of amenities and services as the Omaha area communities. The main difference is the space — as the suburbs are spread more openly across beautifully landscaped greenery and have a charming ambiance. Some of these independent living communities also have more spacious floor plans than their city counterparts. Suburban communities can also include larger villa options.
Percentage of seniors 55 and older within the Omaha population, according to U.S. Census Bureau
Omaha seniors have access to multiple geriatric programs and clinics provided through high performing hospitals. Here you’ll find highly ranked hospitals in the Omaha region.
Nebraska Medicine-Nebraska Medical Center offers top-notch care with a regional ranking of No. 1, according to U.S. News and World Report.[21] The hospital receives high performance ratings for four adult specialties, including cancer and pulmonology/lung surgery. Seniors can find additional care at the on-site geriatric clinic, Home Instead Center for Successful Aging.
Nebraska Methodist Hospital provides extraordinary care with a regional ranking of No. 2 in Omaha and No. 3 in Nebraska, according to U.S. News and World Report.[21] Seniors can receive care tailored to their needs with a Geriatric Assessment Clinic, Acute Care for Elders Unit, and four geriatric programs. The programs have specially trained nurses who provide care for seniors during their hospital stay, as well as offer educational information on geriatric medicine.
CHI Health Immanuel offers typical services and specialty services with a cancer center, rehabilitation center, and specialty spine hospital located in North Omaha. Seniors can also use CHI Health at Home, the home health care services offered by the hospital. The hospital system has other nearby locations, including CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs.
While Omaha is a large city, the area does not have many public transportation options available. Luckily, all of our independent living partners in Omaha have complimentary transportation available. And if you have your own means of transportation, our Omaha independent living partners have resident parking options available. Plus, some independent living communities offer covered parking options to help protect the vehicle from severe weather.
However, if you need additional means of transportation, Omaha Metro has three different bus systems available:
The local bus system and Orbt rapid bus transit offer a Metro fare discount for seniors aged 62+ and those with disabilities.
The following scores, out of 100, are based off transportation accessibility in the Omaha area, including Council Bluffs, Iowa, per Walk Score.
48
24
42
Most of our independent living partners offer planned off-site activities, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. Community transportation services enable residents to visit a variety of local hotspots and participate in group outings and activities. A well-known and recommended area is The Old Market — a local spot with plenty of arts, entertainment, dining, and shopping options.
The area has many senior-friendly activity options to help you live an active lifestyle. Below is an outline of popular area activities, some of which may be located in The Old Market.
There are many Omaha senior activity centers that host multiple activities. If you reserve ahead by at least 24 hours, you can even get a meal. Besides senior centers, the City of Omaha Parks schedule a variety of senior-friendly activities like the following:
Additionally, there is a 55+ club where seniors have free access to a weight room and the indoor gym.
Seniors age 62+ can live an active lifestyle with a discounted membership to the YMCA Healthy Living Center in Council Bluffs. The local YMCA has amenities like the following:
Whether you’re looking for lively performing arts or gambling, the Omaha area has multiple options for both. The Omaha area is known for having a large arts and music scene, thanks to the Omaha Performing Arts center. The center hosts live music, dance performances, Broadway shows, and comedy shows, with three difference venues in one area, including:
On the other side of the state line, Council Bluffs has a handful of casinos with options like slots, virtual games, table games, and sports betting. Enjoy these local casinos:
Your family will love coming to visit thanks to the area’s finest museums, like:
If you love the outdoors, you’ll find endless opportunities in Omaha with over 250 parks throughout the area. Whether you visit the park by yourself or with friends, there are many comfortable amenities for activities, like tennis courts, swimming pools, community centers, and picnic areas. You can also enjoy a day of swimming or fishing at one of the many local lakes. Besides outdoor parks and lakes, the area offers the well-known Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, where seniors aged 65+ receive a slightly discounted rate.
Bloomfield, Westgate Assisted Living and Bailey Pointe on Van Dorn are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near Omaha, NE. These Independent Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Independent Living in Omaha is 2,787 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2022-2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Medicaid Eligibility.
State of Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Who Receives Medicaid?
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Medicaid Services.
State of Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Home Health Services.
Medicare. What Medicare health plans cover.
Omaha Housing Authority. Housing Vouchers Eligibility Requirements.
Municipal Housing Agency. Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Nebraska Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure. (2007, April 3). Health Care Facilities and Services Licensure, Chapter 4 Assisted Living Facilities.
Office of the Assistance Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. (2015) Compendium of Residential Care and Assisted Living Regulations and Policy: 2015 Edition.
Nebraska Legislature. (2001). Nebraska Revised Statue 76-1419.
Legislative Services Agency. (Dec. 2014). Landlord-Tenant Law.
Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1421 (1974 & rev. 2019).
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2022). Reasonable accommodations and modifications.
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Steps to take after testing positive or exposure to COVID-19.
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. (2021, July 14). Assisted-living facility masking guidance.
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. (2021, April 1). Guidance on communal dining/group activities for NF and AL.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age of householder by household income in the past 12 months (in 2021 inflation-adjusted dollars) (B19037) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News and World Report. (2023, January 13). Hospital search.
Walk Score. Living in Omaha.
Bird, S. (2023, Feb. 13). Personal communication [Zoom interview].
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