10 Best Nursing Homes in Indianapolis, IN

There are a variety of ways to pay for nursing homes in Indianapolis. Families will often use a mix of private and public pay options. Depending on a couple of different factors, Medicare and Medicaid can help out with some of the costs of long-term care or skilled nursing services. Veterans and surviving spouses may also be able to turn to certain benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

No matter what stage you’re at in your search for long-term care, it’s important to understand what financial resources may be available to help stay a step ahead of the costs. We delve into what specific payment methods can be used to cover certain long-term care costs at senior care facilities below.

The state regulations for senior care facilities in Indiana vary somewhat depending on the type of care setting. We highlight some important state regulations in place for Indiana skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care facilities below.

Skilled nursing facilities

Skilled nursing facilities are also referred to as comprehensive care facilities in Indiana. Skilled nursing facilities are required to be licensed through the Comprehensive Care Facility Licensing and Certification Program by the Indiana Department of Health. Skilled nursing facilities are required to provide the following:

• Room and board
• Food for special diets
• Medication administration
• Rehabilitative treatments and therapies under the order of a physician
• Comprehensive nursing care

Read on to find out about types of care provided in a skilled nursing facility, as well as some specific regulations for skilled nursing facilities.

Types of care in a skilled nursing facility

Skilled nursing facilities are licensed to provide comprehensive nursing care, which goes beyond what’s provided in settings like assisted living or memory care facilities. Comprehensive nursing care includes the following types of medical care services:

• Insertion, irrigation, and replacement of catheters
• Treatment of complex or infected wounds that require the use of sterile techniques
• Treatment of widespread skin disorders, such as pressure ulcers
• Any physician-ordered treatments that require a nurse’s observation
• Administration of oxygen or other medical gases

Skilled nursing facility regulations in Indiana

Indiana’s regulations for skilled nursing facilities help make sure facilities provide a safe and sanitary environment that promotes residents’ quality of life and dignity. We highlight a few of those regulations for skilled nursing facilities below:

• Prospective residents must have a physician’s order to be admitted.
• All residents must be served three daily meals and, if needed, be provided with special eating equipment and utensils.
• Facilities must conduct a preadmission evaluation on prospective residents to make sure their needs can be met at the facility.
• Facilities must develop a comprehensive care plan within seven days after a resident’s initial assessment. The plan must include measurable goals and timelines to meet a resident’s specific care needs.
• Facilities must provide residents a discharge summary that details their health status at the time of transfer, as well as a post-discharge plan to identify their needs after transfer.
• Facilities must provide an ongoing activity program with a range of options, such as group social activities, events, arts and crafts, and spiritual programs.
• Residents have the right to be treated with dignity and free from all forms of abuse. All facilities must have policies in place that prohibit abuse, mistreatment, and neglect of residents.
• Facilities must provide specialized rehabilitative therapies (physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.) or use an outside resource to provide such therapies for residents who need them.

Indiana assisted living and memory care regulations

Assisted living facilities in Indiana can be licensed or unlicensed to operate. Both types of facilities should provide assistance with activities of daily living to individuals. We outline some distinctions between both types of facilities, as well as Indiana regulations for licensed assisted living facilities below.

Licensed vs. unlicensed assisted living facilities

Assisted living facilities can be either licensed or unlicensed in Indiana. Assisted living facilities that are licensed fall under the category of residential care facilities and are regulated and inspected by the Indiana Department of Health about every nine to 15 months. Licensed assisted living facilities can provide more advanced health care services like medication administration. Unlicensed assisted living facilities, on the other hand, can’t provide medication administration. However, residents can hire their own home health care caregivers if they need such services while living in a facility.

Assisted living vs. skilled nursing facilities

Unlike skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities — both licensed and unlicensed — can’t provide comprehensive nursing services or admit residents who need round-the-clock nursing care. They also can’t admit seniors who require total assistance with all their activities of daily living. We outline some more key regulations in place for licensed Indiana assisted living facilities below.

Indiana regulations for licensed assisted living facilities

Any medication administration needs to be ordered by a resident’s doctor and supervised by a licensed nurse, though residents may self-administer or receive medication assistance from staff when appropriate and safe.

Below are some regulations for licensed assisted living communities in Indiana:

• Like skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities must serve three daily meals.
• All private units must be at least 100 square feet, with a minimum of 80 square feet available per resident in multiple-occupancy units.
• Residents’ rooms should have no more than four beds within one unit, and every unit must have a private toilet, sink, and tub or shower.
• All staff members must undergo an initial orientation before working on their own, as well as an annual in-service education and training program related to their duties.
• Assisted living facilities are responsible for creating policies for investigating and addressing complaints to prevent any abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of residents.
• Licensed residential care facilities are required to perform personal care services and assistance with activities of daily living that are tailored to the needs of each resident.
• Licensed residential care facilities are also responsible for scheduling activities that are tailored to the interests and abilities of residents, as well as for arranging transportation to off-site community events.

Regulations for licensed assisted living facilities with memory care

Licensed assisted living facilities that offer memory care are required to submit an Alzheimer’s and dementia special care unit form. This form outlines a facility’s specific mission and philosophy for caring for patients with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, as well as the following:

• Staffing patterns and staff-to-patient ratios for each shift
• Any therapeutic methods and programs provided
• Types and amount of training required or provided to staff
• A facility’s criteria and processes for admissions, transfers, and discharges

Memory care facilities that submit the disclosure form must have a designated director for the Alzheimer’s and dementia care unit. This director needs to complete the following:

• At least 12 hours of dementia-care training
• An annual 6 hours of training about current care practices and regulatory standards for residents in memory care

All memory care staff are required to complete an initial orientation and annual in-service training. Memory care staff must also meet the following training requirements:

• An annual 6 hours of dementia-specific training within six months of employment
• An annual 3-hour training course over current standards of dementia care

Look up and report Indiana licensed assisted living facilities

You can find consumer reports of all licensed nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Indiana by searching the Indiana Department of Health online lookup tool. You can use the tool to search directly for a provider in the “find any provider” search box.

You can also look up a provider using the list menu, organized by county. Once you click the provider type (such as nursing homes or residential care facilities), you’ll have a list of all Indiana counties to choose from. Select the county you’re interested in, and a list of all licensed facilities will appear. From there, choose a facility and a pop-up box will open up and let you view the consumer report.

You can also submit a complaint to the Indiana Department of Health regarding any licensed health facility.

COVID-19 regulations for Indianapolis nursing homes

There currently aren’t any statewide mandates or restrictions in place for senior care communities, like assisted living or memory care, in Indianapolis. But private communities can set their own standards, so it’s important that you check with a prospective facility beforehand to understand their COVID-19 policies.

You can find the most recent public guidance and view county-specific information on the state’s COVID-19 response website. You can also find the latest guidance for Indianapolis on the Marion County Public Health Department website.

Indianapolis skilled nursing facilities have more advanced standards in place since they’re considered health care facilities. All Indianapolis skilled nursing facilities need to follow COVID-19 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) specific to health care settings. These guidelines include the following:

Senior care facilities are often grouped into a single category in people’s minds. But there are some pretty important distinctions you’ll want to be aware of when considering a senior care facility for a loved one. We lay out some key distinctions between different types of senior care facilities in Indianapolis below.

Skilled nursing facilities in Indianapolis

Skilled nursing facilities are often a short-term care option for people with complex medical needs or conditions. They provide medical care services just below those available at a hospital, such as round-the-clock, medically supervised nursing care. Most skilled nursing homes require a referral from a physician before admission. These facilities are designed to accommodate people who need to recover from an illness, surgery, or injury. Patients often return to their homes or move into a different type of senior care setting once they’ve recovered.

A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with stand-alone skilled nursing facilities. However, you can still find general nursing services at nearly all of our in-network assisted living and memory care facilities. Some of our partner assisted living and memory care facilities even have skilled nursing units right on-site, in the event their current residents require such advanced medical care.

Indianapolis assisted living

Seniors who don’t need the level of care provided in a skilled nursing facility may consider an assisted living facility. In Indiana, assisted living facilities can be either licensed or unlicensed. The main difference between the two is that only licensed facilities can provide health services like medication administration. Assisted living facilities are designed to help seniors with activities of daily living (ADLs) while also providing socially engaging activities for them to participate in, which include the following:

• Stretching and yoga classes
• Holiday parties
• Wine tastings
• Gardening clubs
• Art classes
• Cooking clubs

Transportation, meals, housekeeping, and personal laundry are often considered baseline services at most assisted living facilities. Baseline services are typically included as part of the monthly cost. Many assisted living communities also offer access to on-site amenities such as fitness centers, resident lounges, game rooms, theaters, and outdoor courtyards. Additionally, you’ll find Indianapolis assisted living facilities offer a diverse selection of floor plans, with some featuring elegant, in-unit upgrades like stainless steel appliances and granite countertops.

Indianapolis memory care

Memory care facilities provide similar services and amenities as general assisted living facilities, with more specialized standards for staff and security. The facilities are designed to provide a secure living environment for residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. They also offer advanced therapies and person-centered activities for individuals with dementia. These specialized activities and therapeutic programs help to reduce loneliness, boredom, and aggressive behaviors in residents. Reminiscence and sensory-based programs are popular, and they help residents remember positive moments from the past and create new memories.

Most of our in-network memory care facilities feature enclosed courtyard areas, outdoor walking paths, and Wander Guard or similar systems to prevent residents from wandering away from the grounds. All of our partner memory care facilities have round-the-clock awake staff available, and staff are required to complete annual dementia-specific training. Some communities exclusively accommodate residents with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. But most of our partner memory care facilities operate on the same campus as an assisted living facility.

Indianapolis is anything but short on exceptional health care and top-notch hospitals, according to Google reviews from patients. Take a peek at just a couple of Indianapolis’ biggest local hospitals.

More than half of our partner Indianapolis senior care facilities offer some form of transportation service to their residents. Most provide complimentary transportation, and a select few communities provide at-cost transportation. Residents in assisted living or memory care facilities often find the transportation services to be especially helpful for medical appointments and other errands. Not only is this highly convenient, but it’s also safer for seniors who can’t travel independently. Memory care facilities will even offer caregiver escorts on rides for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia.

For visiting friends and loved ones, Indianapolis has an expansive public transit system. IndyGo is Indianapolis’ primary public transit service and is made up of over 200 buses. All IndyGo buses are ADA-accessible, and there’s also a paratransit service available for passengers with disabilities who can’t access the fixed routes. Seniors who can safely travel on IndyGo buses receive a discounted fare when they present a valid Medicare card or Half Fare ID card. You can find an application for a Half Fare ID card online.

Indianapolis has several other transportation services as well, such as Way2Go, which helps Marion County seniors get to and from locations such as medical appointments, grocery stores, and pharmacies. You may also find one of the following Indianapolis transportation services to be helpful to you or your loved one:

• Door2Door
• IndyGo Open Door
• GoGo Grandparents
• Veterans Transportation Service (VTS)
• Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA)

From live theater performances and museums to outdoor excursions, Indianapolis is full of family-friendly experiences and attractions. Several of the city’s key points of interest have adaptations available to make them accessible to people of all abilities. Take a peek at some of Indianapolis’ best and most accessible attractions below.

Outdoor adventures

Take a stroll through one of Indianapolis’ lovely outdoor spaces. These parks all boast different accessibility features, like accessible parking and restrooms, as well as crosswalks with visual prompts and audio commands.

• Fort Harrison State Park has an accessible on-site dog park and multiple trails to enjoy hiking and mountain biking.
• White River State Park is home to ample trails and waterways. Several of Indianapolis’ most beloved attractions are located here such as the Indianapolis Zoo and Indiana State Museum.
• Eagle Creek Park is a sprawling outdoor haven with thousands of acres of forests, waterways, and trails. The park offers endless opportunities to enjoy activities like bird watching, fishing, and boating.
• Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Garden is Indianapolis’ oldest park and offers a variety of recreational pursuits, including swimming and tennis. You can also catch live concerts and performances at the park’s outdoor amphitheater during the summer.

Historic sites

Indianapolis has several historic attractions for everyone to enjoy. Most of these venues allow trained service animals and have accessible parking, restrooms, and elevators for guests with limited mobility.

• Indiana War Memorial and Museum is an Indianapolis must-see that honors Hoosier veterans with a captivating and interactive museum.
• Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site explores the home of Benjamin Harrison — America’s 23rd president — and hosts a coffee with the curator event on the first Friday of every month.
• Indiana Statehouse has guided and self-guided tours available to learn about how the state government functions and admire the building’s impressive, historic architecture.

Live entertainment

From concerts to Broadway shows, Indianapolis has plenty of live entertainment options at its performing arts venues, with generous accessibility options. Many venues offer features like accessible seating, shows with American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, and sensory-friendly performances.

• Butler University Arts and Events Center performs 100 shows every year that range from Broadway performances and concerts to lectures.
• Indiana Repertory Theatre is a nonprofit theatre that produces around nine productions during its season from September through May.
• Phoenix Theatre is located in a fully ADA-compliant building and hosts an array of productions, including Broadway shows and comedies, during its season.
• Ruoff Music Center is Indiana’s largest outdoor amphitheater and has been the site of major concerts and events.

Indianapolis’ popular attractions

Some of Indianapolis’ most popular attractions have adaptations available that make it possible for people all of ages and abilities to get in on the fun. Take a look at some of Indianapolis’ top destinations and the accessibility accommodations they offer below.

• Indianapolis Zoo is fully accessible with ramps and low-grade slopes for guests with limited mobility. On-leash service animals are also allowed to accompany guests to the zoo.
• NCAA Hall of Champions welcomes trained service animals, has American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation available with notice, and has accessible parking available.
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum has special “touch tours” of select cars on display, available ASL interpreters, and wheelchair-accessible buses for tours around the track.