The woman at the Area Agency on Aging said there were only a handful of homes like the one the family was looking for. Not a large assisted living complex with a lobby and an activities calendar posted by the elevator. Something smaller. A house in a neighborhood, with a porch and a kitchen where somebody actually cooks. In Indiana, that type of home exists under a specific license, and finding one takes a bit more searching than it does in states with larger networks.
Indiana calls them Residential Care Facilities. The state licenses just 27 of these homes, a number that surprises most families when they first hear it. That small count does not mean the option is unavailable. It means the search requires more intention, more phone calls, and a clearer understanding of how Indiana structures its care landscape.
This guide walks through what Residential Care Facilities are in Indiana, how the state licenses and inspects them, what they cost across different regions, how families can pay, and the practical steps for finding and evaluating a good home. For context on how Indiana fits into the national picture, see our overview of residential care facilities and the state-by-state licensing guide.
What Indiana means by Residential Care Facility
A Residential Care Facility in Indiana is a licensed home that provides room, board, and personal assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) to adults who do not need the continuous skilled nursing care provided in a nursing home. The licensing authority is the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), specifically the Division of Long Term Care within the Commission on State Health Care Regulatory.
The regulations governing RCFs are found in Indiana Administrative Code, Title 410, Article 16.2. Under this framework, RCFs provide:
- Room and board, including meals, housekeeping, and laundry
- Personal assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, mobility, and toileting
- Medication reminders and assistance with self-administration
- Social activities and recreational opportunities
- General supervision and oversight
- Transportation coordination for medical appointments and community outings
RCFs are not licensed to provide skilled nursing care. Residents who need ongoing nursing services, such as wound care, IV medications, or ventilator support, must receive those services through outside home health agencies or move to a nursing facility.
Indiana also has a separate category for what most people think of as “assisted living.” The two categories serve overlapping populations but differ in regulatory framework, typical size, and operational structure. Residential Care Facilities are generally smaller, more home-like, and operate under distinct ISDH regulations. For families seeking a small, intimate care setting, the RCF license is the one to look for.
The size of Indiana’s RCF network
With only 27 licensed Residential Care Facilities in the state, Indiana has one of the smaller RCF networks in the Midwest. By comparison, neighboring Michigan has hundreds of Adult Foster Care homes, and Ohio has a substantial network of Residential Care Facilities under its own licensing structure.
This small number reflects Indiana’s regulatory and market history rather than a lack of demand. The state’s long-term care system has historically been weighted toward nursing homes, with Medicaid spending concentrated in institutional settings. Community-based alternatives have grown more slowly than in states like Oregon or Washington, where policy has actively encouraged small-home care.
The 27-home count also means that geographic coverage is uneven. Most of Indiana’s RCFs are concentrated in and around the Indianapolis metropolitan area, with a smaller presence in cities like Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Evansville. Families in rural counties or smaller cities may find that the nearest RCF is an hour or more away.
That said, the small network is growing. National trends toward community-based care, combined with Indiana’s aging population and rising demand for alternatives to large facilities, are creating opportunities for new operators. Families searching today should expect a limited but potentially expanding set of options.
Licensing and regulation
All Residential Care Facilities in Indiana are licensed by the Indiana State Department of Health under the authority of Indiana Administrative Code, Title 410, Article 16.2.
Operator and staff requirements
To operate an RCF in Indiana, a provider must:
- Obtain a license from the ISDH and demonstrate compliance with all applicable regulations
- Designate an administrator responsible for the daily operation of the facility
- Ensure all employees pass criminal background checks, including a check of the Indiana sex offender registry
- Maintain adequate staffing to meet the needs of residents, with at least one staff member on duty and awake at all times
- Ensure staff complete training in personal care, emergency procedures, infection control, abuse and neglect recognition and reporting, fire safety, and resident rights
Indiana’s staffing and training requirements are moderate by national standards. The state does not mandate a specific number of training hours for direct care staff to the same degree as states like Washington or Oregon, which require 75 or more hours of initial caregiver training. Families should ask each home about its specific training program, staff turnover rate, and how it handles overnight coverage.
Inspections
The ISDH inspects RCFs on a regular cycle and in response to complaints. Inspections evaluate compliance with state regulations covering resident care, staffing, medication practices, food safety, fire safety, and environmental conditions. Inspection reports document:
- Conditions observed during the visit
- Deficiencies cited, referencing specific regulatory standards
- The facility’s plan of correction for each deficiency
- Follow-up findings on previously cited issues
Inspection reports are public records. Families can access them through the ISDH facility directory. For help interpreting what you find, see our guide to reading inspection reports.
A single minor deficiency, such as a missing signature on a form, is common and usually not cause for alarm. Repeated citations for the same issue, or deficiencies involving medication errors, staffing shortfalls, or resident safety, are more serious and warrant follow-up questions with the facility administrator.
Complaints
Families can file complaints about an RCF with the ISDH Division of Long Term Care. Complaints trigger an investigation, and the findings become part of the facility’s public record. The Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program also investigates complaints, advocates for residents, and can mediate disputes between residents, families, and facilities.
How to search Indiana’s facility database
The Indiana State Department of Health maintains a searchable directory of licensed long-term care facilities, including Residential Care Facilities. You can search by facility type, name, city, or county.
When searching, filter specifically for “Residential Care Facility” as the facility type. Each listing provides:
- Current license status
- Facility address, phone number, and licensed bed capacity
- Inspection history and survey reports
- Any enforcement actions or sanctions
Because the RCF list is short, some families find it useful to review the entire state list rather than filtering by geography alone. This gives a complete picture of available options and may reveal homes in nearby counties that would otherwise be overlooked.
Cost ranges in Indiana
Indiana is generally an affordable state for long-term care compared to the coasts, but costs still vary meaningfully between the Indianapolis metro area and smaller markets.
Approximate monthly costs for a private room in a Residential Care Facility with personal care services, as of 2026:
- Indianapolis metro area (Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson, Boone counties): $3,500 to $6,500 per month
- Fort Wayne (Allen County): $2,800 to $5,000 per month
- South Bend/Mishawaka (St. Joseph County): $2,800 to $4,800 per month
- Evansville (Vanderburgh County): $2,800 to $4,500 per month
- Bloomington (Monroe County): $3,000 to $5,000 per month
- Lafayette/West Lafayette (Tippecanoe County): $2,800 to $4,500 per month
- Rural and smaller communities: $2,500 to $4,000 per month
These ranges reflect base rates for personal care assistance. Memory care or more intensive assistance can add $500 to $2,000 per month. Costs also depend on room type (private versus shared), the level of care required, and whether the facility provides additional services like specialized diets, physical therapy coordination, or enhanced activity programming.
For the national cost picture, see our guide to care home costs.
Paying for Residential Care Facility care in Indiana
Paying for an RCF involves understanding both federal and state programs, as well as private options. Indiana’s Medicaid landscape for community-based care has evolved significantly in recent years, and families should explore all available pathways.
Indiana Medicaid: Aged and Disabled (A&D) Waiver
Indiana’s Medicaid program offers the Aged and Disabled Waiver, a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver that funds services for eligible individuals who would otherwise require nursing home care. Key features:
- Eligibility: The individual must be 65 or older (or have a qualifying disability), meet Indiana Medicaid financial requirements, and be assessed as needing a nursing facility level of care
- Services covered: Personal care assistance, adult day services, respite care, home-delivered meals, environmental modifications, and case management
- How it applies to RCFs: The waiver can fund personal care and related services delivered in an RCF setting. However, the waiver does not cover room and board. The resident must pay for room and board through other sources, such as Social Security income or private funds
- Waiting list: The A&D Waiver has historically had a waiting list. Families should apply early and ask their local Area Agency on Aging about current wait times
For a deeper look at how Medicaid waivers work in residential care settings nationally, see our guide to Medicaid and residential care.
The CHOICE program
CHOICE (Community and Home Options to Institutional Care for the Elderly and Disabled) is a state-funded program administered through Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging. It is not a Medicaid program but a separate state initiative designed to help older adults and people with disabilities remain in community settings.
CHOICE provides:
- Case management to assess needs and coordinate services
- Personal care assistance
- Homemaker and chore services
- Adult day services
- Respite care
- Home-delivered meals
CHOICE can supplement the cost of care in an RCF, particularly for individuals who do not yet qualify for Medicaid or who are on the A&D Waiver waiting list. Income-based cost-sharing applies, meaning recipients may pay a portion of the cost based on their income level.
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to apply. The Indiana Division of Aging can direct you to the appropriate office.
Private pay
The majority of RCF residents in Indiana pay through a combination of Social Security income, pension or retirement savings, family contributions, and personal savings. Indiana does not regulate RCF pricing, so rates are set by each facility.
Many families combine multiple funding sources to cover the monthly cost. Our seven ways to pay guide covers strategies including reverse mortgages, life insurance conversions, veterans benefits, and long-term care insurance.
VA Aid and Attendance
Indiana has a significant veteran population, with major military installations including Camp Atterbury and Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center and a large community of veterans across the state. VA Aid and Attendance provides a monthly benefit of over $2,700 for eligible wartime veterans (with a separate benefit for surviving spouses) that can be applied toward RCF costs.
The benefit is underused nationally, and many families do not realize their parent may qualify. If the resident is a veteran or the surviving spouse of a wartime veteran, this benefit is worth exploring regardless of other income sources.
Long-term care insurance
Most long-term care insurance policies cover residential care settings that provide personal care assistance. Check the policy for benefit triggers, which are usually defined as needing help with two or more ADLs or having a cognitive impairment. Contact the insurer early in the search process, as claim approval can take several weeks.
Tax deductions
Some RCF costs may qualify for the medical expense deduction on federal and Indiana state income taxes. The deductible amount depends on the nature of the services provided and the resident’s medical condition. See our guide to tax deductions for care home costs for details.
Regional differences across Indiana
Indiana’s geography creates several distinct care markets. Understanding these differences helps families set realistic expectations about availability, cost, and the character of available homes.
Indianapolis metro area
The greater Indianapolis area, including Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson, and Boone counties, has the state’s highest concentration of long-term care options and the highest costs. Most of Indiana’s licensed RCFs are in or near this metro area.
Families searching here benefit from more choices but also face higher monthly rates and potential competition for beds, especially in well-regarded small homes. The suburban counties north of Indianapolis, including Carmel, Fishers, and Noblesville, have seen growth in senior care options driven by the area’s aging population and higher incomes.
Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana
Fort Wayne is Indiana’s second-largest city and serves as the hub for the northeastern part of the state. Costs are lower than Indianapolis, and the community has a strong network of aging services through the local Area Agency on Aging.
RCF options in this part of the state may be more limited, so families should be prepared to consider the broader region, including communities in surrounding counties.
Southern Indiana
Evansville, Bloomington, and the communities along the Ohio River have their own care markets, often influenced by proximity to Kentucky and the regional economy. Costs are generally at the lower end of the state range. Families in this area may also want to explore options across the state line, particularly in the Louisville, Kentucky metro area.
Rural Indiana
Much of Indiana is rural, with small towns and agricultural communities spread across the central and northern parts of the state. RCF options in these areas are limited or nonexistent. Families in rural counties should contact their local Area Agency on Aging for guidance on what is available locally and what alternatives exist, such as home health services or adult day programs, that can bridge the gap.
How to find and evaluate an RCF in Indiana
Given the small number of licensed homes, the search process in Indiana requires more legwork than in states with larger networks. Here is a step-by-step approach.
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Clarify what your parent needs. Identify the level of personal care required, any memory care needs, geographic preferences, budget range, and priorities like language, cultural fit, or dietary requirements.
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Search the ISDH facility directory. Go to the ISDH long-term care facility directory and filter for Residential Care Facilities. Because there are only 27, review the full list to find homes in your target area.
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Contact your local Area Agency on Aging. Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging are a critical resource, especially given the small RCF network. They can identify licensed homes, explain CHOICE and Medicaid waiver options, and connect you with case management.
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Browse the AgeSong directory. Our Indiana state page lists facilities organized by city and county.
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Verify license status and read inspection reports. Confirm that every home on your shortlist holds a current, active license. Read the most recent inspection reports. Look for patterns in deficiencies, particularly in areas that directly affect resident safety and care quality.
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Phone-screen your shortlist. Call each home and ask about current availability, base rate, what services are included, staffing ratios, caregiver training, and whether they accept Medicaid waiver or CHOICE participants. Our questions to ask guide provides a comprehensive list.
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Tour at least two or three homes. Walk through the entire house. Meet the administrator and the caregivers. Observe mealtime if possible. Notice the cleanliness, lighting, noise level, and whether residents appear comfortable and engaged. The physical environment should feel like a home, not an institution.
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Visit your top choice unannounced. Drop by during a different time of day, such as during dinner or in the evening, to see how the home operates outside of a planned tour.
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Read the resident agreement carefully. Before signing, review the monthly rate, what triggers rate increases, which services cost extra, the home’s discharge criteria, the notice period for moving out, and the process for resolving concerns or complaints.
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Talk to current residents and their families. Ask the administrator if you can speak with a current resident’s family member. Their firsthand experience is one of the most valuable inputs in your decision.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Indiana’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for residents of licensed care facilities, including RCFs. The ombudsman can:
- Investigate complaints about care, services, or resident rights
- Mediate disputes between residents and facilities
- Provide information about specific facilities and their histories
- Help families understand their rights under Indiana law
- Make referrals to appropriate state agencies
The service is free and confidential. Families should be aware of this resource both during the search process and after placement.
Looking beyond RCFs: other options in Indiana
Because Indiana’s RCF network is small, some families will not find an RCF that meets their needs in terms of location, availability, or budget. In that case, several related options are worth considering:
- Assisted Living communities: Larger licensed settings that provide similar services in a more institutional format. Indiana has many more of these than RCFs.
- Home health care: Licensed home health agencies can provide personal care, skilled nursing, and therapy services in the family home, potentially delaying or avoiding a move to a residential facility.
- Adult day services: Day programs that provide social activities, meals, and personal care during daytime hours, allowing the individual to remain at home with family or other caregivers overnight.
- PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly): A comprehensive Medicaid and Medicare program for adults 55 and older who qualify for nursing home care but prefer to live in the community. Indiana has several PACE sites. Learn more in our guide to the PACE program.
These alternatives can serve as bridges while a family waits for an RCF bed to open, or as long-term solutions in their own right.
Browse the directory
The AgeSong Indiana state page lists licensed Residential Care Facilities organized by city and county. Browse to begin building your shortlist, then verify every home through the ISDH database and tour before making a decision.
For broader context, see our guide to residential care facilities and the national licensing overview.
The next step
If you are searching in Indiana, the most useful thing you can do this week is review the ISDH long-term care facility directory and identify every Residential Care Facility within a reasonable distance of your family. Read their inspection reports. Then call your local Area Agency on Aging to ask about CHOICE program services and the Aged and Disabled Waiver, even if you are not sure your parent qualifies. These conversations take time, and starting early gives you more options.
For the step-by-step search process, see our guide to finding a care home. For help thinking through the financial picture, see our guide to care home costs and seven ways to pay guide.
Sources and further reading: Indiana State Department of Health, Division of Long Term Care; Indiana Administrative Code, Title 410, Article 16.2; Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Aging; Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Eldercare Locator.