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South Bend is a midsize city located in northern Indiana on the southernmost fringes of the St. Joseph River. This community of 102,000 includes 12,750 senior citizens who benefit from a convenient location just 35 miles from Lake Michigan and less than 100 miles from Chicago. The city is known for its industrial heritage established by noteworthy brands, including Studebaker, Honeywell and Humvee-maker AM General.
Assisted living is a type of residential care for older adults who require assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming or preparing meals but can otherwise live independently. In South Bend, older adults pay an average monthly rate of $3,308 for assisted living care, which is more affordable than other areas of Indiana and the national average.
This guide offers an overview of how assisted living costs in South Bend compare to other areas of Indiana and the financial resources available to help with costs.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Indiana. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
Older adults in South Bend pay an average monthly rate of $3,308 for assisted living care, according to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.
With an average price of $3,308 per month, South Bend offers care at about $975 less than the state average of $4,283 and about $1,192 less than the national median.
Assisted living costs vary significantly throughout the state. South Bend offers care for a lower cost than Indianapolis where seniors pay some of the highest rates in the state at $4,478 per month. Evansville and Bloomington also have higher monthly rates than South Bend at $4,389 and $4,283, respectively. Seniors in Valparaiso pay a higher fee at $3,617. Fort Wayne offers care at a monthly rate more in line with South End at $3,485.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Indiana.
| Contact | Description | |
| REAL Services | (574) 284-2644 | REAL Services functions as a single point of contact for South Bend residents in need of services provided by the Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center. Seniors, caregivers and disabled adults can reach the region’s long-term care ombudsman through this agency. Staff members can also connect residents with delivered meals, door-to-door transportation and community-based assistance. |
| Howard Park Community Center | (574) 299-4765 | This multipurpose community center is home to the city’s ice skating rink, and it organizes a variety of activities for seniors aged 55 and older. Popular events include card games, bingo, crafts, bus trips and holiday parties. The center also offers educational seminars featuring guest speakers. Activities are scheduled throughout the week, excluding Thursdays. |
| AARP Michiana | (574) 288-2879 | The Greater St. Joseph Valley Chapter of AARP hosts a number of free local events and maintains an online database of senior resources related to housing, insurance, adult learning, energy efficiency and crime prevention. Regularly scheduled programs include defensive driving courses and tax preparation workshops. |
| Indiana Legal Services | (844) 243-8570 | Indiana Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to serving low-income residents in South Bend and the surrounding communities. Its practice areas include housing, health care, employment, government benefits and consumer products. Qualifying seniors can access additional services through the organization’s Senior Law Project and Legal Assistance for Victimized Adults Project. |
| St. Joseph County Veterans Service Office | (574) 235-9978 | This office connects veterans and military families with local, state and federal benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs and St. Joseph County. Free assistance is available to service members, survivors and dependents who would like to access medical, financial or educational benefits. |
| Social Security Administration | (877) 274-5415 | Retirees, working adults and disabled individuals can access information about financial benefits through the U.S. Social Security Administration field office on South Michigan Street. Programs overseen by this agency include retirement benefits, Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income, which can help with the cost of assisted living and long term-care. The agency also oversees Medicare enrollment. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the South Bend area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
