10 Best Nursing Homes in Lincoln, NE

There’s no one-size-fits-all method for paying for nursing homes or other senior care facilities in Lincoln. Many families use a combination of private savings, income from work, and public assistance. Read on to learn how to use private funds and public funds to pay for senior care near you. A few examples of public funds include veterans benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare.

Nursing homes in Lincoln are regulated by both the federal and state government. When choosing a senior care facility, the safety of your loved one and their ability to maintain their dignity are some of the most important considerations. All partnering senior care facilities in Lincoln provide compassionate, ethical, and high-quality care.

Federal regulations for Lincoln nursing homes and other senior care facilities

Nursing homes are often eligible for federal programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. As a result, the federal government offers some oversight for nursing homes. The federal government outlines all requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations for long-term care facilities. In general, all nursing homes are required to provide the following:

• A safe, secure environment
• Sufficient staff training
• Regular family contact
• An updated care plan for each resident

The federal government publishes inspection results for all Medicare- and Medicaid-approved nursing homes on their provider search tool. You can search by location to find reports about nursing homes near you.

Assisted living facilities and memory care facilities don’t undergo the same type of scrutiny from the federal government. There are no federal requirements for these senior care facilities.

State regulations for Lincoln nursing homes and other senior care facilities

In Nebraska, nursing homes and other senior care facilities are regulated and licensed by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. This department provides licensure to both nursing homes and other senior care facilities, such as assisted living and memory care. To maintain their licensure, Nebraska senior care facilities have to meet staffing, care, safety, and quality of life standards. They also undergo regular inspections. All inspection reports are available to the public.

While senior care facilities including nursing homes ensure appropriate staffing levels, the state doesn’t provide a specific resident-to-caregiver ratio. All caregiving staff must complete initial and ongoing senior care training. Nursing homes in Nebraska are required to have a certain number of registered and licensed nurses on staff.

Most state regulations for senior care facilities are focused on maintaining resident safety, dignity, and autonomy. Some of the most important regulations include the following:

• Residents must be allowed to make their own care decisions.
• Residents must be allowed to manage their finances.
• Residents must be informed about any changes to care, charges, or fees.
• Residents must be allowed to receive visitors at any time.

If you or your loved one don’t require round-the-clock medical care, consider reading about the laws and regulations for Lincoln’s assisted living and memory care facilities.

Nebraska Department of Health contact information

Visit the Nebraska Department of Health website to learn more about assisted living facilities.

Search for licensed assisted living facilities.

301 Centennial Mall South

Lincoln, NE 68509

Phone: 402-471-3121

COVID-19 regulations for Lincoln nursing homes

Nebraska doesn’t enforce any COVID-19 mandates in senior care facilities, but all senior care facilities including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and memory care facilities follow CDC guidance to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among residents and staff.

Individual facilities can ask residents, staff members, and visitors to mask but can’t prevent anyone from entering if they decide not to. Nebraska senior care facilities must also accept visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Most senior care facilities have a quarantine wing for sick residents, and all maintain high hygiene and cleanliness standards.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services updates COVID-19 vaccination and treatment center information on the COVID-19 Nebraska Guidance Documents webpage. The department also updates a Respiratory Illness Dashboard to inform the public about the spread of influenza.

Facility cleanliness. All senior care facilities in Lincoln maintain high cleanliness standards to mitigate the spread of disease.

Staff safety. Staff members are encouraged to stay home if they’re feeling ill.

Quarantining. Many senior care facilities have quarantine wings for ill residents.

Lincoln’s unhurried, community-focused culture is one reason why so many seniors choose to stay there during their retirement. In addition to the quiet neighborhoods and family-friendly atmosphere, Lincoln also outperforms other similarly sized cities in the quality of its senior care facilities. As the capital of Nebraska and home of the state’s flagship university campus, Lincoln is the best of both worlds for seniors who want to stay near family, maximize their senior years, and enjoy excellent senior care.

Skilled nursing care in Lincoln

Lincoln offers a few different options for seniors in need of skilled nursing care. Seniors who need short-term nursing care to recover from a procedure or an illness are good candidates for one of A Place for Mom’s partnering assisted living or memory care facilities. Around 38% of A Place for Mom’s partnering assisted living communities, and 33% of memory care facilities offer on-site skilled nursing services to serve the short-term needs of residents.^[02]

Seniors who need 24-hour skilled nursing care for the rest of their lives are better suited for traditional, stand-alone nursing homes. A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with traditional nursing homes.

Assisted living and memory care in Lincoln

A Place for Mom partners with seven assisted living facilities and eight memory care facilities in Lincoln.^[02] With a population of about 300,000, Lincoln has an average density of senior care facilities for a city of its size^[07], and those communities offer above-average facilities and care. Almost all facilities were built or updated within the last 20 years, which means seniors can expect excellent amenities, stylish decorations, and updated security features.

Facilities tend to be moderately sized, accommodating between 25 and 75 residents. Lincoln senior care facilities also offer larger rooms for residents than facilities in denser cities. All of A Place for Mom’s partnering senior care facilities in Lincoln are on the east side of the city, close to great health care options and mostly surrounded by quiet suburbs and green parks.

Assisted living and memory care facilities in Lincoln receive overwhelmingly positive reviews from residents and family members. The quality of care, amenities, food, and cleanliness are cited as strengths in all of Lincoln’s senior care facilities. A focus on social activities such as card clubs, gardening groups, and movie nights are a main feature of the local senior care communities.

Seniors in Lincoln’s senior care facilities don’t need to worry about transportation often, as most communities offer complimentary transportation or transportation for a small fee. The most common reasons why a senior needs to leave their community is for health appointments or going to events. Family members and friends can help transport seniors to and from their appointments if the community’s transportation services aren’t available.

For seniors who don’t drive and wish to explore Lincoln on their own, the StarTran Bus Service may be a good choice. This local bus system is operated by the city government and provides an affordable, yet fairly reliable way to move around Lincoln. Routes and fee information are on the StarTran website. Seniors should sign up for the Senior Saver program to get a 50% discount on bus fees.

Visiting family and friends will appreciate Lincoln’s low traffic. It generally takes no more than 45 minutes to drive across the city.

According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data from 2023, 100% of Lincoln’s senior care facilities offer daily activities and programming to keep residents engaged.^[02] This means few seniors need to leave their community to find something to do. This is especially true for seniors living in a nursing home or memory care facility. However, Lincoln still maintains plenty of excursions and activities for active seniors and their family and friends. Many of these activities make a great day trip for seniors and their families, and require very little planning or driving.

Museums in Lincoln

Lincoln has an unusually high number of excellent museums. This is partly because of its status as Nebraska’s state capital, and because of the local University of Nebraska campus, which houses many of the city’s best museums. All museums in Lincoln offer discounted admission to seniors.

• The Museum of American Speed. NASCAR fans will enjoy this large facility that showcases race cars from both the United States and international tracks. Founded in 1992, the Museum of American Speed aims to preserve racing history. Be sure to double check their hours online because they change seasonally. If needed, a wheelchair is available for guests upon request.
• University of Nebraska State Museum. Based on The University of Nebraska’s Lincoln campus, the State Museum is a natural history museum appropriate for people of all ages. It makes an excellent day trip for seniors, but family members with young children may find this especially engaging. The museum reserves accessible parking along 14^th street, and seniors can use one of the complimentary wheelchairs at the museum.
• Kiechel Fine Art. This is a small private art museum located in downtown Lincoln, near the Lincoln Children’s Museum. It primarily highlights American artists and the international collections of a select number of private collectors. It has pieces from world-famous artists, such as Alexander Calder, Mary Cassatt, Albrecht Durer, Andy Warhol, and more.
• Eisentrager-Howard Art Gallery. Also located on the University of Nebraska’s Lincoln campus, the Eisentrager-Howard Art Gallery highlights both professional and student pieces. Visitors are limited to weekdays only during normal business hours, and hours may change seasonally.
• International Quilt Museum. Found on University of Nebraska’s Lincoln campus, the International Quilt Museum has the largest quilt collection in the world. It displays works from all over the world, from the Renaissance to the present period. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and seniors receive discounted admission.

Cultural and outdoor activities in Lincoln

• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. This institute is organized by the University of Nebraska and aims to make learning accessible for all. All adults 50 years of age or older can become members and access a wide variety of university classes, events, and travel opportunities. All classes are non-credited, and a membership costs $75 each year.
• Nebraska State Capitol. All Lincoln locals should plan at least one visit here. There are free and guided tours every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seniors and their families can learn about the famous architecture of the building and the history of Nebraska.
• Sunken Gardens. National Geographic named the Sunken Gardens one of the best gardens to visit in the United States. This Lincoln icon was first built in 1930, and visitors can enjoy strolling through groomed gardens and by large lily ponds. It’s open all day throughout the year, although the best times to visit are during the warmer months. Restrooms are available at the park, and admission is free for everyone.
• Memorial Stadium. Memorial Stadium is home to Lincoln’s beloved Huskers. It’s known for being one of the most attended stadiums in the nation, and it’s a great option for seniors and family who enjoy sports or a competitive atmosphere.