Senior Living Options for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Deaf-Friendly Living Options for Seniors and Average Costs of Care

Several types of deaf-friendly communities for older adults exist, offering services ranging from part-time to full-time care for the deaf and hard of hearing. The ultimate cost of care will depend on the facility's location, the level of care provided, and any special considerations that your loved one needs.

Care options for the deaf and hard of hearing include:

• Deaf independent living communities: Retirement communities, 55+ communities, active adult communities, and continuing care retirement communities allow older adults to enjoy independence without worrying about lawn maintenance, snow removal, or other homeownership chores. Community events, clubs, and shared amenities like gyms and pools make retirement fun! You can find options at varying price points.
• Deaf assisted living facilities: Assisted living facilities (ALFs) provide help with activities of daily living, meals, and social and educational opportunities. An ALF catering to deaf older adults will typically offer activities in American Sign Language (ASL), provide interpreters, and feature helpful technology in resident rooms. The estimated median cost for this type of care was $66,126 annually in 2024.2
• Deaf skilled nursing centers: Older adults may need to stay in a nursing home or skilled nursing center for short-term care following a hospital stay or illness. Others require long-term nursing home care to manage chronic conditions. Some nursing homes offer a deaf wing with interpreters and staff trained in ASL. Estimated median annual costs for a nursing home were $107,146 for a semiprivate room and $120,304 for a private room in 2024.2
• Hospice care: Hospice provides end-of-life care for terminal individuals — in their current homes or a designated hospice center. Hospice care for deaf seniors and those with hearing loss use ASL as the primary language. Hospice costs are often covered by insurance.
• Adult day care: Adult day care programs keep seniors engaged and supervised for several hours a day, giving primary caregivers time to work, relax, and avoid caregiver burnout. In 2024, the estimated median cost was $25,441 annually.
• Veterans housing for seniors: Veterans and their spouses might qualify for senior living options contracted through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, care homes, respite care, and home health services. Speak to your VA case manager or visit the VA’s Geriatrics and Extended Care website for more information.
• Home health aides/personal home care aides: Older adults who’d rather age in their own homes might prefer a home health aide. Home health aides assist with activities of daily living, transportation, shopping, light house cleaning, and other tasks that get more difficult with age. Some home health aide agencies train staff in ASL or offer interpreters. This type of care costs an estimated $77,769 annually for 44 care hours each week.2

What to Look for When Choosing a Deaf-Friendly Senior Living Community

Before you search for a senior living community, get feedback from loved ones. Older adults who are still moderately independent may prefer to stay at home and receive in-home care. Some individuals with hearing loss or total deafness may prefer a specialized facility that caters to deaf individuals, while others may prefer a mixed group.

If you’re interested in home care, you likely already have the communication equipment and know what kind of caregiver you need. However, choosing a deaf living community can be more challenging. It’s best to tour every facility in person and evaluate it against the key essentials of a good deaf-friendly senior community.

Awareness and Staff Training

Try to determine how well the staff will address the challenges of surpassing linguistic barriers for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents.

• What skill sets and special training do staff members have concerning the unique needs of the deaf and hard of hearing?
• Is there a professional sign language interpreter on duty at all times?
• How many staff members understand basic sign skills or know how to use a communication board?

Deaf-Friendly Buildings and Rooms

Find out what technology and accessibility features the facility offers.

• Do the facility's sleeping quarters and common areas feature light-up emergency alarms, doorbells, and phones?
• Is there an alternative alarm that will vibrate beds or activate high-powered strobe lights for sleeping patients in an emergency?

These features are must-haves in any facility or private home with deaf or hard-of-hearing residents.

Communication Technology for Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Seniors

Modern technology makes it easier than ever for seniors with hearing difficulties to communicate with others and vice versa.

• Are rooms wired with a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), such as a Teletype (TYY), to allow residents to participate in phone and video calls?
• Is closed captioning available on communal televisions?
• Is assistive listening equipment available and able to put seniors in touch with staff immediately?
• Are staff familiar with hearing aids and able to assist residents who need help charging, cleaning, or connecting their hearing aids?

Engaging Activities for Those With Hearing Loss

Request an events calendar to see activities, clubs, and other opportunities the facility offers. Ensure your loved one isn’t alienated by the events, games, and social gatherings.

• Are there social activities and engagements designed to empower deaf community members by having sign language interpreters or TDD options?
• Can residents influence the events calendar by starting clubs or suggesting new events?
• Could ASL be offered to other residents and staff interested in learning the language to better communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing residents?

Paying for Deaf Assisted Living

There are many ways in which families and seniors can opt to pay for deaf senior care.

• Medicare coverage: Medicare only covers medical expenses related to elder care. It doesn’t cover expenses related to boarding or personal needs. However, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) might help.4 It’s a partnership between Medicare and Medicaid that offers financial assistance for the deaf and hard of hearing.
• Medicaid: Medicaid benefits typically cover some senior care expenses for deaf older adults (not room and board at an assisted living facility). You retain the option of either in-home or facility care centers. Visit your state’s Medicaid website or contact a Medicaid representative in your state for specifics.
• Health Insurance and long-term care insurance: Certain health insurance policies may cover some or all of deaf assisted living or nursing home expenses. However, your best bet is a supplemental long-term care insurance (LTCI) policy. Coverage varies between policies, but most LTCI policies cover a large portion of qualifying senior care expenses.
• Veterans benefits: There are senior care facilities for veterans in many major cities, and most offer services for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, your benefits also give you options for in-home care if you qualify for assisted living or nursing home coverage. Read our complete veterans care guide for more details.
• Private pay: Many seniors privately pay for care, especially for independent and assisted living. You can sell assets, get a reverse mortgage, cash out a retirement account, or use savings. Some older adults rely on family members to help cover costs.

How to Find Deaf Assisted Living Options

Finding the right fit for your deaf or hard-of-hearing loved one will require some extra effort. While you can find assisted living, nursing homes, and other senior care homes that cater to deaf and hard-of-hearing seniors, you won’t find those options in every town.

Here are a few tips to help as you start your search:

Visit the National Association of the Deaf’s Senior Resource Website

The National Association of the Deaf created a list of nursing homes, assisted living communities, hospice companies, and other community resources that cater to the deaf and those with hearing loss.

Here are a few to give you an idea of what’s out there:

• New England Homes for the Deaf in Danvers, MA: This life plan community offers independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, senior centers, short-term rehab, respite care services, and hospice care for deaf and hard-of-hearing seniors. Employees are educated in ASL and Deaf Culture.
• Alder Springs Deaf and Blind Community in Morganton, NC: Alder Springs is a non-profit independent living community that caters to deaf, blind, and hard-of-hearing seniors. Seniors live independently, but private interpreters and support services are available.
• California Home for the Adult Deaf in Riverside, CA: Seniors who primarily communicate in ASL can live at this residential care home. In-house staff provide individualized care, three meals and two snacks daily, and aid laundry, shopping, and transportation.

Speak to Your Loved One’s Care Providers

Reach out to whoever provides your loved one’s medical and hearing care. It could be an audiologist or an ENT. Ask if they know any local resources or senior care communities with experience caring for deaf and hard-of-hearing older adults. These professionals likely know others in similar situations and might have advice to offer.

Use Our Senior Living Directory

If you’d rather search for your future home or care team by location, use our senior living search tool. Just type in a ZIP code and answer a few questions. Then, the tool will gather a list of local facilities. You can reach out online, in person, or over the phone to ask about their experience working with seniors who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.