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Showcasing a blend of Midwestern and Southern cultures, Missouri offers retirees a true experience of American warmth and hospitality. Its extensive Lake of the Ozarks shoreline, relatively moderate climate, affordable cost of living and active sports scene are just a few features that make the Show-Me State a great place to retire. The state's aging population is projected to grow, with one out of four Missourians being 60 and older by 2030. This means that nearly 1.8 million seniors make up 26.21 percent of the Show Me State's estimated total residents.
Out of approximately 1,165 long-term care facilities with more than 81,000 licensed beds in Missouri, nearly 300 of these are assisted living facilities and about 400 are residential care facilities. These options allow seniors to explore supportive living arrangements that fit their lifestyles and budget. Read this helpful guide to know more about the costs of senior care, available financial resources and statewide programs.
Missouri has a SeniorScore of 74, which is slightly higher than the national average of 72. Calculated based on over 100 data points, this comprehensive senior-specific livability index defines the Ozark State to be a favorable place to retire. Overall, the quality of life for older Missourians is desirable in terms of economic, environmental, social and cultural factors.
The SeniorScore™ is calculated based on over 100 variables, some of which are shown below. The final score is curved based on a linear curving method. For More info visit senioradvice.com/seniorscore.
The general quality of life in Missouri has a SeniorScore of 69, characterized by a generally temperate climate that makes the state a comfortable place to live, as well as a population density that is close to the national average. In the finances category, Missouri garners a SeniorScore of 67 for its significantly lower property tax rates, senior care costs and overall cost of living as compared to the national averages. This is despite having slightly higher income and sales tax rates and slightly lower income levels than the national mean figures.
In terms of recreation and leisure, Missouri receives a SeniorScore rating of 64 for its abundance of municipal parks, golf courses and churches throughout the state, providing plenty of points of interest for a significant aging population. Despite the higher overall property and crime rates in Missouri as compared to the national average, the health and safety category is given a SeniorScore of 62 due to its hospitals and senior care facilities including a large number of Medicare-registered providers.
Alexian Brothers Sherbrooke Village is an 89 room senior care community. It is situated near the Boulevard Heights neighborhood of St Louis, Missouri. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with around 33,000 individuals living in the 63125 zip ...
Brooking Park is a 37 unit senior housing community. It is located at 307 South Woods Mill Rd in Chesterfield, Missouri. The neighboring area is densely populated, with around 42,000 poeple living in the zip code of 63017. ...
Delmar Gardens of O'fallon is located at 7068 South Outer 364 in O Fallon, Missouri. It is a 142 bed senior community. The encompassing area is densely populated, with approximately 44,000 poeple living in the 63368 zip code. ...
Friendship Village Sunset Hills is a 25 room senior housing community situated in St Louis, Missouri. With a median family income of $84,909, the facility is in a mostly well-to-do area. It is sparsely populated, with roughly 6,000 ...
Delmar Gardens On The Green is located at 15197 Clayton Rd in Chesterfield, Missouri. It is a 163 room senior housing facility. The community is in a mostly wealthier area, with an average household income of $96,380. ...
Life Care Center of Bridgeton is located at 12145 Bridgeton Square Dr in Bridgeton, Missouri. It is a 91 unit senior community. The facility is in a mostly middle class area, with a median per-family income of $51,940. ...
Delmar Gardens West is a 321 room senior housing facility. It is located at 13550 South Outer 40 Rd in Town And Country, Missouri. With roughly 42,000 individuals residing in the 63017 zip code, the surrounding area has ...
ManorCare Health Services-Springfield is a 194 unit nursing care facility located in Springfield, Missouri. The neighboring area is densely populated, with roughly 38,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 65804. It is a mostly middle class area, ...
Bentleys Extended Care is a 72 room senior community. It is located at 3060 Ashby Rd in Overland, Missouri. The community is in a predominantly middle class area, with an average household income of $41,273. It is ...
Mcknight Place is a 125 room senior housing community. It is located at Two Mcknight Pl in St Louis, Missouri. The neighboring area has an average population density, with approximately 11,000 residents in the 63124 zip code. ...
Sunnyview Nursing Home and Apartments is located at 1311 E 28th St in Trenton, Missouri. It is a 154 bed nursing home facility. With an average household income of $35,433, the facility is in a mostly middle income ...
Life Care Center of Florissant is a 90 unit senior housing community located in Florissant, Missouri. The facility is in a generally middle class area, with a median per-family income of $52,477. It is densely populated, with around ...
Frene Valley Of Owensville is a 131 room senior housing facility situated in Owensville, Missouri. The neighboring area is sparsely populated, with about 8,000 residents in the zip code of 65066. It is a primarily middle income area, ...
Friendship Village Chesterfield is located at 15201 Olive Blvd in Chesterfield, Missouri. It is a 99 unit senior care facility. The encompassing area is densely populated, with about 42,000 residents in the zip code of 63017. With ...
Located at 550 White Rd in Chesterfield, Missouri, The Westchester House is a 159 unit senior community. The community is in a predominantly well-to-do area, with an average family income of $96,380. With roughly 42,000 individuals residing in ...
Carmel Hills Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is a 194 bed nursing care facility. It is located at 810 East Walnut in Independence, Missouri. With an average per-family income of $35,244, the community is in a generally middle class ...
Located at 3333 Brown Rd in St Louis, Missouri, St Johns Place is a 94 unit senior housing community. The encompassing area is densely populated, with roughly 37,000 poeple living in the 63114 zip code. It is a ...
The Riverview is a 130 room senior care facility located in the Carondelet neighborhood of St Louis, Missouri. The community is in a predominantly lower income area, with an average family income of $30,602. It has a dense ...
Delmar Gardens of Chesterfield is a 191 unit senior care facility. It is located at 14855 North Outer 40 Rd in Chesterfield, Missouri. The surrounding area is heavily populated, with about 42,000 people residing in the zip code ...
Delmar Gardens of Creve Coeur is a 112 room senior housing community. It is located at 850 Country Manor Ln in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The encompassing area is densely populated, with roughly 22,000 individuals living in the 63141 ...
Missourian seniors can expect to spend an average of $2,881 monthly on assisted living care, according to the Genworth 2019 Cost of Care Survey. This is significantly lower than the national average of $4,051. Assisted living in Missouri is also considerably more affordable than in any of its surrounding Midwestern and Southern states. Arkansas comes as the second cheapest which costs nearly $300 higher, while Kansas is the most expensive nearby state for being $1,600 more costly than Missouri.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Missouri's Top Cities
The cost of assisted living per area in Missouri varies by location. The Kansas City and St. Joseph metropolitan areas are close to the Missouri average of $2,881, while the most expensive metro is St. Louis, which is about $1,000 higher than the state average. Other big cities such as Springfield and Columbia range between $3,300 to $3,800. The most affordable major city is Joplin, being about $130 cheaper than the Missouri average.
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Missouri
Among the available senior care options in Missouri, assisted living is one of the most affordable, being second to adult day care which is about $1,100 cheaper on monthly average. Other options such as in-home care and skilled nursing are significantly more expensive than assisted living by at least $1,300.
Address: 615 Howerton Court, PO Box 6500, Jefferson City, MO 65102-6500
Phone Number: (573) 751-3425
Website: https://mydss.mo.gov/healthcare/mo-healthnet-for-seniors
MO HealthNet for Seniors, the dedicated Medicaid program for Missourian adults 65 and older, assists low-income senior citizens with the costs of various medical and long-term care services. Its financial subsidy for senior care covers skilled nursing, hospice and community-based services such as in-home care, assisted living and adult day care. MO HealthNet has several home and community-based waiver programs that provide financial subsidies to seniors opting for institutional care alternatives.
To qualify for MO HealthNet, there are eligibility requirements on income and assets, with certain exemptions. As of 2020, single elderly applicants must have a monthly income of at most $834 per month and up to $2,000 in assets. Married elderly couples are eligible if they have a maximum combined monthly income of $1,129 and countable assets of up to $4,000. Countable assets typically exclude a home, a personal vehicle and many personal assets. In cases where a participant's monthly income exceeds the income limit, eligibility may be granted when the incurred medical expenses reduce the monthly income below the required maximum amount.
Address: Family Support Division, PO Box 2320, Jefferson City, MO 65102-2320
Phone Number: (855) 373-4636
Website: https://mydss.mo.gov/nursing-home-coverage
The Supplemental Nursing Care (SNC) program benefits eligible seniors in assisted living and residential care facilities. Aside from providing direct cash assistance of up to $292 monthly for assisted living and $156 for residential care facility residents to partially pay the costs of senior care, this program further supports each participant with a personal needs allowance of $50.
Eligibility for SNC is determined by the same qualification requirements under the MO HealthNet for Seniors program. In addition, the participants' chosen residential care and assisted living facilities should be licensed by the State of Missouri.
The Section for Long-Term Care Regulation of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services inspects and issues state licenses to assisted living, residential care, intermediate care and skilled nursing facilities in the state. Its Licensure and Certification Unit also certifies long-term care facilities that participate in Medicaid and Medicare programs. The table below provides a summary of the rules and regulations for residential care and assisted living facilities in Missouri.
Scope of Care | Assisted living and residential care facilities must provide 24-hour homelike accommodations, protective oversight, at least three balanced nutritious meals daily, appropriate assistance with activities of daily living and proper care that meets the residents' needs and their physicians' orders. Assisted living facilities must provide person-centered activities appropriate to the resident's individual needs, preferences, background and culture. |
Care Plan Requirements | An assisted living facility must prepare an individualized service plan (ISP) for each client. This document outlines the services to be provided in accordance to the resident's needs and preferences, as well as the goals expected by the resident or the resident's legal representative in partnership with the facility. |
Medication Management Requirements | Medication administration means allowing residents to self-administer their medications. If not a physician or a licensed nurse, the staff member administering medicine must be a certified medication technician or Level I medication aide. Nonlicensed staff members may apply external prescription medication with the physician's authority if the resident is unable to do so. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Assisted living and residential care facilities shall perform criminal background checks on all employees, as well as on contracted individuals that will have contact with any resident. The Department of Health and Senior Services prohibits the hiring of individuals that are in its Employee Disqualification List (EDL). Tuberculosis screening is also required for all residents and staff members. |
Staff Training Requirements | Appropriately trained and qualified staff members are defined to be individuals licensed or registered with the State of Missouri in a health care related field or carrying a degree in fields related to health care or social services. In addition, all staff members shall receive facility orientation training that covers job responsibilities, emergency response and the residents' welfare. Appropriate staff members shall also take state-approved specialized courses on dementia care, insulin administration and/or facility administrator duties. Fire safety training is required at least every 6 months, while transfer training should be conducted annually. |
Medicaid Coverage | There are MO HealthNet programs for seniors that may partially cover the costs of assisted living. |
Reporting Abuse | Abuse should be reported through the Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-0210. Online reporting is also available via this link. Complaints on long-term care facilities can be relayed to the department's Division of Regulation and Licensure by directly contacting its appropriate regional office or through info@health.mo.gov. |
DHSS Division of Senior and Disability Services
Address: PO Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-057
Phone Number: (573) 526-8557
Website: https://health.mo.gov/seniors/seniorservices/
The Division of Senior and Disability Services of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is the designated State Unit on Aging. It develops, implements and administers senior programs and an integrated care system in coordination with advocates, state agencies and other organizations. In addition to protecting the welfare of seniors, its dedicated units perform the oversight of Medicaid-funded home and community-based services, as well as programs funded through the Older Americans Act.
Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Address: 912 Wildwood Dr., P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone Number: (800) 309-3282
Website: https://health.mo.gov/seniors/ombudsman/
The Missouri ombudsman program is a network of advocates and volunteers that provide support and assistance to seniors with problems or complaints regarding their residential care and skilled nursing facilities. Seniors can contact the respective regional ombudsman of the county where the facility is located.
Community Leaders Assisting the Insured of Missouri (CLAIM)
Address: 200 N. Keene St., Suite 101, Columbia, MO 65201
Phone Number: (573) 817-8320
Website: https://insurance.mo.gov/consumers/claim/
CLAIM is a nonprofit organization and the state health insurance program (SHIP) of Missouri, sponsored by Primaris through a contract with the Missouri Department of Insurance. This federally funded program has trained volunteers that offer free, unbiased counseling regarding Medicare coverage and claims.
Area Agencies on Aging in Missouri
Missouri's Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) provides comprehensive senior services within geographically defined boundaries. Eligible seniors may benefit from legal services, congregate and home-delivered meals, in-home personal assistance, health counseling, transportation and various referral, advocacy, outreach and support programs as mandated by the Older Americans Act. The Show-Me State has 10 AAAs that serve different counties, and their programs generally prioritize seniors 60 and older with the greatest social and economic needs.
Veteran Affairs Offices in Missouri
The Missouri Veterans Commission aims to assist all veterans, as well as their families and legal representatives, in claiming various benefits through available state and federal programs. Senior veterans may be able to pay for assisted living costs by receiving compensation benefits and pensions. The commission's dedicated service officers can help expedite the filing of claims, do follow-up work with the VA and assist beneficiaries with health care eligibility, while its Missouri Veterans Homes program manages a number of skilled nursing facilities for veterans throughout the state. In addition to the VA St. Louis Regional Office, there are other VA offices for almost any county throughout the state, divided into five regions.
Social Security Offices in Missouri
Social security benefits can help qualified seniors pay for costs related to assisted living. The state supplementation program of Missouri benefits seniors and those who are blind or disabled who reside in licensed residential care and skilled nursing facilities. This cash supplement is granted to those who are receiving federal SSI payments (SSI-SP) and those who do not qualify for SSI but have insufficient income based on an eligible income level (SP-only). Seniors can contact the Social Security Administration's Kansas City Regional Office or one of the other local field offices throughout Missouri to inquire about other available benefits.
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