Nursing Homes in Oklahoma
A blend of big cities and charming rural towns, Oklahoma is an excellent place to retire due to its affordability and relaxed lifestyle. The state's range of terrain, from lakes and forests to deserts and mountains, means that its climate varies, although it is generally very sunny with rare snowfall. The state is home to just under 4 million people and has a senior population close to the national median. The state's seniors have a wide range of options for high-quality health care; Oklahoma is home to three of the top 250 hospitals in the country.
Oklahoma also has hundreds of nursing homes that cater to people who need high levels of care and constant medical supervision. As well as taking care of daily activities like chores and meal preparation, these homes provide 24-hour supervision and skilled nursing care. Often, they also offer a range of medical and rehabilitative services on-site. The following guide covers Oklahoma's nursing home costs and regulations to help seniors and their families choose their ideal facility.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Nursing Home Care in Oklahoma
SeniorScores reflect the area's senior-friendliness by pulling data from more than 100 sources and producing an overall grade out of 100. Oklahoma's SeniorScore is 75. This score is higher than the national median of 72, indicating that the state is a great spot for seniors. The state's highest rating is in the General Quality of Life category because of its pleasant weather and abundant sunlight. Its next-highest score is in the Finances category, at 69, due to its low property taxes and very low overall cost of living. The state also has low nursing home, assisted living and home health care costs compared to the rest of the nation.
Oklahoma's score in the Health & Safety section is 61, meaning that seniors can easily access medical services. Oklahoma has high numbers of Medicare-registered physicians and hospitals. While the state has a higher property crime rate than the national average, it is not generally a concern for residents of long-term care communities.
As for Recreation & Leisure, residents of Oklahoma may like to spend time at any of the state's 195 golf courses or 1,684 churches. The state also has a high number of municipal parks, meaning that green outdoor spaces are readily available.
Top Nursing Care in Oklahoma
Bellevue Health and Rehabilitation is a 220 room nursing care facility situated in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The facility is in a largely middle class area, with an average per-family income of $66,665. With roughly 10,000 residents in the ...
Located within the South Creekside area of Tulsa, Oklahoma, The Villages at Southern Hills is a 100 unit senior housing community. With an average family income of $51,242, the community is in a predominantly middle income area. It ...
Tulsa Nursing Center is a 204 room nursing facility situated within the Oakbrook Village area of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The community is in a primarily middle class area, with an average per-family income of $36,440. With about 14,000 residents ...
Franciscan Villa is situated within the Millicent Crossing neighborhood of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. It is an 80 bed senior care community. The community is in a generally middle class area, with a median family income of $64,511. ...
Parcway Post Acute Recovery Center is located at 6312 North Portland in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is a 148 room nursing care facility. The facility is in a largely middle income area, with an average family income of ...
Comanche Co. Memorial Hosp. - Silver Linings Geriatric Psychiatry is a 15 bed senior housing facility located in Lawton, Oklahoma. With an average family income of $46,836, the community is in a generally middle income area. It is ...
The Golden Rule Home is an 83 unit senior housing community. It is located at 38801 Hardesty Rd in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The community is in a primarily low income area, with an average household income of $34,038. ...
Adams Parc Post Acute Recovery Center is a 92 room nursing home facility. It is located at 6006 SE Adams Blvd in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The surrounding area is heavily populated, with around 27,000 people residing in the 74006 ...
Senior Suites Skilled Nursing and Long Term Care Community is an 82 room skilled nursing facility. It is located close to the Millicent Crossing neighborhood of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The facility is in a generally middle income ...
Situated within the Hampton South neighborhood of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Forest Hills Care and Rehabilitation Center is a 159 bed nursing facility. With an average per-family income of $64,511, the facility is in a generally middle class area. ...
Companions Specialized Care Center is a 121 bed senior housing community located in the Highland Park area of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The facility is in a generally middle income area, with a median family income of $45,477. It has ...
Located at Highway 64 East in Warner, Oklahoma, Countryside Estates is a 111 unit senior care facility. The community is in a primarily lower income area, with an average family income of $30,404. With around 4,000 individuals residing ...
Spiro Nursing Home is located at 401 South Main in Spiro, Oklahoma. It is a 95 bed nursing home facility. The encompassing area is sparsely populated, with around 8,000 poeple living in the zip code of 74959. ...
Talihina Manor is a 69 room senior care facility located in Talihina, Oklahoma. The neighboring area has a sparse population, with roughly 5,000 residents in the 74571 zip code. With a median household income of $33,216, it is ...
Montevista Rehabilitation and Skilled Care is a 105 room skilled nursing facility situated in Lawton, Oklahoma. With an average per-household income of $46,836, the community is in a mostly middle class area. It is heavily populated, with roughly ...
Edmond Health and Rehabilitation is a 60 unit skilled nursing facility situated in Edmond, Oklahoma. The community is in a predominantly middle class area, with an average per-household income of $71,516. With approximately 41,000 poeple living in the ...
Located at 7019 NW Cache Rd in Lawton, Oklahoma, Willow Park Health Care Center is a 151 bed nursing facility. The community is in a largely middle class area, with an average family income of $46,836. With roughly ...
Rolling Hills Care Center is a 126 room senior housing community located in the Rolling Hills area of Catoosa, Oklahoma. With a median per-household income of $55,219, the community is in a generally middle class area. It has ...
Located at 1504 North Cedar Ave in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Cherokee County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a 100 bed skilled nursing facility. With around 31,000 poeple living in the zip code of 74464, the neighboring area has a dense ...
Plantation Village Nursing Center is a 49 bed nursing care facility located in Altus, Oklahoma. With roughly 23,000 people residing in the zip code of 73521, the surrounding area is densely populated. It is a predominantly middle class ...
The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, the cost of a semiprivate room in a nursing home is $5,323 per month, which is lower than the national average of $7,756. According to Genworth's 2020 Cost of Care Survey, neighboring Kansas has higher nursing home costs, at $6,692 for a semiprivate room. Arkansas is also more expensive, at $5,931 per month, as is New Mexico, at $7,406. Texas, however, has more affordable nursing care costs, averaging $5,019 per month for a semiprivate room.
- Oklahoma: $5,323
- National: $7,756
- Texas: $5,019
- Arkansas: $5,931
- Kansas: $6,692
- New Mexico: $7,406
The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Oklahoma's Top Cities
Nursing home costs within the state vary, but not by much. In capital Oklahoma City, a semiprivate room costs $5,247 per month. Nearby Norman shares these costs. Tulsa is a little costlier, at $5,323. Lawton, the fifth-largest city in the state, averages $5,597. Across the border in Texas, Dallas nursing homes average $5,171 for a semiprivate room.
- Dallas, TX: $5,171
- Oklahoma City: $5,247
- Norman: $5,247
- Tulsa: $5,323
- Lawton: $5,597
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Oklahoma
Nursing homes are the most expensive senior care type in the state, with a semiprivate room averaging $5,323. Assisted living is much more affordable, at $3,750, and memory care averages are slightly more expensive at $4,688. Adult day health care is the cheapest option, at $1,517. Homemaker services average $4,385 and home health aides are a little more, at $4,566.
- Nursing Home Care: $5,323
- Memory Care: $4,688
- Assisted Living: $3,750
- In-Home Care: $4,385
- Home Health Care: $4,566
- Adult Day Care: $1,517
Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in Oklahoma
As you can see above, nursing home care is often the most expensive senior care option – sometimes even 2-3 times the cost of other types of senior living. The primary reason for this is the 24/7 skilled nursing and other medical services that are provided. Thankfully, most people aren't forced to pay for skilled nursing care entirely out-of-pocket. Rather, many qualify for financial assistance programs to help cover the cost of nursing care.
Medicaid is the most comprehensive financial assistance program – but, not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid. And because each state operates its own Medicaid program within federal guidelines, eligibility and benefits vary from state to state. Below, we provide more information on Medicaid in Oklahoma.
Medicaid in Oklahoma
Millions of people across the country are on Medicaid, which offers health insurance coverage to people of all ages. In Oklahoma, there are 967,457 people enrolled in the program, of whom 68,166 seniors. Some of the program's waivers can be used to help pay for long-term care at home and in community settings such as assisted living facilities and nursing homes. There are around 290 nursing homes in the state, and the OK Sooner Services waiver can help cover their costs for seniors 65 and up. Disabled adults under 65 can use the OK My Life My Choice waiver for similar services.
Medicaid Eligibility in Oklahoma
Oklahoma's Medicaid program is called SoonerCare, and it can be used to cover a range of medical services and equipment. To be eligible, residents must reside in the state and meet criteria for care needs and income levels.
In addition to living in Oklahoma, applicants must be citizens, nationals or legal permanent residents of the United States. Applicants can verify their citizenship with a U.S. passport, a certificate of naturalization or a certificate of citizenship.
Further, Medicaid applicants must meet care needs requirements. Seniors ages 65 and up are eligible, as are blind and disabled adults.
As for financial eligibility requirements, each state has its own income guidelines. In order for a single person to be eligible for Oklahoma Medicaid, they should have an income under $2,256 per month or $27,072 per year.
These limits increase depending on the number of people residing in the applicant's household. For a two-person household, the income limit is $3,050 per month or $36,600 per year. Applicants with incomes slightly over this limit are still encouraged to apply as they can sometimes qualify.
Eligible people must also meet limits for assets. While the state doesn't count personal belongings, cars and primary homes, investments and savings accounts are considered. Single individuals should have less than $2,000 to be eligible, and couples applying together should have less than $4,000 in assets. If only one person in a married couple is applying, the non-applicant spouse is allowed to retain up to $130,380 in assets. Seniors can apply for SoonerCare online or at any DHS office.
Additional Financial Assistance Options
- Medicare: For the first 20 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will cover the entire cost of care, and a portion of the costs up until day 100. After 100 days, Medicare won't cover any of the costs. Importantly, seniors must also have a "qualifying hospital stay" that lasts 3 days prior to their admission to a nursing home in order to qualify for Medicare coverage.
- Aid and Attendance: Aid and Attendance may be available to veterans who receive a VA pension. This benefit is a monthly cash allowance that veterans receive in addition to their standard pension amount. It is intended for veterans in need of long-term care services and may be used to pay for skilled nursing care.
- Reverse Mortgages: For those who own a home, reverse mortgages are loans that one can take out against the value of their home, essentially converting some of the home's equity into cash. It's often a good fit for married couples when only one partner needs nursing care, as the other residents of the home may continue living there. Keep in mind that reverse mortgage loans do need to be repaid (with interest), typically within 12 months of receiving the loan.
- Long-Term Care Insurance: For seniors who already have long-term care insurance, the cost of skilled nursing care may be covered. Most policies cover at least a portion of the costs, but it depends on the specific policy terms. It's important to note that older adults who are already in need of skilled nursing care will not be eligible to sign up for a long-term care insurance policy.
Oklahoma Nursing Home Care Rules and Regulations
In Oklahoma, nursing homes are licensed and regulated by the state Department of Health's Long Term Care Service. This organization performs periodic inspections of long-term care communities in order to ensure that patient care standards are being upheld. Below are some of Oklahoma's nursing home laws.
Scope of Care | In Oklahoma, nursing homes offer around-the-clock medical services and supervision for those who need a high level of care. These facilities are staffed by skilled nurses and nurse aides who offer assistance with activities of daily living like chores and personal care. Nursing homes also offer help with the prescription and management of medication and can administer medications through injection. Oftentimes, rehabilitative therapy, including cognitive, occupational and speech therapies are available on-site. |
Care Planning | According to state law, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities must use an approved assessment tool to determine the care needs of each new resident. From there, individual care plans, including medication and rehabilitation schedules, are developed. |
Pharmacy Services | In Oklahoma nursing homes, resident medication is managed by pharmacists, physicians, licensed nurses and certified medication aides. Nursing homes are required to dispense resident medications based on a prescribed treatment plan. Each month, this medication plan is reviewed to make sure that residents receive optimal care despite changing health conditions. |
Staff Screening | Staff in nursing homes undergo rigorous screening, including criminal history checks for every employee. In addition, employees are screened through various violent crime and abuse registries. |
Staff Training | Oklahoma's certified nurse aides and nurse aide trainees are licensed by and registered with the state Department of Health. Certified nurse aides must complete at least 75 hours of training, 10 of which must be with dementia and Alzheimer's patients. They must also pass written and hands-on assessments. Certified medication aides are required to complete 40 hours of training with at least 16 hours of clinical training. To stay up-to-date with medical advancements, all care staff must undergo at least one hour of dementia and Alzheimer's training per year. |
Medicaid Coverage | Oklahoma has two waivers that can be used for long-term care in a nursing home. The first is the OK My Life My Choice waiver, open to disabled adults between the ages of 18 and 64, and the next one, OK Sooner Services, is for seniors ages 65 and up. |
Reporting Abuse | Residents of nursing homes, as well as their loved ones, can report welfare concerns to the state's Long-Term Care Ombudsman. This body's advocacy and mediation services help residents learn about their rights and protect them. Residents who are concerned about their care or treatment can file a complaint online or call (405) 521-2281. If a resident is concerned that the laws governing nursing homes are not being followed, they can also contact the Health Department directly. |
Free Nursing Home Resources in Oklahoma
Nursing Home Association of Oklahoma
This agency supports nursing homes and their residents by advocating for improved support and funding. By lobbying for increased assistance for long-term care facilities, this body helps improve the overall quality of senior care in the state. This organization also offers education and professional development opportunities to nursing home staff. As well as maintaining a list of each county's Health Department contacts, this association has a directory of the state's long-term care providers.
Oklahoma Agencies
Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Aging Services
Address: 2401 NW 23rd Street, Suite 40, Oklahoma City, OK 73107
Phone Number: (405) 522-6239
Website: http://www.okdhs.org/services/Pages/olderoklahomans.aspxhttps://aging.ca.gov/
In addition to running the state's Area Agencies on Aging, this body offers legal aid and adult protective services. It can also provide respite services and education for caregivers. Finally, it can connect seniors with transportation and emergency financial aid programs.
Area Agencies on Aging in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, there are 11 Area Agencies on Aging. These agencies generally offer health insurance counseling, case management services and long-term care placement. In addition, they offer healthy aging education such as fall prevention and disease management courses. Many of these agencies offer additional services, such as transportation and recreation programs. Oklahoma seniors can learn more about the services offered by their local Area Agency on Aging here.
Veteran Affairs Office in Oklahoma
The federal Department of Veterans Affairs supports service members with information and assistance. Veterans can get help applying for life insurance, health benefits and financial aid programs at VA offices throughout the state. The VA also offers mental health services and medical care referrals. Through the VA health system, service members can access physicians, pharmacists and other specialists. Service members can find their closest VA office with this tool.
Social Security Offices in Oklahoma
Seniors can apply for Medicare and financial assistance programs at Social Security offices throughout the state. This assistance includes disability insurance and supplemental income for low-income people. The status of applications and appeals can also be monitored here. Finally, this organization offers free fraud prevention and budget planning resources. Seniors can visit their local Social Security office to take advantage of these programs.