Missouri Assisted Living Costs & Statistics

Almost 2.3 million residents of Missouri are 50 or older, which represents almost 40 percent of the state’s entire population. This huge group has its own unique concerns and issues to address, but what else do we know about how Missouri seniors compare to their cohorts across the United States?

In some ways, Missouri’s seniors are fairly representative of the nation as a whole. For example, about 36.5 percent of Missouri’s residents are over 50, compared to 35.3 percent for the nation as a whole. Similarly, about 39 percent of Missourians 55 and older remain in the labor force, compared to about 41 percent nationally.

But in other key ways, Missouri is quite different from other seniors in the U.S., as the state’s median age has climbed at a less rapid rate (the median age in Missouri stands at 38.8 years) than the nation as a whole, and the state’s seniors are a far less diverse bunch than in most other states.

Living Costs for Seniors in Missouri

If you're looking to live in a state that is affordable, yet has a lot to offer, Missouri is the place to be. Boasting a housing index of only 89.60, it's one of the cheaper states to retire in the United States. You can get a one bedroom apartment in Missouri for an average of $600 a month ($825 a month is the US average), or a two bedroom apartment for an average of $774 a month (US average is $1,027 a month).

Curious about the monthly costs of living in Missouri? Let's take a look at some numbers. Firstly, the average home health care costs are approximately $3,897 a month. This fee basically allows seniors to live relatively independently in their own home, with some help from service aides to keep the house clean, run day to day errands, and cook meals for the elderly.

Seniors needing to stay at a supervised facility during the day can consider adult day care in Missouri. For an average cost of $1,733 a month, caregivers can be assured that their loved ones are supervised and socialized while they tend to their other obligations during the day. Adult day care facilities do not provide skilled nursing though, so it's ideal for older people who are mostly independent but could use some therapy or social activities to keep their minds and bodies busy.

Assisted living facilities are available throughout Missouri for elders needing more assistance with their day to day tasks. For an average monthly cost of just $2,700 a month, seniors are able to get access to personal care and health services.

Missouri also has many nursing homes for those who need round the clock supervision and care. The cost for a semi-private room is roughly $4,912 a month, while a private room is about $5,475 a month. This cost not only covers housing, but also residents receive medications, therapies, and rehabilitation as needed along with supervision and skilled nursing care. Compared to the national average, nursing home care in Missouri is very affordable.

Senior Living Options in Missouri

Missouri retirees have several living options to choose from depending on individual needs: independent living, assisted living, memory care, or nursing home care. See which one best suits your lifestyle by exploring each option below.

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Independent Living

Missouri is home to more than 300 independent living facilities, and the average costs of living in one can range anywhere from $602 to $3,729 a month. Independent living is best for older people who are healthy and active, and don't require 24/7 nursing care. Some seniors may prefer the apartment style living, in which case they can choose to live in a senior apartment community for individuals 55+ or 65+. The amenities for each apartment will differ but some popular ones include workout rooms, walking trails, dog parks, and more.

Assisted Living

Seniors who need attentive caregivers, healthcare, and access to local activities and social opportunities will benefit from staying at an assisted living facility in Missouri. Costs range anywhere from $1,095 to $6,780 a month and residents can expect to receive help with housekeeping duties, laundry, transportation, meal services, and 24-hour staffing to ensure safety. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly facility, then the Springfield area has the lowest assisted living costs. The highest prices are located in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Memory Care

There are 361 memory care facilities in Missouri that provide specialized care for seniors suffering from dementia. Staff are trained and experienced in helping seniors get through the frustrations of not remembering how to do simple tasks or not even remembering where they are. The average cost of memory care facilities in Missouri is $43,500 per year, with the highest cost facilities in the St. Louis region ranging from $3,018 per month up to $14,025 per month. Springfield has lower cost memory care facilities ranging from $2,475 up to $7,821 per month.

Nursing Homes

As with other states, Missouri's elderly population has been growing disproportionately. In 2000, residents 65 years of age or older made up 13% of the state's population. By 2030, that percentage is expected to grow up to 21%, or 1 in every 5 Missourians will be a senior. With a growing senior population, Missouri has been working to increase it's senior living provider options.

Missouri has 208 adult daycare facilities operation within the state, with an average cost of $19,500 per year. Retirees will find that the St. Joseph area has the lowest costs in terms of adult daycare prices, coming in at an average of $15,600 per year. The Columbia metropolitan area has the highest priced adult daycare centers, with an average price of $22,490 per year. Overall, the average cost of adult daycare in Missouri is $19,500 per year, which is a bit lower than the national average.

Hospices have been growing into an increasingly popular facility for terminally ill seniors. They offer grief counseling to patients and and their families, therapies through the arts and various exercises, and pain management with professionally administered medications. There are currently 140 hospices in Missouri, that can be covered by Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurances.

Respite care has been a lifesaver for the sanity and financial health of unpaid caregivers. There are 436 respite care facilities in Missouri, with a cost range of $5,0003 to $10,832 a month. Respite care is most useful after a surgery or other serious medical procedure, where the senior would need a higher level of care for a prolonged amount of time.