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The southwest Missouri city of Joplin is a vibrant city with scenic views of the Ozark region and a downtown district dotted with historic buildings and cultural attractions. The city has almost 51,000 people, and its percentage of seniors is on par with the national average at nearly 17%. Joplin is home to Grand Falls, the largest continuously running waterfall in the state, as well as a historic residential neighborhood that provides residents with a peek into the city’s past. It also features the Precious Moments Chapel & Gift Shoppe, which has been dubbed the “American Sistine Chapel” for its 84 hand-painted murals and 30 works of stained glass.
Joplin is home to about a dozen assisted living facilities, providing residents with a broad range of options that range in size from 20 beds to 126 beds. This city is a very affordable option for this level of care, with services costing just $2,500 per month. Exact monthly fees vary based on factors such as amenities and service fee structure.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Joplin pay approximately $2,500 per month for assisted living, making it among the least expensive options in the nation for this type of care. Nationally, assisted living facilities charge $4,300 per month for care. In Missouri, fees are over $1,000 lower at $3,000 per month. Missouri is also the cheapest option in the region, with fees coming in well below those of neighboring states. In Kansas and Illinois, fees come in at $5,090 and $4,575, respectively. In Iowa, seniors pay $4,073 per month, and in Arkansas, fees average $3,500.
Joplin is the least expensive city in Missouri for memory care, with fees coming in at $2,500 per month. In Springfield, fees are close to the statewide median at $3,100, and in the capital city of Jefferson City, seniors pay a little more at $3,150. In Cape Girardeau, seniors pay $3,374 monthly, and in St. Louis, facilities charge approximately $3,750. Kansas City is the priciest option in the state at $4,460.
In Joplin, the statewide Medicaid program covers assisted living services for qualifying seniors under the Missouri Care Options program. Some services that the MCO program covers include help with daily living activities and complex physical needs, respite care, housekeeping and laundry services, nursing care and supervised adult day programs. To qualify for this program, seniors must meet income, asset and residency guidelines.
To learn more about paying for assisted living services in Joplin, reference our Assisted Living in Missouri page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Area Agency on Aging Region X | (417) 781-7562 | The local AAA is a nonprofit organization that provides a broad range of services to older adults. It administers the Medicare Savings Program, which can help seniors save money on health care expenses, and its Senior Resource guide provides up-to-date contact information for local agencies that provide free and low-cost vision and dental services, medical equipment loans and free tax services. The agency also operates nutrition centers throughout the region and provides free and low-cost non-emergency medical transportation. |
| Veterans Services | (314) 253-4455 | The state’s Veterans Commission has Veterans Service Officers stationed throughout the state, including two in Jasper County where Joplin is located. These certified officers help qualifying veterans obtain state and federal benefits that may help them cover assisted living services, such as the VA pension and the Aid and Attendance benefit. Officers can also help veterans determine their eligibility for VA health care services. |
| Joplin Senior Center | (417) 625-4750 | The Joplin Senior Center is a 14,000-square-foot recreational facility that serves seniors through a broad range of services and programs. The center, which is open on weekdays, hosts daily congregate meals, health and wellness programs, exercise classes and foot clinics. Limited after-hours use of the building is also available for private gatherings. |
| CLAIM | (800) 390-3330 | CLAIM is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program. It provides free, unbiased options counseling for Medicare-eligible Joplin residents. Through this program, seniors can learn more about Medicare and Medicaid benefits and research long-term care insurance. Certified Medicare counselors also help clients understand their medical bills and resolve billing errors, dispute denied claims and protect themselves from Medicare scams and fraud. |
| Southwest Missouri Ombudsman | (417) 862-3598 | The Southwest Missouri Ombudsman advocates on behalf of seniors living in assisted living facilities in Joplin. Volunteers visit local assisted living facilities regularly to monitor living conditions, observe interactions between staff and residents and ensure that residents receive the services that they’re entitled to. The ombudsman also investigates and resolves reports of abuse and neglect and mediates interpersonal issues that arise in long-term care communities. |
| Legal Service of Southern Missouri | (800) 444-4863 | Legal Service of Southern Missouri is a private, nonprofit legal services organization that serves income-qualifying residents and seniors in Joplin. It provides representation and assistance for seniors who need help accessing public benefits such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security benefits. It also provides assistance with wills, powers of attorney and health care directives. |
In Joplin, the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services enforces rules and regulations in assisted living facilities. To be licensed, facilities must meet requirements regarding staffing and staff training, admission and retention policies, and care planning. For more information about the regulations that local assisted living facilities follow, see our Assisted Living in Missouri page.
