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Located along the Mississippi River in central Minnesota, Saint Cloud is the 10th-largest city in the state. It was recently named one of the 30 best cities for older Americans by USA Today, in part because of its high concentration of aging and disability resources. Saint Cloud’s seniors — who make up 12.7% of the city’s nearly 68,500 residents — can also take advantage of the area’s many cultural attractions, including museums, art galleries and dinner theaters. In addition, seniors benefit from the area’s affordability. Saint Cloud’s overall cost of living is almost 14% lower than the Minnesota average.
In Saint Cloud, the average cost of assisted living is $2,723 per month. This is far lower than both the state and national averages, making Saint Cloud an ideal destination for seniors with limited financial resources.
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 >
Nationwide, seniors are paying an average of $4,300 monthly for assisted living care, and costs in Minnesota are nearly the same at $4,283. Care costs vary in states that border Minnesota. Seniors pay somewhat higher prices in neighboring Wisconsin ($4,400), while costs are lower in both North Dakota ($4,096) and South Dakota ($3,638).
Compared to other major cities in Minnesota, Saint Cloud has the lowest assisted living prices. Seniors pay just $2,723 monthly, which is $1,560 less than the state average. Rochester ($3,015) and Duluth ($3,211) are pricier than Saint Cloud, but far below the state norm. Costs are much higher in both Minneapolis ($4,797) and Mankato ($4,968).
Saint Cloud seniors who need help paying for assisted living may qualify for the state’s Elderly Waiver program. The program supports seniors who require nursing home-level care but prefer to live elsewhere, such as an assisted living facility. It covers the customized living services provided by assisted living facilities, as well as transportation, case management and medical supplies. As this is a Medicaid program, income and asset limits apply.
Learn more at our Assisted Living in Minnesota page.
| Contact | Description | |
| Whitney Senior Center | (320) 255-7245 | The city’s Whitney Senior Center offers enriching activities and programs for older adults, including card games, computer classes and club meetings. The facility boasts an indoor walking track and well-equipped fitness center, as well as many senior-friendly exercise classes. An annual membership costs $50 for Saint Cloud residents. Additional fees apply for some classes and programs. |
| Stearns County Veterans Services Office | (320) 656-6176 | The Stearns County Veteran Services Office helps seniors apply for state and federal veterans benefits. These benefits may include temporary financial assistance, transportation to medical appointments and the Aid and Attendance pension benefit. |
| ConnectAbility of MN | (320) 253-0765 | This nonprofit organization serves people with disabilities of all ages. It helps seniors access assistive technology devices that support independent living, such as smart speakers or text-to-speech apps. Seniors may also receive gently used medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and canes, at no charge. The organization provides self-directed or coordinated transportation services for Minnesotans who are enrolled in the state’s Elderly waiver. |
| Central Minnesota Council on Aging | (320) 253-9349 | The Central Minnesota Council on Aging is the region’s designated Area Agency on Aging. Its information and assistance service connects seniors with local resources that meet their needs. The agency offers evidence-based classes about managing chronic conditions, exercising with arthritis and preventing falls. |
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Saint Cloud, MN | (320) 650-1550 | This nonprofit organization offers a Foster Grandparents program that gives seniors the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of at-risk children. Seniors can give their time and talents to local schools, day cares, early education centers and other nonprofit settings. Volunteers choose how often they serve and can volunteer for as little as 8 hours per week. In 2020, the organization’s 205 volunteers mentored more than 10,900 children. |
| Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota | (651) 642-5990 | Headquartered in nearby St. Paul, the Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota offers services for seniors throughout the state. It provides free budget and debt counseling to help seniors manage their money, as well as estate planning services for seniors who want to get their affairs in order. It holds free cooking classes to encourage seniors with limited mobility to prepare healthy meals. |
| City of Saint Cloud Retired and Senior Volunteer Program | (320) 255-7295 | The City of Saint Cloud runs the local chapter of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). It matches people 55 and older with short- or long-term volunteer roles that suit their interests and availability. The city can place volunteers with more than 170 organizations, including museums, hospitals, women’s shelters and humane societies. The program had 1,127 active volunteers in 2019. |
Minnesota’s Assisted Living Law, Chapter 144 outlines the minimum standards for licensed facilities, covering everything from resident rights to staffing requirements. The Minnesota Department of Health is responsible for ensuring Saint Cloud-area facilities comply with these laws. See our Assisted Living in Minnesota page for more information.
