St. Louis is on the border of Missouri and Illinois. It has a population of 301,578 people, including 41,316 seniors age 65 and older. With a variety of high-quality hospitals and a low cost of living, St. Louis is an excellent choice for seniors who desire the amenities of a big city at an affordable price.
Assisted living facilities offer support with daily tasks such as personal care, laundry and transportation. They are best suited to seniors who do not require 24/7 medical assistance but desire a helping hand with day-to-to activities and access to around-the-clock support. In St. Louis, seniors pay on average $4,100 per month for assisted living care, which is 30% higher than the Missouri average.
This guide provides an introduction to assisted living in St. Louis. Continue reading to find out more about the average monthly costs of care, the benefits and drawbacks of retiring in St. Louis and resources to support seniors.
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 >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Missouri. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
The cost of care in St. Louis is typically around $4,100 per month. However, this can vary depending on the location, services and amenities offered.
The cost of care in St. Louis is around $400 higher than the national average and $1,100 higher than the state average.
Prices for assisted living vary significantly throughout Missouri. The most expensive city for care is Kansas City, where seniors pay around $4,585 per month on average. At $2,075 per month, Jefferson City is one of the most affordable cities for care, followed by Cape Girardeau, where seniors pay around $2,539 per month. Care in Columbia and Joplin is also cheaper than average at $2,800 and $2,805 per month on average. In Springfield, seniors pay slightly more at $3,250 per month.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Missouri.
Resource | Contact | Service |
Office of Veterans Affairs | (314) 657-1650 | The Office of Veteran Affairs is part of the St. Louis City Department of Human Services. It offers veterans and their families a variety of services to help support them. It particularly focuses on helping veterans who may be at risk of poverty, unemployment, chemical dependency and mental illness. The department assists veterans in accessing private and public benefits, and services such as legal assistance and transportation assistance. |
Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman | (800) 309-3282 | The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a statewide program that helps residents living in long-term care facilities such as assisted living communities. The ombudsmen work as advocates and visit the facilities regularly to resolve any issues the residents may have with the facility or with the staff, including elder abuse, neglect and problems accessing financial assistance. |
Five Star Center | (314) 664-1008 | Five Star Center is a senior center that promotes optimum well-being and quality of life for seniors living in St. Louis. There is a range of services, including transportation, social opportunities and congregate meals. The staff also helps seniors apply for programs such as home repairs, tax services and monthly bus passes. |
Senior Law Program | (800) 444-0514 | The Legal Services of Eastern Missouri runs the Senior Law Program. It provides seniors aged 60 and older with compassionate representation. The program can help with wills, power of attorneys, orders of protection and housing issues. The attorneys can also assist with accessing public benefits and immigration. |
St. Louis Area Agency on Aging | (314) 612-5918 | St. Louis Area Agency on Aging provides information on services and programs that support seniors. It aims to encourage economic, social and personal independence so seniors can thrive and have a high quality of life. Some of the services offered include tax assistance, disease prevention workshops, transportation services and a nutrition program. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the St. Louis area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.