St. Louis Assisted Living

Retirement and your golden years can bring a lot of new big changes such as moving to an assisted living community. You might wonder what it’s like living there and whether you can afford it. The good news is that St. Louis, MO is a great place to be if you’re in an assisted living facility.

Missouri’s rates are comparable to the national average, there are plenty of diverse communities to choose from, and there are so many things that St. Louis has to offer you.

Looking At The Cost For Assisted Living In St. Louis

The cost of assisted living is going to be fairly high on everyone’s list but luckily the rates here in Missouri are fairly manageable. The US average cost of assisted living is about $3,600 and the average cost for the whole state of Missouri is $2,525. St. Louis is a little bit higher than that at $3,670 but that doesn’t guarantee you will pay that amount.

In fact, there is a wide price range right within the city of St. Louis depending on the area and the kind of room/house you are looking to get. If you wanted to get a studio at a place like Fountain View and Friendship Village you could expect to pay around $1,750. On the opposite end, you could find a two-bedroom apartment at Provision Living at Webster Groves for $7,300. Both communities are in St. Louis and show just how different the price can be.

The Environment At An Assisted Living Community

Besides the cost, you might be wondering what really goes on in an assisted living community. Is it only for people who can no longer live on their own? Not necessarily. You can be as independent as you want or have as much assistance as you need. It all depends on the type of community that you choose.

If your faith is important to you, there are many facilities that are built on religious values. You can also find places that are great for active seniors or those that like to be outdoors, people that love animals and want to bring their pets along, and people who value their family time and want to have visitors often. Whatever you want is what you can get in assisted living.

Searching For Assisted Living In St. Louis

It’s important to take your time when you look for your new home and be as thorough as possible. You can gather recommendations and suggestions from your friends and family. You can talk with your doctor or health care professional to see if there is a facility they prefer or know has a good reputation. You can also search online through websites like SeniorAdvisor.com to start to narrow down your search.

The most important thing that you can do though is to go and visit the places that make it to the top of your list. When you go to visit, meet with the director or the senior living advisor. These people can make sure that all of your questions are answered and you really get a feel for the place that might be your new home. Go on a tour, look at the living spaces, and try to talk with current residents so that you have as much information as possible to make your choice.

Once you have visited a few places, you can start to eliminate the ones that you don’t like or don’t align with your lifestyle. Eventually, you will find the community that feels like home and makes you comfortable.

How To Pay For Assisted Living In St. Louis

This is perhaps the biggest question that most people have, how am I going to pay for assisted living? It might seem like a big challenge but you have options and should explore each one to find the best solution.

If you are a veteran, there is a good chance that you could receive some money for long-term care like assisted living. Some states even have their own homes that you can live in for a discounted cost. Check with your local office to see if you’re eligible.

Medicaid programs are another option to get money for your long-term care. This government program is for low-income families and as long as you meet the requirements for eligibility, you could have a large portion of your care covered. There are also state grants and awards you can look into that might cover all or a portion of assisted living.

Some people have long-term care insurance and if you are one of them, you can use that to pay for your new home. Make sure to talk with your agent to get the details on your policy and see the exact coverage that you have.