Swansea is a village on the Missouri/Illinois border, approximately 20 minutes west of St. Louis. It’s home to around 14,400 people, of which about 2,270 are aged 65 and older. A range of factors contributes to the village regularly appearing in lists of the best places to live in Illinois, including its average cost of living, free transportation, highly regarded health care providers and below-average crime rates.

Assisted living is a type of senior care suitable for older citizens who find everyday tasks increasingly challenging, such as preparing meals and bathing. Although each facility is unique, 24/7 care delivered by nursing staff with occasional limited medical care administered by skilled nurses is common to all. Rooms are designed with seniors in mind, chefs prepare meals and activity managers conceive programs that can improve health and encourage socialization. The average monthly fee for assisted living in Swansea is $4,100, which is significantly more affordable than the state and national averages.

This guide considers the pros and cons of living in Swansea, including the costs of different types of senior care. It also lists some free resources for the city’s seniors.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Swansea, IL

Bradford Place

Bradford Place is a mid-sized facility surrounded by residential areas and medical specialists on the north side of Swansea, Illinois, just 2 miles from Interstate 64. Visitors note that the facility … (read more)
Bradford Place is a mid-sized facility surrounded by residential areas and medical specialists on the north side of Swansea, Illinois, just 2 miles from Interstate 64. Visitors note that the facility … (read more)

Symphony Sycamore Village

Sycamore Village Assisted Living in Swansea, Illinois, is located near Centennial Park and Gepperts Lake. The staff is described by visitors as friendly, knowledgeable and understanding. Residents can … (read more)
Sycamore Village Assisted Living in Swansea, Illinois, is located near Centennial Park and Gepperts Lake. The staff is described by visitors as friendly, knowledgeable and understanding. Residents can … (read more)

Cambridge House of Swansea

Located in Swansea, Illinois, near State Highway 61 and Memorial Hospital Belleville, Cambridge House of Swansea offers one- and two-bedroom apartments. According to visitors and relatives, the facili … (read more)
Located in Swansea, Illinois, near State Highway 61 and Memorial Hospital Belleville, Cambridge House of Swansea offers one- and two-bedroom apartments. According to visitors and relatives, the facili … (read more)

St. Paul’s Senior Community

I went to look at St. Paul’s Senior Community. I like the rooms a lot better because the bedrooms are separated. So even though there are two in a room, it’s like you’re in your own bedroom. The dinin … (read more)
I went to look at St. Paul’s Senior Community. I like the rooms a lot better because the bedrooms are separated. So even though there are two in a room, it’s like you’re in your own bedroom. The dinin … (read more)

Keystone Place at Richland Creek

I had the opportunity to visit Keystone Place at Richland Creek. Their facility is beautiful. At this time they don’t have many clients, but they’re still hiring. The few times that they do have been … (read more)
I had the opportunity to visit Keystone Place at Richland Creek. Their facility is beautiful. At this time they don’t have many clients, but they’re still hiring. The few times that they do have been … (read more)

Cedar Trails Senior Living Community

We chose Cedar Trails Senior Living Community because they were very welcoming, very sweet, and very kind. It was clean. The people were very nice. They have a lot of activities. It is enough to keep … (read more)
We chose Cedar Trails Senior Living Community because they were very welcoming, very sweet, and very kind. It was clean. The people were very nice. They have a lot of activities. It is enough to keep … (read more)

Garden Place Senior Living Millstadt

Garden Place Senior Living Millstadt looked older and so much more like a nursing home than the other places I’ve been to. They didn’t seem to have as many activities as the other places we’ve seen. W … (read more)
Garden Place Senior Living Millstadt looked older and so much more like a nursing home than the other places I’ve been to. They didn’t seem to have as many activities as the other places we’ve seen. W … (read more)

2015, 2022

Addington Place of Collinsville

Addington Place of Collinsville is located in the northern part of Collinsville, Illinois, minutes from Woodland Park and both an American Legion and a VFW post. Residents feel comfortable at this pro … (read more)
Addington Place of Collinsville is located in the northern part of Collinsville, Illinois, minutes from Woodland Park and both an American Legion and a VFW post. Residents feel comfortable at this pro … (read more)

Cambridge House of O’Fallon

Cambridge House of O’Fallon is located east of Collinsville in the suburb of O’Fallon, Illinois, near Rohr Park, Marcus O’Fallon Cinema and Interstate 64. Residents and visitors give high marks to the … (read more)
Cambridge House of O’Fallon is located east of Collinsville in the suburb of O’Fallon, Illinois, near Rohr Park, Marcus O’Fallon Cinema and Interstate 64. Residents and visitors give high marks to the … (read more)

Addington Place of Shiloh

I had an in-person tour of Addington Place of Shiloh. It was a good tour. I had a chance to tour by myself with one of the counselors. She was very, very helpful. The place was very clean, and there w … (read more)
I had an in-person tour of Addington Place of Shiloh. It was a good tour. I had a chance to tour by myself with one of the counselors. She was very, very helpful. The place was very clean, and there w … (read more)

The Colonnade Senior Living

The Colonnade was very good, very nicely decorated, and very friendly. The people who lived there are very happy. You can eat whenever you want to, and you can order from a menu. They have lots of act … (read more)
The Colonnade was very good, very nicely decorated, and very friendly. The people who lived there are very happy. You can eat whenever you want to, and you can order from a menu. They have lots of act … (read more)

Parkway Gardens

Parkway Gardens is a small facility on the north side of Fairview Heights, Illinois, located close to Interstate 64, Parkway Gardens and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. Visitors say they like the smaller la … (read more)
Parkway Gardens is a small facility on the north side of Fairview Heights, Illinois, located close to Interstate 64, Parkway Gardens and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. Visitors say they like the smaller la … (read more)

The Villas of Holly Brook and Reflections Memory Care: Collinsville

We took a tour of The Villas of Holly Brook for my parents. The assistant director took us on a really wonderful tour, and we really loved it, but when my mother walked into a one-bedroom apartment sh … (read more)
We took a tour of The Villas of Holly Brook for my parents. The assistant director took us on a really wonderful tour, and we really loved it, but when my mother walked into a one-bedroom apartment sh … (read more)

Villas of Holly Brook and Reflections Belleville, Illinois

We’ve chosen the Villas of Holly Brook and Reflections Belleville, Illinois. It’s a beautiful facility. It’s brand new. It’s been open for a year. It’s actually Christian based, which I liked, and the … (read more)
We’ve chosen the Villas of Holly Brook and Reflections Belleville, Illinois. It’s a beautiful facility. It’s brand new. It’s been open for a year. It’s actually Christian based, which I liked, and the … (read more)

Cedar Creek of Shiloh

Work ethic of some staff is poor/fair. Food poorly prepared, service fair although wait times often long, food often not hot, items offered on alternate menu often not available. Long time residents s … (read more)
Work ethic of some staff is poor/fair. Food poorly prepared, service fair although wait times often long, food often not hot, items offered on alternate menu often not available. Long time residents s … (read more)

Charles Gardens

We chose Charles Gardens because it’s one level and it’s assisted living. Mom is to move in next month. It’s not so big to where she will feel like she’s lost. They do assist in medicine. It’s just fi … (read more)
We chose Charles Gardens because it’s one level and it’s assisted living. Mom is to move in next month. It’s not so big to where she will feel like she’s lost. They do assist in medicine. It’s just fi … (read more)



COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in Swansea

Since most COVID-19 rules for Assisted Living Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Assisted Living in Illinois. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they 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.

What To Consider About Assisted Living in Swansea

The Illinois Department of Public Health ultimately determines which care providers get licenses to operate in the state. Various branches of the department handle day-to-day administrative duties, with the Division of Assisted Living responsible for that area of senior care. Its work includes making unannounced inspections to determine if facilities are complying with the terms of their licenses.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Swansea

  • Winter in Swansea can get cold, with temperatures often hovering around 22 degrees and approximately 18 inches of snowfall per year being the norm. Rainfall is a little more than normal at 42 inches, and it can get muggy in summer, but not enough to stop the area’s air quality from being above average. Summer also provides plenty of sunny days, with temperatures averaging a pleasant 89 degrees.
  • The average cost of living index for Illinois is 93.4, which compares favorably with the national median, but it’s not as impressive as Swansea’s average index of 90.1. The village’s housing costs are a contributory factor, but that’s not the whole story, as transportation and grocery costs are lower too.
  • Crime occurs less often in Swansea, particularly violent crime, with the chances of becoming a victim at 1 in 625, compared to the state average of 1 in 239. Although the difference isn’t as vast, property crime is also less common in Swansea, with the chances of being a victim at 1 in 73 compared to the state’s 1 in 65.
  • There are many medical facilities in and around Swansea dedicated to patients with specific needs, such as the Swansea Rehabilitation and Health Care Center and Siteman Cancer Center. St. Elizabeth’s Hospital is nearby, and St. Louis, home to many fine medical facilities, is a little over 20 minutes west of the village.
  • Swansea residents aged 65+ are entitled to a free senior pass, which allows them to ride anywhere within the counties of St. Clair and St. Louis on fixed-route MetroLink and MetroBus services at no cost. There’s also a paratransit service for seniors unable to use fixed-route services due to mobility issues.

Paying for Assisted Living in Swansea

At $4,100 per month, Swansea’s average assisted living fees are significantly less than the usual fee of $4,488 for Illinois. Residents also save approximately $400 per month compared to the national average of $4,500 — an annual saving of around $4,800.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

Despite average fees significantly below the state average, Swansea isn’t the least costly location in Illinois, a position held by Carbondale, where seniors typically pay $3,525 per month. Peoria is also at the more affordable end of the spectrum at $4,131, as is Decatur at $4,382. However, some cities have above-average fees, such as Springfield at $5,110. 

$4100

Swansea

$4488

Illinois

$4500

United States

$3525

Carbondale

$5110

Springfield

$4382

Decatur

$4131

Peoria

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Adult day health care provides the most affordable senior care in Swansea, typically charging $1,918 per month. Although assisted living costs significantly more at around $4,100, it’s not as expensive as in-home care or home health care, both $5,482. Nursing home facilities provide the most intensive types of care and charge the highest fees. A standard semiprivate room costs about $5,627.

$5482

In-Home Care

$5482

Home Health Aide

$1918

Adult Day Health Care

$4100

Assisted Living Facility

$5627

Nursing Home (semiprivate room)

Note: Data for Swansea was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, St. Louis, MO, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Swansea

Eligible seniors may get assistance from the Community Care Program or the Illinois Supportive Living Program Medicaid waiver to help pay for assisted living services.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Illinois page.

Paying for Assisted Living Facilities in Illinois

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

  • Veterans Benefits
  • Life Insurance Policy
  • Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Illinois page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Swansea

Government agencies and nonprofit organizations regularly assist seniors in St. Clair County. Those listed here provide help free of charge, including legal advice, resident care advocacy and Medicare counseling.

Resource

Contact

Service

(618) 234-4410

PSOP is a multi-resource nonprofit that helps St. Clair County seniors. Supports include RSVP, an AmeriCorps-sponsored program that connects older residents who want to volunteer at nonprofits. Operating within Southwestern Illinois College, PSOP offers classes that help seniors improve their balance and manages an alternative transportation program for those needing curb-to-curb services.

(877) 342-7891

This nonprofit ensures southern and central Illinois senior citizens who can't afford an attorney get access to the legal help they need. It specializes in several types of civil law, including protecting the rights of elders, consumers and those with disabilities. It can also help seniors with legal issues related to health care and economic security.

(618) 222-2561

AgeSmart Community Resources is the Area Agency on Aging for St. Clair County. Although most of its resources focus on helping seniors age independently at home, it also supports senior living facility residents. Volunteers educate seniors about Medicare, including recent changes and how to prevent fraud, while senior dining programs provide congregate meals.

(800) 233-4904

This program supports seniors residing in care facilities. Ombudsmen advocate for seniors in matters such as complaints regarding care standards, concerns about involuntary transfers or discharges and violations of residents' rights. They typically attempt to negotiate solutions with care providers, but if criminal behavior such as elder abuse is suspected, the ombudsman will contact the relevant authorities.

(314) 286-6988

Located only 10 minutes from Swansea, the St. Clair County VA Clinic provides primary care services for U.S. military vets and their families. It can also refer patients to other facilities within the St. Louis VA Health Care System and the veterans' office in Public Square for seniors who want help claiming benefits.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Swansea

Swansea Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities in Illinois are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Illinois page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Illinois