Assisted Living in Missouri

Single Applicant

$10,956

$5,000

Two-Person Household

(Only One Person Applying)

$17,244

$137,400

Two-Person Household
(Both People Applying)

$23,169

$10,000

Missouri CLAIM Program 

(800) 390-3330

CLAIM is the official State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for Missouri. With help from 180 community partners throughout the state, it offers free and unbiased information about your financial options for long-term care, including Medicaid. CLAIM keeps your information confidential. 

Housing Options Provided for the Elderly (HOPE)

(314) 776-0155

Hope is a nonprofit organization that assists older adults and their families find long-term care that meets their needs and budget. Its expert counselors can provide affordable case management for clients in the Saint Louis area. General assistance over the phone is available nationwide. 

Cover Missouri

(800) 466-3213

The Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) operates Cover Missouri to help you find health care coverage, including financial aid for assisted living through Medicaid. It can connect you directly with a knowledgeable person who can help you learn about your options and apply for benefits. 

Aid and Attendance

Learn more and apply online at va.gov.

Veterans who receive a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit, a monthly cash allowance that veterans receive in addition to their standard pension amount. The benefit is intended for veterans in need of long-term care services and may be used towards paying for Assisted Living.

Reverse Mortgages

Learn more about your options and how to apply at ftc.gov

If you own a home, you may be able to use a reverse mortgage to help pay for Assisted Living. Reverse mortgages are loans that one can take out against the value of their home, essentially converting some of the home's equity into cash. Reverse mortgage loans do need to be repaid with interest, typically within 12 months of receiving the loan.

Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance

Learn more about Long-Term Care Insurance and how to apply for a policy at acl.gov.

Seniors who already have long-term care insurance may be able to use it to pay for Assisted Living. Most policies cover at least a portion of the cost, but it depends on the specific policy terms. Note that older adults who are already in need of Assisted Living will not typically be eligible to sign up for a LTC insurance policy.

Missouri Coalition for Quality Care

(888) 262-5644

This nonprofit organization advocates for the safety and interests of seniors in long-term care settings throughout Missouri. It strives to hold assisted living facilities accountable for the quality of their care and helps ensure seniors get the assistance they need to live a healthy, comfortable life. MCQC also accepts reports of abuse online and over the phone. 

Missouri Area Agencies on Aging

(573) 526-4542

There are 10 AAAs in Missouri responsible for delivering services beneficial to seniors, including legal aid, nutrition assistance, in-home services, disease prevention and transportation access. These agencies also oversee the general welfare of seniors through the ombudsman program, which strives to empower older adults through advocacy and education. The NAPIS (National Aging Program Information System) tracks how well seniors in Missouri can access these services.

Missouri AARP

(866) 389-5627

AARP's low-cost membership gives seniors a variety of discounts and rewards available throughout Missouri. Both members and nonmembers can get valuable information about long-term care and other senior services through AARP's live and online events. AARP has local sites in Saint Louis, Kansas City and Springfield that offer additional services. 

Veterans Care Coordination

(855) 380-4400

Veterans Care Coordination is a nonprofit organization based in Saint Louis that strives to connect veterans in the community with affordable long-term care options, including assisted living facilities. It works with veterans and their families to ensure they get the pensions and Aid & Attendance benefits they deserve. It also coordinates the delivery of care at home or in assisted living, making lives easier for eligible families.

Missouri Care Planning Council

(800) 989-8137

The Missouri Care Planning Council (MCPC) is an organization that connects seniors in the state with a wide range of local service providers, long-term care advisors and informational resources. MCPC is focused on long-term planning but is also available for emergency situations. It accepts specific requests for help both over the phone and through its online form.

Are loved ones allowed to visit to provide emotional support?

Are relatives allowed to visit for end-of-life care?

Are residents required to quarantine after visiting with a loved one?

Are visitors required to wear PPE (including masks) in order to visit residents?

Are non-medical contractors (such as hairdressers and entertainers) allowed in senior living facilities?

Are visitors checked for elevated temperatures?

Are visitors required to answer questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact?

Are residents allowed to leave (errands, visiting family, etc.) for non-medical reasons?

Are residents who leave required to quarantine when they return?

Are senior living communities required to cancel all group outings?

Are residents allowed to eat meals together in a common area?

Are residents allowed to gather in common areas for group activites?

Are staff members regularly required to do a temperature check?

Are staff members regularly tested for COVID-19?

Are staff members members regularly required to do a health and safety screening, including questions about travel, contact with positive cases, etc?

Are residents regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms?

Are residents regularly checked for elevated temperatures?

Are residents regularly tested for COVID-19?

Assisted Living Service Plan Requirements

To create a service plan that meets all the needs of a resident, a thorough interview with the applicant and interested family members is required before admission. This plan must be amended any time the behavior or care needs of a resident change. An individualized evacuation plan should be included if the resident has unique mobility challenges. 

Assisted Living Admission Requirements

After approval and moving in, a physical assessment of the resident must be completed within 5 days to confirm that the assisted living facility can provide appropriate care. Any resident that requires long-term skilled nursing, restraints or other high levels of medical care does not qualify for assisted living. 

Assisted Living Scope of Care

Assisted living facilities in Missouri are required to provide the following care services:

• 24-hour housing
• Personalized assistance
• Basic housekeeping and laundry
• Access to social and recreational activities
• Transportation for emergencies

Facilities must also ensure that residents have access to health care.

Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

MO HealthNet covers personal care services received in assisted living facilities. There are also waiver programs that can cover extra services, such as temporary skilled nursing and therapy for disabled residents. 

Assisted Living Facility Requirements

Assisted living facilities must include private units and social spaces. There must be at least 70 square feet of space for each resident, whether a person is housed in a single or multi-occupant unit. Each unit must include a window that looks to the outside. A bathroom or tub is required for every 20 residents in a facility. 

Medication Management Regulations

During the initial assessment, a registered nurse or physician determines if a resident can self-administer their own medication. Only approved medication will be available to these residents, and they must be stored properly. A medication regimen must be reviewed every two months. 

Staffing Requirements

In Missouri, assisted living facilities must have one staff member for every 15 residents during the day, one staff member for every 20 residents in the evening and one staff member for every 25 residents during the night. A registered nurse is required for at least 8 hours per week for facilities with 30 or fewer residents and 40 hours per week for facilities with over 90 residents. An administrator is also required to ensure the facility is adhering to regulations. 

Staff Training Requirements

Each staff member must be trained in one hour of fire safety, two hours of transfer assistance, person-centered care and resident privacy and 24 hours of training related to the needs of seniors with cognitive impairments. Direct caregivers must also go through an orientation that covers their specific duties and responsibilities.

Background Checks for Assisted Living

Background checks are required for all full-time, part-time and temporary employees and contracted workers at assisted living facilities in Missouri. Documentation of background checks is also required. Persons with class A or B felonies may not have direct contact with residents unless they receive a good cause waiver.

Requirements for Reporting Abuse

Any staff member who witnesses abuse, neglect, exploitation or other types of mistreatment must report the incident to the facility administrator. The administrator must then report the incident to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at (800) 392-0210.