The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Cape Girardeau, MO for 2023

Cape Girardeau is known for its historic landmarks and beautiful parks, offering a unique backdrop for retirement living. It has about 40,000 residents, 18% of whom are seniors aged 65 and older who may benefit from its many community-based senior programs. The city has a very low cost of living and retiree-friendly tax laws, and it has a reliable public transportation system that makes the city easy to navigate, even without a private vehicle. There are also two hospitals and numerous long-term care providers in the city.

Assisted living facilities are ideal for older adults who don’t need nursing home level care but are unable to live alone safely and comfortably. These facilities generally have private and semiprivate suites and apartments and provide regular housekeeping and laundry services, transportation, daily meals and personalized care plans. In Cape Girardeau, this level of care costs $2,538 per month, which is below the state norm of $3,000 and the national rate of $4,500.

This guide highlights ways seniors in Cape Girardeau pay for assisted living and further compares local costs to rates in nearby cities. It also lists resources that may be helpful to seniors seeking long-term care.

Assisted living facilities in Cape Girardeau and the rest of Missouri follow regulations set by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Section for Long-Term Care Regulation. This department licenses assisted living facilities and houses the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which provides advocacy, information and practical assistance for residents.

• On a 100-point cost of living index based on national cost norms, Cape Girardeau rates 81.4 compared to the state score of 85.6. This indicates that the city is among the more economical places to live in the state and nation and may make it a good option for those with limited financial resources.
• Violent crime occurs at a slightly higher rate in Cape Girardeau than in a typical U.S. city, but most crimes that take place here are property-related offenses. A 100-point crime index that assigns higher values to communities with more crime gives Cape Girardeau a 25.3 for violent crime and 63.1 for property crime, compared to national scores of 22.7 and 35.4, respectively. Assisted living facilities provide a safe environment for seniors through measures such as security gates and surveillance cameras.
• The weather in Cape Girardeau is the most comfortable in the spring and fall, when daytime temperatures range from 60 to 78 degrees. Summers are very warm with highs around 90 degrees, and July typically sees high humidity levels. Winters are chilly with daytime temperatures in the low 40s and nighttime temperatures in the 20s, and the city gets about 10 inches of snow annually. Assisted living facilities support an active lifestyle year-round with a variety of indoor and outdoor recreational options.
• Cape Girardeau has two local hospitals, including Southeast Hospital and Saint Francis Medical Center, offering emergency services and primary and specialty care for seniors. There are 384 doctors per capita in this city, which is significantly higher than the national average of 210 and may result in shorter wait times for care.
• Cape Girardeau seniors who earn less than $85,000 per year don’t pay state income taxes on their Social Security benefits. While other types of retirement income are taxable, deductions are available to minimize this financial burden.
• Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority provides public transportation services throughout the region, helping older adults maintain their independence even if they don’t drive. It has a discount program for those aged 60 and over, which can supplement services seniors obtain through assisted living.

Assisted living facilities in Cape Girardeau charge an average of $2,538 per month for services.

In Cape Girardeau, seniors pay average monthly rates of $2,538 for assisted living, making this city among the most budget-friendly in the nation for residential care. Local care costs are well below the state norm of $3,000 and nearly $2,000 below the national average. Seniors may save $460 per month by choosing an assisted living facility in Jefferson City, but in Columbia, care costs are higher than in Cape Girardeau at $2,800. In Springfield, seniors pay $3,250 for care, and in St. Louis, local care costs exceed Cape Girardeau’s norm by nearly $1,600.

Assisted living is the most economical long-term care option in Cape Girardeau, with residents paying $2,538 per month for care. Adult day health care, which only includes daytime services in a community setting, costs nearly $300 more per month. Seniors who want to age in place can pay $3,756 for in-home care. Home health care includes light medical services and has the same rate. Nursing home care is the costliest option with base rates at $5,232 per month.

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 Missouri page.