The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Independence, MO for 2023

With more than 116,672 residents, Independence, Missouri, is one of the state’s five largest cities. Residents are minutes from Kansas City, convenient for retirees who want access to innovative medical care and have time to explore some of the area’s cultural attractions. Seniors aged 65 and older represent 17.8% of the population, and officials expect the number of older adults to nearly double between 2010 and 2030, which may increase demand for assisted living and related services.

Assisted living facilities cater to adults aged 55 and older who want to live independently but may need occasional help with household tasks and personal care. They feature 24-hour on-call staffing, and many offer on-site physical therapy and nursing. According to Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, the median cost of assisted living in Independence is $4,460 per month, which is slightly higher than the national average and significantly higher than other parts of the state.

This guide details available local providers, average prices and financial assistance programs. It also contains information about the local area and a directory of government agencies and nonprofits that can accommodate you or a loved ones’ changing needs.

Assisted living facilities in Independence, Missouri, and other parts of the Show-Me State are overseen by the Department of Health and Senior Services, Section for Long-Term Care Regulation. This agency processes license applications and ensures that long-term care facilities comply with state laws and requirements established by Medicare and Medicaid.

• Seniors searching for a location with a mild climate can find it in Independence. The area receives 217 days of sunshine, and the annual snowfall total of 13.6 inches is about half the national average. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times of the year, and the city has a favorable BestPlaces Comfort Index of 7.2.
• Older adults, especially those with asthma, COPD and cardiovascular disease, are more susceptible to poor air quality. Fortunately, particulate levels are very low in Independence and Jackson County. The area received an A for 24-hour particle pollution in the American Lung Association’s State of the Air report.
• Health care access is an important concern for seniors and anyone managing a chronic medical condition. Independence residents are minutes from the high-performing Centerpoint Medical Center, and nearly three dozen major medical centers are located in the Kansas City metropolitan area, including the nationally-ranked St. Luke’s Hospital.
• As one of the state’s largest cities, Independence offers a wide range of services for older adults. The Mid-America Regional Council operates more than a dozen senior centers. Supportive programs are available through Catholic Charities of Kansas City, Jewish Family Services, the Shepherd’s Center, Gilda’s Club, the Community Services League and other nonprofit groups.
• Local seniors who need help getting around qualify for low-cost rides on IndeBus. IndeAccess Plus provides curb-to-curb transportation to seniors age 60 and older. The city also operates an ADA-compliant paratransit service. Fares start at .75 cents for IndeAccess Plus, Medicare beneficiaries and seniors aged 65 or older.
• Independence receives excellent ratings for its affordability. The cost of living is 16% lower than the national average. Housing, health care, groceries and transportation are more affordable than the national average, which helps those on a fixed income.

Assisted living facilities in Independence charge $4,460 per month on average, which is slightly higher than the rest of the country and significantly higher than the rest of the state.

Seniors in Independence can expect to pay $4,460 per month for assisted living. Although this is just $160 higher than the national average, it’s $1,460 higher than the state as a whole. Rates are significantly cheaper in Joplin at $2,500. Seniors in St. Joseph pay an average of $3,488. However, prices rise by a considerable margin in Lawrence, Kansas, where the going rate is $5,280 per month.

With an average cost of $4,460 per month, assisted living represents a competitive value compared to other forms of long-term care. Homemaker services and home health aides both average $4,576. Personal assistance and recreational activities are also available through adult day health care programs for approximately $1,625 per month. Skilled nursing facilities cost an average of $6,844 for a semiprivate room and $7,452 per month for a private room.

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.