The 3 Best Assisted Living Facilities in West Plains, MO for 2023

West Plains, MO, is located in the scenic Ozark Mountains. This vibrant little city of approximately 12,500 people boasts a strong senior community of about 17.1% of the population. Seniors in West Plains may appreciate the city’s low cost of living, moderate climate and excellent water quality. Ozarks Healthcare provides medical services to the area.

West Plains also offers several assisted living options for its senior residents. Assisted living can be a good choice for older adults who want to remain independent but no longer want to manage the upkeep of a house. Many assisted living residents receive help with personal care and medication as well as housekeeping, laundry and meals. These communities offer plenty of opportunities for socialization and recreation, and calendars are often packed with things to do. Assisted living facilities in West Plains charge an average of $3,250 per month, a figure that comes in just above the Missouri state average but well below the national average.

Seniors can use this guide to learn more about assisted living in West Plains. They can access information about assisted living costs, payment options and free and low-cost resources.

The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services regulates the state’s assisted living communities. Licenses are required for operation as well as regular renewals and inspections. Communities must follow strict regulations about care offerings, staffing, safety and environment. The department ensures that assisted living communities provide the proper levels of care and respect residents’ rights and dignity.

• West Plains’ cost of living is low compared to the Missouri and U.S. averages. The city ranks 72.5 on a 100-point scale (with the national average at 100). Missouri’s rating is significantly higher at 85.6. Several cost categories also fall well below average, with housing at 46.8 and transportation at 59.7. 
• Crime rates in West Plains are mixed. Violent crime is low at 16.5 compared to a national average of 22.7. Property crime, however, is quite high at 70.1 compared to 35.4. This can be a concern for seniors, but assisted living communities often compensate by ramping up security through locked entrances, video monitoring and continual staffing. Most facilities also offer an emergency call system for extra safety.
• The city’s air quality is just below average, at 52 compared to 58. However, West Plains boasts a rare water quality score of 100 out of 100. The area has perfect watershed quality, and this, in turn, means clean water coming from West Plains’ residents’ faucets. 
• The climate comfort index for West Plains is 7.4 out of 10 with the national average at 7. May, June and September are the city’s most comfortable months. July's highs push up to 89, and January's lows drop to 22. The city receives about 8 inches of snow each year. Assisted living communities generally provide most of what seniors need under one roof, so when the weather gets bad, residents can usually stay in and relax.
• Health care in West Plains is provided by Ozarks Healthcare. This full-service medical center provides primary and emergency care as well as numerous specialty services, including orthopedics, a cancer center, arthritis care, surgery and cardiology. A sleep center and neurology program are available as well.

West Plains’ seniors typically pay about $3,250 per month for assisted living services, but this rate can move up or down based on accommodations and care packages.

Assisted living prices in West Plains fall in the middle of the cost spectrum. They are $250 higher than the Missouri average, for instance, but $1,250 lower than the national average. Some Missouri cities show costs much higher than those in West Plains. Prices in Kansas City and St. Louis are $4,585 and $4,100, for example. Other cities have much lower rates. Joplin’s costs come in $445 below those of West Plains, and Jefferson City’s prices are lower yet at $2,075.

Assisted living is among the least expensive senior care options in West Plains. Only adult day programs cost less at $1,788, but they do not provide the level of care some seniors require. For people who wish to remain at home, in-home care and home health care are options, but they cost more than assisted living by about $1,500 per month. Nursing home care also costs more at $5,262.

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.