The 3 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Ponca City, OK for 2023

Ponca City is known for its cultural amenities and historical landmarks, providing a vibrant backdrop for retirement living. This city has nearly 25,000 residents and a large senior community that makes up almost a fifth of the population. Its low cost of living, high access to health care and broad range of senior services may appeal to retirees.

Ponca City seniors who don’t require regular skilled nursing services but have a difficult time with daily living activities, such as bathing and meal preparation, may benefit from assisted living. These residential facilities provide services, such as daily meals, housekeeping and personal care, and some are pet-friendly. The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey shows that seniors in Ponca City pay approximately $3,980 per month for this type of care. This is slightly higher than Oklahoma’s median rate but competitive compared to the national average.

This guide provides more information on assisted living in Ponca City, including what local seniors pay for residential care, as well as an overview of resources that may help older adults find ways to pay for services. It also highlights some benefits and drawbacks of living in this city. 

The Oklahoma State Department of Health oversees assisted living facilities throughout the state, including those in Ponca City. This department publishes information to help older adults make informed decisions regarding their care, including the results of annual assisted living facility inspection surveys, information on residents’ rights and the minimum standards facilities in the state comply with. 

• Ponca City’s overall cost of living is about 24% lower than the national average and about 7% lower than the state median, making it a great option for those with budgetary considerations.
• AllianceHealth Ponca City is located within the city proper, providing access to emergency care and surgical services, rehabilitation services, heart care and joint replacement. Health care costs are relatively high, with rates for services, such as dental care and doctor’s office visits, exceeding the national average by about 10%. To help older adults afford quality care, the Ponca City region has numerous community-based services and financial assistance programs. 
• On an index that assigns communities scores from one to 100, with high scores indicating more incidents, Ponca City rates 36.8 for violent crime and 63 for property-related crime. By comparison, the respective national scores are 22.7 and 35.4. This may make assisted living a safe alternative to living alone. 
• Social Security benefits in Ponca City are completely exempt from state income taxes, and seniors can claim a large deduction to minimize what they pay on other types of retirement income. This may leave more money in the bank for long-term care expenses.
• Over the course of a year, daytime temperatures in Ponca City range from 45 to 93 degrees, making this one of the cooler places to live in Oklahoma. While humidity levels tend to be high in July, they’re low throughout the rest of the year. The city sees just 9 inches of annual snowfall and about 37 inches of rain. Assisted living facilities organize indoor and outdoor activities throughout the year, accommodating a range of preferences and helping residents stay active year-round.

In Ponca City, seniors pay $3,980 per month for assisted living.  

Compared to the rest of the state and the nation as a whole, assisted living rates in Ponca City are moderate at $3,980 per month. This is higher than the state median of $3,855 but competitive compared to the national rate of $4,500. Local rates are considerably lower than in Oklahoma City, where assisted living residents pay $4,800 per month. In Tulsa, fees average $3,855, and in Lawton, care costs are the lowest surveyed in the state at $3,561. 

Assisted living facilities in Ponca City charge an estimated $3,980 per month, making it one of the cheapest local long-term care options. This care type is an affordable alternative to nursing home care, which costs $5,658 for shared rooms and $6,144 for private accommodations. Home-based care is more economical than nursing home care but pricier than assisted living, with seniors paying $4,862 for both homemaker services and specialized home health care. Local adult day health care rates aren’t available, but statewide, seniors pay $1,495 for care.

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 Oklahoma page.