The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Morgantown, WV for 2023

Home to West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, has a population of 29,219, and of these residents, 9.6% are seniors aged 65 and older. It’s considered a great place for retirees and seniors who want access to plenty of social activities, opportunities for continued learning and community support. Seniors also have superb health care options at Mon Health Medical Center and the West Virginia University Hospitals.

Many seniors who require help with daily tasks but don’t need skilled nursing can benefit from assisted living care. Assisted living services include help with bathing, dressing, preparing meals and even medication management. The average monthly cost of this type of care in Morgantown is $5,700, which is higher than the state average of $4,160 and the national average of $4,500. Despite having a higher-than-average cost of assisted living care, Morgantown has a lower-than-average overall cost of living along with many helpful resources for seniors.

Seniors and their families can use the information in this guide to learn more about the cost of assisted living services. The following sections also list a number of useful resources to help seniors access additional programs in the area.

Government oversight is important to ensure assisted living communities provide a high quality of care and comply with all regulations. In Morgantown and throughout the state of West Virginia, the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLC) licenses and monitors assisted living facilities. The office is part of the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR).

• Morgantown offers excellent health care for seniors. The area is home to some truly exceptional hospitals and medical facilities. Mon Health Medical Center provides emergency care, walk-in care and even free rides in some circumstances. The West Virginia University Hospitals and Institutes include the Critical Care and Trauma Institute, the Cancer Institute and the Heart and Vascular Institute. 
• It’s relatively easy to get around in Morgantown. Taxis and Ubers are abundant, and the Mountain Line Transit Authority has 20 bus routes through the city and surrounding areas, including one to Pittsburgh, PA. MTM also provides eligible Medicaid recipients with free rides to nonemergency medical appointments. 
• Although Morgantown has relatively high assisted living care costs, the overall cost of living is about 9.7% lower than the national average. Low housing, utility and transportation costs make the city affordable for senior living.
• West Virginia is mostly tax-friendly to retirees. Retirement income and benefits from Social Security are subject to partial taxes, but available deductions can offset the costs. The state also has low sales and property taxes. 
• Many seniors find the climate of Morgantown more appealing than retiring further south where the heat and humidity are often relentless. While the winters still bring cold temperatures and snow, they are typically short and soon give way to warm and humid summers that are perfect for outdoor activity or simple enjoyment and relaxation. 
• Morgantown has no shortage of community events and activities to keep seniors active and involved. There are many senior centers such as The Senior Mons that sponsor in-center events. The Morgantown Board of Parks and Recreation (BOPARC) has a senior recreation center for meet-ups with friends over a game or cup of tea. Because the city is home to a major Division I university, family and friends have the option to attend numerous sporting events.

Assisted living services in Morgantown cost $5,700 per month on average. Find out how this compares with other cities in West Virginia. 

The monthly cost of assisted living care in Morgantown is higher than the national average of $4,500. Morgantown rates are also more expensive than the state average of $4,160. Other major cities in West Virginia vary in care costs, but all are cheaper than Morgantown. Wheeling has the least-expensive average costs at $3,675, while the state capital of Charleston comes in at $4,750. Huntington’s costs are just a bit higher than that at $4,875 per month.

Seniors have several options when it comes to care services. The best option depends on the level of medical and skilled nursing care and the amount of help with daily living activities a senior needs. Cost also plays a factor. Assisted living services provide 24/7 care for the rate of $5,700. Nursing homes provide more intensive medical care but are more expensive at $12,167 per month for a semiprivate room. Seniors can also opt for in-home care or home health care for $3,051 to maintain more of their independence by remaining in their own homes. 

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 West Virginia page.