The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in St. Charles, MO for 2023

 

In Saint Charles, 17.3% of the 71,184 residents are 65 or older, which is slightly higher than the national average. That segment of the population could be at a higher risk of having dementia — the Alzheimer's Association says that about 1 in 9 Americans aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's. The Alzheimer's-related deaths in Saint Charles have increased much faster than all deaths. Between 2016 and 2020, Alzheimer's deaths increased by 110.56% compared to 38.32% for all deaths, according to CDC Data.

Dementia care communities in Saint Charles can provide tailored support to seniors with all types of dementia. They're designed with dementia-friendly features that help residents navigate spaces on their own, and secured entrances and exits keep residents safe. Highly trained staff members provide therapy, personal care and activities that could help slow cognitive decline. In this guide, seniors can look at the advantages and disadvantages of living in Saint Charles, the costs of memory care and comparisons to other long-term options. Additional information includes financial assistance and local organizations that offer support and services.

In Saint Charles and throughout Missouri, the Section for Long-Term Care Regulation in the Department of Health and Senior Services oversees all long-term care facilities. The agency licenses, certifies and inspects facilities under its jurisdiction. 

 

• The lower overall cost of living makes Saint Charles an affordable place to live. It's 7.9% below the U.S. average cost of living. However, Saint Charles has a higher cost of living than the Missouri average, so it's not the most affordable city in the state.
• Saint Charles residents can feel secure with the relatively low crime rates. The city's violent crime ranks 16.3 on a 100-point scale, which is below the U.S. average ranking of 22.7. While property crime is a little higher at 37.7, residents of memory care facilities have additional protection with secured entrances and 24/7 staffing to keep them safe.
• Seniors in Saint Charles can receive medical care without leaving town at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - St. Charles. It's a Joint Commission certified Primary Stroke Center in addition to having a 24/7 emergency room and many other medical specialties.
• The number of physicians per capita is lower than average in Saint Charles. It has 98 physicians per 100,000 people, while the U.S. average is 210. However, its proximity to St. Louis and other suburbs provides easy access to additional medical providers and specialties if needed. 
• Residents of Saint Charles experience four distinct seasons, making it ideal for seniors who like a mix of weather. Memory care facilities often have secured outdoor spaces, such as interior courtyards, where residents can enjoy the changing seasons along with an average of 202 sunny days a year.

 

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we've estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth's 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

The median cost of memory care in Saint Charles is $5,125 per month. This can vary by facility.

Seniors in Saint Charles can expect to pay about $1,375 more than the Missouri median but about $500 less than the U.S. median. Compared to other Missouri cities, Saint Charles is one of the higher-priced locations. It costs about $2,531 more than Jefferson City, $1,952 more than Cape Girardeau and $1,625 more than Columbia. Kansas City is the only Missouri location that's more expensive. It averages $606 more than Saint Charles.

The cost of memory care in Saint Charles falls toward the middle compared to other care options. At the low end, adult day health care costs about $3,207 less than memory care. Assisted living is about $1,025 lower. Older adults wanting to remain at home might choose in-home care or home health care, which both cost about $357 more than memory care. For roughly $502 more per month, seniors can receive care in a nursing home setting with a semiprivate room.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Missouri page.