Memory Care Communities in Saint Louis, MO

The cost of memory care in Saint Louis, Missouri,  is well above the state average by $1,375 per month but is below the national average by $500. Nearby cities of Jefferson, Columbia and Cape Girardeau all offer more affordable memory care costs by $2,531, $1,625 and $1,952, respectively. 

The average cost of memory care in the U.S. is 20-30% higher than the cost of assisted living. Therefore, for the purposes of this guide, we calculated the cost of memory care for Saint Louis, Missouri, based on the cost of assisted living in Saint Louis plus 25%. Per data from the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2021, the median cost of memory care per month in Saint Louis, MO, is $5125. 

Using several strategies for memory care, including a mix of private and public pay options, promotes long-term financial viability for residents and families.

• Medicaid: In 2024, Missouri Medicaid’s Supplement Nursing Care Program provides up to $292 monthly, depending on the type of memory care facility the individual lives in. Beneficiaries use this income to pay for room and board fees, personal care services and living expenses.
• Medicare: Medicare doesn’t pay for a memory care resident’s nonmedical service fees, including housing and personal care. However, this health insurance program reduces out-of-pocket costs for qualified medically necessary services such as rehabilitative therapies and medication administration, leaving more money available for memory care fees.
• VA Benefits: Qualified veterans may pay for their memory care fees through the Veterans Administration’s Geriatrics and Extended Care program. This program pays for services such as recreational activities, some or all of the beneficiaries’ meals, medication administration and help with daily living activities. Veterans may also be eligible for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits, which increase their monthly pension payments.
• Private payments: Seniors and families cover memory care costs through proceeds from home sales, pension income, Social Security benefits and retirement savings. Private payments cover many memory care expenses, including housing, personal care and meals.

While memory care in Saint Louis, Missouri, costs $5,125, it’s notably more affordable than many other types of senior care in the city. It’s $357 cheaper per month than both homemaker services and hiring a home health aide. For those considering nursing home care for vulnerable seniors, a semi-private room runs $502 more per month than memory care, while a private room is a staggering $1,612 more per month than memory care in Saint Louis. However, assisted living is a more affordable senior care option than memory care, costing $1,025 less per month, while adult day health care is the most affordable senior care option in Saint Louis. It is $3,207 less than memory care per month. 

Memory care in Saint Louis, Missouri, is overseen by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS). Through this government department, seniors and their families in Saint Louis and the rest of the state can access programs for abuse and neglect and services such as online reporting, home care, long term care, Medicaid and falls prevention. 

Benefits

• Saint Louis offers exceptional health care opportunities for seniors in the event of a medical emergency. The city has eight hospitals and almost 2,500 physicians, including SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital. This medical facility ranks among the top 10 geriatric programs in the nation and provides services such as memory screenings and nutrition counseling.
• Saint Louis serves as one of the most budget-friendly major cities in the state and nation, earning a cost of living index score of 84.1. This score, based on a U.S. norm of 100, runs nearly 16% below the national average and 2% below Missouri’s baseline, promoting affordable memory care costs.
• As part of the AARP Age-Friendly Network, Saint Louis County supports a favorable environment for seniors and memory care residents through affordable curb-to-curb transportation and community-based health services.

Drawbacks

• Saint Louis seniors pay state income taxes on almost all forms of retirement income, including withdrawals from retirement accounts. However, as of 2024, those aged 62 and over no longer pay state income taxes on their Social Security benefits, providing significant savings for memory care residents who rely primarily on this form of income.
• With hot, muggy summers and cold winters, Missouri’s weather may not appeal to seniors seeking pleasant outdoor conditions year-round. Fortunately, memory care communities organize indoor and outdoor activities throughout the year to accommodate varying preferences.