Memory Care Facilities in Lawton, OK

 

Of Lawton’s 91,500 residents, approximately 11.2% are 65 or older, representing the group most at risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In Oklahoma, Alzheimer’s incidence is expected to increase by 13.4% by 2025. In fact, CDC data indicates that, in Lawton, Alzheimer’s deaths increased by 7.4% between 2016 and 2020. On a positive note, the disease caused fewer deaths compared to the overall mortality rate for the same period, possibly indicating the impact of quality dementia care in the city.

Specialized memory care facilities offer compassionate support in the face of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. In addition to trained staff, effective security measures and 24/7 supervision, communities offer research-based programs to combat the impacts of Alzheimer’s and bring comfort to seniors. Many facilities also offer dementia-friendly menus and easy-to-navigate layouts.

This guide discusses the pros and cons of living in Lawton, including a comparison of local care costs and memory care rates in the wider region. It also lists affordable support resources and discusses ways of paying for care.    

The Oklahoma State Department of Health’s Health Facility Systems office oversees the state’s memory care facilities, including those in Lawton. Before licensing them to provide dementia care services, the team checks that facilities provide detailed information and comply with relevant rules and regulations.   

 

• Lawton offers an affordable destination for retirement, with an overall cost of living around 25% lower than the national norm. Furthermore, Lawton’s seniors also enjoy prices lower than the state average, with marked savings for groceries and transportation. Seniors on low incomes may benefit further from assistance programs offered by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
• Lawton’s appeal for cost-conscious seniors is further bolstered by the city’s tax-friendliness, especially regarding partial taxes on retirement account withdrawals and zero taxes on Social Security income.
• When it comes to safety, unfortunately, Lawton has higher violent and property crime rates than national averages. However, memory care communities offer safety and peace of mind for frail seniors and their loved ones, often with enhanced security systems and 24/7 staffing.
• While Lawton has fewer doctors per capita than the national norm, with 185 compared to 210, the city still offers easy access to several nearby health facilities. For example, Southwestern Medical Center and Duncan Regional Health offer routine and emergency services. Plus, residents of memory care communities typically further benefit from nursing oversight.  
• Lawton has a humid subtropical climate, with pleasantly mild winters and hot summers. With 247 sunny days on average per year, more than the national average of 205, seniors in memory care communities have plenty of opportunities to enjoy supervised outdoor leisure and get some fresh air.       

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.

Monthly memory care fees run $4,451 in Lawton, although costs can vary depending on a facility’s amenities and the services required.

The median monthly cost of memory care in Lawton is lower than the respective state and national averages of $4,819 and $5,625. Moreover, Lawton is among the cheapest cities in Oklahoma for this type of care, while the state capital has some of the highest monthly fees — rates run $6,000 in Oklahoma City, a 29.6% increase compared to Lawton. Tulsa’s seniors generally pay $368 more each month than those in Lawton, and memory care residents in Enid see a monthly increase of $524.  

Lawton offers several care options for seniors. The most affordable choice is adult day health care, which is over $3,000 cheaper than memory care. However, adult day health care only includes daytime support, most suited to seniors living with family. Seniors with mild dementia seeking a residential care setting may prefer assisted living, averaging less than memory care at $3,561 monthly. For older adults who can live safely at home with visiting support, in-home care and home health care are $638 more affordable than memory care, with the former covering help with daily tasks and the latter including clinical services. Nursing homes, which provide around-the-clock medical care, cost more at $4,664 for a semi private 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 Oklahoma page.