DEV | TEST h1 template (view-level fallback) Assisted Living

There are several ways to pay for assisted living; seniors can use some income streams to pay for any part of assisted living, while others can only be used for some aspects of assisted living, like health care.

Seniors typically will use various modes of payment for assisted living, like retirement funds, social security benefits, and health insurance. In this section, you’ll learn how methods like private pay, Medicare, Medicaid, and VA benefits can be used for those paying for assisted living.

Assisted living facilities in St. Louis are regulated by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. These facilities are defined as a place where 24-hour care, services, and supervision are provided for three or more residents. The definition specifies that assisted living facilities are not residential care, intermediate care, or skilled nursing facilities.

Assisted living facilities in St. Louis are also required to provide:

• Assistance with activities of daily living (and instrumental activities of daily living)
• Storage, distribution, and administration of medications
• A licensed physician to direct and supervise any provided health care
• The ability to bring in third-party providers to meet the needs of the residents
• A licensed administrator who is charge of the facility at all times
• A social model of care, which means giving residents as much privacy, independence, and freedom as possible
• Resident rooms that are at least 70 square feet

These guidelines also cover construction regulations, emergency and fire safety procedures, resident care requirements, and staffing qualifications and ratios for assisted living facilities in St. Louis. Inspections must be conducted annually for all assisted living facilities in St. Louis. You can search the latest inspection reports by looking up specific facilities.

Missouri Department of Health contact information

St. Louis Department of Health
1520 Market St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
Phone: 314-657-1528
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for St. Louis assisted living facilities

St. Louis doesn’t currently have state mandates in place, though the city does follow standards and guidelines set in place by the CDC.

Assisted living is ideal for seniors who want to continue living as independently as possible while being supported with daily living activities like bathing and dressing. Expect personalized care, nutritious meals, and daily activities that encourage a sense of community.

While three of the assisted living facilities we partner with are standalone communities, most are combined with other long-term care communities. Here’s the breakdown of those:

• 1 assisted living and independent living facility
• 10 assisted living and memory care facility
• 3 assisted living and independent living and memory care facility

Amenities that focus on community enrichment

St. Louis assisted living focuses heavily on investing in activities and social events that unite community members. Almost all of our partner facilities offer off-site group trips to nearby shopping and dining spots. Some even venture out to St. Louis’ theaters and sporting events. Onsite, you can be sure the holidays and resident birthdays will be celebrated in style. Residents can find plenty of ways to stay busy with happy hours, arts and crafts centers, movie rooms, and even butterfly gardens in some locations.

Secure and safe facilities

Security is always a top priority in assisted living, especially for those with memory problems or early-stage dementia. We partner with 13 assisted living communities that also have areas designed specifically to accommodate memory loss, including enclosed courtyards and enclosed outdoor walking paths. Some communities also offer a wander management system for an extra layer of security for residents.

St. Louis is a city where people primarily rely on cars to get around since the overall walk score is only 66 out of 100. The Walk Score is based on factors like the availability of walking and bike tracks, public transportation, and public density.  Luckily, most assisted living communities we partner with in St. Louis – 88% to be exact – offer complimentary transport.

For those looking for additional transportation options, there are a couple of options offered by the city for people who are unable to drive, both of which allow caregivers or family to ride along if additional assistance is needed. Metro’s Call-A-Ride Program is a curb-to-curb, wheelchair-accessible service for people unable to use Metro’s fixed bus and light rail services. It’s designed specifically for those with physical or cognitive disabilities. For non-emergency errands, The City of St. Louis provides free transportation and also offers rides to SLAAA- sponsored senior centers.

There’s no shortage of things to do for seniors and their families in St. Louis. Starting with, of course, the famous St. Louis Arch Grounds and Museum. Dominating the skyline at 630 feet, it’s the U.S.’s tallest monument (double the size of the Statue of Liberty!). For those not afraid of heights, take a tram to the very top of the arch for the best city views; otherwise, enjoy the arch and its museum on solid ground.

One of the most iconic breweries in the United States, Anheuser-Busch, is home to the oldest Budweiser brewery. Learn about the brewing traditions Budweiser uses and peek at the ancient caves where the beer was initially stored before modern refrigeration.

For those who want to spend time outside, consider visiting  Tower Grove Park. Studded with vibrant flowers, the historic park is the most extensive and best-presented example of the 19th Century Gardenesque style in the entire country. Beyond the 289-acre park, take a walk around the Tower Grove neighborhood, which is full of great food, cafes, and boutiques.

Lovers of art and the theater have several options, all of which are accessible for people with physical or cognitive disabilities. The Fabulous Fox and The Muny both offer the best of Broadway, with accessible seating and listening and communication aids.

The Missouri History Museum and Soldiers Memorial both provide some local flavor, with short- and long-term exhibitions focused on the history of St. Louis. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Art Museum provides a rich look into some of the world’s best art, from Picasso to Monet. All museums are wheelchair accessible, and the St. Louis Art Museum has free admission.

If you like sports, you’re in luck! Catch an NHL game and root on the St. Louis Blues. If you love America’s pastime, a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game might be for you. Soccer fans might be interested in checking out the St. Louis Ambush, a professional men’s soccer team.