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

Many seniors and families plan ahead to ensure an assisted living community is within their budget. Here, you’ll find ways you and your loved one can pay for assisted living care. Assisted living can be attainable with a combination of private income sources and public benefits, such as Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Oklahoma assisted living facilities must meet certain regulations to keep seniors safe. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) licenses every assisted living community as an assisted living center or residential care home.

• Residential care homes provide supportive personal care services for individuals who are ambulatory (can walk without help),capable of managing their personal affairs, and don’t require intermittent skilled nursing care.
• Assisted living centers (i.e. assisted living communities) assist two or more individuals who need personal care services or nursing supervision. These individuals don’t have to be ambulatory and may need intermittent nursing care.

Are assisted living communities in Tulsa inspected?

Yes, assisted living centers and residential care homes must be inspected every 15 months to be licensed. These inspections help ensure the building is up to current standards, follows State Fire Marshal rules, and meets local fire safety requirements. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) makes these reports available to the public on the Long Term Care Provider Survey/Inspection Search.

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to navigate the system and find detailed reports on Tulsa assisted living facilities.

• Click on the OSDH Long Term Care Provider Survey/Inspection Search link. This search engine may require seniors to turn off their pop-up blocker.
• The website has three drop-down bars — Home, Search, and Contact Us — in the top left-hand corner. Hover over Search to see a drop-down list of options. Then, click Assisted Living Centers or Residential Care Homes.
• Here you can search by facility name, city, county, or zip code. Use your preferred search method and select what you’re looking for. Then, click Search.
• A list of assisted living centers will be generated. Click on any that you’d like to learn more about. By clicking on a community, you’ll find detailed information about that facility and a list of documents (SURVEY DOCUMENTS or LICENSES).
• It’s most beneficial to review the most recent SURVEY DOCUMENTS, as they offer the most detailed information on complaint investigations, deficiencies, and plans of corrections.

What assisted living facility building requirements exist?

Assisted living facilities in Oklahoma don’t have many building regulations. However, the state does ensure residents in assisted living communities don’t have to share private areas. There can be no more than two residents per bedroom and no more than four residents per bathroom.

While Oklahoma doesn’t require private units in assisted living facilities, every community must offer privacy with lockable doors in every unit. Even if your loved one shares a unit, they can bring personal furnishings per Oklahoma law.

How do staffing requirements help seniors receive the best care?

Assisted living communities must provide adequate staffing to meet the needs of every resident by staffing the following positions:

• Nurses
• Qualified staff to give medications
• An administrator responsible for the facility
• A licensed dietician or nutritionist

Staff members who work directly with residents must be trained in first aid and CPR to ensure the safety of senior residents. Additionally, your loved one will always have attentive caregivers available, as Oklahoma law requires assisted living communities to have at least two staff members awake and on-duty at all times. At least one direct care staff member must be available around the clock, limiting access to areas outside the facility.

What services can assisted living facilities provide in Tulsa?

Assisted living communities in Oklahoma are allowed to provide multiple senior care services, like those listed below:

• Personal care
• Nursing supervision and intermittent nursing care
• Medication administration under a doctor’s orders
• Assistance with transfers
• Social activities
• Meals
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• Help with cognitive care and dementia care services

Assisted living communities aren’t allowed to admit seniors who need more care than the facility can provide. Community health professionals are legally obligated to identify whether a senior will receive the care they need in that facility. After consulting with the senior, the community health professional must create a customized care plan.

Does a senior have rights in an assisted living community?

Yes, seniors have the right to know about community procedures and services they can receive. A senior should receive a complete contract from an assisted living facility before moving into the community. This contract should include answers to the following:

• What are the admission and discharge criteria?
• What services does the community provide?
• How does the community handle dispute resolution and grievances?
• What is the contract term?
• How can my loved one renew their contract?
• What are the cancellation provisions?
• Does the community conform to state law?

Do residential care homes follow different regulations?

Residential care homes and assisted living centers follow similar guidelines. However, there are some notable differences.

For example, residential care homes must staff a sufficient amount of caregivers who are available for at least 45 minutes daily per person. Additionally, one person must be in charge of the home at all times. Similar to assisted living centers, residential care homes must always have one staff member trained in first aid and CPR on site 24/7.

Residential care homes also allow more residents per room and common area:

• For every six residents, there must be one bathroom
• For every 10 residents, there must be at least one tub or shower
• Note: Regulations also vary for residential care homes for three or fewer residents.

Oklahoma State Department of Health

123 Robert S. Kerr Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Phone: 405-426-8175

Fax: 405-900-7571
E-mail: HealthResources@health.ok.gov

COVID-19 regulations for Tulsa assisted living facilities

Since Oklahoma’s public health emergency ended in May 2021, Tulsa no longer has COVID-19 restrictions. However, seniors and their families should ask prospective communities about specific on-site COVID-19 policies since a community may have its own guidelines. Since COVID-19 policies consistently change, visit Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) for the most current local guidelines.

Assisted living supports seniors while encouraging socialization and active living through engaging activities. From elegant communities with modern touches to charming communities with warm hues, Tulsa provides a wide range of assisted living communities. Read on to learn how our partners ensure your loved one will feel at home and cared for.

What’s the difference between stand-alone assisted living communities and those with multiple care options?

Tulsa assisted living communities can sometimes provide more than one type of senior living. Only four of our partners in Tulsa are designated for assisted living services only, while 13 also offer independent living and/or memory care services.

Communities that provide a continuum of care services can be helpful for couples with different needs. For example, if your loved one only needs assisted living, but their spouse needs memory care, they could live on the same campus. Additionally, some of these facilities offer floor plans for couples to live together even if their care needs differ. When you tour a community, ask about options for couples to continue living together.

Will my loved one be safe in assisted living?

Assisted living facilities in Tulsa help ensure your loved one’s safety through consistent supervision from staff members who are available around the clock. Additionally, most assisted living communities prepare for emergencies with alert plans like built-in call systems, wireless pendants, or pull cords. Other security features that can benefit seniors may include the following:

• Secured entrances and exits
• Wheelchair-accessible showers
• Handicap-accessible buildings

How can assisted living help my loved one develop new hobbies and socialize?

Some seniors may be hesitant to move into a senior living community, so it’s essential to help your loved one understand how they can continue living a rich life in assisted living. All our Tulsa partners offer on-site activities that boost engagement and socialization. Check out some examples of such below:

• Devotional activities
• Classes for art, cooking, education, stretching, etc.
• Karaoke sessions
• (Chair) Yoga exercises
• Wii bowling games
• Happy hours
• Live musical, dance, or theater performances
• Games and clubs

And, 83% of our partners schedule day trips or outings.

What type of services and amenities does assisted living include?

Senior loved ones will be able to live comfortably in an assisted living community thanks to luxe amenities and services. While on-site amenities vary by facility, these are the most commonly seen comforts in Tulsa:

• Outdoor patios and enclosed courtyards
• Beauty salons and barbershops
• Arts and crafts centers
• Libraries
• Raised garden beds

All assisted living communities provide meals, but many also offer the following features:

• Restaurant-style dining rooms
• Professional, chef-prepared food
• Special dietary accommodations like low sodium, sugar-free, vegetarian, or gluten-free
• Guest meals

Other than nutrition, senior residents will be able to take advantage of on-site health care services, such as the following:

• On-call doctors
• On-site hospice care
• On-site nursing services
• Advanced care services such as diabetes care, catheters, and oxygen
• Visiting medical professionals such as nurses and physical therapists

Best hospitals for seniors in Tulsa

Tulsa is home to some of the best hospitals in Oklahoma. Below are some of most popular and highly rated health care systems in the area that offer specialties in senior care services.

Transportation for seniors in Tulsa

Most of our assisted living partners offer transportation services to their residents. In fact, 89% provide either at-cost or complimentary transportation services. Seniors should prioritize transportation services provided by their communities since it’s the most convenient way to get around the city.

Public transportation

Tulsa also offers safe alternatives for eligible seniors like SoonerRide for SoonerCare recipients or Tulsa Transit’s ADA-paratransit service Lift Paratransit.

There are other options available through Tulsa Transit:

• If you need the fastest option in Tulsa, try the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
• If you’re technology savvy, try the app program, Micro Transit Pilot Program.
• Try the bus route connectors if you’re looking to travel to a commonly used destination like a shopping center.

For additional information on other ways to get around Tulsa, visit the City of Tulsa transportation webpage.

Since Tulsa is a large metropolis, the city may still be difficult to get around without your own or a rental vehicle. Walk Score ranks cities out of 100 on their transportation options and how easy it is to get around the area. Tulsa ranks fairly low for ease of navigating the city.

Things to do in Tulsa for seniors and their families

Whether you’re a visiting loved one or a local senior resident, you’ll find endless opportunities in Tulsa. Between Tulsa’s history and artsy culture, there’s something for everyone to appreciate. Read on to learn what you can do with your senior loved one.

While we’ve selected some highlights, you can find more through the Travel Oklahoma Tulsa or the Visit Tulsa web pages.

Learn more about the oil and aerospace industries

Tulsa is known for being a major contributor to the U.S. oil, aerospace, telecommunications, and finance industries. The city is proud of its powerful history, documenting the impact they’ve had with several monuments and museums:

• The Golden Driller: A giant 76-foot-tall statue stands outside Expo Square, formerly home to the International Petroleum Exposition.
• Tulsa Tours Oil Capital Pop-Up Museum: This museum offers a free tribute to the 100th anniversary of the International Petroleum Exposition.

Some museums honor multiple industries, such as the following:

• Tulsa Historical Society and Museum: A well-known history museum, it features Tulsa’s dynamic history with ever-changing exhibits from its former status as the Oil Capital of the World to a timeline on transportation.
• Route 66 Historical Village: This museum, landmarked by the famous Route 66 highway sign, provides insight into transportation systems and items from a steam engine to old-fashioned oil pump jacks.

Additionally, you can learn more about the aerospace industry at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium.

Explore historic landmarks and Tulsa’s diverse culture

Oklahoma is known for a significant number of Native American reservations. In fact, 14 federally recognized tribal nations call northern Oklahoma home. You and your loved one can learn more on the Oklahoma Department of Libraries website — where you can read about Tulsa’s most prominent Native American tribes: Muscogee (Creek) Tribe, Cherokee Nation, and Osage Nation.

One distinguished cultural center in Tulsa is the Greenwood Cultural Center, which features the area’s African American history. You and your loved one can also visit the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park — a place that memorializes the area’s history of civic tragedy.

Art Deco architecture sightseeing

Whether you’re a local senior or visiting family member, exploring Tulsa’s renowned art deco architecture is a must. Travel back in time to the Roaring Twenties while walking through downtown Tulsa’s Deco District. Here seniors and visitors can find some of the finest buildings like the following:

• Boston Avenue United Methodist Church
• Philcade (or Philtower) building
• Jazz Depot (also known as Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame)

The area also offers guided tours to ensure you don’t miss the area’s finest buildings. Such tours are provided by the following:

• Tulsa Tours
• Tulsa Foundation for Architecture

Additionally, the DECOPOLIS Tulsa Art Deco Museum highlights the art deco architecture of Tulsa with a themed indoor town square where you can find souvenirs.

Explore the Tulsa Arts District and museums

Another of Tulsa’s famous districts is the Tulsa Arts District. As a popular hotspot, the district hosts art crawls showcasing anything from local artist works to live performances.

If you aren’t able to catch an art crawl, don’t fret; instead, you both can enjoy several accessible art museums in Tulsa:

• Philbrook Museum of Art: This museum is a generally accessible historic building featuring beautiful Art Deco designs, various art exhibits, and landscaped gardens.
• Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art: This museum is colloquially called the Gilcrease Museum and features countless items, paintings, and sculptures from hundreds of Indigenous cultures.
• The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art: This museum highlights Jewish culture through various exhibits that honor Holocaust survivors.

Note: Some of these museums offer free wheelchair rentals on a first-come, first-served basis, so ask about their accessibility features in advance.

Eat out at local restaurants

Go out to eat with your loved one at one of the countless restaurants in Tulsa. A meat-loving city, Tulsa is home to steakhouses starring locally sourced cuts from Oklahoma’s beef cattle farming industry. Many steakhouses also offer flavorful seafood options. Additionally, you’ll want to try out the local barbeque joints.

Revel in outdoor areas

Even though Tulsa is a large metropolis, the city still rests in Green Country, so it doesn’t skimp on outdoor areas. Some of the best options for you and your loved one to explore are below:

• Several parks are scattered throughout Tulsa. One of the most popular and an ADA-compliant park, Gathering Place, was built in 2018 along almost 100 acres of the Arkansas River.
• The Tulsa Zoo helps those with disabilities explore the 84 acres by offering wheelchairs and electric scooters, both available for an additional fee.
• Tulsa Botanic Garden is the local 170-acre botanical garden with accessible paths and wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Keep in mind that not all areas are accessible.