Independent Living in Missouri

Senior Living and Care Options in Missouri

The massive baby boomer population is entering their 60s at a rate of 10,000 people per day. Thanks to breakthroughs in medical technology and services, these seniors will live longer than the generations before them. All of these factors are contributing to the largest older population America has ever seen. Luckily, to keep up with the growing demand for care, there are lots of residential communities that provide senior living in Missouri.

Forms of Missouri Senior Living

The current and likely future requirements of retirees will determine the types of Missouri senior living that is best for them. Seniors who can mostly take care of themselves and are still quite active usually prefer independent living. Healthy living is promoted through social activities. Residents get their own senior apartments or cottages. Plus, they can pick from a full array of services. For those who need more care, a better independent living alternative is congregate housing.

Adult day care centers, also called adult day services, supply older adults with additional care and companionship during the day. Adult day care centers supply medical care, general supervision, and recreational activities when golden agers' primary caregivers must go to work or have to be away from the house throughout the day for other reasons.

Assisted living facilities, or assisted living communities, offer up the ideal blend of onsite support and freedom. Retired people are supplied with their own private or semi-private apartments or units, social activities, and help with activities of daily living, like bathing and meal preparation. These facilities encourage the involvement of close friends and family members while incorporating a belief in promoting dignity and independence in aging.

Convalescent seniors and those with chronic or long term ailments can get the aid they require in nursing homes, commonly known as skilled nursing facilities. They provide access to care tailored to residents' needs as well as rehabilitative therapies, including occupational and physical therapies. In addition, nursing homes are licensed by the state to supply room and board along with nursing care at all hours of the day and night.

All of the above varieties of Missouri senior living are found in one spot with continuing care retirement communities. As they progress through their later years, this gives retirees a consistent environment. For golden agers with types of chronic memory loss, such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia, memory care, or Alzheimer's care, is a must. Since not all communities have this specialization, families of affected older adults must do their research.

Why Move to Missouri?

Located at the confluence of the Mississippi River and the Ohio River as well as the Missouri River and the Mississippi, Missouri is a medium sized state with about 6.1 million people. The capital is Jefferson City and the largest city is Kansas City. The state has a highly varied geography with the southern portion in the Ozark Mountains. The starting points for the Santa Fe Trail, Oregon Trail, and the Pony Express were all situated in Missouri.

Major industries in the Show Me State are light manufacturing, printing/publishing, food processing, aerospace, beer, electrical equipment, chemicals, and transportation equipment. There is even a growing wine industry in Missouri. The state's major orchestras are the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Kansas City Symphony.

What Do Seniors Appreciate about Missouri?

Missouri has a massive senior population with about 28 percent of its residents 55 years of age or older. Though the taxes are high, the cost of living is well below the national average. In fact, housing, health care, transportation, groceries, and other miscellaneous expenses are all cheaper here. This is great news for retired people who are trying to make every dollar of their monthly social security or pension checks count.

The top hospital in the state of Missouri is the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. It is the adult teaching hospital for the Washington University School of Medicine. It has more than 1250 beds and is designated a Level I Trauma Center. Other nationally recognized medical centers in Missouri are St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, and Boone Hospital Center in Columbia.

There are ten Area Agencies on Aging in Missouri that provide services and resources to residents 60 and over to enhance their wellbeing and quality of life. Missouri is the ideal place to seek out senior living with the low cost of living, the wide array of attractions, and the top quality healthcare options.