Missouri is an appealing retirement destination for its lower-than-average cost of living and central location in the U.S., making it a convenient starting point for travel. In fact, that geographical advantage is why Missouri earned the nickname “Gateway to the West,” as the early American expeditionists Lewis and Clark began and ended their journey in St. Louis.
The Missouri and Mississippi rivers, which flow through and around large portions of the state, also helped cement Missouri as a key supply hub for western settlers. Today, Missouri attracts many visitors with the natural beauty of its Ozarks region, where hills, forests, and lakes distinguish the area from other middle U.S. states. Popular spots include Branson, Table Rock Lake, Mark Twain National Forest, and Lake of the Ozarks. The state is also home to major metropolitan areas like St. Louis and Kansas City, for those who prefer the amenities of city living.
Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 150 independent living communities in Missouri.
The median monthly cost of independent living in Missouri is about $2,600.
I really can't say enough about Turner's Rock. Initially my parents were in the assisted living section and after my mother passed away my dad had to move to the independent living side. The staff made sure...
I like that the independent living condos are separate and since there are relatively few (20ish) the residents can feel that they are part of a smaller community. I would recommend the condos at The...
. It is fairly new and the decor is lovely and the people are very friendly. I felt at home right away. We do a lot of activities in the community and are always welcome.
The outreach fellow is great The flower arranging is fun The Bingo lady makes it exciting The outings on the van were fun The kitchen area on the floors could always use a good cleaning My auntie doesn't...
[name removed], the director, is very patient and kind. She explained everything in detail and was very accommodating to our requests. She made the transition very comfortable and is always available for...
My Mom is very happy staying there. She likes the staff, the other people living there, the social gathering for activities, the gym and the cafeteria area. Her apartment is just the right size for her....
My mother was in the Boulevard of St Charles for a little over a year from the spring of [date removed] to the summer of [date removed], I visited her almost every evening. She was initially in the Memory...
My mom fell and broke her hip earlier this year. The staff and nurses have been such a big help, especially over the past several weeks! The men who drive the van are wonderful and most helpful to go out of...
What we like the most about Lake St. Charles is the staff. The staff are wonderful and the facility itself is very clean and well organized. Our loved one is on the independent living section. I cannot...
5s across the board! Everyone is so friendly - staff and residents. Mom is very involved in activities. Meals are fantastic (especially the salad bar). Ability to ask for something off-menu is a plus....
Friendliness of staff- 1 of the big draws for us, everyone with few exceptions very welcoming and friendly. Meals/dining - only true negative. Has deteriorated significantly since coming here. Probably...
Very good! We love it here! Very clean and orderly!!! The staff and employees cannot do enough to please you and answer your demands! Care services are very good! The food and service in the dinning is...
I would say that no matter where a loved one lives that the family or one family member should definitely be involved on a regular basis. Especially someone who needs extra care. Like Alzheimer's. Some...
Novel Place Overland Park a beautiful place that my mother loves. It's a great value compared to other independent living facilities and I so appreciate having Interim Health Care on site.
. It is fairly new and the decor is lovely and the people are very friendly. I felt at home right away. We do a lot of activities in the community and are always welcome.
Independent living communities in Missouri are only regulated by state agencies if they share a building or campus with an assisted living or memory care facility. Because of this, stand-alone independent living communities only need to follow general housing and rental regulations. Nonetheless, some communities have age requirements, with many stating residents must be 55+.
Independent living communities sharing a building or campus with an assisted living and/or memory care unit are subject to the same policies those facilities are. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) licenses them and ensures they comply with state regulations.
Since there aren’t statewide mandates or regulations for stand-alone independent living communities, landlords and tenants are accountable for obeying housing and apartment guidelines. When renting out property, landlords are responsible for:[01]
Tenants have their own responsibilities, such as:[01]
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Housing Act, and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act are federal laws ensuring Missouri landlords do not discriminate against tenants. The Missouri Human Rights Act provides additional protection based on someone’s:[02]
Landlords must also oblige requests regarding reasonable accommodations and modifications. Reasonable accommodations mean changes or exceptions to rules, policies, and services so someone with a disability has the same opportunities to enjoy the property as someone without a disability. Examples include waiving a no-pets policy for service animals and reserving spaces close to the building for tenants with mobility issues.
Reasonable modifications are physical changes to a dwelling allowing someone with a disability full access and enjoyment of the property. Landlords cannot deny these requests and, in most cases, property alterations are at the tenant’s expense. The tenant cannot request overly burdensome changes, and the landlord may oversee the modifications. Modifications might be installing a wheelchair ramp and widening a door’s frame.
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Though Missouri doesn’t require inspections at a state level, certain cities and counties have regulations regarding rentals. For instance, Kansas City mandates all rental property owners register their property with the city while Nixa requires a professional inspection anytime a tenant is about to move in.
Independent living communities sharing a building or campus with an assisted living and/or memory care unit undergo inspections twice a year by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). These inspections are unannounced and involve interviewing residents and staff, while also gauging resident quality of life and care, dietary services, environmental services, and fire safety standards.
Violations are cited within a Statement of Deficiencies (SOD), which is given to the facility. The facility must then respond with a written Plan of Correction (POC) that outlines how they will correct the mentioned violation(s). Upon approving the POC, the DHSS can visit the facility up to two more times to confirm the corrections. Complaint reports by staff or residents follow the same processes as the licensure inspections.[03]
The DHSS has an online long-term care tool you can use to view a facility’s licensure and complaint history. To find a specific facility, search for it by its county, city, or zip code.
You can also request a specific public record through the DHSS website. If you have any questions about a facility’s violation history, the long-term care ombudsman can help.
Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
930 Wildwood Dr.
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: 573-751-6400
Missouri Attorney General (2024). Landlord Tenant Law.
Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (2024). Discrimination in Housing.
Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (2024). Nursing Homes and Other Care Inspections.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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