Independent Living in Missouri

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.

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+.

Regulations for independent living communities on a senior care campus

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.

Regulations for stand-alone independent living communities

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]

• Making property habitable before someone moves in
• Making and paying for repairs due to ordinary wear and tear
• Not turning off a tenant’s water, gas, or electricity
• Providing written notice to tenants when the property is transferred to a new landlord
• Not unlawfully discriminating against tenants

Tenants have their own responsibilities, such as:^[01]

• Paying rent on time
• Using reasonable care and not damaging property
• Proper disposal of garbage
• Not taking on additional occupants or subleasing without written permission from the landlord

Protections against discrimination

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]

• Race
• Color
• National origin
• Ancestry
• Religion
• Sex
• Disability
• Familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents/guardians, pregnant women, and those securing custody of children under 18)

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.

How to find independent living community inspection reports

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.

State inspections and complaint investigations

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]

Finding state inspection reports

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 contact information

Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
930 Wildwood Dr.
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Phone: 573-751-6400