Oklahoma Assisted Living Costs & Statistics

About 1.4 million residents of Oklahoma are available for senior discounts at their favorite eateries. In other words, about 34 percent of the state’s population are age 50 and older. What else can demographic, economic and health data tell us about the state of seniors here in Oklahoma?

The 34 percent senior rate in Oklahoma is slightly under the overall U.S. rate of 35.5 percent, but the median age in Oklahoma of 36.7 is considerably lower than the overall U.S. median age, which is 38.5 years. This difference is due in part to the far slower-than-average rate at which the median age has risen in Oklahoma over the past decade. In the U.S., the median age climbed by 2.7 percent between 2010 and 2018, but here in Oklahoma, the increase was just 1.1 percent.

On the other hand, Oklahoma’s average life expectancy from birth (75.7 years) is much lower than the overall U.S. life expectancy of 78.5, and 65+ individuals have median incomes much lower here in the state than in the U.S. overall.

Senior Living Costs in Oklahoma

Retiring in Oklahoma is a pretty economical choice. The state has a housing index of 84.20, making it one of the more affordable places to settle down in the country. You can get a one bedroom apartment in Oklahoma for an average of $574 a month ($825 per month US average), or a two bedroom apartment for an average of $749 a month ($1,027 per month US average).

Let's take a look at the numbers for monthly senior living costs in Oklahoma. To start, the average home health care costs come out to around $3,813 a month. This fee allows older people to live comfortably in their own home, rather than an assisted living facility or a nursing home. Service aides help to keep the house clean, run daily errands, and cook meals for the elderly.

If you are an elderly person needing to stay at a supervised facility during the day while your caregiver is busy tending to other obligations, then you may want to consider an adult day care facility in Oklahoma. Since adult day care facilities don't offer round the clock care, it's ideal for older people who are mostly healthy and independent, but could use some socialization, and therapeutic and health services. Adult day care costs around $1,300 a month in The Sooner State.

Assisted living facilities exist throughout Oklahoma to serve seniors who need more help with their everyday tasks. For an average monthly cost of $3,033 a month, staff members provide the elderly with the personal care and health services they need to thrive.

Oklahoma has plenty of nursing homes available throughout the state for those who require round the clock care and supervision. The good news is, compared to the national average, nursing home care in this state is affordable. The cost for a semi-private room is roughly $4,471 a month, while a private room is about $5,293 a month. While staying at a nursing home, residents can expect to receive personal care, medication, housing, supervision, skilled nursing care 24/7, and therapies and rehabilitation.

Living Options for Oklahoma's Seniors

Oklahoma's seniors can choose between several living options depending on individual needs. These options are independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing home care. Learn more about each option below and see which one best suits your lifestyle.

Independent Living

Seniors who are mostly healthy and active generally prefer independent living or apartment-style living. Oklahoma is home to more than 140 independent living facilities, and it costs anywhere from $577 to $3,520 a month. Those who fancy the idea of apartment living can choose to live in a 55+ or 65+ community in Oklahoma. Active senior communities usually include amenities like fitness centers, walking trails, clubhouse, meeting rooms, and more for residents to enjoy.

Assisted Living

Oklahoma has more than 250 assisted living facilities throughout the state. For anywhere from $1,050 to $6,400 a month, seniors can get access to attentive caregivers, healthcare, local activities, and social opportunities to feel at home. Also, residents can expect to receive help with housekeeping duties, laundry, transportation, meal services, and 24-hour surveillance staffing. If you are looking to keep living costs low, then you'll want to look in the Lawton area where the assisted living costs are lower. The highest prices are found in the Tulsa metropolitan area.

Memory Care

Dealing with Alzheimer's, dementia, and other memory-related ailments is no easy feat. Luckily, more than 140 memory care facilities exist in Oklahoma to help seniors get through each day smoothly without too much frustration brought on by memory loss. Staff at these facilities work hard to identify each patient's issues and provide customized care to help them thrive. These facilities are also monitored 24/7 to ensure patient safety. It costs anywhere from $1,522 to $9,280 to stay at a memory care facility in this state.

Nursing Homes

Oklahoma has over 800 senior living providers, with the majority located centrally. Retirees will be able to find the specific care they need at one of these providers, that all tend to be below the national average costs.

With 18 adult daycare centers, seniors will be able to have their daily needs met by trained staff who will help with day to day activities and monitor health levels. The Tulsa metropolitan area has the highest cost adult daycare centers in the state, averaging $15,600 a year. The Lawton area has the lowest cost adult daycare centers, coming in at $11,700 a year. Overall, the state costs for adult daycare range from $1,350 a month up to $2,580 a month. These figures definitely put Oklahoma as one of the most affordable states for adult daycare centers.

Oklahoma has 146 hospices to meet the needs of terminally ill seniors. Hospices provide spiritual, physical, and emotional support through a variety of practices and activities. Seniors will find chaplain services, grief counseling, pain management, various therapies, and arts and crafts to do with others as a creative outlet. Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance can all be used to cover the costs of hospice care. Hospice staff will help seniors navigate through all the insurance forms and what not to see how much of the hospice care can be covered.

Respite care costs $52,925 a year in Oklahoma, with 183 facilities to choose from. The costs range from $4,568 a month up to $8,918 a month. These monthly rates are significantly lower than most other states, which should come as a relief to unpaid primary caregivers needing a break or extra help. Respite care can be arranged to be just a few hours a week, a single day like whenever the primary caregiver might need to take care of other responsibilities, or open-ended for months.