The dramatic increase in assisted living costs is due to the shortage of experienced and skilled caregivers in the United States. According to Genworth, an insurance company, retaining qualified workers is one of the most significant problems for assisted living facilities.

Assisted living service providers make substantial efforts to pay higher salaries and maintain the best crew. These providers even pay more for overtime to optimize the operations and cover shifts with fewer workers.

Genworth reported that the national average cost of assisted living in 2018 was around $4,000 per month. However, Seniorlist.Gov highlights that it has increased to $4,500 per month in 2022.

Cost is the primary factor most families consider when choosing a nursing home or assisted living community for their loved ones. Most facilities provide staggering initial quotes, forcing families to prepare themselves for the increasing expenses.

According to the U.S Census Bureau, the number of older adults will reach a whopping 94.7 million by 2060. It means the demand for assisted living is increasing rapidly, which translates to rising costs.

So, which state has the cheapest assisted living? Today’s article will answer this question and give you relevant details!

Oklahoma has the Cheapest Assisted Living

According to World Population Review, the average cost of assisted living in Oklahoma is $32,210 annually. It is the most affordable state for seniors to seek assisted living services, improve their day-to-day life, and achieve peace of mind.

Thousands of senior citizens move to Oklahoma to spend their retirement years. According to the U.S Census Bureau, about 15.7% of the state’s population is 65 years old or above. Oklahoma has 295 assisted living facilities and hundreds of private service providers.

Senior citizens have diverse assisted living options, including home and residential care communities, at the most affordable cost. While Oklahoma’s cost of living for young adults is slightly higher than other parts of the country, it is lower for older adults.

The state has a reasonable number of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, home care service providers, and assisted living facilities. In addition, people have reliable access to healthcare institutions registered with Medicare.

Older adults who move to Oklahoma have access to premium-quality amenities, including parks, golf courses, churches, and leisure facilities. The state has pleasant weather conditions year-round, ensuring a comfortable environment for retired individuals and seniors seeking assisted living. Here are the most popular financial assistance programs for senior citizens in Oklahoma.

Sooner Care Assisted Living Program  

The Federal and Oklahoma governments run the Sooner Care program. It is an integral part of the Medicaid program that aims to support older adults with a low income. A senior citizen earning less than $1,063 qualifies for the Sooner Care program.

Besides, a married couple must have a $1,437 income allowance per month to qualify for Sooner Care. The program supports people with disabilities and individuals requiring personal care services. The minimum age to leverage the benefits is 65.

Advantage Waiver Financial Program

The Advantage Waiver is one of Oklahoma’s popular financial assistance programs, offering monetary and medical support for older adults. The program aims to support people who want to avoid nursing homes.

Medically Fragile Waiver Program

The Medically Fragile Waiver program supports older people at high risk of chronic health conditions and who need assisted living. The program streamlines the process of receiving Medicaid funds for older adults using data-driven approaches and extensive networks throughout the state.

Oklahoma State Council on Aging

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services runs the council on aging to meet the medical and financial needs of older adults. The council has a team of qualified professionals with years of experience and uses state-of-the-art tools to communicate with seniors to identify and address their concerns.

The council has partnered with governmental bodies, private institutions, and lawmakers to streamline the support network and provide reliable solutions to older adults who need financial assistance.

Final Words

Oklahoma is the cheapest state in America for assisted living, thanks to supportive governmental policies, low cost of living for seniors, state-of-the-art assisted living facilities, and more streamlined Medicaid and community-based programs.  

Sources:

• https://www.theseniorlist.com/assisted-living/costs/
• https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html
• https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/Aging%20and%20Disability%20in%20America/2020ProfileOlderAmericans.Final_.pdf
• https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/assisted-living-costs-by-state