Columbia, Missouri, is located in the central part of the state, just a few hours drive from St. Louis to the east and Kansas City to the west. It’s the home of the University of Missouri and the popular SEC football team, the Tigers. As a college town, Columbia has a thriving culinary and entertainment district downtown and many live music events and festivals. The city is near the Missouri River, a popular destination for boating and fishing, and the Katy Trail, an outdoor biking and hiking trail that winds through central Missouri. Seniors in Columbia experience warm, humid summers and cold winters with some snow. Sports fans may enjoy watching Mizzou football and basketball games.
At an assisted living facility, seniors’ overall wellness can improve from the social benefits of living among other older adults in addition to receiving around-the-clock assistance with their daily living activities. Some communities also provide additional health care services such as physical and occupational therapy. Quite affordable compared to the national and statewide averages, the median cost of assisted living in Columbia is $2,800 a month.
This guide compares the cost of care in Columbia to other Missouri cities and provides a list of resources that may help seniors find their ideal assisted living community.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Missouri. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
The majority of seniors in Columbia are paying around $2,800 a month for assisted living, per Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.
Assisted living in Columbia is less costly than in most of Missouri as well as the country. On average, older adults in Missouri pay about $200 more a month for their care while seniors throughout the country spend about $1,700 more.
While Columbia’s $2,800 median cost of assisted living isn’t as low as Jefferson City’s average ($2,075), it’s still among the most inexpensive cities in Missouri for senior care. To the east in St. Louis, seniors pay about $1,300 a month more and to the west in Kansas City, the average cost of care is $1,785 higher. In Springfield and St. Joseph, assisted living costs $450 and $1,075 more, respectively.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Missouri.
Contact | Description | |
State of Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman | (800) 309-3282 | This agency is administered by the state’s Department of Health and Senior Services and lobbies on behalf of the elderly to change state laws. Ombudsman services also investigate complaints from long-term care residents or their families about these facilities. |
Missouri Veterans Commission | (573) 751-3779 | The state’s Veterans Commission provides services for military veterans and their surviving spouses. These include therapy for PTSD and grief counseling, assistance applying for health care and mental health support and assistance receiving burial and death benefits. |
Missouri Assistive Technology | (573) 874-1646 | MoAT operates three programs for seniors and those with a qualifying disability for loans of used TTY and technology equipment. Another program through this agency lends durable medical equipment such as shower chairs, canes and wheelchairs, commodes and positioning equipment. The inventory of these programs varies, depending on the donations received. |
Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging in Columbia, MO | (573) 443-5823 | The AAA provides information and assistance in applying for benefits for the elderly in Columbia. These programs include mobility and food assistance programs, individual counseling, support groups, caregiver training, respite care and limited supplemental services. |
Mid-Missouri Legal Services | (573) 442-0116 | This program offers free legal advice and representation for the elderly and those who meet income guidelines. The attorneys mostly take civil cases, including complaints against long-term care facilities, drafting wills and filing for divorce or bankruptcy. |
Columbia Senior Center of Boone County | (573) 874-2050 | Seniors have plenty of opportunities for socialization and fun, including lunches on the weekdays, hobby groups, games like bingo and bridge, group fitness classes and health screenings and education. |
Missourians Stopping Adult Financial Exploitation | (573) 526-4542 | This program is aimed at reducing the amount of financial exploitation of elderly Missouri residents. Part of the program provides education for financial institutions, seniors and their families, and there’s a hotline to report cases of financial abuse. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Columbia area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.