Located in Southeast Missouri in Butler County, Poplar Bluff is surrounded by beautiful scenery and offers historic and cultural amenities, museums and 150,000 acres of parkland. The city has a little over 16,000 residents and a large senior community that makes up over 16% of the population, supporting access to age-friendly social activities and high-quality care. It’s a prime retirement destination for those prioritizing affordability and accessible health care, featuring a cost of living that’s well below the national average and about 250 doctors per 100,000 people compared to the U.S. rate of 210. Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center is located in the city proper and provides emergency services, primary care and a range of specializations. The city also has a nutrition center where older adults enjoy congregate meals and recreational activities.
Poplar Bluff has over a dozen assisted living facilities for older adults who need help with daily living activities. Local care costs are relatively affordable, coming in below the national median at approximately $3,374 per month.
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 >
According to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, seniors in Poplar Bluff pay $3,374 per month for assisted living services. While this is nearly $400 higher than the state median of $3,000, it’s almost $1,000 lower than the national rate of $4,300. Care costs are competitive compared to cities in surrounding states, including Kansas, where rates exceed the national median at $5,090, and Illinois, where seniors pay $4,575 on average. In Iowa, assisted living residents pay approximately $4,073 monthly, and in Arkansas, rates are closer to Poplar Bluff’s average at $3,500.
Assisted living services in Poplar Bluff come in at $3,374 per month, which is moderate compared to the state as a whole. In St. Joseph, monthly care costs are a little higher at $3,488, and in St. Louis, assisted living facilities charge approximately $3,750 per month. In Kansas City, care costs are over $1,000 higher than in Poplar Bluff at $4,460. Those seeking more affordable rates may want to research Jefferson City and Joplin, where respectively monthly assisted living fees come in at $3,150 and $2,500.
Note: Data for Poplar Bluff was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Cape Girardeau, was used instead.
The Missouri Care Options program covers assisted living services for eligible seniors in Poplar Bluff, as well as the rest of the state. This program is available to those qualifying for Medicaid and may pay for help with daily living activities, housekeeping and laundry services, adult day care programs and skilled nursing, depending on the individual’s needs. To learn more about MCO or other options for covering assisted living expenses in Poplar Bluff, see our Assisted Living in Missouri page.
Contact | Description | |
Northside Nutrition Center | (573) 686-2074 | Northside Nutrition Center provides congregate meals to older adults in the Poplar Bluff region, complementing the nutrition services assisted living facilities provide and supporting social connections with other members of the community. |
Aging Matters | (573) 335-3331 | Aging Matters is the designated Area Agency on Aging for the Poplar Bluff region. Through this agency, older adults can speak with information and referral specialists who help them connect with community-based resources such as medical equipment rentals, transportation services and nutrition sites. The agency also has a long-term care ombudsman that provides advocacy and advice for those in assisted living. |
Missouri Veterans Commission Veterans Service Program | (314) 253-4455 | The state’s Veterans Service Program operates VSOs throughout the state, promoting access to local, state and federal benefits for veterans. Through their local VSO, veterans can speak with a trained officer who can help them determine eligibility for pensions programs and Aid and Attendance, which can help cover assisted living in Poplar Bluff. The VSO can also help veterans connect with services in the community such as medical care, counseling and financial assistance. |
CLAIM | (800) 390-3330 | CLAIM is the statewide health insurance options counseling program. This program is staffed with trained volunteers who provide free over-the-phone advice to those aged 65 and over. Through this program, seniors can get information on their Medicare coverage, determine whether a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan is right for them and compare long-term care insurance policies. Volunteers can also help seniors determine whether they may be eligible for Medicaid and prescription drug assistance plans. |
Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (800) 309-3282 | The state’s long-term care ombudsman program provides advice and advocacy for seniors in assisted living. Seniors can contact their local ombudsman for help with finding the right assisted living facility for their needs and budget and determining options for paying for care. The ombudsman can also help seniors resolve issues such as substandard care and interpersonal disputes. |
Legal Services of Southern Missouri | (800) 444-4863 | Legal Services of Southern Missouri provides free civil legal aid for those aged 60 and over. Its licensed legal professionals can help seniors enroll in public benefits that may help cover assisted living services, such as Supplemental Security Income, Social Security and Medicaid. |
The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services oversees assisted living facilities in Poplar Bluff. It has an initial and annual licensing process and ensures a high standard of care by enforcing compliance with guidelines regarding care planning, nutrition services, the scope of care and skilled nursing. For more information on the regulations assisted living facilities in Poplar Bluff follow, see our Assisted Living in Missouri page.