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Poteau is a small city near Oklahoma’s eastern border with Arkansas. The city limits take a winding path along the Poteau River from Wister Lake in the south to New Spiro Lake in the north. Seniors make up 14.6% of the population, as reported in the 2020 U.S. Census. Oklahoma is relatively tax-friendly for retirees, with no tax on Social Security retirement benefits and generous deductions provided on 401(k) and pension income. The city of Poteau also has a very low overall cost of living that’s 24.2% below average for the United States. Housing costs are the most significant category of savings for residents, and this carries over to the city’s more affordable assisted living rates.
Due to the low population, there are only two assisted living communities within Poteau itself, with many more located nearby in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The average monthly cost of care in these facilities is $3,406, according to Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey.
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 >
Poteau’s average assisted living cost of $3,406 per month makes it more affordable than the Oklahoma and national averages of $3,750 and $4,300, respectively. At $3,500 per month, Arkansas is priced slightly below Oklahoma, and the Texas average of $3,998 is higher by $248. Missouri is the most affordable neighboring state at $3,000, and Kansas is the least affordable by a considerable margin at $5,090.
Across the border in Fayetteville, Arkansas, seniors pay $494 more than those in Poteau. Tulsa is significantly more expensive at $4,519, and assisted living in Oklahoma City averages $3,900. Lawton’s average cost is just $84 higher than that of Poteau, and Enid is the state’s most affordable city at $2,960.
Note: Data for Poteau was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Fort Smith, AR, was used instead.
Low-income seniors in Poteau can receive health coverage via Oklahoma’s Medicaid program, known as SoonerCare. While this program is mainly focused on helping seniors remain in their own homes, seniors who are eligible for the ADvantage Waiver Program may be able to receive coverage for some assisted living costs, such as personal care, various therapies and medical equipment.
Learn more about who is eligible and how to apply on our Assisted Living in Oklahoma page.
| Contact | Description | |
| KEDDO Area Agency on Aging | (800) 722-8180 | Poteau and LeFlore County seniors who need information or assistance are served by this nonprofit agency in the Kiamichi Economic Development District of Oklahoma (KEDDO). Area Agencies on Aging help residents by streamlining and coordinating care and other services from federal, state and local sources. Services include in-home care and transportation for those living independently, as well as long-term care coordination for those relocating to assisted living, nursing homes or other facilities. Most services are free or heavily subsidized for seniors aged 60 and over, as well as those with disabilities. |
| State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) | (800) 522-0071 | SHIP is a service provided by the Oklahoma Insurance Department that’s available statewide. Seniors, family members and those who are soon to become eligible for various programs can get free, unbiased help and advice on Medicaid (SoonerCare), Medicare, prescription drug subsidies and discount programs, as well as long-term care in general. Seniors who wish to live in an assisted living community can ask about the ADvantage Waiver Program mentioned in the financial assistance section of this guide. |
| Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma – Senior Helpline | (918) 308-5295 | LASO is a statewide law firm with a local presence in Poteau. Seniors aged 60 and older may be eligible for free legal information, services and representation in court for civil matters. Low-income residents of any age may also qualify. The Senior Helpline is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and applications for legal assistance can also be submitted online. |
| Pocola Senior’s Center | (918) 436-7273 | Located to the north of Poteau, the Pocola Senior’s Center serves hot lunches and regularly brings in local musicians and bands to create a lively atmosphere for seniors to eat, socialize and have fun. Visitors to the center can also play bingo and other games, seek help from knowledgeable staff and get information on senior services available in the region. |
| Melvin Taylor Nutrition Center | (918) 647-8178 | Otherwise known as the Poteau Nutrition Center, this facility provides seniors aged 60 and over with a place to eat lunch and get to know other locals. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays, and the cost of a meal is $1.50. The Center is located in Twyman Park, just outside the Kiamichi Technology Center. |
The Oklahoma State Department of Health processes license applications and routinely inspects assisted living centers. Officially, the state considers these centers as a middle ground between residential care homes and nursing homes. For more information, see our Assisted Living in Oklahoma page.
