The city of Fulton is conveniently located in central Missouri, just 25 minutes from the state capital, Jefferson City, and roughly two hours away from each of the state’s largest cities, St. Louis and Kansas City. Approximately 12,600 people live here, with 11.1% aged 65 years or older. Residents of Fulton enjoy a cost of living that’s 13% below the national average, along with a climate that sees average winter temperatures just above freezing and summer temperatures hovering in the 80s and 90s.
In Fulton, the average monthly cost of assisted living is $2,075, considerably lower than Missouri and U.S. averages. Assisted living is often a good care choice for seniors who regularly need some extra help with simple activities such as feeding themselves and getting dressed.
This guide to assisted living in Fulton examines the relevant prices for care in it and other Missouri cities. It also includes a list of helpful low-cost government resources and nonprofit programs that can help you more fully enjoy your retirement in the Fulton area.
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.
In Fulton, the average monthly cost of assisted living is $2,075.
Not only is Fulton’s monthly average price for assisted living care nearly a thousand dollars cheaper than Missouri’s average price of $3,000, but it’s also almost $2,500 cheaper than the national average of $4,500.
Fulton is the least expensive Missouri city for assisted living prices. Prices go as high as $4,585 per month in Kansas City, with St. Louis’s prices not too far behind at $4,100 a month. Prices in the cities of St. Joseph, at $3,875 per month, and Springfield, at $3,250 a month, both fall under the national average but over the state average. In Joplin, seniors pay $2,805 a month. Cape Girardeau residents see the state’s second-lowest prices for assisted living at $2,538 per month.
Note: Care cost data for Fulton was not available, so data for the closest city, Jefferson City, was used instead.
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.
Resource | Contact | Service |
Aging Best | (573) 443-5823 | Based in Columbia, Aging Best is the Area Agency on Aging for much of central Missouri. Its services menu for older adults includes help with understanding and applying for Medicaid and Medicare benefits, connection to local low-cost transportation options for curb-to-curb service, assistance with setting up caregiver respite and more. |
University of Missouri Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver | (573) 882-7786 | Missouri seniors 65 years of age or older may take advantage of the state’s tuition waiver to take non-credit classes at any public college in the state. While there are two private colleges in Fulton, the closest public campus is the University of Missouri-Columbia. Each public college independently determines class availability. To sign up for the waiver, interested seniors should contact the admissions office for the specific college they wish to attend. |
Jefferson City VA Clinic | (573) 635-0233 | Military veterans may receive free primary care by scheduling an appointment at this VA center, which is about 20 minutes from Fulton. Existing patients can usually get an appointment for routine care within two days of contact, though it accepts walk-ins for urgent health needs. |
OATS Transit | (888) 875-6287 | This nonprofit organization sets up free and low-cost shared rides for Missouri seniors, rural citizens and people with mobility issues. Curb-to-curb and pick-up point services are available; curb-to-curb rides must be scheduled 48 hours in advance. In addition to offering transportation throughout Fulton, OATS also runs a monthly ride to Columbia and a separate monthly ride to Jefferson City. |
Paula J. Carter Center on Minority Health and Aging | (573) 681-5530 | This center, part of Lincoln University in nearby Jefferson City, runs a number of advocacy and outreach programs aimed at helping older minority adults in the region. Initiatives include its regularly updated Lunch and Learn online video series, which can help keep you up-to-date on Fulton-area health, nutrition and safety services. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Fulton 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.