The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Independence, MO

The Villages of Jackson Creek offers three care plans for residents, and Villages Plus is the level most suited to seniors looking for an assisted living community. Housekeeping and laundry are provided, the staff assists seniors with dressing, grooming and medication management, and there’s a beauty salon and barbershop on site. The Villages of Jackson Creek is on our 10-best list because it shares a campus with a 120-bed health care facility, allowing seniors to swiftly have their medical needs met.

At The Groves White Oak Living Center, seniors can socialize in a large recreation hall that features shuffleboard, table tennis and billiards. The TV room is furnished with twelve padded rocking chairs, and seniors can browse for a book to read in the library or relax with friends in the sunroom. Attending water fitness classes in the indoor saltwater pool is a great way to stay in shape, as well as exploring walking trails on the landscaped grounds. The studio suites and one-bedroom apartments include kitchenettes, and there’s a mail center with personal mailboxes for each resident.

A small senior community situated on 2.5 acres in the country, Blue Hills Rest Home strives to create a home-like atmosphere for residents. Friends and family members are welcome to visit at any time, and seniors are served home-cooked meals. The private and semiprivate rooms feature satellite TV and Wi-Fi, and residents can use the two-way intercoms to contact staff. The facility is wheelchair accessible, and medication management and pharmacy services are provided. Beautician and barber services are also offered, helping residents look and feel their best.

The goal of the caring staff at The Parkway Senior Living is to help residents stay as independent as possible, while providing assistance as needed with respect and dignity. A full calendar of activities for residents includes outings to restaurants and museums and stimulating events at home. Card and board games, educational activities and fitness classes are always available. Seniors can also schedule a ride for shopping and appointments by contacting the front desk. The Parkway Senior Living is on our list because of the wealth of activities and services available to residents.

Pets are welcome at Bickford of Raytown, and the staff is happy to help seniors care for them. Residents can also interact with pets of all shapes and sizes that regularly visit. Families are invited to join in holiday celebrations, and visits to parks, restaurants and shops take place frequently. The friendly staff encourages seniors to pursue their creativity and nourish their intellectual and spiritual life. The community hosts musical performers and hosts nondenominational church services and chaplain visits. Breakfast is cooked to order, and there are numerous selections available at each meal served in the restaurant-style dining room.

Anthology of The Plaza is a luxury senior residence that offers spacious assisted living apartments. The five-story facility situated in the heart of Kansas City features courtyards, walkways and other green spaces. Restaurant-style meals are served in the formal dining room, and The Plaza is close to shopping and dining spots, museums and theaters. The studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments have large windows and covered balconies. Anthology of The Plaza made our 10-best list because of its luxurious surroundings, which won a Senior Housing News Architecture and Design Award.

At Cedarhurst of Blue Springs, cleaning, laundry and home maintenance are attended to by helpful, friendly caregivers. Seniors can enjoy enriching activities such as pet and music therapy and intergenerational programs, and dining times are flexible. The health of each resident is assessed by a licensed nurse, and seniors can take advantage of on-site occupational, speech and physical therapy. Ongoing health monitoring and electronic records help family members stay informed. Cedarhurst is included in our list because of the abundant attention it provides to residents' health.

Seniors can enjoy a massage or visit the 350-gallon fish aquarium in the dining room at St. Anthony’s Senior Living. The on-site chapel offers daily mass and nondenominational services, and the community has a resident priest. Licensed nurses are on-site, and three delicious, dietitian-approved meals are served in the restaurant-style dining room each day. Seniors can enjoy activities such as wine tastings, art classes and fitness workouts, and those with a green thumb may enjoy spending time in the community garden.

The Oxford Grand at Shoal Creek offers a variety of activities for seniors to enjoy, and many are organized by residents. Chef-prepared meals are served in the two-story dining room, and residents can enjoy cocktail parties at Romeo’s Pub Upstairs. Assisted living apartments include spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom residences with private bathrooms and kitchenettes. Cable and Wi-Fi are included, and each dwelling has an emergency call system. The Oxford Grand made our 10-best list because of the elegant surroundings and wealth of amenities.

Operated by the Mercedarian Sisters, Our Lady of Mercy Country Home is located in the country but is a short drive from shops, restaurants and other services. Seniors who live here can easily visit one of the nearby parks, museums and theaters or take in a ball game at the Liberty Sports Complex. Daily excursions are planned, and local transportation is provided. There are lounges for socializing on each floor of the residence, and seniors can enjoy a friendly game of cards or billiards in the activity room. Daily mass is observed in the on-site chapel, and other worship services are held each week.