The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Springfield, MO

Page Reviewed / Updated - September 03, 2020

Springfield, Missouri, with its historical Route 66 roots, has plenty of appealing destinations for seniors to explore during excursions with visiting family members and friends. A vibrant arts and culture scene awaits seniors interested in the area's museums, opera, symphony and multiple performing theaters. For outdoor enthusiasts and animal lovers, the zoo and extensive parks and green spaces are popular local attractions.

Despite a population of 167,882, Springfield enjoys high air quality and is ranked among the cleanest metropolitan areas around the nation. Another high point for seniors interested in retiring in Missouri's third-largest city is the low cost of living and high number of doctors per resident.

Below we've ranked our top 10 assisted living facilities in Springfield, MO, to help seniors and their loved ones find their perfect care community. Additionally, find out more about the cost of assisted living in Springfield and what financial assistance programs are available.

The Best Assisted Living Facilities in Springfield, Missouri

Morningside of Chesterfield Village

2410 W Chesterfield Blvd
Springfield, MO 65807
(417) 886-4000

Morningside of Chesterfield Village has 80 spacious apartments in a variety of one- and two-bedroom floor plans. Seniors can choose a private or semiprivate suite, and housekeeping, linen and laundry are completed by friendly staff members who are on-call 24/7. The pet-friendly community offers many social opportunities, including resident clubs and group outings, and seniors are encouraged to join in the regularly scheduled activities, games and religious services. We chose to add Morningside of Chesterfield Village to our top 10 list thanks to its many beneficial in-house services such as physical therapy and rehabilitation, salon and barbershop, faith-based programs and Wi-Fi hotspots.

• Restaurant-style dining room with chef-prepared meals
• Intergenerational programs and volunteer opportunities

Close To Paradise Assisted Living

3824 E. Farm Road 156
Springfield, MO 65809
(417) 522-9234

Close To Paradise Assisted Living is situated on a beautiful 1-acre property with a large lawn and multiple shade trees. The cozy care home makes the safety of its residents a top priority. Certified caregivers are employed to render assistance and supervision to seniors in need of extra support, and the staff cares for the unique needs of seniors with dementia and other memory impairments. In addition to its assisted living and memory care services, the facility offers respite and day care programs.

• Quiet location with lovely country-style views
• Private rooms and bathrooms

Ravenwood Senior Living

1950 E. Republic Road
Springfield, MO 65804
(417) 413-1115

Ravenwood Senior Living strives to improve the lives of seniors through professional, courteous care. The community made our top ten list due to its sweeping range of services, which include assisted living, memory care, respite stays, hospice care, rehabilitation and day care. Management also arranges for visits from local home health providers when seniors require skilled nursing. Mealtimes are both nutritious and satisfying, with delicious menus, signature desserts and the ability to make special requests. A fully equipped wellness center, social events, Bible studies and regularly planned activities help keep residents healthy in mind, body and spirit.

• Made-to-order breakfasts from 6 to 9 am
• All-inclusive rates with no hidden fees

Morningside of Springfield East

3540 East Cherokee
Springfield, MO 65809
(417) 889-2222

Morningside of Springfield East is included in this list because of its many services and amenities that enhance residents' daily lives. In-house physical therapy and rehabilitation are available to improve and maintain individual skills and abilities, and regular wellness checks are performed to monitor residents' overall health. Seniors can attend on-site religious services, and a salon, barbershop, fitness center and library are on the premises. Walking trails and a comfortably furnished patio offer residents plenty of opportunities for outdoor leisure time in this pet-friendly community. A skilled team of caregivers is available around the clock to provide assisted living, housekeeping and laundry services.

• Resident clubs, game nights and social outings
• Grounds are fenced and secured to enhance safety

The Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care

1302 W. Sunset St.
Springfield, MO 65807
(866) 406-5081

The Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care is a faith-based group that emphasizes serving its residents and nurturing a warm, intimate community. Staff members are required to complete multiple training programs in elder and dementia-related care, and the building and grounds are secured for additional safety. The Gardens ranks highly in our list due to its full range of services, which extend from independent living options to end-of-life support, and plentiful amenities such as a pool, library, computer room and outdoor spaces. Residents are treated to many conveniences such as a salon, pharmacy services, transportation and flexible meal plans.

• On-site chaplain, faith-based programs and chapel area
• Meals are made from scratch daily

Lakewood Senior Living

4685 South Robberson Ave
Springfield, MO 65810
(417) 413-1147

Lakewood Senior Living is a privately owned and operated community that offers respite, elder day care, hospice and rehabilitation services in addition to its assisted living and memory care programs. Living quarters are spacious, with studio and one-bedroom apartments, and the community charges a single upfront fee without adding charges for additional care. Programs and activities are designed around enhancing seven unique areas of wellness, and residents have access to an exercise center, local church services and volunteer opportunities. Meals are prepared fresh daily, and residents are encouraged to order custom breakfasts from the facility's chef and culinary team.

• Alternate dining menus and signature desserts
• Private and semiprivate residences

Spring Ridge

2828 S. Meadowbrook
Springfield, MO 65807
(417) 319-4037

Spring Ridge prides itself on putting its residents' needs first. Its spacious apartments are equipped with private bathrooms, kitchenettes and emergency call systems. Professional caregivers are on hand all hours of the day and night to provide help with personal needs, and the suites feature individual climate controls for maximum comfort. Resident requests are welcome during mealtimes, with made-to-order breakfasts and room service available every day. Intergenerational programs help seniors maintain connections with the local community, and a rich variety of activities, classes, live musical entertainment and socials are included in the planned events.

• Wellness enter with NU-Step bikes and weight station
• Assisted living, respite, hospice, rehabilitation and day care services

Joy Assisted Living

2030 West Mount Vernon
Springfield MO, 65802
(417) 864-8805

Joy Assisted Living treats seniors to personalized one-on-one care in a soothing home-like environment. Residents can use the services of the house physician or request their own doctors. The 24-hour staffing ensures that seniors have access to assistance day or night. Housekeeping and transportation are provided, and laundry tasks can be completed by staff members or the residents themselves depending on their preferences. Activities and exercise classes designed for seniors promote mental and physical fitness mong residents.

• Single-story building without stairs or elevators
• Family-owned and -operated since 1995

The Fremont Senior Living

1520 E. Bates St.
Springfield, MO 65804
(417) 881-0500

The Fremont Senior Living is a continuing care retirement community that provides holistic care for seniors. We chose to include the Fromont in this list thanks in part to its plentiful amenities. Covering an entire city block, the facility features its own walking trails, movie theater, fitness center and multiple dining areas. Care plans and goals are drawn up for each resident upon move-in, and professionally trained staff members, technology, therapy and third-party venders help seniors achieve success. Assistance with personal needs is done in a private, dignified manner in order to protect seniors' independence. Pets are welcomed in the private apartments, and residents are encouraged to decorate and even paint the space to suit their preferences.

• Expansive dining menu with over 50 options
• Customizable schedule, including anytime dining between 7 am and 7 pm

The Township Senior Living

4150 W. Republic Road
Battlefield, MO 65619
(417) 881-7800

The Township Senior Living ensures seniors have the support they need to enjoy fulfilling, independent lives via friendly staff members who tend to tasks such as personal care aid, apartment maintenance, housekeeping, laundry and transportation services. Residents are served three meals a day from a chef-prepared menu with more than 50 choices, and dining hours are open from 7 am to 7 pm so seniors can eat on their own schedule. Events and activities are blended into a wellness program that helps residents enhance their overall health. An on-site fitness center, salon, theater and library make it easy for residents to pursue their hobbies and personal interests.

• Beautifully landscaped grounds with walking trails
• Customizable pet-friendly apartments

The Cost of Senior Living and Care in Springfield

Senior care in Springfield is generally less expensive the overall state of Missouri, according to the 2018 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. While seniors pay the same average costs for home care in both Springfield and the rest of the state, assisted living and adult day care are both less expensive in Springfield than in Missouri at large. Only nursing home care costs in Springfield exceed the state average, and that's by a relatively small margin.

Springfield Assisted Living Costs

Assisted living in Springfield costs an average of $2,215 a month. This is more than $600 a month less than the $2,844 average price seniors pay throughout the state of Missouri. Springfield's average cost is among the lowest reported among surveyed cities in the state. St. Joseph is the closest city to Springfield in the cost of assisted living, at an average of $2,550 a month for similar services.

Among surveyed cities, Columbia and Kansas City are near the top of the list for average expenses, where assisted living costs $3,975 in the former and $4,050 in the latter.

Springfield Home Care Costs

Home care in Springfield costs seniors an average of $3,813 a month. This is the exact price reported as an average across Missouri. Columbia and St. Louis top the list of cities in Missouri with some of the highest costs for home care, at $4,195 and $4,290 a month, respectively. St. Joseph and Joplin report some of the lowest costs in the state for home care, with both cities averaging $3,432 a month, or $381 a month less than the average cost in Springfield.

Springfield Adult Day Care Costs

Adult day care in Springfield costs an average of $1,679 a month. This is well under the average price seniors pay in the rest of Missouri, which is $1,820. Columbia and Jefferson City report some of the highest costs in Missouri for adult day care, at $1,983 and $2,080 a month, respectively. On the low end of the spectrum, St. Joseph's average monthly cost of $1,408 is $271 a month less than the cost of adult day care in Springfield.

Springfield Nursing Home Costs

Nursing home care in Springfield costs an average of $5,061 a month for a semi-private room. This is very close to the $5,019 a month that's typical in the rest of Missouri. Columbia, Joplin and Jefferson City are all in the same price range, with reported average costs of $5,080, $5,057 and $5,079, respectively.

Kansas City reports the highest monthly rate for nursing home care among surveyed Missouri cities, $5,582 for a semi-private room, while St. Joseph reports the lowest costs at just $4,760 for the same level of care.

Financial Assistance Programs in Springfield

Medicaid Program in Springfield

Springfield seniors who need help managing the cost of residential care can apply for coverage through Missouri's Medicaid program, known in the state as MO HealthNet. MO HealthNet pays many of the expenses seniors on limited incomes face for basic and specialty medical treatment, prescription drug coverage and some residential care. Seniors in Springfield can apply for MO HealthNet's senior care plans online, by mail or in person at a Human Services office. 

MO HealthNet is an entitlement program that provides low- or no-cost coverage to all eligible seniors, without any waiting lists or enrollment caps. To qualify for coverage, seniors must be aged 65 or over and citizens or legal residents of the United States. MO HealthNet applicants must also be residents of the state of Missouri. Income and asset limitations also apply.

Seniors in Springfield must submit proof of income and assets as part of the application process. Resource limits can be complex, which is why many seniors choose to meet with a Medicaid planner before submitting an application and reorganize their finances if necessary.

Single adults applying alone for MO HealthNet are limited to a monthly maximum income of $860 from all sources combined. Married couples may earn up to $1,166 a month. Special limits apply for individuals who are blind or who receive SSI. Asset limits are set to $2,000 for single applicants and $3,000 for married couples. MO HealthNet does not count personal possessions, furniture, a single personal vehicle or the first $585,000 in home equity as assets for application purposes. Seniors should be aware that the program imposes a $6,122 penalty for recent transfers of assets, such as investments, cash or real estate during the look-back period leading up to the application.

Medicaid Waivers in Springfield

Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW)

Seniors in Springfield who qualify for MO HealthNet coverage for residential nursing care can get in-home assistance through Missouri's Aged and Disabled waiver (ADW). ADW supports Medicaid-eligible seniors who opt out of placement in nursing care homes by providing caregiver services to help seniors live independently. Applications are approved through MO HealthNet worker, and seniors can apply for themselves or through the benefits coordinator at a participating residential care facility. Enrollment is limited on an annual basis, so some applicants must join a waiting list. Benefits covered by the ADW include:

• Chore services
• Adult day care
• Respite care
• Home-delivered meals
• Home care

Supplemental Nursing Care (SNC)

Seniors who qualify for Medicaid and who have a medical need that justifies placement in a nursing care home can choose instead to apply for a Supplemental Nursing Care (SNC) waiver. SNC waivers pay the monthly costs of care in residential senior care facilities that operate at a lower level than nursing care, such as assisted living. Seniors can apply directly through their assigned MO HealthNet case worker.

Independent Living Waiver (ILW)

Missouri's Independent Living waiver (ILW) is intended for adults with disabilities, though seniors who have been enrolled prior to the age of 64 can continue on the program after reaching age 65. Seniors in Springfield who are enrolled in the ILW program can get the costs covered for several benefits intended to support independent living at home, including:

• Personal care assistance from a caregiver
• Access and mobility related home modifications, such as ramp and guard rail installation
• Certain specialized medical supplies and disposable medical equipment

ILW benefits are generally self-directed, which lets seniors decide for themselves how care is delivered. Spouses, family members and friends of Springfield seniors can become caregivers at the senior's discretion. Applications can go through a caseworker or the benefits specialist at the time of discharge from a residential care facility.

Other Financial Assistance Programs in Springfield

Jordan Valley Community Health and Wellness Center

The Jordan Valley Community Health Center provides direct support for seniors in the Springfield area who need low- or no-cost medical assistance on a continuing basis. Springfield seniors who get by on a limited income can visit the clinic for help getting, among other services:

• Low-cost pharmacy services
• Vouchers for care and equipment
• Lab work
• Preventive care and wellness checkups

SeniorAge Area Agency

SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging provides multiple services to help Springfield seniors live healthy, independent lives at home and in the community. SeniorAge services include no-cost health screenings, wellness and fitness classes, foot clinics for seniors with diabetes and several other programs for healthy living. Seniors aged 60 and over can attend classes or clinic programs without an appointment in most cases at a local senior center.

MO Seniors’ Legal HelpLine

Seniors in Springfield can get free advice, assistance and advocacy for their unique legal needs through the pro bono services of the MO Seniors’ Legal HelpLine. This service connects seniors in Springfield with expert legal services for matters such as civil law, administrative law and estate planning. Seniors can call (800) 235-5503.

More Senior Living Resources in Springfield