Assisted Living Communities in Tulsa, Oklahoma

The 2024 Genworth Cost of Care Survey shows that seniors in Tulsa pay relatively high assisted living fees of around $5,499 per month. This rate outpaces the state median of $4,888, and it surpasses fees in nearby cities. Costs in Enid fall within $50 of the local median, but in Lawton and Oklahoma City, fees trend lower at about $4,948 and $4,573, respectively.

Tulsa residents have access to a range of financial solutions to pay for assisted living. Many seniors apply for government benefits or use private funds to cover costs. Common payment options include:

• Medicaid: Oklahoma Health Care Authority operates SoonerCare, the state's Medicaid agency. Through the agency's ADvantage Waiver Program, seniors on low incomes receive financial assistance for community-based services, including those provided in assisted living. These include personal care assistance, case management and specialized medical equipment.
• Medicare: Although Medicare doesn't directly pay for assisted living, it may cover medical expenses provided at a facility. Additionally, the state's Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly pays for certain assisted living services for seniors dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. 
• VA benefits: Eligible veterans receiving a monthly VA pension have access to additional financial support through the Aid and Attendance program. This resource provides monthly payments to cover assisted living services, including personal care assistance, medication management and daily meals. 
• Private payments: Seniors who don't qualify for government benefits pay for assisted living services with private funds, including pension income, personal savings, investments or retirement accounts. Some individuals also use Social Security benefits or apply for long-term care insurance, life insurance or a reverse mortgage. 

Tulsa’s assisted living facilities charge around $5,499 per month, aligning with costs for other local senior care solutions. Home health care, which features skilled nursing but doesn't include housing, costs roughly $350 less, while those who require 24-hour medical monitoring pay about $5,992 for nursing home care in semi-private rooms.

• Tulsa’s cost of living falls 14.7% below the U.S. average. The city offers lower average prices for transportation, groceries and utilities, helping seniors living on fixed incomes get more for their money.
• Average temperatures in Tulsa range from 30 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and 74 to 93 degrees in summer. Like other Oklahoma cities, Tulsa experiences severe storms in the spring and summer, but most homes feature storm shelters or other evacuation options.
• Oklahoma doesn't tax Social Security and partially taxes pension income or retirement account withdrawals. Seniors can also claim a deduction of up to $10,000 on retirement income, such as pension or 401(k) funds. 
• Tulsa offers a variety of parks, museums and gardens for seniors to explore. The Art Deco district downtown also provides an easy-to-walk neighborhood of small restaurants, retail shops and cultural events. 
• Tulsa offers high-quality medical care and treatments at St. Francis Hospital. Although the city's health care costs 10.7% more than the national average, it has a higher-than-average physician-to-resident ratio. Seniors have access to 299 physicians per 100,000 residents compared to the U.S. average of 210.