Overview of Care Options for Older Adults in St. Louis

Finding the right support for yourself or someone you love can feel overwhelming, especially when you are not sure where to start. This page highlights the most common care options available in the greater St. Louis region, including local agencies, programs, and how to access them

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1. Home Health Care in St. Louis

Medical care delivered at home for short-term needs.

Common St. Louis home health agencies include:
These are examples, not endorsements.

  • BJC Home Care

  • Mercy Home Health

  • SSM Health at Home

  • Visiting Nurse Association of St. Louis

What they provide:
Skilled nursing, PT, OT, speech therapy, wound care, medication management, and monitoring after hospitalization.

How to access in St. Louis:
A doctor must place an order. Most hospitals help arrange this at discharge. Can also be ordered by your primary care doctor.

2. Private Duty and In-Home Care

Non-medical help to stay safely at home.

Local St. Louis agencies that families often use:

  • Home Instead

  • Visiting Angels

  • BrightStar Care

  • Martha’s Hands

  • Nurses and Company

Services include:
Bathing, dressing, meal preparation, housekeeping, transportation, medication reminders, and companionship.

How to access:

  • Contact an agency directly and request an in-home evaluation

  • Most agencies can schedule a visit within a few days

  • You choose the number of hours and the type of caregiver needed

  • Long-term care insurance may require pre-authorization, so call your insurance first

Who can help you:

  • Agencies such as Home Instead, Visiting Angels, BrightStar Care, Martha’s Hands, and Nurses and Company

  • Aging Ahead and St. Louis Area Agency on Aging for help comparing options

3. Adult Day Programs

Who pays:
Usually private pay. Some long-term care insurance plans cover part of the cost.

3. Adult Day Programs in St. Louis

Structured daytime supervision, engagement, and support.

Examples in St. Louis City and County:

  • ACC Adult Day Services in Carondelet and North County

  • St. Louis Altenheim Adult Day Program in South City

  • St. Elizabeth Adult Day Care in the Central West End

  • Meramec Bluffs Adult Day Center in West County

  • Cardinal Ritter Senior Services Day Programs in several location

Good for:
Dementia care, caregiver respite, routine, socialization, and safety during daytime hours.

How to access:

  • Call the program directly to ask about availability and hours

  • Many centers offer a tour and a trial day

  • Transportation may be available through the center or through local senior services

  • Some programs accept Medicaid or VA benefits

4. Outpatient Therapy and Rehab

Common therapy centers used by older adults in St. Louis include:

  • The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis

  • Mercy Therapy and Wellness Centers

  • SSM Health Physical Therapy

  • Washington University and Barnes-Jewish outpatient therapy services

Helpful for falls, balance, strengthening, mobility, Parkinson’s, post-stroke recovery, and cognitive rehab.

How to Access:

  • Ask your doctor for a therapy prescription

  • Call the therapy clinic to schedule an evaluation

  • Most St. Louis clinics accept Medicare or private insurance

  • Some clinics specialize in neurological conditions or aging

5. Short-Term Skilled Nursing and Rehab

Often used after a hospital stay.

Facilities commonly used by St. Louis families include:

  • Barnes-Jewish Extended Care in South County

  • Mercy Skilled Nursing Facilities

  • SSM Transitional Care Units

  • Nazareth Living Center

  • Bethesda Rehab and Skilled Nursing

  • The Gatesworth Skilled Nursing in Clayton

Most hospitals provide lists and help with placement.

6. Assisted Living in the St. Louis Region

Housing plus support with daily tasks.

Examples across the region:

  • The Gatesworth and McKnight Place in Clayton

  • Parc Provence Assisted Living and Memory Care in Creve Coeur

  • Sunrise Senior Living in Webster Groves and Chesterfield

  • Autumn View Gardens in Ellisville and Creve Coeur

  • Friendship Village in Sunset Hills and Chesterfield

Assisted living is usually private pay.

How to access:

  • Call the community directly to schedule tours

  • Ask each community for a care assessment to determine level of support

  • Most places have waitlists, so it helps to start early

  • Facilities may request medical records or a primary care evaluation

Who can help you:

  • Local communities such as The Gatesworth, McKnight Place, Parc Provence, Sunrise Senior Living, and Autumn View Gardens

  • Aging Ahead and St. Louis Area Agency on Aging for guidance on matching needs to facilities

7. Memory Care Communities in St. Louis

Specialized environments for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Examples include:

  • Parc Provence in Creve Coeur

  • McKnight Place Memory Care

  • Garden View Care Centers in O’Fallon, Chesterfield, and Dougherty Ferry

  • Laclede Groves Memory Care in Webster Groves

  • The Sheridan at Laumeier Park

These communities offer secured environments, structured routines, and dementia trained staff.

How to access:

  • Contact the community directly to discuss your loved one’s needs

  • Many offer tours, caregiver interviews, and safety evaluations

  • Ask about behavioral support, fall risk policies, and secured units

  • Some communities have aging in place options to avoid future moves

Who can help you:

  • Parc Provence, McKnight Place Memory Care, Garden View Care Centers, Laclede Groves, and The Sheridan at Laumeier Park

  • Alzheimer’s Association Greater Missouri Chapter for support and advice

8. Long-Term Care and Nursing Homes

For people who need 24-hour medical and personal care.

Facilities that families often choose include:

  • Delmar Gardens communities

  • Bethesda long-term care facilities

  • Nazareth Living Center

  • Lutheran Senior Services at Meramec Bluffs, Laclede Groves, and Breeze Park

  • Mary, Queen and Mother Nursing Home

Medicaid may help cover long-term care if eligibility is met.

How to access:

  • You can apply directly to the nursing home

  • Many families start the process during a hospital stay

  • Medicaid applications may be required for long-term stays

  • Facilities often require medical records and a financial screening

Who can help you:

  • Delmar Gardens, Bethesda, Nazareth, Lutheran Senior Services, and Mary, Queen and Mother Nursing Home

  • Missouri Department of Social Services for Medicaid guidance

  • Hospital case management if the person is inpatient

9. Palliative Care in St. Louis

Focused on symptom management and quality of life.

Available through:

  • BJC Palliative Home Care and Consult Service

  • Washington University Outpatient Palliative Medicine

  • Mercy Palliative Care

  • SSM Palliative Care

Helpful for serious illness, pain, shortness of breath, or complex decision making.

How to access:

  • Ask your primary care doctor or specialist for a referral

10. Hospice Care in the St. Louis Metro Area

Comfort-focused care for life-limiting illness.

Local hospice agencies include:

  • BJC Hospice, including Evelyn’s House

  • Mercy Hospice

  • SSM Hospice

  • Hope Hospice

  • Kindred Hospice

Available at home, in facilities, or in hospice houses.

How to access:

  • A doctor needs to certify eligibility

  • You can call a hospice agency directly to start the process

  • Some families meet with several agencies to compare approaches

  • Hospice can begin at home, in a facility, or in a dedicated hospice house

Where to Start in St. Louis

You may begin with:

These agencies can help with referrals, coordination, and identifying services with current openings.

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