I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma City has a number of selling points, including its relatively low cost of living. Notably, housing costs here are cheap, and living here means you’ll pay lower-than-average prices for essentials like groceries and utilities as well, helping make this a sensible retirement city. Taking advantage of that and Oklahoma City’s other perks, seniors comprise 12.4% of the city’s 655,057 residents.
Oklahoma City has a full lineup of museums, shopping destinations and dining options. Notable cultural installations include Film Row, which is full of murals and displays, and the Oklahoma City Ballet, which offers top-notch performances. Meanwhile, if you’re an active senior, you can take advantage of options like Lake Hefner’s trails and waterfront access or the city’s golf courses.
Natural beauty is close at hand in Oklahoma City. For instance, at the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge, over 1,000 acres of green space is waiting for you to explore. Meanwhile, bird lovers will surely want to visit the Martin Park Nature Center, which features a bird observation area.
Those are just a few of the reasons Oklahoma City is a great place to retire, a proposition made even better by the presence of the city’s independence- and health-supporting home care providers.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Oklahoma City, OK
The Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey notes that in Oklahoma City, the average cost of home care is $4,385 per month. For home health care, the monthly average is $4,433. If you’re curious about the difference, both services provide help with daily chores and personal grooming, but home health care providers can perform basic medical tasks as well.
Genworth’s rates are based on a senior who needs 44 hours of care each week. If you require more care, you can expect to pay higher overall costs, and the opposite is true if you require less care. For reference, in Oklahoma City, the average hourly rates for home care and home health care are $23 and $23.25, respectively.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Oklahoma City’s home care and home health care rates are higher than those of Lawton, where both services cost an average of $3,432 per month. However, Oklahoma City is several hundred dollars less expensive than Enid and Tulsa, which have identical median rates. In both of those cities, you can expect to pay $4,767 for service from a home care or home health care provider.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Price-wise, compared to other senior care types, home care and home health care represent middle-of-the-road options. Adult day care is the cheapest arrangement you’ll find, at $1,517 per month on average. The median price for assisted living, $3,900, means you’ll typically pay a bit less for it than home care and home health care. Nursing homes are the costliest option: Their median rate of $5,247 for a semiprivate room is over $800 higher than the corresponding rates for home care and home health care.
III. How to Find Home Care in Oklahoma City, OK
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Oklahoma City, OK.
Remember that there’s not necessarily a right or wrong choice – it comes down to choosing a provider that you feel comfortable with and who’s capable of meeting your specific needs. No matter which provider you choose, you should always have a formal arrangement with your expectations and the payment rate in writing. Doing so will prevent confusion or potential disagreements down the line so that the focus remains on helping the person receiving care.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Oklahoma City, OK
Meals on Wheels
What You Should Know
The organization Ending Hunger OKC operates the area’s Meals on Wheels program, which delivers nutritious meals to homebound seniors through contracted providers. The program’s goal is to support the health and independence of its clients. A donation of $1.50 per meal is suggested but not mandatory. The donations go back into supporting the program.
Who Is Eligible?
Clients must be 60 years of age or older and must require large amounts of assistance to leave the home. They must also lack help from another person when it comes to transportation and meal preparation. There are no income or asset limits for Meals on Wheels eligibility. However, in tiebreakers, applicants who are under the income threshold for poverty will receive priority over applicants who have higher incomes.
How to Get Started
To learn more about eligibility and the application process, you can call Ending Hunger OKC at (405) 609-1035 or send an email to [email protected]. An intake form is available if you wish to apply online. After you’re accepted, you may be put on a wait list due to service limitations.
Areawide Aging Agency
What You Should Know
The AAA offers an aging helpline for seniors in need of financial aid to cover emergency expenditures and meet basic needs. It also runs a transportation program and provides caregiver respite vouchers. Additionally, the AAA gives seniors and other parties information on additional resources that may be of use through its Information & Assistance Program.
Who Is Eligible?
Generally speaking, the AAA works with older adults and their loved ones and caregivers. Specific eligibility requirements vary from program to program; for instance, the transportation program has a minimum age of 60, and clients must lack other access to transportation. For financial aid, income eligibility guidelines are in place, and the AAA reviews applications with those and other program requirements in mind. To learn more about eligibility for these and additional AAA offerings, contact the organization.
How to Get Started
You can reach the AAA online or by calling (405) 942-8500.
Residential Grant and Loan Programs
What You Should Know
Oklahoma City oversees several programs that may help older homeowners keep their dwellings in good repair. One, known as Special Assistance for the Eligible, is specifically meant for seniors and those with disabilities, and it offers loans forgivable after five years or in other special circumstances. Meanwhile, the General Repayment Program facilitates interest-free loans with payment schedules based on the applicant’s resources.
Additionally, the Home Exterior Maintenance Program can help if your home is in need of repairs to bring it into compliance with city codes. The Emergency Home Repair offering may be of interest if your home needs wheelchair ramps, carpentry work, roof replacements or other critical improvements.
Who Is Eligible?
All of the programs have income limitations, which are tied to household size. Beyond that, each program has additional guidelines. Notably, Special Assistance for the Eligible has a minimum age of 62. Homes located in 100-year floodplains are not eligible for the Home Exterior Maintenance Program or aid through the General Repayment or Special Assistance for the Eligible programs.
How to Get Started
If you want to learn more about the city’s housing rehabilitation services, you can call (405) 297-2846 or email [email protected]. The Oklahoma City Planning Department may be helpful as well, as it oversees such initiatives; its number is (405) 297-2406. Regarding the Emergency Home Repair offering, the point of contact is the Community Action Agency, reachable at (405) 232-0199, ext. 401.
Medicare Assistance Program
What You Should Know
The Medicare Assistance Program is made up of two subprograms: the Senior Medicare Patrol and the State Health Insurance Counseling Program. The SMP provides fraud-prevention education and bill monitoring for seniors. You can also learn how to read Medicare Summary Notices and look for inconsistencies from the SMP.
SHIP, meanwhile, is helpful if you want to learn about Medicare benefits and related matters, including long-term care, Medicaid, Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage. SHIP links callers with unbiased counselors, and advocacy is available through SHIP as well.
Who Is Eligible?
The programs focus on helping Oklahoma’s older adults, particularly Medicare and Medicaid recipients. Representatives of Medicare beneficiaries and individuals soon to be eligible may benefit from contacting SHIP and the SMP as well.
How to Get Started
You can reach a representative for more information on the SMP at and SHIP at (800) 763-2828.
Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs
What You Should Know
If you’re a senior who served in the military, the ODVA may be of use in several areas. This department can help you apply for state and federal benefits, with examples including disability claims, health care reimbursement and survivor and burial benefits. The organization has partnerships with various entities, including the state of Oklahoma.
Who Is Eligible?
The ODVA focuses its services on veterans who reside in Oklahoma. Its representatives can tell you more about eligibility requirements for specific benefits. They can also investigate your case to determine which programs and benefits are possible fits for you.
How to Get Started
The ODVA has an office at 2131 NE 36th Street in Oklahoma City. You can also reach the ODVA online or by calling its toll-free number, (855) 701-6382, or their local number, (405) 523-4000.