10 Best Independent Living Communities in St Louis, MO

Independent living isn’t classified as a type of senior care; because of this, seniors can’t use funding methods like Medicaid and Medicare to cover the housing costs associated with independent living.

Seniors commonly combine various income streams like retirement savings, social security benefits, and VA benefits to offset housing and medical costs for independent living. In this section, you’ll learn how these methods, as well as other private pay options and public assistance, can be used to fund a move into an independent living community.

Because independent living apartments aren’t classified as long-term care facilities, they don’t have the same licensing requirements that communities like assisted living or memory care need to adhere to. There are, however, state and federal laws communities need to abide by:

• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires independent living communities to be accessible and make reasonable accommodations when requested. It also prohibits discrimination from disability.
• The Fair Housing Act prohibits rental discrimination from disability, sex, race, and familial status. The Housing for Older Persons exemption also ensures that approved housing can only be rented by those over the age of 55.
• Renters in Missouri are also protected under the Landlord-Tenant Law, which protects renters from code violations and requires landlords to maintain safe housing standards.

However, if an independent living facility is part of a combined community with assisted living or memory care, for example, there will be additional licensing required due to these communities being classified as long-term care facilities. In this case, the Department of Health and Senior Services requires annual inspections and regular staff training. This document outlines the minimum requirements of assisted living and residential care facilities. To find inspection reports for assisted living facilities, search here.

Missouri Department of Health contact information

St. Louis Department of Health
1520 Market St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
Phone: 314-657-1528
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for St. Louis independent living communities

There are no COVID-19 mandates for independent living communities However, the St. Louis Department of Health recommends people follow best practices based on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance and provides some recommendations that are in line with the CDC.

Independent living is a wonderful way to enjoy retirement without the stress of household errands. Expect to see communities that provide activities and social outings, prepared meals, transportation, as well as housekeeping and maintenance. Independent living typically doesn’t offer personal care services, making it ideal for people who are active and healthy but want the convenience of living within these communities.

More time for joy

In an independent living community, most tasks related to home upkeep — like landscaping, and home maintenance — are covered in the costs of independent living. This leaves more time to spend on hobbies and activities you enjoy, with many independent living communities having amenities like a golf course, pool, clubhouse, and tennis center.

Care to suit your future needs

For those thinking about future care needs, it’s important to note that many independent living communities are part of more extensive care communities. For example, only four independent living communities we partner with in St. Louis are standalone; one is combined with an assisted living facility, and three are combined with an assisted living and memory care facility. These combination communities make transitioning according to care needs smoother and less stressful than moving to a new standalone facility.

Independent living in the surrounding St. Louis suburbs

Beyond the 10-mile radius of downtown St. Louis, there are an additional 32 communities we partner with offering independent living within a 25-mile radius of the city center. Eleven are standalone facilities, while the rest are part of larger care communities and living facilities, including assisted living, memory care, and senior apartments.

Getting around St. Louis has been made easy by our partner independent living communities because they all offer complimentary transportation. But there are certainly other ways to get around, too.

While some neighborhoods in St. Louis are very walkable with a walk score of 66 out of 100^[07], most people use cars to get around the city easily. The higher the walk score, the easier it is for people to walk around the city.

St. Louis’ public transport is called the Metro system, which offers several different transport options, including buses and trains. All Metro transit is accessible; MetroBus has lifts and ramps and is equipped with kneelers for people who need stairs. The MetroLink offers similar accommodations, floor-level entry and exit platforms, and ramps or elevators at all stations.^[08] Amtrak also offers accessible seating, but reservations must be made in advance.^[09]

For those unable to use public transportation, the Metro system and several St. Louis organizations offer transportation for seniors and those with disabilities.

• Metro’s Call-A-Ride program offers curb-to-curb transport for those with physical or cognitive disabilities.
• City Seniors provides transportation to people 60+ for medical appointments, banking appointments, and other errands.
• Seniors on the Fly offers a number of personal assistance transportation services in the St. Louis metro area.
• The City of St. Louis has free transportation to SLAAA senior centers and for non-emergency medical transportation.

For the best views of St. Louis, there’s no better place to see the city than the St. Louis Arch Grounds and Museum. Reaching 630 feet in the air, you can see the U.S.’s tallest monument from the ground or take the tram to the very top. Another great spot for great views (and sports lovers) is Busch Stadium. The stadium hosts regular Cardinals baseball games and also features accessible seating.

Another iconic part of St. Louis’ history worth visiting is the Anheuser-Busch brewery, home to the oldest Budweiser brewery. Here you can explore the old caves where beer was traditionally stored while learning about the brewing traditions that make this brand what it is today.

Theater lovers, particularly those who love Broadway, will enjoy spending an evening at The Fabulous Fox or The Muny. Both theaters have regular shows and are extremely accessible, offering accessible seating, listening, and communication aids.

If you like spending time outside, Tower Grove Park and its surrounding neighborhood are a wonderful way to spend the day. Spread across 289 acres; it’s the largest and best preserved 19th Century Gardenesque park in the United States.^[10] Beyond the park, wander through the local boutique stores or sip coffee at one of the many cafes in the area.

Art lovers also have plenty to do. The St. Louis Art Museum has a variety of art on display — from Monet watercolors to Ming Dynasty textiles — and is wheelchair accessible. For some local flavor, the Missouri History Museum and Soldiers Memorial have short- and long-term exhibitions that delve into the history of St. Louis.

For people interested in staying active in the community and making new friends, the following senior centers have various programming and supportive services:

• St. Louis Activity Center
• St. Louis Jewish Community Center
• Five Star Senior Center
• City Seniors Inc.
• Urban League PATCH Center
• Macklind International Senior
• Northside Senior Center
• Southside Wellness Center
• Wesley House Senior Center