Seniors and their families choose Tulsa, Oklahoma, as their retirement haven due to its affordability, age-friendly environment, lively culture, and abundant senior care options. Many refer to senior care communities as nursing homes, but it’s not an all-encompassing term; there are several different types of senior care communities depending on your loved one’s needs:
A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with stand-alone skilled nursing facilities, but we do partner with 23 assisted living and memory care communities within a 10-mile radius of eastern Tulsa. This guide helps you and your loved one understand Tulsa’s senior care communities, related costs, ways to pay, relevant regulations, and more.
The Legend at Tulsa Hills has been an excellent facility for my mother. The facilities are clean, they have scheduled activities every day, and the staff genuinely cares about my mother.
What a very nice clean small all memory care facility wow smells amazing so clean staff are all super friendly residents are all happy smiling looks clean food smells awesome this has to be one of the BEST!...
The Legend is an assisted living facility. At some point greater assistance will be needed. Be prepared. The Legend worked with me however my mom's needs overwhelmed what could be provided. The Legend...
We have especially enjoyed the staff. The price point is also appealing. I would recommend to others, and have done so already.
All 5 stars! They truly become family. We chose The Stonehaven initially because of the size of the facility. Big enough to offer many different benefits but small enough to feel homey.
I'd say you have to look past that it hasn't been updated in a while. And look at how it is taken care of, cleanliness, grounds, etc. As far as the staff they all are very friendly and very caring. I would...
Some care staff avoid eye contact, most have a smile to share. Always clean and fresh clothes . The meals are very appropriate for their activity level and dietary needs. There are 3 activities offered each...
My loved one is currently a resident at Canoe Brook Assisted Living Catoosa and everything has been great for him at this facility so far. The staff is great and they care about their residents, they are...
We have been looking for a place for our mom for about 2 years. The first place we chose was a disappointment and we started another search. Then we found Aberdeen Heights! Now we feel confident that Mom is...
Our dad loves it there, but he needs so much care now there are things they will not do and the things they will do are all extra. It's quite an expense and thankfully the VA kicked in to help finally....
Mostly excellent memory care with staff with knowledge and skill in managing individuals with cognitive, language, and physical challenges. Family involved in care planning. Hospice services available if...
They were very friendly, knew who we were, made sure our questioned got answered. Administrative was sometimes slower than expected with answers, but we got them. I would recommend Heatheridge Assisted...
We have been very happy with The Parke Assisted Living community. What is really important for us is that our loved one is very happy and is well cared for. Based on the experience we have had so far we...
We are Very Happy with Brookdale in Broken Arrow They are treating my mother so good!!! The home be a little run down but the Care is Wonderful. Attitude of the nurses, LPN's & staff are Good & they are...
We have a great cleaning lady. All the staff are friendly, except for one and she's warming up to me. The quality of care - it's very good. For meals, we are served the heavy meal at lunch and the light...
The people at “A Place for Mom” did an amazing job helping me and my father find a place for my grandmother that met her special circumstances. Beehive assisted-living turned out to be the perfect place for...
Friendliness of staff is 5. They are very nice and seem happy to be there. Overall experience 3. Cedar Ridge is short staffed and in a year there have been 3 different activity directors come and...
It has been good but moving my mother from an assisted living facility to a memory care facility has its challenges. It seemed to us from our tour and interviews of the staff that it was the best for my...
It is very clean. The Employees are very friendly, and gives excellent care. The meals could be changed a little. They serve too much Chicken and pasta. The residents don't eat or get tired of eating the...
We absolutely love where daddy is at. The only complaint I could have, it is very hard to get in and out of his memory care unit on evenings and weekends. Many times it takes a long while to get in and...
I am very pleased with this facility and the care they are giving [name removed] and meeting his needs. I think the staff always has the time to listen to me and respond to my questions. I think they should...
This seems like to be a good place. The food, administrative staff, the cleanliness, and friendliness all stand out to me about the community. Some of the activities available include bingo, exercising,...
I was very pleased with the attitude of all of the workers. Everyone was friendly respectful and seem to have a helpful attitude. Mini were willing to go the extra mile to see that I had what I needed. There...
My father-in-law was a resident at Saint Simeon’s Memory Center in the late 90s. The care and compassion he received was exceptional. Three years ago when my mother-in-law needed assisted living care,...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Tulsa community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
Senior care community costs vary depending on the type of care needed, add-on fees, location, and floor plan. For example, a semi-private room in a Tulsa skilled nursing facility or nursing home averages $5,323 a month, and a private room $6,971. Tulsa nursing home prices are significantly lower than the national average; both semi-private and private rooms are at least $2,000 less monthly than the national average.[01]
Nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities are typically more expensive than assisted living and memory care communities because they provide a higher level of care and usually include the following:
Assessing your loved one’s finances can help you decide how to pay for senior care. Tulsa seniors and their families can use a combination of personal assets and public benefits to pay for senior care. Public assistance may include veterans benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid, depending on a senior’s eligibility. This section walks you through the different ways to pay for nursing homes, assisted living, or memory care costs.
Most families assess available personal income first. Personal assets include savings, pensions, and investment returns. Plus, the options below are often used to help offset the costs of a senior care community.
Number of veterans who live in Tulsa
About 24% of Tulsa veterans are 75+.
Yes, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a wide range of benefits that can help offset senior care costs. Most veterans find the Aid and Attendance benefit to offer the most substantial payment, especially since this is added on top of Veterans Pensions payments.
Keep in mind there are various eligibility requirements for different types of benefits. However, the VA has an extensive list of service-related disabilities that qualify disabled veterans for several benefits. Many veterans qualify for benefits they didn’t expect, so reach out to local benefits assistance to ensure your loved one accesses all the benefits they’re eligible for.
You or your loved one can contact several resources in Tulsa for benefits counseling, help with the application process, and appealing denied claims. Both nonprofit veterans service organizations (VSOs) and the VA regional benefit office offer this assistance.
Below we list some of the many VSOs in Tulsa, but you can find more Oklahoma resources on the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission website. Additionally, Oklahoma provides a veterans assistance locator — VALOR or OKVALOR — to help find local resources, such as VSOs. This system can be confusing, so follow our step-by-step guide on how to use OKVALOR:
The FEATURES tab provides additional guidance for OKVALOR. There is a location on the main page to enter an address, but it may produce confusing results or errors if it’s not an address to a veterans-related resource. Another veteran benefits assistance search engine is provided by the nonprofit organization Tulsa Area United Way, which manages Eastern Oklahoma’s 24-hour 2-1-1 service.
Resources for Tulsa veterans
Chief of Intergovernmental Relations and Veterans Liaison: Jed Cochran
175 E. Second St., Suite 15-048
Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: 918-596-7485
Email: jcochran@cityoftulsa.org
Muskogee VA Regional Benefit Office
125 S. Main St.
Muskogee, OK 74401
Phone: 800-827-1000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
JE “Jim” Bracy Chapter 32
3131 E. Pine St.
Tulsa, OK 74110
Phone: 918-834-4643
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Post 577
1109 E. Sixth St.
Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone: 918-585-9148
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Vietnam Veterans of America
Chapter #524
12407 E. 13th Place
Tulsa, OK 74128
Phone: 918-437-7507
Email: bbstacker31@aol.com
Oklahoma’s state health insurance program — SoonerCare — provides health care coverage to eligible seniors with limited income. SoonerCare can be used to help cover Medicaid-contracted skilled nursing home care. However, a physician must prescribe a treatment plan for a senior to be eligible for this coverage. Additionally, a senior must undergo an assessment that deems they meet the following requirements:[04]
SoonerCare doesn’t cover room and board costs for senior care facilities like assisted living and memory care. However, home and community based services waivers (HCBS) like the ADvantage waiver program can help cover health care services provided in a residential community. The ADvantage waiver program helps cover several related senior care services, including, but not limited to, the following:
Seniors must meet specific criteria to qualify for ADvantage. If your loved one doesn’t meet all the requirements, they can find additional Medicaid- or Medicare-related programs through the Community Living, Aging, and Protective Services (CAP).
Local resources are available to help you and your loved one understand Medicaid benefits and the application process. It’s essential to get support from resources like the Social Security Administration, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, or area agency on aging offices to ensure your loved one receives all the help they can get. You can ask additional questions and get help from the Northeastern Oklahoma community resource line managed by nonprofit Tulsa Area United Way. Check out below for more information on all these resources.
Tulsa resident Medicaid resources
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
201 W. Fifth St.
Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: 405-522-5050
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
INCOG Area Agency on Aging
2 W. Second St., Suite 800
Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: 918-584-7526
Fax: 918-583-1024
Email: incog@incog.org
Area agency on aging senior information line
Tulsa Phone: 918-579-9477
Statewide Phone: 800-211-2116
Tulsa community resource line
Call 2-1-1 or 877-836-2111
Text “HELP” to 877-836-2111
Medicare provides health care coverage to eligible seniors over 65 and individuals with disabilities. Depending on the plan, this federal program helps cover various beneficial medical expenses.
Medicare may cover the first 100 days of a nursing home stay in a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility. However, the skilled nursing coverage changes throughout the stay:
Short-term skilled nursing home coverage may include the following services:
Unlike nursing homes, Medicare doesn’t cover room and board costs in an assisted living or memory care community. Medicare recipients may be able to use Medicare coverage to help offset medical expenses like hospital or rehabilitation care.
Oklahoma’s Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) can help low-income Medicare recipients receive financial assistance with premiums through programs like the following:
Another beneficial program is the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). The dual Medicaid and Medicare program helps seniors 55+ access affordable health care services, such as:
Like other benefits, Tulsa provides local support to help seniors and their families with benefits counseling and application walk-throughs. Below we offer information on some helpful resources in Tulsa, like the Social Security Administration office, the Area Agency on Aging, and Tulsa Area United Way’s Oklahoma 2-1-1 community resource line.
The Senior Health Insurance Counseling Program also specializes in guiding retirees through Medicare benefits. Oklahoma’s long-term care ombudsman also works to protect the rights of seniors, and can be a helpful resource.
Tulsa resident Medicare resources
Tulsa Social Security office
14002 East 21st Street
Tulsa, OK 74134
Phone: 866-931-7106
TTY Phone: 800-325-0778
Fax: 833-950-3007
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
2 W. Second St., Suite 800
Tulsa, OK 74103
Phone: 918-584-7526
Fax: 918-583-1024
Email: incog@incog.org
Area agency on aging senior information line
Tulsa Phone: 918-579-9477
Statewide Phone: 800-211-2116
Current long-term care ombudsman contact
Name: Bill Whited
Phone: 405-521-2281
Fax: 405-522-6739
General information and assistance for seniors
Phone: 800-211-2116
Local MIPPA coordinator
Name: Casey Jones
Phone: 918-579-9477
Email: cjones@incog.org
In Tulsa, the Oklahoma Department of Health (OSDH) licenses all senior care facilities — nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care communities. Additionally, all Oklahoma senior care communities must undergo certain inspections.
If the facility has any deficiencies, it must create a plan of correction within 10 business days of receiving notice of a violation.[05,06]
To find out if a facility has a reported deficiency or any other detailed information, you and your loved one can visit the OSDH Long Term Care Provider Survey/Inspection Search. However, finding inspection reports and licenses can be difficult, so follow our step-by-step guide:
Read on to learn about some of the different regulations for Oklahoma nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care facilities.
Oklahoma skilled nursing facilities must meet specific facility and staffing requirements to help ensure your loved one receives the best care in a safe environment.
For example, skilled nursing homes must limit the number of residents sharing a bedroom and bathroom. At most, four seniors can share a room, and up to four residents can use the same bathroom. Bedrooms must have at least one clothes rod, adjustable shelf, wardrobe, locker, and closet.[05] These requirements change for public areas providing additional services like dining. Check out the Nursing and Specialized Facilities guidelines for further information on these additional requirements.
Since skilled nursing facilities provide 24-hour medical care, Oklahoma requires the following nursing home staff:[05]
Oklahoma assisted living and memory care facilities’ laws differ slightly from nursing homes.
While assisted living and memory care communities aren’t required to offer private units, they cannot allow more than two residents per bedroom. Therefore, many of our partner facilities still offer private and/or semi-private options. Additionally, these units are allowed to be personalized by furnishings and belongings brought by seniors.[06]
Staffing requirements are less extensive for assisted living and memory care facilities, and they’re only obligated to staff the following specialists:[06]
Additionally, assisted living and memory care communities are required to provide a certain number of staff members on campus around the clock:
Direct care staff members who work 1-1 with residents must receive first-aid and CPR training. Caregivers in specialized memory care units must also receive specialized training.[06]
Since Oklahoma’s public health emergency for COVID-19 ended in May 2021, Tulsa hasn’t enforced any COVID-19 restrictions.[07] As COVID-19 continues to change, the Oklahoma Department of Health (OSDH) still recommends following current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocols.
Keep in mind senior care facilities may implement their own COVID-19 restrictions, so ask any potential community about their COVID-19 policies. While facilities cannot eliminate visitation by state law, they can limit visiting hours for up to 72 hours according to the community’s emergency-preparedness plan.[08]
With a plethora of senior care communities in Tulsa, we’ve created a guide to what type of service, amenities, and activities you’ll find in nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care communities. Learn more about how each type of senior care community differs.
A majority of our senior care partners in Tulsa offer multiple care types — independent living, assisted living, and/or memory care — on the same campus.[02] Communities with multiple care types can help your loved one age in place should their needs change.
Additionally, these facilities especially benefit senior couples with different care needs. In fact, some senior care communities even offer suites designated for couples. However, not all facilities allow couples to live in the same room if their care needs differ, so you or your loved one should ask about options for couples. While most of our assisted living and memory care partners don’t offer on-site skilled nursing care, some facilities in Tulsa still provide this type of care on similar campuses.
Seniors needing advanced 24/7 medical care, but who don’t require hospital supervision, may benefit from a skilled nursing facility in Tulsa. Nursing homes in Tulsa are equipped to handle post-acute care or long-term skilled nursing care with the following medical services:
Like other senior care communities, many of these facilities also offer access to amenities, like wellness spas and activities or special programs. While A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with nursing homes, some of our partner assisted living and memory care communities offer skilled nursing services on-site.
If your loved one doesn’t need 24/7 medical attention and only needs help with activities of daily living, assisted living may be a cheaper and better option for their needs. Assisted living communities in Tulsa help keep senior residents safe while encouraging a fulfilling lifestyle.
With 24-hour caregiver oversight, seniors in assisted living have access to various services in assisted living, such as the following:
Many assisted living communities also offer nursing services, providing a care option closer to skilled nursing care. This often includes services like those listed below:[02]
Seniors in Tulsa assisted living have access to various amenities to boost their quality of life:
All our assisted living partners in Tulsa help your loved one live an enriching life with on-site activities, such as:
Know where to start.
Identify the right care for your loved one with our free assessment.
See what you can afford.
Understand cost and payment for long-term care based on your loved one's needs.
Find top facilities for you.
Free, personalized guidance from our Senior Living Advisors can help you narrow your search.
Tour your favorite facilities.
Our free touring checklist can help you choose the right community.
Number of seniors over the age of 65 living in Tulsa as of 2021
About 15% of seniors in Tulsa are 65 and older
88% of seniors 65 and older in Tulsa receive Social Security income
With the best hospitals in Oklahoma based in Tulsa, your loved one will have access to top-notch care. Not to mention, many of these health care systems specialize in senior care services. Below are some of the distinguished hospitals in Tulsa.
Saint Francis Hospital is the highest-rated hospital in Oklahoma, according to U.S. News and World Report’s Best Hospitals list. Here, your loved one will find top-notch care for strokes provided at the hospital’s designated Comprehensive Stroke Center. The health care system also offers specialized care for older adults at the Senior Specialty Unit.
The second-best hospital in Tulsa and Oklahoma is Ascension St. John Medical Center, according to U.S. News and World Report. Here, seniors and families receive award-winning care, including for stroke treatments and its age-friendly environment.
Another distinguished hospital in Tulsa is Hillcrest Medical Center. While a smaller health care system, it still receives high ratings for stoke treatments in its Det Norske Veritas (DNV) Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center — Oklahoma Stroke and Neurological Institute.
Every A Place for Mom assisted living and memory care partner in Tulsa provides on-site transportation services.[02] This is the safest option for senior residents, but other safe alternatives like SoonerRide for SoonerCare recipients or the local ADA-paratransit service Lift Paratransit exist.
Visiting family members and friends can also find local public transportation options through Tulsa Transit:
Visitors can find additional information on ways to get around Tulsa without a car on the City of Tulsa transportation webpage.
Historical heritage, artsy culture, foodie culture, and outdoor areas are just a few of the many activities you and your loved one could enjoy together. Many senior care facilities schedule outings to performing arts shows, museums, and outdoor areas. However, these are wonderful options to enjoy for seniors and their visiting loved ones. Read on to learn about the endless options for entertainment.
You can also find even more activities through the Travel Oklahoma Tulsa or the Visit Tulsa webpages.
Most senior care communities offer excursions to the outdoors so seniors aren’t cooped up in the facility. Luckily, Tulsa provides many options for outdoorsy seniors and their visiting loved ones. The area is colloquially called Green County, thanks to its endless outdoor exploration opportunities. One of the best and most accessible options for seniors is the ADA-compliant park: Gathering Place. While this is a popular park, the area also offers other accessible options like parks, the Tulsa Zoo, and the Tulsa Botanical Garden.
Tulsa features a fantastic artsy culture with districts dedicated to architecture and the arts. Tulsa is known for art deco architecture, with Tulsa’s Deco District offering some of the most popular sightseeing opportunities with buildings like the following:
Similarly, Tulsa is home to an Arts District occupied by several galleries and art museums.
Some of Tulsa’s most famous art museums offer accessible features, such as the Philbrook Museum of Art and Gilcrease Museum.
You and your loved one can also enjoy performance arts and entertainment in Tulsa. One of the most accessible options is at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center (TPAC), which features the following accommodations:
Additionally, seniors can enjoy concerts or indoor sporting events at the accessible BOK Center, where wheelchair escorts are also available.
Loaded with historical heritage, Tulsa documents its past through monuments and museums throughout the city. You and your loved one can learn more about local history and industry through the area’s variety of museums:
Note: Many museums offer senior discounts and possible accessibility features, so ask about specific accommodations before your visit.
Seniors and their visiting family members can find endless food options throughout Tulsa. As a state known for its abundant farmlands and beef cattle, Tulsa has access to locally-sourced meat products. As a result, some of the most popular restaurants in Tulsa are steakhouses or barbeque joints. While the area is known for being a fantastic option for meat lovers, Tulsa offers an array of restaurants.
Legend at Tulsa Hills, Known Memory Care at Tulsa and The Courtyards at Claremore Assisted Living Memory Care are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Tulsa, OK. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Tulsa is $4,907 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Tulsa city; Oklahoma. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Services in a Nursing Facility (NF), Oklahoma Health Care Authority Oklahoma Administrative Code § 317:35-19-3 (rev. 2012, June 25).
Nursing and Specialized Facilities. 63 Oklahoma State Department of Health §§ 1-104 and 1-1901. (1991, Dec. 31).
Continuum of Care and Assisted Living. 63 Oklahoma State Department of Health § 1-890.1. (1997).
Oklahoma State Department of Health. (2021, June 22). Corbett visitation guidance.
Oklahoma Legislature. (2021, April 21). House Bill No. 2566.
U.S. News and World Report. Best hospitals in Tulsa, OK.
Donovan, L. (2023, June 5). Personal communication [Phone interview].
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Tulsa city; Oklahoma. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Services in a Nursing Facility (NF), Oklahoma Health Care Authority Oklahoma Administrative Code § 317:35-19-3 (rev. 2012, June 25).
Nursing and Specialized Facilities. 63 Oklahoma State Department of Health §§ 1-104 and 1-1901. (1991, Dec. 31).
Continuum of Care and Assisted Living. 63 Oklahoma State Department of Health § 1-890.1. (1997).
Oklahoma State Department of Health. (2021, June 22). Corbett visitation guidance.
Oklahoma Legislature. (2021, April 21). House Bill No. 2566.
U.S. News and World Report. Best hospitals in Tulsa, OK.
Donovan, L. (2023, June 5). Personal communication [Phone interview].