10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Oklahoma City, OK

Seniors and their families can use private and public funds to pay for assisted living in Oklahoma City. When deciding how to pay, families usually start by looking at their loved one’s private income sources. Then, they determine what benefits their loved one may qualify for and whether they can help cover assisted living costs.

Here, we guide you through potential payment options with information on private pay, veterans benefits, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Seniors and their families can rest easy knowing Oklahoma implemented regulations for assisted living facilities to ensure residents receive the care they need in a safe environment. OKC communities are licensed as either assisted living centers or residential care homes. An assisted living center is a community that offers personal care services to two or more people, while residential care homes provide supportive assistance in a residential setting to those who are ambulatory (i.e. can walk around) and able to manage their personal affairs.^[03,04]

The community must meet current building codes, State Fire Marshal rules, and local fire safety requirements to obtain an assisted living center license. Oklahoma inspects assisted living facilities annually to ensure they meet current standards.^[03] Inspection reports are available on the Oklahoma State Department of Health (ODSH) Long Term Care Provider Survey/Inspection Search. This search engine can be difficult to navigate, so we’ve created a step-by-step guide on how to find the detailed inspection reports for assisted living centers and residential care homes:

• First, go to the OSDH Long Term Care Provider Survey/Inspection Search.
• In the top left hand corner there are three drop down bars — home, search, and contact us — hover over “Search” to see a drop down list of options. Then, click “assisted living centers” or “residential care homes.”
• You will be redirected to a search page. There you can search by facility, city, county, or zip code. Decide how you would like to search for a community and then click on the correlated search bar. After you find your location or facility, click “search.”
• Next, a list of facilities or care homes will load and you can click on any that you would like to learn more about.
• After clicking on a community, you will see detailed information about the facility and a list of documents.
• Depending on what you would like to view, click on survey documents or licenses. We recommend looking at the most recent survey documents for details on applicable complaints investigations, deficiencies, and plans of corrections.

How do facility requirements protect residents?

Assisted living facilities have few building regulations. For example, assisted living facilities are not required to have private units. However, residents won’t have to share private areas with too many other residents with state regulations like those listed below:^[03]

• More than two residents cannot share a bedroom.
• More than four residents cannot share a bathroom.

Facilities also prioritize residents’ privacy by allowing lockable doors in their unit. Additionally, seniors can feel at home thanks to being able to have personal furnishings in their living space.

What are the staffing requirements for assisted living facilities?

Assisted living communities must have adequate staffing to meet the needs of every resident. Meaning the community must provide or arrange staffing such as the following:

• Nurses
• Qualified staff to administer medications
• An administrator responsible for the facility
• A licensed dietician or qualified nutritionist

To help ensure residents’ safety, direct care staff members must have first-aid and CPR training. Oklahoma also requires assisted living communities to have at least two staff members awake and on duty at all times. Additionally, at least one direct staff member must be available 24/7 to limit access to areas outside the unit.^[03]

What types of care can assisted living facilities provide?

Assisted living facilities in Oklahoma are permitted to provide numerous care services. This may include the following types of care services:^[03]

• Personal care
• Nursing supervision
• Intermittent nursing care
• Medication administration under a physician’s orders
• Assistance with transfers
• Social activities
• Meals
• Housekeeping
• Laundry services
• Assistance with cognitive care
• Services for seniors with dementia

What are your loved one’s rights in assisted living communities?

Before moving into an assisted living facility, a senior should receive a complete contract with information on the following procedures:

• Admission criteria
• Discharge criteria
• Services provided in the community
• Procedures for dispute resolution and grievances
• Contract term
• Renewal process
• Cancellation provisions
• Conformity with state law

To help ensure your loved one receives the best care, assisted living communities can’t admit seniors who need more services than the facility can provide. Oklahoma requires community health professionals to identify whether a senior will receive the care they need in the facility. Then, the on-site health care professional must create a care plan after consulting with the senior.^[03]

How are residential care homes different from assisted living centers?

Residential care homes must have a sufficient amount of staff members with the following on staff:

• One administrator responsible for the home
• At least one person in charge of the home at all times
• At least one staff member trained in first-aid and CPR available at all times

Additionally, staff members should be available for at least 45 minutes daily per resident.

The home requirements differ from assisted living centers since it allows more residents per area. For example, there must be a bathroom for every six residents, and for every 10 residents, there must be at least one tub or shower.^[05]

Note: These regulations may change for residential care homes for three or fewer residents. However, all of our residential care home partners offer care to five residents in a home, so this is not applicable for our partners.

COVID-19 regulations for Oklahoma City assisted living facilities

The governor terminated the public health emergency for COVID-19 in May 2021, which ended all COVID-19 restrictions.^[05] However, assisted living facilities may have their own COVID-19 policies. So it’s important to ask a facility about their specific COVID-19 guidelines. Oklahoma prohibits long-term care facilities from eliminating visitation, but temporary suspension of visitation rights is allowed for up to 72 hours based on emergency-preparedness plans.^[06]

For all other COVID-19 regulations, the Oklahoma Department of Health (ODOH) recommends following current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

In OKC assisted living communities, your loved one can live a pleasant lifestyle while receiving quality care in a safe environment. The area has a wide range of assisted living communities, from stand-alone facilities to those that provide a continuum of care. Read on to learn what your loved one will experience in an Oklahoma City assisted living community.

What are the different types of assisted living facilities in OKC?

Oklahoma City has various assisted living facilities with stand-alone options, communities with a continuum of care services, and residential care homes.

Assisted living with advanced care services

Most of our assisted living partners (75%) enable seniors to age in place with independent living and/or memory care services available on the same campus. This way, those in independent living who grow to need more assistance can access care services. And if your loved one ever develops dementia, they can continue living on the same campus, but typically in another area.

Stand-alone assisted living

A Place for Mom has only three stand-alone assisted living partners in OKC.^[01] There are only slight differences between stand-alone communities and those providing a continuum of care. For example, stand-alone assisted living facilities in Oklahoma City are more homelike than communities with more advanced care. Comparatively, stand-alone communities don’t exceed one-bedroom units, while those with advanced care services sometimes offer two-bedroom units.

Residential care homes

Residential care homes differ the most between the various types of communities. These communities are in single-family homes, so they are the homiest and coziest assisted living option in OKC. These also provide a higher caregiver-to-staff ratio since they limit the number of residents. That being said, A Place for Mom only partners with two assisted living residential care homes.^[01]

Will my loved one be safe in OKC assisted living?

Assisted living communities not only help your loved one with activities of daily living but also work to keep them safe in a secure living environment. Approximately 85% of our OKC assisted living partners have secured entrances and exits to help ensure your loved one’s safety.^[01] You can also rest easy knowing many OKC assisted living facilities have emergency call systems, so your loved one will receive immediate care in case of an emergency.

Being located in tornado alley and as one of the states with the most tornadoes annually, Oklahoma assisted living faces additional safety concerns. Many senior living facilities have storm shelters to help protect your loved one during weather emergencies.

How will my loved one be cared for in assisted living?

Assisted living partners in OKC add to the typical services with extra health care services. Residents can find specialized care in OKC assisted living with almost all — 95% — of our partners having visiting medical professionals, including the following:

• Nurses
• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists
• Speech therapists
• Podiatrists

Additionally, all of our partners provide diabetic care, and a majority have hospice care services.^[01]

How does assisted living help my loved one continue living a fulfilling life?

Thanks to on-site activities and amenities, your loved one can continue living a fulfilling life at our partner communities. Approximately 80% of our assisted living partners hire an activity director to organize activities. All our partners help ensure your loved one enjoys their stay and provide the following types of on-site activity options:^[01]

• Devotional activities
• Arts and crafts classes
• Cooking classes
• Trivia games
• Live musical performances
• Happy hours and holiday parties
• Educational speakers and lifelong learning opportunities
• (Chair) yoga

Residents can also enjoy on-site amenities, such as those listed below:

• Libraries
• TV lounges
• Beauty salons
• Arts and crafts centers
• Walking paths
• Enclosed courtyards
• Game rooms

Health care for seniors in Oklahoma City

Seniors and their families can access quality hospitals with specialized care in Oklahoma City. Below are a few health care systems in OKC recommended by patients.

Transportation for seniors in Oklahoma City

All of our Oklahoma City assisted living partners provide on-site transportation services.^[01] A majority of these are complimentary, but a handful of partners require an additional fee for rides that are not prescheduled. Either way, senior living transportation services are the safest options for residents.

Public transportation options

Outside of the community’s transportation options, OKC has safe alternatives for eligible seniors. SoonerCare recipients may be eligible for transportation services through SoonerRide. Otherwise, people with a physical or cognitive disability may be eligible to use Oklahoma City’s shared-ride public paratransit service, EMBARK Plus.

Visiting family members, friends, and loved ones also have access to a variety of local public transportation options:

• OKC’s local buses have several routes and schedules, but most run Monday through Sunday.
• The OKC Streetcar is ADA-accessible with low platforms. It has a total of 22 stops that are split between two streetcars. One streetcar travels downtown daily, while the other is available on weekends in Bricktown. Note: If you’re 65+ or have a disability, ask about reduced rates.
• The Oklahoma River Cruises have five landings in OKC, including Bricktown, Regatta Park, Stockyards, Exchange, and Meridian.

With these public transportation options, the downtown area is easily accessible, with a Walk Score of 72 out of 100. However, the greater city is still difficult to get around, so the city’s complete scores lower to the following:^[08]

Senior activities in Oklahoma City

The large metropolis has a wide range of senior-friendly activities, with many including wheelchair-accessible options. Read on to learn more about what you can experience in Oklahoma City.

Shopping around OKC

Whether you’re looking for souvenirs or a bit of retail therapy, OKC is full of shopping galore. Oklahoma City is the home to the only outlet center in the state. OKC Outlets has over 85 stores for you and your loved one to explore. You can find also find local boutiques, restaurants, galleries, and events all in one place at the 16th Street Plaza District. Oklahoma City also has plenty of shopping malls and centers, including but not limited to the following:

• Penn Square Mall
• Quail Springs Mall
• Spring Creek Plaza
• The Paseo Arts District

Local restaurants

Oklahoma is known for its meat-loving culture, with Sooner Steak, country-fried steak, and barbeque being extremely popular. Since Oklahoma has abundant beef cattle, locally sourced beef, called Sooner Steak, is common. It’s also customary to try local barbeque joints in any Southern state, so OKC visitors and locals should definitely try the hearty barbeque options.

If meat’s not your thing, OKC offers a wide range of restaurants to explore.

Stockyards City

Whether you’re a visiting family member or a local senior resident, Stockyards City is a must-see in Oklahoma City. The area showcases OKC’s cowboy culture, with livestock walking the streets and local businesses lining the sidewalks. You’ll find local restaurants, shopping, and music throughout the area. Plus, the well-known music venue, Oklahoma Opry, is located in Stockyards City.

Music venues

You and your loved one can enjoy a variety of music venues, as Oklahoma City is home to country music stars and many other music lovers. Below are a couple of the best-known music venues with accessible seating:

• Civic Center Music Hall: From opera to Broadway musicals to comedians, the Civic Center offers a variety of options for entertainment. Wheelchairs must be stored outside the theater, but ushers will return them to visitors during intermission and at the end of the performance. Patrons may also be able to get a courtesy wheelchair on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• The Zoo Amphitheatre: This venue offers a diverse range of entertainers to enjoy in a picturesque location. Patrons can find accessible seating on the lawn, so purchase a GA lawn ticket. If your loved one is in a wheelchair, they can sit on the nearby large deck.

Museums

Oklahoma City is home to numerous museums providing educational exhibits on various cultures, hobbies, and interests. Many of these museums also prioritize accessibility. For example, the following museums have free wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-serve basis:

• National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, known as ‘The Cowboy,’ is a well-known, wheelchair-accessible museum providing insight into the local cowboy culture.
• Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum is a wheelchair-accessible museum dedicated to the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in 1995. The outdoor memorial has few barriers for maximum accessibility.
• First Americans Museum Oklahoma: This museum features 39 different stories on the First American Nations. It helps those in wheelchairs navigate with a staff member guide through sensory-friendly areas that avoid bright lights and loud audio.
• Oklahoma City Museum of Art is a large art museum with various accessibility options, from OKCMOA Sensory Booster Packs for those with sensory issues to sighted guides for those with limited vision.
• Science Museum Oklahoma: A science museum with Oklahoma’s first dome-screen theater, it offers wheelchair reservations. Visitors can also reserve sensory kits.

Keep in mind, some accessible features may require reservations or prior notice. Many museums also offer senior discounts. Therefore, it’s important to ask museums about accessibility and discounts.

Sports stadiums

Oklahoma City locals fiercely support their sports teams, with the two primary teams offering accessible stadium seating. Oklahoma’s professional basketball team, Oklahoma City Thunder, plays at the wheelchair-accessible Paycom Center. Here, you or your loved one will have access to various accessible features, including those listed below:

• Accessible seating
• Wheelchair escorts
• Assistive listening devices
• Assisted drop-off at entrances closest to elevators
• Sensory inclusion room
• Service animals

Minor league baseball fans can enjoy watching the Dodgers in the ADA-accessible Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. This stadium has accessible seating options and elevators offering easy access.

Outdoor areas

While Oklahoma City is a bustling metropolis, it also provides a copious amount of outdoor opportunities. Here are a few of OKC’s outdoor spaces with accessible features:

• Scissortail Park is an ADA-accessible park spread across nearly 70 acres. The park has accessible features like parking, restrooms, pedal boats, pathways, and a limited amount of golf tours.
• All three OKC lakes — Lake Hefner, Lake Overholser, and Lake Stanley Draper — have accessible fishing areas available year-round.
• Oklahoma City Zoo: The zoo is wheelchair-accessible, with wheelchair rentals available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Or, you and your loved one can rent an electric convenience vehicle to get around the 130-acre zoo.
• Myriad Botanical Gardens is the local 15-acre botanical garden with a conservatory. Some areas have accessible paths. Remember to ask about possible discounts for seniors or veterans. However, the outdoor grounds are free to enter.