Independent Living in Oklahoma

Oklahoma Senior Care and Living Options

At no other time in American history have there been so many older adults living in this country. The sizable baby boomer generation entering their twilight years and breakthroughs in healthcare services and technology allowing people to live longer than ever before are the main reasons for this trend. Luckily, there are many Oklahoma senior living facilities to keep up with the growing demand for elder care.

What Makes Oklahoma Great?

Mostly located in the United States Interior Highland and the Great Plains, Oklahoma is a mid-sized state with about 3.9 million residents. The capital and largest city is Oklahoma City. The state gets its name from the Choctaw words meaning "red people." The Sooner State gets its nickname from the European settlers who staked claims to the land prior to it becoming available via the Indian Appropriations Act of 1889.

There are high rates of German, English, Native American, and Scotch-Irish ancestry in Oklahoma. Tulsa is home to the Philbrook Museum, which is a beautiful museum that is regarded as one of the top fine arts museums in the nation. The heritage of the American Western frontier is documented in the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

What Do Older Adults Like about Oklahoma?

Oklahoma has a large proportion of seniors with about fourteen percent of the state's residents aged 65 or older. The state has high tax rates. However, the cost of living is among the lowest in the country. Oklahomans spends sixteen percent less on average for goods and services than the rest of the nation. In fact, housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, health care, and other miscellaneous expenses are all cheaper here.

The three top hospitals in the state are all located in Oklahoma City. The premier hospital is INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, which is a non-profit hospital with more than 500 beds. They offer therapeutic, surgical, rehabilitative, and diagnostic services. The other two major hospitals in the city are OU Medical Center and St. Anthony Hospital.

Types of Senior Living in Oklahoma

Depending on the current and expected needs of retirees, there are many different forms of senior living in Oklahoma to pick from. Skilled nursing facilities, also known as nursing homes, are specifically designed for seniors with chronic or long term diseases and those who are convalescing. They offer room and board and are licensed by the state to provide around the clock nursing care. In addition, they supply access to rehabilitative therapies, including physical and occupational therapies, as well as care tailored to golden agers' needs.

Assisted living communities promote the involvement of family members and friends while maintaining a philosophy of encouraging dignity and freedom in aging. Seniors participate in social activities, get their own semi-private rooms or living units, and help with activities of daily life, such as bathing and medication management. Basically, assisted living communities give the best blend of onsite support and independence.

Adult day services, or adult day care centers, give retirees additional companionship and care when their primary caregivers have to be away from the house during the day for work or other purposes. Throughout the day, they offer general supervision, recreational activities, and health care.

The form of senior living in Oklahoma that allows for the most freedoms is independent living. Residents can participate in social activities that promote healthy living, get their own cottages or senior apartments, and have a broad range of services to choose from. These communities are for older adults who can mostly take care of themselves and are still quite mobile. But, congregate housing is a great independent living option for those who need extra help.

Since they supply all of the above kinds of Oklahoma senior living in one spot, continuing care retirement communities are the perfect alternative for golden agers who want a consistent experience as they age. Memory care, also referred to as Alzheimer's care, was created to give specialized treatment and safety measures to older adults with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other types of chronic memory loss.

Seniors Stay Active in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is committed to helping its older residents enhance their quality of life and wellbeing. This is why the state created eleven Area Agencies on Aging to offer free services to those who are 60 and over. With the low cost of living, the many attractions, and large older population, it has never been a better time to consider Oklahoma for senior living. There is something for everyone.