Long-Term Care

Choosing the Right Care

A person may choose to receive care and services in his or her own home or in a nursing home setting. Another care option, known as consumer-directed care, empowers people to hire a personal attendant to help them with activities of daily living.

Nursing Homes and Other Residential Care Settings

Long-term care facilities provide different levels of care depending upon a person’s needs. The department inspects each home, at least, annually to ensure residents are receiving the proper care. Inspectors also investigate complaints at nursing homes as often as necessary to ensure residents’ health and safety. To view nursing home inspection reports, click here.

For information on different kinds of residential care facilities, check out licensing and certification.

The law requires specific training for nursing home employees who provide care to older and disabled people. These employees include certified nurse assistants, certified medication technicians, and restorative nurse assistants.

Directories

Looking for a nursing home or assisted living near you? Check out the Long-Term Care Directory. The department also has a directory of adult day care programs, Alzheimer's Special Care Unit Directory and intermediate care facilities for the Intellectually Disabled.

Advocates for Nursing Home Residents

Many nursing home residents are too frail to speak up for themselves and may need a Missouri’s Ombudsman to help them resolve complaints or problems.

Provider Information

Health care providers can find the applications, forms and information they need to operate a long-term care facility.

Sometimes, people who are disqualified from employment in long-term care have the right to apply for a Good Cause Waiver. If granted, the waiver allows them to be employed on a conditional basis.

Regulations

Click here for detailed rules and regulations for Missouri’s long-term care facilities and programs.