We understand that one of the biggest factors in deciding whether assisted living is the right fit for you or a loved one is how much it’s going to cost. The uncertainty around finances can feel like its own kind of weight, layered on top of an already emotional decision.
Our goal is to be as direct and transparent with our potential residents and their families as we can. In this post, we’ll walk through our rates, what that rate includes, and different ways to cover the cost of assisted living.
Delmar Gardens Assisted Living Pricing at a Glance
Monthly rates for assisted living at Delmar Gardens range from $4,800 to about $5,400.¹ Where a specific community falls within that range comes down to two things: where it’s located, and which type of apartment feels right.
Location plays a bigger role than many families expect. A community in a smaller, rural Missouri town will typically be priced lower than one near a bustling, higher-cost area like midtown St. Louis, simply because of local market conditions and the surrounding cost of living. Neither is “better”, it’s just worth knowing why two Delmar communities might carry different rates.
Room type is the other piece of the puzzle. We offer four options, so there’s room to choose what fits you or a loved one’s needs, preferences, and budget. Here’s a breakdown of our different room types:
| Room Type | Description |
| Two-Bedroom Shared Living | A shared two-bedroom apartment, often chosen by residents looking for companionship and a lower cost |
| One-Bedroom Alcove | A cozy one-bedroom layout with a separate alcove space |
| One-Bedroom | A private one-bedroom apartment |
| Two-Bedroom | A private two-bedroom apartment, offering the most space |
¹Rates, services and amenities are subject to change and may vary by residence, location and individual care needs. Please contact the community for current availability and pricing.
Because pricing depends on both of these factors together, the most reliable next step is a conversation with a staff member at the specific Delmar Gardens community you’re considering. Our team can walk you through exact pricing for that location and room type, so you’re planning around actual numbers rather than a general range.
What’s Included in the Monthly Rate
Now that you have a general range your next question is probably “okay, but what am I actually getting for that rate?” Here’s what’s built into the base monthly rate for every assisted living resident:
- Three chef-prepared meals a day, plus complimentary breakfast room service
- Thoughtful menu planning for nutrition and personal preference
- Help with bathing and personal grooming
- Medication management assistance
- Escort service to and from activities
- Personal laundry and flat linen service
- All utilities except telephone
- A 24/7 emergency response system
- Transportation to medical appointments, errands, and shopping trips
- Weekly housekeeping
We also want to highlight something that doesn’t always come standard elsewhere: incontinence care is included in our base rate. For many families, this is a point of relief since a lot of communities bill it as a separate add-on. At Delmar Gardens, it’s simply part of the care we provide.
Our therapy services (both physical and occupational) are billed separately due to the varying needs of our residents and insurance coverage. These services are typically billed directly to the resident’s insurance rather than folded into a flat rate. If therapy is part of your loved one’s care plan, our team can walk you through how billing works for your specific situation.
Consistent Pricing for All Care Needs
Something that sets our pricing apart is the fact that our assisted living rate does not shift if your care needs change. Our staff reviews each resident’s needs on a day to day basis. If those needs grow beyond what assisted living is designed to support, we don’t respond by raising the rate.
Instead, we start a conversation about skilled nursing care, so your loved one always has the right level of support without being priced into it. This is one of the benefits of choosing a community built around a full continuum of care — the path forward adjusts to the person, not the invoice.
This allows you to solidify a budget without being surprised by a rate increase down the road. At Delmar Gardens, the number you plan around today is the number you can count on tomorrow.
Move-In Costs and Fees
We also try to keep move-in as straightforward as the monthly rate itself. Delmar Gardens does not charge a separate community fee. Instead, we ask for first and last month’s rent at move-in, which also serves as your security deposit.
If you’re comparing us to other communities, it’s worth asking directly what their move-in costs look like. Community fees, separate deposits, and other one-time charges are common in this industry, and they can add up in ways that aren’t always obvious from a rate sheet alone. Knowing what to ask can help you compare options more clearly, wherever you land.
How to Pay for Assisted Living
Once you have a sense of the monthly rate, the next question is usually “okay, so how do we actually make this work?” Most families use a combination of the options below, and there’s no single right answer. It all depends on what you qualify for and what works best for your financial situation.
Private Pay
Many families cover assisted living costs directly through personal savings, retirement income, or Social Security benefits. For some families, this is their only option, while others can pair it with money from other financial sources.
Long-Term Care Insurance
If you or your loved one has a long-term care insurance policy, now is a good time to pull it out and review it closely. Policies vary widely in what they cover, when benefits begin, and how payouts are structured. We recommend confirming the details directly with the insurance provider before assuming what will or won’t be covered. If you need assistance with this, we’re happy to help where we can.
VA Benefits
Veterans and surviving spouses may be able to put VA benefits toward the cost of care. In fact, many Delmar Gardens residents across all care levels use VA funds to help pay for their stay.
A few things to know going in:
- The VA application process is handled by the resident or their family, not by Delmar Gardens directly, though some families choose to work with a service that specializes in helping veterans navigate this paperwork.
- Select Delmar Gardens skilled nursing communities (Delmar Gardens on the Green and Delmar Gardens of Lenexa) hold direct VA contracts.
Medicaid
This is an area where we want to be very clear, since Medicaid rules and coverage differ significantly depending on the type of care. Delmar Gardens offers Medicaid beds at most of our skilled nursing communities, but Medicaid is not part of our assisted living pricing.
If Medicaid is a piece of your financial plan, we’d encourage you to talk with our team directly about which level of care and which communities may apply, so you’re working from accurate expectations from the start.
Home Sale or Home Equity
For families whose loved one owns a home, proceeds from selling that home are often used to help cover the cost of assisted living. Other options in this category include a reverse mortgage or short-term bridge financing, both of which can help cover the gap during the transition period before a home sale closes. Each comes with its own trade-offs we recommend researching carefully.
Life Insurance Conversion
Some life insurance policies can be converted into a long-term care benefit, sometimes called a “life settlement” or “accelerated benefit.” This can free up funds specifically for care costs, though the details and eligibility depend entirely on the policy itself.
Important Note: Every family’s financial situation is different, and the right combination of these options depends on details a general guide like this one simply can’t account for. Our team at Delmar Gardens is always happy to talk through what we know and help point you in the right direction, but for personalized financial or legal guidance, we’d encourage you to speak with a qualified financial advisor or elder law attorney who can look closely at your specific circumstances.
Ready to Talk Pricing? We’re Here to Help
If there’s one thing we hope you take away from all of this, it’s that you don’t have to figure out finances on your own. Whether you’re planning ahead for yourself or walking alongside a parent through this decision, Delmar Gardens is here to make the path easier and as stress free as possible.
As you’ve seen throughout this guide, exact pricing depends on the specific community and room type you’re considering, so the most helpful next step is a conversation. We’d love to put together a personalized quote or schedule a tour at one of our communities, so you can see the space, meet our team, and ask any questions that are still on your mind.
