Oklahoma Program Helps Seniors Move Out of Nursing Homes
The Living Choice program, supported by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, helps eligible residents transition into community living.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Eldercare
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The Oklahoma Health Care Authority supports the Living Choice program, which helps seniors and people with physical disabilities move from nursing homes into communities. Thousands of Oklahomans have already made the transition through the program.
Why it matters
The program offers an alternative to institutional care for Oklahomans who qualify for Medicaid, giving eligible residents a path to live in community settings. Its future depends on continued funding, and advocates are seeking to continue the program through a federal program.
Adults must be at least 65 years old to qualify for the adult program, which serves seniors and people with physical disabilities who are eligible for Medicaid. The source does not provide exact enrollment figures beyond describing thousands of past transitions.
The players
Oklahoma Health Care Authority
The Oklahoma Health Care Authority is the state agency that administers Medicaid and supports the Living Choice program.
David Ward
David Ward is the senior director of the Medicaid Long-Term Support Unit, which oversees services for older adults and people with disabilities.
The details
Through Living Choice, participants move from nursing homes into community settings with support from the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. The program is grant-funded with a defined start and stop, and it is administered through the Medicaid Long-Term Support Unit.
Timeline
As the holiday season approaches, Living Choice is prepared to help more people move into communities.
Policy Context
Living Choice operates within Medicaid's home- and community-based services framework, which lets states fund community care as an alternative to nursing homes. Its grant-funded structure means its continuation depends on sustained funding under that framework.
Eligible Oklahomans aged 65 and older, or adults with physical disabilities who qualify for Medicaid, may be able to move from a nursing home into a community setting through this program. Residents considering the option should check their Medicaid eligibility with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
The takeaway
Community-based alternatives to nursing home care can be available to eligible adults, but access depends on Medicaid eligibility and on whether grant or federal funding continues. Oklahomans exploring these options should confirm eligibility directly with the state.
Further reading
For more on related care options, explore Eldercare coverage in Oklahoma.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOCO.
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