You are asking whether you can leave for a few days. The facility will say a nightly rate first. That number is the start of the bill, and it is not the bill.
Local option: New Plan Care gives families in the St. Louis area in-home help so a parent can stay home: companionship, help with bathing and dressing, meals, and overnight care. Call (314) 405-0887.
Ask for the whole bill in writing
Ask for an itemized estimate for the full stay, not a rate. Ask what each line covers. Ask which lines are charged once and which repeat every day. Ask whether the arrival day and the departure day each count as a full night, because some places bill both.
The six lines to check
Nights. Confirm the arrival time and the departure time, and ask whether an early pickup still pays for the whole stay.
Room type. A private room and a shared room can carry different rates. Ask whether the room you are quoted is the room you will actually get.
Care level. Some places set a higher charge when your parent needs more hands. Ask how the level is set, who checks it at intake, and whether it can change during the stay.
Meals and diet. A special diet can change the meal line. Ask whether snacks are included and whether the kitchen charges for a substitute.
Add-ons. Laundry, personal items, hair appointments, outings and supplies are often separate lines. Ask for the list of add-ons and the charge for each one in writing before you agree.
Transport. Ask who drives your parent in, who drives them home, and whether a ride to an outside appointment during the stay costs extra.
Ask about the notice rule
Find out how many days of notice you must give to change dates or cancel, and whether any nights already booked are lost. Ask what happens if the stay has to end early, either because your parent needs a different place or because you can come back sooner. Ask for this rule to be written into the agreement, not only stated at the front desk.
Put two places on the same sheet
Copy each facility's six lines onto one sheet of paper, in the same order. A blank line is a question you still need to ask. Do not compare nightly rates alone, because one place can look cheaper and then bill you for add-ons you never saw.
Check each place's license status with the state agency that inspects it. The Sources page lists where to look. Write down the name of the person who answered each question.
Set the number before you tour
Decide the most you can spend on one stay and how many nights you need before you walk in. If the bill goes over that line, your answer is not yes yet. You can ask for fewer nights, a different room, or a different week. Local Help for Caregivers in St. Louis is a good place to start looking for help with the cost.