Moving a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia to a memory care facility is rarely an easy decision. You want to ensure the person who loved and cared for you is treated with the kindness and dignity they deserve. And you’re also worried about the cost of memory care facilities.
Given the specialized care and support that memory care communities provide for people experiencing Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other forms of memory loss, these facilities can come with different pricing structures. The cost of keeping your loved one in a secure memory care unit can depend on a variety of factors, from location and housing arrangements to the services and level of assistance they need.
Researching the potential costs of transitioning a family member to a memory care center can feel overwhelming. Let this guide take some of the strain away. Learn about the average costs of memory care, where it fits among other forms of residential care, and some of the services that contribute to that cost.
What’s the Average Cost of Memory Care in the U.S.?
The cost of memory care varies widely by state. You may pay anywhere from $5,000 a month to as much as $13,000. The national average, though, is approximately $7,600 per month.
What’s the Average Cost of Memory Care in Washington State?
In Washington State, memory care costs, on average, between $8,000 and $9,500 per month.
Why Does Memory Care Cost So Much?
While memory care may not be the most expensive form of nursing care (a private room in a skilled care facility may cost almost $16,000 per month), it also isn’t the least expensive. So why does memory care cost so much?
Specially Trained Staff
While some memory care facilities do not have skilled nursing care on site, the staff are generally specially trained in working with people who have Alzheimer’s and dementia. These team members know how to redirect a resident when they’re stuck on a stressful or painful thought and use special communication methods to reduce confusion, anxiety, and aggression in residents.
Specialized Care
In addition to specially trained staff, memory care facilities often have activities and programming that support people with dementia. Residents may participate in art and music classes to help them flex their creative muscles or engage in specialized physical activity to help them stay fit and healthy. Memory care facilities often have special diets for residents and include routines to help them sleep and reduce anxiety.
Low Ratios
Staff-to-resident ratios tend to be lower in memory care than in other types of residential facilities. Alzheimer’s and dementia patients generally need more attention and support — and with greater frequency — than residents without cognitive decline. And while some residents may not need much assistance at first, over time, their needs are likely to grow.
Safety and Security
Memory care facilities are designed with safety and security in mind, and facilities often feature locked doors so residents can’t wander away. However, many memory care communities balance this need for security with more restorative experiences, so the buildings may include interior courtyards where people can walk safely and get some fresh air. Often, facilities have specific layouts and features that help reduce confusion in residents and make it easier for them to find their way around without getting lost.
What’s Included in Memory Care?
Memory care facilities offer much more than a place to live. Monthly fees cover a combination of housing, daily support, and specialized care in one dedicated space. You can typically expect monthly fees to cover some of the following items:
- Room and board includes a room with utilities, including Wi-Fi and housekeeping. Meal plans can be specific to resident needs, such as concerns about swallowing among residents with dementia.
- Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) involves help with personal tasks like dressing and bathing.
- Medication management to ensure that all medications are taken properly and on time
- Skilled nursing care for more complex needs
- Safety features for the facility itself
Some memory care communities offer or coordinate a range of therapies, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Residents may also have access to specialized activities, cognitive programs, and other services that support their overall well-being.
What Isn’t Included in Memory Care?
The average monthly fees associated with memory care facilities may not cover everything a resident needs. Some services, specialized medical expenses, and personal care could be billed separately, which means that families should ask each community what is and isn’t included in the advertised rate.
There are a few things that most memory care communities generally don’t cover in their monthly costs:
- One-on-one care
- Medications or additional medical supplies
- Transportation beyond the shuttle bus
Is Memory Care the Same as Assisted Living?
No, memory care and assisted living aren’t one and the same. Memory care units provide a higher level of care.
In assisted living, residents are generally independent seniors who need a helping hand with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and taking medication. Residents at assisted living communities have the option to enjoy flexible social events, outings, and fitness classes.
Meanwhile, memory care provides more specialized support, and residents at memory care communities typically take part in structured daily routines and cognitive therapies.
Both assisted living and memory care facilities incorporate thoughtful design features to help keep residents safe; however, memory care facilities often have additional security measures, such as secured entrances, locked doors, and alarms.
Additionally, assisted living and memory care communities may offer activities and social events, but memory care activities are often specifically adapted to residents’ cognitive abilities and interests. Depending on the community, these may include:
- Music therapy: This involves listening to music, playing instruments, or even singing to stimulate emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being.
- Art therapy: Making art can allow residents to express themselves without relying solely on verbal communication.
- Pet therapy: Interacting with animals can provide companionship, as well as opportunities for social and sensory engagement.
- Reminiscence therapy: This approach uses familiar sights, sounds, smells, music, photographs, and other sensory experiences to spark memories in residents and encourage them to share with others.
Is Memory Care the Same as Nursing Care?
No, memory care is not the same as nursing care.
Though both kinds of care can provide around-the-clock support, they each meet different needs. Nursing care offers medical and nursing support for people who need a higher degree of medical attention, even on a temporary basis — such as people undergoing rehab or recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery.
Memory care, on the other hand, is specifically designed for people experiencing cognitive decline and focuses on the challenges associated with memory loss. Since conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are generally progressive — meaning that, unfortunately, they will continue to worsen over time — memory care offers ongoing support as a resident’s needs change.
How to Pay for Memory Care
For many families, paying for memory care involves using a combination of private pay and personal funds, as well as government and personal assistance.
Original Medicare generally doesn’t pay for room and board in a memory care facility. That said, Medicare can cover certain aspects of your loved one’s care while they’re living in a memory care community, including doctor visits, cognitive exams, physical therapy, and other covered medical services.
You’ll want to talk to the administrative team at the memory care facility you’re researching for your family member about what they’ll accept. But there are a few general strategies for payment you can look into.4
Medicaid
Medicaid, known as Apple Health in Washington, may help eligible seniors pay for some of the care they receive in a memory care community — though it doesn’t cover room and board, making residents and their families responsible for those costs. Coverage depends on the person’s financial situation, care needs, and the specific program and facility involved.
Medicaid eligibility and benefits can be complicated, and not every memory care community participates in every program. Before relying on Medicaid to help pay for care, check with the facility and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to confirm what coverage may be available.
Veterans Benefits
Veterans and their surviving spouses may qualify for certain VA benefits that can help pay for long-term care.
Family members may want to look specifically at the Veterans Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides an increased monthly VA pension payment for qualifying veterans and survivors who need help with everyday activities or meet other eligibility requirements. As a monetary pension benefit, it may help offset the cost of long-term care, including assisted living or memory care.
Eligibility depends on factors including wartime service, income, net worth, age or disability, and other VA requirements.
Retirement Savings
When determining how they’ll pay for their loved one to enter memory care, many families look to that person’s personal retirement accounts, such as their 401(k), traditional IRA, and Roth IRA.
Since large withdrawals can have significant tax consequences, consider talking with a qualified tax or financial professional before making a decision.
Social Security
While a standard Social Security payment is rarely enough to cover the entire monthly bill on its own, families often use this benefit as a baseline to lower out-of-pocket costs.
You can talk to the facility about using your loved one’s monthly Social Security check toward their care and bridging the rest of the financial gap with other savings or insurance.
Long-Term Care Insurance
If your family member was forward-thinking enough to buy a private long-term care insurance policy years ago, it can help provide key financial assistance when it’s time to transition them to memory care.
Unlike regular health insurance or Medicare, these specialized policies are actually built to pay for the policyholder’s long-term care needs, which can include residence in a memory care community. Policies differ considerably, so review the policy or contact the insurance company to find out what services and facilities qualify for coverage.
Life Insurance
Depending on the policy, life insurance may provide options for accessing funds while the policyholder is still living. These can include selling a policy, taking a loan against its cash value, or using an accelerated death benefit if the policy provides one.
Since these options can have financial and tax consequences, consider speaking with a qualified financial professional before making a decision.
Home Equity and Reverse Mortgages
For many seniors, home equity is their single biggest financial asset. If your family member owns their house, you can sell it outright to get a significant lump sum that can potentially fund years of care. Of course, this isn’t always possible if other family members still live in the house.
In this case, families will sometimes consider a reverse mortgage. With this special kind of home loan, homeowners aged 62 or older may borrow against their home equity to get cash. However, reverse mortgages have specific occupancy and eligibility requirements. For example, an FHA-insured home equity conversion mortgage generally requires the home to be the borrower’s principal residence. A spouse or other eligible borrower who continues to live in the home may allow the arrangement to continue under certain circumstances.
Just be careful: reverse mortgages come with important obligations. The loan can come due when the borrower dies or no longer meets the requirements for occupying the home. The homeowner or their heirs may need to repay the loan, refinance it, or sell the home to satisfy the debt. Make sure you understand the terms before pursuing this option.
Ask About Memory Care Discounts and Shared Rooms
You might not think that memory care communities offer discounts, but in some circumstances, there are ways to reduce the costs of your loved one’s stay. As you compare facilities, ask about move-in specials and see if moving your loved one to a shared room could cost less than a private room.
You should also learn exactly what is included in the monthly rate and which services cost extra. A community with a lower advertised rate may ultimately cost more if it charges additional fees for care or services your loved one needs.
Because memory care costs and payment options vary, ask each community what forms of payment they accept and what assistance may be available. You may also want to speak with a benefits counselor, financial professional, or other qualified advisor about your family’s specific circumstances.
Find a Team To Help
The team at Longhouse Assisted Living Households is eager to make your loved one feel comfortable and at home in our assisted living households. We care about making every member of the family feel secure, understand their options, and breathe a little easier. That’s why we offer a straightforward pricing model. Schedule a tour today and learn how we can help.
