Memory Care in Idaho
Throughout Idaho, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death. As of 2018, the disease affected more than 25,000 Idaho residents aged 65 and older, a number that's projected to increase 32% by the year 2025. In that same time frame, it's expected that Medicaid spending, which already sat at $139 million annually in 2018, will increase by 39%.
Thankfully, Idaho is home to a number of memory care facilities that can provide care to individuals living with dementia-related conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. These facilities offer residential care that typically includes comfortable living quarters, nutritious daily meals, personal care and socialization opportunities. The cost of memory care in Idaho averages $4,660 per month, which is somewhat less than the national average of $5,064 per month.
In this guide, seniors and their loved ones can gather information that's specific to memory care in Idaho. The information includes state regulations, memory care costs throughout the state, contacts for financial assistance programs available to seniors who are unable to cover the cost themselves and free resources.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Idaho
Idaho has been assigned a SeniorScore of 68, which is just a little lower than the national average of 72. This score is determined based on information gathered from more than 100 government and private organizations. Its purpose is to provide an effective, unbiased tool to help seniors and their families determine whether a certain location is safe, comfortable and convenient for senior living. These scores are broken down into four categories: Health & Safety, General Quality of Life, Recreation & Leisure and Finances.
The state's best score of 68 was assigned in the General Quality of Life Category. This score was determined based on factors such as Idaho's seasonal climate and low population density. A lower score of 60 was received in the Health & Safety category. Idaho has access to an average number of hospitals and Medicare-registered healthcare providers, as well as a high number of senior living facilities. Additionally, crime rates in the state fall below national averages, making Idaho a relatively safe retirement destination.
Lower scores of 58 and 56 were earned in the Finances and Recreation & Leisure categories. While property taxes in the state are below national averages, sales and income tax are considerably higher. Although Idaho has an above-average concentration of seniors in its population, recreation options are limited due to the state's rural landscape and below-average city sizes.
Top Memory Care Communities in Idaho
Life Care Center of Coeur D'alene is located at 500 West Aqua Ave in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. It is a 120 unit senior care community. With approximately 32,000 residents in the zip code of 83815, the encompassing area ...
Life Care Center of Post Falls is a 120 room senior housing community. It is located at 460 North Garden Plaza Court in Post Falls, Idaho. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with approximately 38,000 individuals living in ...
Life Care Center of Sandpoint is a 124 bed senior community. It is located at 1125 North Division St in Sandpoint, Idaho. With an average per-household income of $40,782, the facility is in a largely middle income area. ...
Located at 210 West Lacrosse Ave in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Lacrosse Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 100 unit skilled nursing facility. The community is in a mostly middle income area, with an average household income of $43,747. ...
Twin Falls Center is a 116 unit senior community. It is located at 674 Eastland Dr in Twin Falls, Idaho. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with around 53,000 individuals living in the zip code of 83301. ...
Located at 527 Memorial Dr in Pocatello, Idaho, Gateway Transitional Care Center is an 88 room senior housing community. The encompassing area is densely populated, with approximately 38,000 residents in the 83201 zip code. It is a mostly ...
Situated within the Maple Grove - Franklin neighborhood of Boise, Idaho, Life Care Center of Treasure Valley is a 120 bed senior care facility. With approximately 41,000 individuals residing in the 83704 zip code, the surrounding area is heavily ...
Located at 1351 West Pine Ave in Meridian, Idaho, Meridian Center Genesis Healthcare is a 139 room skilled nursing facility. The facility is in a largely middle class area, with an average per-household income of $61,637. With approximately ...
Prestige Care and Rehabilitation - The Orchards is a 127 room nursing home facility located in Lewiston, Idaho. The facility is in a largely middle income area, with a median household income of $44,428. It is heavily populated, ...
Good Samaritan Society - Boise Village is a 127 bed senior community. It is located within the Sunset neighborhood of Boise, Idaho. The facility is in a largely middle class area, with a median household income of $53,017. ...
Valley Vista Care Center of St Maries is located at 820 Elm St in St Maries, Idaho. It is a 74 room senior care community. The surrounding area is sparsely populated, with roughly 7,000 poeple living in the ...
Located at 850 Lincoln Dr, Lincoln Court Retirement Community is a senior housing facility serving Idaho Falls, Idaho. With roughly 39,000 individuals residing in the 83401 zip code, the surrounding area is densely populated. It is a mostly ...
Marquis Care at Shaw Mountain is a 98 bed senior housing community situated within the East End area of Boise, Idaho. With a median per-family income of $72,567, the facility is in a generally middle income area. It ...
Located at 240 E Kathleen Ave, Creekside Inn Memory Care Community is a senior community in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The community is in a mostly middle class area, with an average family income of $43,747. With roughly 24,000 ...
Apex Center is a 148 unit senior community. It is situated in the West Bench neighborhood of Boise, Idaho. The surrounding area is densely populated, with approximately 41,000 people residing in the zip code of 83704. It ...
Trinity Mission Health and Rehab of Midland is a 112 unit nursing home facility located in Nampa, Idaho. With a median family income of $40,616, the facility is in a generally middle class area. It has a dense ...
Willow Park is a senior care facility situated in the West Bench area of Boise, Idaho. With a median per-household income of $47,828, the community is in a mostly middle class area. It is densely populated, with roughly ...
Payette Center is located at 1019 3rd Avenue South in Payette, Idaho. It is an 80 room senior community. The community is in a generally middle class area, with an average per-family income of $43,820. It has ...
Life Care Center of Lewiston is located at 325 Warner Dr in Lewiston, Idaho. It is a 121 unit senior community. The neighboring area is densely populated, with roughly 35,000 residents in the 83501 zip code. With ...
Life Care Center of Idaho Falls is located at 2725 East 17th St in Idaho Falls, Idaho. It is a 109 bed senior housing community. The surrounding area has a medium-density population, with approximately 17,000 individuals living in ...
The Cost of Memory Care in Idaho
In most cases, memory care is provided in assisted living facilities by caregivers and nursing staff who specialize in dementia care. While authoritative data on memory care costs in Idaho and throughout the United States isn't available, it is estimated at 20-30% above assisted living costs. As such, costs listed below are calculated by adding 25% to assisted living rates provided in the Genworth 2019 Cost of Care Survey. This cost increase is the result of the specialized care that must be provided for seniors with dementia, as well as enhanced security measures that facilities need to put in place to ensure resident safety. It's worth noting that actual costs may vary depending on each facility's amenities, location and provided services.
Memory care in Idaho has an average cost of $4,660 per month, which is $404 below the U.S. median. This is also lower than the costs in surrounding states. To the west, memory care costs are considerably higher, with Oregon's average sitting at $5,624 and Washington's at $6,875 per month. To the east, memory care costs are closer to Idaho's average with Montana and Wyoming's median costs coming in at $4,775 and $4,725, respectively.
- Idaho: $4,660
- National: $5,064
- Oregon: $5,624
- Washington: $6,875
- Montana: $4,775
- Wyoming: $4,725
The Cost of Memory Care in Idaho's Top Cities
Throughout Idaho, the cost of memory care ranges from $4,188 to $4,940. One of the least expensive cities in the state is Idaho Falls, where the average monthly cost is $4,188. On the other end of the spectrum, seniors in Boise can expect to pay an average of $4,940 per month for memory care. Rates in Coeur d'Alene, Twin Falls and Pocatello all fall midrange, with respective monthly averages of $4,750, $4,531 and $4,404.
- Coeur d'Alene: $4,750
- Boise: $4,940
- Twin Falls: $4,531
- Pocatello: $4,404
- Idaho Falls: $4,188
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Idaho
At $4,600 per month, memory care in Idaho costs considerably less than nursing home care, which averages $7,924, and just a little more than assisted living, which costs an average of $3,728 per month. Seniors who choose to continue living independently in their own homes can expect to pay $4,195 per month for in-home care, which consists of basic personal care and housekeeping services. Home health care is slightly more expensive at an average of $4,290 per month. That being said, it's important for seniors and their loved ones to also consider basic housing costs, which aren't included in the cost of in-home care or home health care. Seniors who only experience mild cognitive impairment may benefit from adult day care services; however, those who are living with moderate to advanced dementia should consider full-time care in a residential facility.
- Memory Care: $4,660
- Assisted Living: $3,728
- In-Home Care: $4,195
- Home Health Care: $4,290
- Adult Day Care: $2,275
- Nursing Home Care: $7,924
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Idaho
Medicaid for Elderly or Disabled Adults Program
Phone Number: (866) 686-4272
Website: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/medicaid-health/about-medicaid-elderly-or-disabled-adults
Home and community-based services are provided for elderly and disabled Idahoans through the state's Medicaid for Elderly or Disabled Adults program. The program can provide funding for memory care and assisted living, as well as services such as nonmedical transportation, skilled nursing, behavioral management and specialized medical equipment.
To qualify for coverage, seniors must live in Idaho and be U.S. citizens. They also must be over the age of 65 and meet Medicaid's Home and Community-Based Services financial guidelines, which allows beneficiaries to earn no more than $2,369 per month and retain a maximum of $2,000 in countable assets.
Idaho Memory Care Rules and Regulations
In Idaho, memory care may be provided within assisted living facilities, which are also commonly known as residential care facilities throughout the state. These facilities are licensed and regulated by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Scope of Care | In Idaho, facilities that offer memory care for residents must provide standard assisted living services, including personal care, in addition to the following: - A secure and comfortable interior environment
- A secure, fenced exterior yard
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Care Plan Requirements | All seniors living in long-term care facilities in Idaho must be provided with a comprehensive assessment and care plan that addresses the following: - Level and frequency of ADL support and other care services
- Need for health services
- Required medication assistance
- Behavioral symptoms and corresponding interventions
- Physicians orders
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Medication Management Requirements | Residents in long-term care may self-administer medications or do so with the assistance of a caregiver. Staff providing assistance must do so under the delegation of a licensed nurse. Residents who are unable to administer their own medications can have them administered by a licensed professional nurse. |
Staff Screening Requirements | All assisted living caregivers must complete a criminal history and background check. This search must be completed with the following agencies: - Federal Bureau of Investigation
- National Criminal History Background Check System
- Nurse Aide Registry
No special requirements are in place for dementia care staff. |
Staff Training Requirements | Facilities that care for seniors with dementia must provide staff training in the following areas: - Overview of dementia
- Common symptoms of memory impairment
- Communicating with individuals with memory impairment
- Helping residents adjust to a new living environment
- Behavior management
- Stress reduction for residents and personnel
In the event a resident with dementia is admitted to an assisted living facility and no caregiver is trained in dementia care, the facility has 30 days to provide staff training. |
Medicaid Coverage | Idaho Medicaid provides financial assistance for seniors living in memory care facilities under its Medicaid for Elderly and Disabled Adults Program. |
Reporting Abuse | Concerns about abuse or neglect in memory care and other long-term care facilities can be reported to the state ombudsman at the Idaho Commission on Aging. The ombudsman can be contacted by calling (208) 334-3833. |
Free Memory Care Resources in Idaho
Alzheimer's Idaho
Alzheimer's Idaho is a nonprofit organization that hosts support groups and offers respite care services for seniors throughout the state. It provides a variety of programs for seniors who are living with dementia, including complimentary lunches and financial assistance for seniors in assisted living facilities who need help with moving to a new facility, end-of-life transitional care or private care.
Alzheimer's Association - Greater Idaho Chapter
The Alzheimer's Association provides seniors and their caregivers with free resources, including support groups and education. With the aid of volunteers, this organization is dedicated to helping seniors with dementia live a dignified, meaningful life while conducting the necessary research to treat and potentially end Alzheimer's disease.
Idaho Agencies
Idaho Commission on Aging
Address: 6305 W. Overland Rd., Ste 110, Boise, ID 83709
Phone Number: (208) 334-3833
Website: aging.idaho.gov/
The Idaho Commission on Aging receives state and federal funding to provide services to seniors throughout the state. This government organization facilitates a variety of programs aimed at helping seniors maintain a safe level of independence. Programs include transportation and meal assistance, as well as caregiver education and respite care.
Area Agencies on Aging in Idaho
Idaho's Area Agencies on Aging help seniors citizens and their loved ones navigate state and local resources. These agencies offer an abundance of free information to those seeking help from government programs, as well as services such as case management, Medicaid and Medicare counseling, long-term care counseling and transportation programs.
Veteran Affairs Offices in Idaho
The Idaho Division of Veterans Services helps veterans and their dependents access a variety of important benefits, including healthcare services and financial aid. Seniors who've served in branches of the U.S. military may be eligible for a variety of programs, including the VA's Aid and Attendance benefit, that can help cover the cost of memory care.
Social Security Offices in Idaho
Elderly Idahoans aged 65 and above may qualify for an optional state supplement, provided they're registered to receive Supplemental Security Income payments. This state-funded top-up can provide seniors with additional funding to pay for memory care and related services. For information about this benefit, seniors can visit their nearest Social Security Administration office.
Other Cities in Idaho