Located at 6701 Jersey Ridge Rd in Davenport, Iowa, Kahl Home is a 135 room senior care facility. The community is in a largely middle class area, with an average per-household income of $72,246. With about 14,000 ...
Memory Care in Iowa
- SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Iowa
- Memory Care Directory for Iowa
- Memory Care Costs in Iowa
- Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Iowa
- Iowa Memory Care Rules and Regulations
- Free Memory Care Resources in Iowa
In Iowa, 66,000 of the state’s residents suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia according to the Alzheimer’s Association. That figure is expected to increase by 10.6% to 73,000 individuals by 2025. The number of deaths from Alzheimer’s made it the state’s sixth-leading cause of death in 2018.
While the per capita cost of treating Alzheimer’s is $18,750 per person, which is on par with the rest of the country. The problem that Iowa faces in the future is that there are only 24 gerontologists in the entire state, a figure that the Alzheimer’s Association believes needs to increase by 494%. Fortunately, there are memory care facilities available statewide that provide secure accommodations and dementia-focused programming and activities, as well as 24-hour supervision and brain-healthy menus. The cost for this level of care is $5,098 per month, which is only slightly more than the U.S. average of $5,064.
This guide provides additional helpful information about memory care, including cost comparisons, available financial assistance options, an overview of facility regulations and free resources to help seniors and their families deal with this debilitating disease.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Iowa
The SeniorScore gives seniors and their families information about how each town, city or state in the country provides for older residents. It’s a livability index that covers four main areas: Health & Safety, Recreation & Leisure, Finances and General Quality of Life. The score is compiled using 100 data points from government and private sources. Iowa’s SeniorScore is 74, which is 2 points higher than the national average of 72.
Iowa earned a Health & Safety score of 65. This is based on the large number of Medicare-registered healthcare providers in the state. Iowa also has an average number of hospitals and senior living facilities. The life expectancy of Iowans is 79.7 years, which is a year longer than the national average of 78.6.
Recreation & Leisure also scores well with a 64. Citizens aged 65 and older make up 17.5% of the population of Iowa, which is 1% higher than the national average. The state offers seniors lots of opportunities for leisure and socialization, with 387 golf courses, 1,349 churches and 83 state parks.
Iowa received a 69 in the Finances category, largely due to its lower-than-average cost of living, which helps make it attractive to seniors living on a retirement income. The cost of most types of senior care are also below national averages.
The state's lowest score was a 64 for General Quality of Life, in which the climate played a key role. Although summers in Iowa are pleasant, winters are cold and snowy, which put the state slightly below the U.S. as a whole in terms of overall comfort.
Top Memory Care Communities in Iowa
Heritage Specialty Care is a 201 bed senior housing facility located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. With a median family income of $45,733, the facility is in a largely middle income area. It is heavily populated, with approximately 39,000 ...
Located at 3800 Commerce Blvd in Davenport, Iowa, Manorcare Health Services-Utica Ridge is a 120 room nursing facility. The surrounding area has an average population density, with about 14,000 people residing in the 52807 zip code. It is ...
Located at 1221 S Gear St in West Burlington, Iowa, Great River Klein Center is a 165 unit senior care community. With roughly 5,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 52655, the neighboring area is sparsely populated. ...
Located at 423 Roosevelt St in Remsen, Iowa, Happy Siesta Health Care Center is a 62 room nursing facility. The facility is in a predominantly middle income area, with a median family income of $56,803. With about 4,000 ...
Cottage Grove Place is located at 2115 1st Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It is a 52 bed senior care community. The community is in a largely middle income area, with an average per-family income of $59,067. ...
Green Hills Retirement Community is a 49 room senior housing community. It is located at 2200 Hamilton Dr in Ames, Iowa. The surrounding area has a dense population, with roughly 29,000 poeple living in the 50014 zip code. ...
Northern Mahaska Specialty Care is a 63 bed senior care community situated in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The facility is in a mostly middle class area, with a median per-family income of $41,506. With roughly 16,000 people residing in the ...
Manorcare Health Services is a 99 room nursing home facility situated in Dubuque, Iowa. With around 44,000 residents in the 52001 zip code, the encompassing area is heavily populated. It is a largely middle class area, with a ...
Avoca Specialty Care is located at 610 East York St in Avoca, Iowa. It is a 46 bed senior care community. The encompassing area has a sparse population, with about 3,000 people residing in the 51521 zip code. ...
Genesis Senior Living Center is an 80 bed senior care facility. It is situated in the Watrous South neighborhood of Des Moines, Iowa. With a median family income of $41,995, the facility is in a largely middle class ...
Norwalk Nursing and Rehab is a 51 bed nursing care facility located in Norwalk, Iowa. The surrounding area has an average population density, with about 12,000 residents in the 50211 zip code. With an average household income of ...
Good Neighbor Home is a 133 room senior care community situated in Manchester, Iowa. The community is in a generally middle income area, with an average family income of $46,013. It has a medium-density population, with about 9,000 ...
Located at 2421 Lutheran Dr in Muscatine, Iowa, Lutheran Living Senior Campus is a 155 bed senior care community. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with about 32,000 poeple living in the 52761 zip code. It is a ...
Lantern Park Specialty Care is a 90 unit senior housing community. It is located at 2200 Oakdale Rd in Coralville, Iowa. With a median household income of $55,324, the community is in a mostly middle class area. ...
Crestview Specialty Care is a 65 room senior care community located in West Branch, Iowa. With a median family income of $63,628, the facility is in a predominantly middle income area. It is sparsely populated, with approximately 5,000 ...
Lyon Specialty Care is a 49 unit senior housing facility. It is located at 1010 South Union in Rock Rapids, Iowa. With approximately 5,000 individuals living in the 51246 zip code, the surrounding area is sparsely populated. ...
Bettendorf Health Care is located at 2730 Crow Creek Rd in Bettendorf, Iowa. It is an 86 room nursing facility. The encompassing area has a dense population, with about 36,000 residents in the zip code of 52722. ...
Located at 901 State St in Donnellson, Iowa, Donnellson Health Center is a 65 room skilled nursing facility. The encompassing area has a sparse population, with about 4,000 individuals living in the zip code of 52625. With a ...
Southridge Specialty Care is located at 309 West Merle Hibbs Blvd in Marshalltown, Iowa. It is an 82 room senior care community. The surrounding area has a dense population, with roughly 33,000 individuals residing in the zip code ...
The Cost of Memory Care in Iowa
According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2019, the cost of assisted living in Iowa is $4,078 per month. There's no official cost data available for memory care, but it's estimated to add 20-30% to the monthly rates charged by assisted living facilities, which is where memory care is provided in Iowa. The higher cost is due to the extra services supplied, such as specialized activities and programming, security features, enhanced caregiver training and higher staffing ratios.
To provide comparable cost estimates, we added 25% to the standard assisted living rates listed in the Genworth survey. This puts the average cost of memory care in Iowa at $5,098 per month, which is just $34 more than the national average of $5,064.
Iowa falls midrange for memory care costs compared to nearby states. Wisconsin has the highest memory care cost in the region at $5,437, while the lowest is found in Missouri at $3,601 per month. Seniors pay an average of $5,213 for memory care in Illinois, and the cost for this level of care drops to $4,750 in Minnesota.
- Iowa: $5,098
- National: $5,064
- Wisconsin: $5,438
- Illinois: $5,213
- Minnesota: $4,750
- Missouri: $3,601
The Cost of Memory Care in Iowa’s Top Cities
The cost of memory care varies throughout Iowa. In Des Moines, the capital of Iowa, seniors pay an average of $5,438 per month. In the next largest city, Cedar Rapids, the average rate drops to $5,025. In Davenport and Sioux City, the averages are $5,026 and $4,625, respectively. Iowa City has the highest memory care cost among the state's top five cities at $5,625 per month.
- Des Moines: $5,438
- Cedar Rapids: $5,025
- Davenport: $5,206
- Sioux City: $4,625
- Iowa City: $5,625
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Iowa
Memory care is the second-most expensive type of senior care available in Iowa. Only nursing home care is more costly, at an average of $6,878 per month. In-home and home health care services are slightly less expensive than memory care, with identical monthly costs of $4,776. The least expensive option is adult day care, which costs just $1,376 per month on average.
- Memory Care: $5,098
- Assisted Living: $4,078
- In-Home Care: $4,776
- Home Health Care: $4,776
- Adult Day Care: $1,376
- Nursing Home Care: $6,878
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Iowa
Home-and Community-Based Services Elderly Waiver
Address: 1305 E. Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone Number: (800) 338-8366
Website: https://dhs.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/Comm513.pdf?032120202331
Iowa Medicaid offers an Elderly Waiver to help eligible individuals cover the cost of care and support services in a memory care facility, so they can avoid placement in a nursing home. Benefits may include case management, personal care and transportation services in an ALP setting. The waiver doesn't cover the cost of room and board.
Applicants must be aged 65 or older and meet the eligibility requirements of the Iowa Medicaid program. They must also be assessed as needing a skilled or nursing home level of care. If a senior isn't already enrolled in Medicare, they may contact the Iowa Department of Human Services to apply for coverage. Current Medicaid enrollees can contact member services.
Iowa Memory Care Rules and Regulations
The responsibility of inspecting and licensing assisted living facilities that offer memory care falls to the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, Health Facilities Division. Facilities must abide by state rules and regulations in all aspects of their operations.
Facility Scope of Care | Assisted living facilities in Iowa provide housing and care services to three or more residents. They must employ a 24-hour response staff to provide for the needs of residents and ensure their safety. ALFs must help residents with activities of daily living (ADL) but with no more than four of them. Therapies and health-related care may be provided by a part-time registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. These services are limited to 21 days a month and 28 hours a week. Hot meals must be provided to residents at least once a day. Residents may receive a therapeutic diet if prescribed by a healthcare provider and overseen by a licensed dietitian. |
Admission Requirements | Residents who may be admitted include individuals with:
Individuals who may not be admitted are those who:
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Care Plan Requirements | Every ALF is required to assess a new resident’s functional, cognitive and health status within 30 days of their admission and then develop a plan of care. Residents must be reassessed, and their care plan updated if their condition significantly changes or at least once a year. If the facility uses an outside party to provide health or personal care services, details must be included in each resident’s care plan. |
Facility Requirements | Rooms in ALP may be single or double occupancy and must include a private bathroom with a sink, toilet and bathtub or shower. Accommodations don't have to include kitchenettes. ALFs that provide dementia care must have an operating exit door alarm and entrance door locks that staff can remove or disable. |
Staffing Requirements | ALFs don't have a minimum staff-to-resident ratio but must employ enough personnel to meet the needs of residents around the clock. Each facility must have a program manager who oversees daily operations. A registered nurse must be employed to monitor the health of residents and manage medications if their care plan includes health-related services. These managers, as well as registered nurses, must complete an assisted living management or nursing course within 6 months of being hired. All personnel must be trained on emergency or accident procedures. Staff working in a memory care facility must receive an additional 8 hours of dementia-specific training in their first 30 days of employment. Direct care personnel must also complete 2 hours of dementia-related continuing education each year. |
Medication Management Requirements | Residents of an ALF may self-administer their medications or have it done by the facility's nursing staff. The nursing staff may also delegate this task to unlicensed personnel. If that is done, a registered nurse must ensure that doctors’ orders remain current and that all prescriptions are properly administered. Residents also need to be monitored for adverse reactions. |
Medicaid Policy | Iowa Medicaid doesn't pay the full cost of memory care. However, it does offer the Elderly Waiver, mentioned above, which covers specific services provided by a facility. The waiver isn't a Medicaid entitlement program, so participation may be limited and eligible seniors may be placed on a waiting list. |
Reporting Abuse | Suspected abuse or neglect of a memory care facility resident can be reported to the Iowa Health Facilities Division Complete Unit. Complaints may be filed by phoning (877) 686-0027, faxing them to (515) 281-7106 or mailing a report to: Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals |
Free Memory Care Resources in Iowa
Alzheimer’s Association - Iowa Chapter
The Alzheimer’s Association is a national organization with a chapter based in Iowa. It provides seniors and their families affected by Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia with valuable resources, such as support groups, community education programs and care consultations.
Iowa Agencies
Iowa Department on Aging
Address: 510 E. 12th St., Ste. 2, Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone Number: (800) 532-3213
Website: https://iowaaging.gov/
The DOA provides educational resources for senior Iowans and their families, as well as links to important resources on nutrition, mental health and fall prevention. Guidance is also provided on signing up for Medicare and Medicaid, and contacting the state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
Area Agencies on Aging in Iowa
There are six Area Agencies on Aging in Iowa. These agencies provide information and referrals to older Iowans, veterans and those with disabilities. The agencies also coordinate a wide range of long-term living and community support services, such as case management, nutrition programs, options counseling and transportation services.
Veterans Affairs Offices in Iowa
The Iowa Department of Veteran Affairs provides assistance for senior veterans and their families. The department is dedicated to ensuring veterans and/or their families receive all the local, state and federal benefits to which they're entitled, such as VA disability benefits, pensions and top-up programs such as Aid and Attendance, which may help pay for memory care.
Social Security Offices in Iowa
State Supplementary Assistance (SSA) is a state-funded program designed to help meet the special needs of seniors and disabled individuals who aren't covered by the standard benefit rate provided by the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
The state’s SSA program may provide residential care facility assistance and a dependent person allowance. To be eligible, an individual must meet all Social Security income criteria, be a resident of Iowa and qualify for SSI benefits. Interested seniors can contact the SSA to apply for SSI, and complete a SSA application online.
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