Memory Care in New Hampshire
Although New Hampshire is one of the country’s smaller states, the issue of Alzheimer’s and memory care is as big a concern in the Granite State as it is in any other. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 26,000 residents of New Hampshire over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. That number is expected to grow to 32,000 by 2025.
Alzheimer’s is already the sixth-leading cause of death in New Hampshire. The cost of caring for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s is also a concern. In 2020, Medicaid paid $254 million for memory care in the state, which breaks down to about $25,147 per individual. This cost is expected to grow by 31.9% over the next 5 years.
This guide provides seniors and their families with information about the cost of memory care in New Hampshire, suggestions on where they can find financial assistance, details about the regulations governing memory care facilities and a list of free resources in the state.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in New Hampshire
The SeniorScore is a livability index designed to provide seniors with information on four main areas — Health & Safety, Recreation & Leisure, Finances and General Quality of Life — about towns, cities or states in the country. The score is based on over 100 variables sourced from government and private databases. New Hampshire’s SeniorScore is 73, which is 1 point higher than the national average of 72.
Health & Safety is always a concern for seniors. New Hampshire scores 71 in this category. There are a high number of Medicare-registered health providers in the state, as well as many hospitals. This means that seniors who rely on Medicare can find many healthcare resources. Older Americans and their families can also find many senior living facilities in New Hampshire, as well as a high number of home healthcare providers. Living in New Hampshire is also good for seniors' longevity. Life expectancy in the state is 80.3 years, while the national average is 78.6.
Recreation & Leisure earned a score of 67, due to its senior population and other factors. Residents over the age of 65 comprise 18.7% of New Hampshire’s population, which is 2 points higher than the U.S. average of 16.5%. New Hampshire has 762 churches, there are 98 golf courses and an average number of municipal parks, as well as 93 state parks and two national parks. State parks offer seniors an array of outdoor recreational opportunities, including beaches, trails and historical sites.
With a score of just 64, New Hampshire lost points in the Finances category because of its high property taxes and senior care costs. However, these higher expenses are offset by a lack of state income and sales taxes. The state received its lowest score of 58 in General Quality of life, largely due to the cold winter weather and low population density that may make services and amenities less readily available to seniors.
Top Memory Care Communities in New Hampshire
Situated near by the South Hooksett neighborhood of Manchester, New Hampshire, Hanover Hill Health Care Center is a 124 bed nursing care facility. The facility is in a primarily middle income area, with an average per-household income of $61,017. ...
Golden View Health Care Center is a 131 room nursing facility. It is located at 19 Nh Route 104 in Meredith, New Hampshire. The neighboring area has a sparse population, with approximately 7,000 individuals living in the 03253 ...
Langdon Place of Dover is located at 60 Middle Rd in Dover, New Hampshire. It is a 30 room senior housing community. The surrounding area is densely populated, with roughly 31,000 individuals residing in the zip code of ...
Dover Center For Health and Rehabilitation is a 112 bed skilled nursing facility situated in Dover, New Hampshire. With about 31,000 individuals living in the 03820 zip code, the neighboring area is densely populated. It is a predominantly ...
Hackett Hill Healthcare Center is a 68 unit nursing care facility located in Manchester, New Hampshire. The encompassing area is densely populated, with about 32,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 03102. With a median family income ...
Ridgewood Center, Genesis Healthcare is a 150 unit nursing facility. It is located at 25 Ridgewood Rd in Bedford, New Hampshire. The facility is in a primarily well-to-do area, with an average per-family income of $117,684. It ...
Country Village Center is located at 91 Country Village Rd in Lancaster, New Hampshire. It is an 86 bed senior care facility. The encompassing area is sparsely populated, with approximately 5,000 residents in the 03584 zip code. ...
Colonial Hill Center is a 79 bed senior care facility. It is located at 62 Rochester Hill Rd in Rochester, New Hampshire. With an average family income of $51,183, the facility is in a predominantly middle income area. ...
Edgewood Centre is a 156 unit senior care community. It is located at 928 South St in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The community is in a largely middle income area, with a median household income of $63,815. It ...
Pleasant View Center, Genesis Healthcare is a 176 unit nursing home facility. It is located at 239 Pleasant St in Concord, New Hampshire. With around 34,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 03301, the encompassing area is ...
Located at Rr #1 Box 13k 24 Old Etna Rd in Lebanon, New Hampshire, Lebanon Center, Genesis Healthcare is a 110 room nursing care facility. The facility is in a largely middle income area, with a median per-household ...
Kindred Transitional Care And Rehabilitation-Greenbr is located at 55 Harris Rd in Nashua, New Hampshire. It is a 290 unit skilled nursing facility. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with about 28,000 individuals living in the zip code ...
Situated near the South Hooksett area of Manchester, New Hampshire, Villa Crest is a 126 bed senior community. The neighboring area has a dense population, with around 34,000 individuals living in the 03104 zip code. With a median ...
Exeter Center is an 81 unit senior housing facility situated in Exeter, New Hampshire. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with about 22,000 poeple living in the zip code of 03833. With an average household income of $74,806, ...
Crestwood Center is an 82 bed senior care community. It is located at 40 Crosby St in Milford, New Hampshire. The community is in a primarily middle income area, with a median per-family income of $70,617. With ...
Located at 188 Jones Ave in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Clipper Harbor is a 102 room senior housing community. The surrounding area is densely populated, with roughly 23,000 people residing in the 03801 zip code. With a median per-household ...
Harris Hill Center is located at 20 Maitland St in Concord, New Hampshire. It is a 78 room senior housing facility. With an average family income of $52,876, the community is in a largely middle income area. ...
Located at 175 Blueberry Ln in Laconia, New Hampshire, Laconia Rehabilitation Center is a 120 unit nursing care facility. The facility is in a mostly middle income area, with an average per-household income of $45,867. It has a ...
Applewood Center is a 72 unit senior housing facility. It is located at 8 Snow Rd in Winchester, New Hampshire. The facility is in a predominantly middle income area, with an average per-family income of $43,642. With ...
Courville at Manchester is a 70 unit senior care facility located near by the South Hooksett neighborhood of Manchester, New Hampshire. The encompassing area has a dense population, with about 34,000 poeple living in the zip code of 03104. ...
The Cost of Memory Care in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, memory care services are provided in assisted living facilities known as residential care facilities. While there are no official numbers on the cost of memory care, it's estimated that it adds 20-30% to the standard rates for residential care. The increased cost is due to the specialized support services, dementia-specific programming, enhanced security and higher staff-to-resident ratios provided in memory care facilities. For this guide, we added 25% to the assisted living costs shown in Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey 2019. Costs can vary between facilities depending on the location, amenities and services offered.
At $8,776, memory care in New Hampshire is over $3,700 more expensive than the national average of $5,064 per month. The New Hampshire average is also significantly higher than the rates paid in neighboring states. The average cost in Massachusetts is $7,050, which is over $1,700 less per month. In Vermont, memory care costs $6,672 per month, while in Connecticut, the average is even lower at $6,100. The least expensive state in the region is Maine at $5,041 per month.
- New Hampshire: $8,776
- National: $5,064
- Maine: $5,941
- Vermont: $6,672
- Massachusetts: $7,050
- Connecticut: $6,100
The Cost of Memory Care in New Hampshire’s Top Cities
The cost of memory care in Manchester, New Hampshire, According to the Genworth Cost of Care Study 2019, the cost of care in Manchester, New Hampshire, averages $8,978 per month. The cost of memory care in cities across the state line are lower. In Boston and Worcester, Massachusetts, the average costs are $8,052 and $7,042 per month, respectively. Portland, Maine, has the closest cost to Manchester at an average of $8,250. Seniors in Burlington, Vermont, pay the least in comparison, at $6,391 per month.
- Manchester: $8,978
- Boston, MA: $8,052
- Worcester, MA: $7,042
- Portland, ME: $8,250
- Burlington, VT: $6,391
Senior Care Cost Comparison in New Hampshire
At $8,776 per month, memory care is the second-most expensive senior living option in New Hampshire. Standard assisted living in a residential care facility costs $7,021, on average. In-home and home health care services cost notably less, at $5,243 and $5,386, respectively. Nursing home care is the most expensive option at an average of $9,581, while the least costly is adult day care at just $1,777 per month.
- Memory Care: $8,776
- Assisted Living Facility: $7,021
- In-Home Care: $5,243
- Home Health Care: $5,386
- Adult Day Care: $1,777
- Nursing Home Care: $9,581
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in New Hampshire
Choices for Independence Waiver Program
Address: 129 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH, 03301
Phone Number: (866) 634-9412
Website: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcbcs/beas/homecare.htm
The CFIW program is designed to help seniors with chronic illnesses, such as dementia, who need help paying for long-term care services. Depending on a person’s need, the CFIW pays for various care and supportive services a senior receives in a memory care facility, which can allow those with dementia to remain in a community setting rather than be placed in a nursing home.
Seniors aged 65 and older who've been assessed as needing nursing home care may qualify for the waiver. Applicants must also meet the financial eligibility criteria to enroll in the state Medicaid program. Seniors interested in applying for the CFIW must first complete a Medicare application.
New Hampshire State Supplemental Program
Address: 129 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH, 03301-3852
Phone Number: (603) 271-9700
Website: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dfa/documents/supplemental.pdf
This program is administered by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NHDHHS), and provides benefits in a variety of cases including seniors. These benefits can be used towards a memory care facility.
To qualify for the SSP cash benefit, seniors must be 65 or older. They must also meet the income and asset guidelines and medical criteria of the federal Supplemental Security Income program. Interested seniors may apply online, print out an application and mail it to their local Division of Family Assistance district office or contact the nearest office by phone.
New Hampshire Memory Care Rules and Regulations
Licensing and inspecting assisted living facilities that provide memory care in New Hampshire is the responsibility of the Department Of Health And Human Services Health Facilities Administration. New Hampshire has two kinds of licensed assisted-living facilities: Supported Residential Healthcare Facilities (SRHCF) and Residential Care Facilities (RCFs)
Facility Scope of Care | Both kinds of facilities must provide services that ensure the safety and the health of all residents, limiting the possibility of any accident or injury. At a minimum, these facilities must provide: - Oversight and protective care around the clock
- Emergency response services and crisis intervention
- Assistance with ordering and taking medications
- Help arranging medical and dental care
- Laundry and housekeeping services
- On-site activities that meet the recreational and social needs of residents
- Supervision as needed
- Three nutritionally balanced meals per day, any prescribed therapeutic diets and snacks
SRHCF’s also need to provide residents with rehabilitation, nursing and behavioral healthcare services if needed |
Admission Requirements | Individuals who may be admitted to an RCF or SRHCF include seniors and adults who have: - Alzheimer’s or a related dementia
- Care needs that are compatible with those offered by these facilities
- Intellectual or physical disabilities
- Chronic illnesses that have reached a stable stage
- Mental health conditions
- Controlled behavioral issues
SRHCFs can retain residents who need ongoing medical or nursing care that can be met by the faculty’s staff or by a licensed home healthcare provider. Residents who may not be admitted or need to be discharged by RCFs include individuals who: - Need specialized equipment to transfer from or to a bed or chair
- Require 24-hour nursing care
- Need constant medical attention when their health status changes
- Can't self-evacuate in an emergency
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Care Plan Requirements | New residents must be evaluated by a trained assessor using an HFA-approved tool. These assessments must occur every 6 months and after any noted change in a resident's condition. If necessary, a nursing assessment must be performed that includes a resident’s vital signs, their use of medication, and their clinical, physical, behavioral, cognitive and mental status. After these assessments, each resident must have a care plan developed by qualified faculty staff. |
Medication Management Requirements | Residents may self-administer medication or ask staff to help, if necessary. Staff at an SRHCF can supervise residents when they self-administer medication, but they may not handle any medication. The administration of oral medications may be delegated by a licensed nurse to unlicensed staff. These unlicensed staff members may also administer glycerin suppositories, enemas, medicinal baths/shampoo or topical products with direction. In RCFs, a licensed nurse or a medication nursing assistant may administer medication. |
Facility Requirements | Licensed RCFs and SRHCFs aren't required to provide private apartments. Accommodations may be a single or double occupancy and should include a sink and toilet. Facilities must have one shower or bathtub for every six residents. SRHCFs providing memory care should be equipped with a wander prevention system or locked security system. They may also have an alarm system that automatically locks doors whenever a resident wearing an electronic sensor approaches. |
Staffing Requirements | Facilities must employ an administrator who handles daily operations, sufficient staff to provide residents with personal care and a licensed nurse who administers medications. In an SRHCF, the staff nurse also needs to oversee health services and assist with required assessments. They may also delegate the administration of medication to certified nursing assistants. New Hampshire assisted-living facilities have no minimum staff ratio requirement. Facility administrators determine staff requirements according to residents' needs and the facility's size. Facilities must have at least one staff member on duty around the clock. Facility administrators are required to complete at least 12 hours of continuing education annually on relevant topics. Personnel involved with direct care must receive comprehensive and initial training within a week of being hired as well as ongoing training during employment. |
Medicaid Policy | New Hampshire Medicaid offers the CFIW program to help eligible seniors living in a less restrictive assisted living setting defray some of their monthly expenses. Assistance is capped at 80% of the cost of care in a nursing facility, and the waiver covers a variety of services received in a memory care facility. |
Reporting Abuse | Incidents of abuse or neglect in any New Hampshire assisted living facility should be reported to the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman. These reports may be made by email, by calling (800) 442-5640 or by faxing an initial report form to (603) 271-5574. Completed forms may also be mailed to: Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office of the Commissioner NH Department of Health and Human Services 129 Pleasant St. Concord, NH 03301 |
Free Memory Care Resources in New Hampshire
Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter
The Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association exists to help seniors and their families deal with the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia by providing them with resources and assistance. Seniors can learn about the latest treatments and how to minimize the effects of the condition, access support groups and find scheduled local events that promote Alzheimer’s awareness.
New Hampshire State Agencies
The New Hampshire Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (BEAS)
Address: 105 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301
Phone Number: (603) 271-9203
Website: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcbcs/beas/
The BEAS provides a variety of long-term care and social supports to adults aged 60 and older. These services can be accessed through a network of ServiceLink Resource Centers and NHDHHS district offices. Available services include transportation assistance, nutrition programs, Medicare counseling and long-term care options counseling.
Area Agencies on Aging in New Hampshire
The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in New Hampshire fall under the auspices been of the New Hampshire BEAS. The AAA in New Hampshire provides free assistance and information about senior services. You can learn more about these senior services by contacting the NH DHHS district offices.
Veterans Affairs Offices in New Hampshire
The Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services helps veterans or their dependents secure all the benefits to which they're entitled. This includes regular or disability pensions for senior veterans. Members of the department also conduct benefits reviews with senior veterans or their families to ensure they're getting all the proper benefits.
Social Security Offices in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Family Assistance offers seniors living in assisted living facilities, and who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, an additional financial supplement on top of the regular SSI payment. These funds can be used to help cover the cost of memory care. Seniors can apply for the supplement through the nearest NHDHHS district office.
Other Cities in New Hampshire