Utah is a popular retirement destination that's rated the 10th best state for retirees, according to Kiplinger. Of the state's 3.2 million residents, 11.4% are aged 65 and older. With such an aging population, it should come as no surprise that age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's and dementia are common in the state. Sadly, Alzheimer's is the fourth-leading cause of death in Utah, and an estimated 34,000 state residents have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. That figure is expected to increase to 42,000 by 2025.
Utah's government produced a state plan for improving awareness of Alzheimer's and dementia and increasing the quality of care received by those diagnosed with the conditions. The plan is supported by the Alzheimer's Association and has already helped significantly improve aging services in the state. There are many memory care facilities in Utah. These facilities offer seniors safe and comfortable living spaces, supervised activities that promote cognitive health and well-being, and specialized care and support. The average cost of memory care services in Utah is $4,250 per month, which is more affordable than the national average of $5,064.
This guide looks at the cost of memory care in Utah, considers the SeniorScore for the state, the financial assistance programs available to older adults, memory care regulations and free resources. This information can help families make an informed decision about long-term care for their loved ones.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Utah
The SeniorScore for Utah is 71, which is just one point below the national average. The SeniorScore is a measure of how comfortable older adults may find a particular state to live in. The rating is based on 100 variables and divided into four categories, including Finances, Health & Safety, Recreation & Leisure and General Quality of Life. The state's best-scoring category is General Quality of Life, at 71 points, thanks to the generally dry, if arid, climate and moderate population density. Sales tax and income tax are above average in Utah, contributing to the state's score of 63 in the Finances category.
Utah also scores well for Health & Safety, due to the high number of Medicare-registered healthcare professionals and the presence of several quality hospitals, including the University of Utah Hospital and the Dixie Regional Medical Center, which are listed as high-performing for several procedures and conditions by US News and World Report. In terms of Recreation and Leisure, Utah scores 56 points. The state has a high number of municipal parks, and 822 churches representing many faiths and denominations. It also has more than 100 golf courses, and a variety of other entertainment options, giving seniors the freedom to choose entertainment that suits their tastes and abilities.
Heritage Care Center is a 106 room senior care community located in American Fork, Utah. The facility is in a primarily upscale area, with a median household income of $80,437. With approximately 43,000 individuals living in the 84003 ...
Aspen Park Memory Care Community is located at 1430 East 4500 South in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is a 20 bed senior care facility. The community is in a generally middle class area, with an average household ...
Provo Rehabilitation and Nursing is a 220 bed nursing home facility situated in Provo, Utah. The community is in a predominantly middle class area, with an average per-household income of $46,907. With about 50,000 poeple living in the ...
Mt. Olympus Rehabilitation Center is a 107 unit skilled nursing facility located in the Sugar House area of Salt Lake City, Utah. With an average household income of $76,856, the facility is in a mostly upper class area. ...
Located at 4782 South Holladay Blvd in Salt Lake City, Utah, Holladay Healthcare Center is a 120 room nursing home facility. The community is in a predominantly middle class area, with a median per-family income of $58,247. It ...
Legacy Village of Taylorsville is a 40 bed senior care community situated in Taylorsville, Utah. Located nearby are a variety of local amenities, such as houses of worship, retail stores, and healthcare facilities. There are many ...
Kindred Nursing and Rehabilitaton - St George is a 130 room nursing facility. It is located at 1032 East 100 South in St George, Utah. The community is in a primarily middle income area, with an average family ...
Orem Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing is located at 575 East 1400 South in Orem, Utah. It is a 120 bed nursing care facility. With roughly 22,000 people residing in the 84097 zip code, the encompassing area is ...
St. Joseph Villa is located in the Liberty Wells neighborhood of Salt Lake City, Utah. It is a 221 unit senior care community. With roughly 26,000 residents in the 84115 zip code, the surrounding area has a dense ...
Spring Creek Healthcare Center is a 100 room nursing facility. It is located at 4600 South Highland Dr in Salt Lake City, Utah. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with around 25,000 individuals residing in the 84117 zip ...
Hurricane Health and Rehabilitation is a 60 bed skilled nursing facility. It is located at 416 North State St in Hurricane, Utah. The surrounding area has an average population density, with about 16,000 individuals residing in the zip ...
Heritage Park Care Center is located at 2700 West 5600 South in Roy, Utah. It is a 176 unit senior care facility. The neighboring area has a dense population, with about 38,000 people residing in the 84067 zip ...
Orchard Park Post - Acute Rehab Center is an 89 bed nursing facility. It is located at 740 North 300 East in Orem, Utah. The community is in a largely middle income area, with a median per-family income ...
Located at 1745 East 280 North in St George, Utah, Red Cliffs Health and Rehab is a 124 unit nursing home facility. With an average household income of $52,322, the facility is in a generally middle class area. ...
Located at 7235 S Union Park Ave, Canyon Creek Senior Living is a senior care facility serving Midvale, Utah. With approximately 30,000 poeple living in the zip code of 84047, the neighboring area is heavily populated. It is ...
Life Care Center of Salt Lake City is a 120 bed senior community. It is located at 1201 East 4500 South in Salt Lake City, Utah. The neighboring area is densely populated, with around 25,000 people residing in ...
Canyon Creek is a senior care community located at 7235 South Union Park Ave in Midvale, Utah. With a median per-household income of $46,940, the community is in a primarily middle income area. It has a dense population, ...
Life Care Center of Bountiful is a 120 unit senior housing facility located in Bountiful, Utah. With roughly 46,000 people residing in the 84010 zip code, the neighboring area has a dense population. It is a primarily middle ...
Located at 5540 South 1050 East in Ogden, Utah, ManorCare Health Services-South Ogden is a 140 bed nursing facility. The encompassing area is densely populated, with roughly 32,000 poeple living in the zip code of 84405. With an ...
Brookdale Salt Lake City is a 45 room senior housing community serving residents 55 and over situated in the Central City area of Salt Lake City, Utah. With a median per-household income of $36,145, the facility is in a ...
Memory care services in Utah are typically provided by assisted living facilities with memory care wings. There is no authoritative data for memory care costs across the nation, however, memory care fees are typically 20 to 30% higher than assisted living rates. The extra cost is due to the additional staffing requirements, specialized care and support services required for the safety and comfort of those living in a memory care facility. For the purposes of this guide, we use Genworth Financial's 2019 Cost of Care Survey assisted living prices as a baseline and add 25% to estimate the cost of memory care. Actual fees will vary depending on the location of a facility, its size, amenities and the types of care offered.
At just $4,250 per month, the cost of memory care in Utah is more than $800 lower than the U.S. average of $5,064. It's also on par with the cost in neighboring Nevada and more affordable than Arizona and Wyoming, where monthly fees average $4,688 and $4,725, respectively. Colorado is the most expensive nearby state, with memory care costs that are higher than the national average at $5,119 per month.
Utah: $4,250
National: $5,064
Arizona: $4,688
Colorado: $5,119
Wyoming: $4,725
Nevada: $4,250
The Cost of Memory Care in Utah's Top Cities
Memory care fees vary across the state of Utah. In St. George, to the far south, fees are in line with the state average. In the Provo area, the cost is slightly lower than the state average at $4,048 per month. Salt Lake City is the most expensive area of the state for memory care services, with average fees of $4,794 per month. Continuing north, fees in the Ogden area are on the more affordable end of the spectrum at $4,063. Logan is the most affordable city for those seeking memory care, as typical monthly charges are just $3,875.
St. George: $4,250
Provo Area: $4,048
Salt Lake City: $4,794
Ogden Area: $4,063
Logan: $3,875
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Utah
Memory care is one of the least expensive senior care services available in Utah. Depending on their needs, seniors may opt for adult day care delivered in a group setting, in-home care, home health care, or residential care in the form of assisted living, memory care or nursing care. Of these, adult day care services are the least expensive at $1,560 per month, making them suitable for generally mobile seniors who require only moderate day-to-day support. In-home care and home health care services cost slightly more than memory care, at $4,576 for help with the activities of daily living and limited nursing care. Assisted living services provide room and board plus help with the activities of daily living and cost $3,400, on average. Nursing home care is the most expensive long-term care option, costing $6,403 per month for room and board plus skilled nursing services.
The New Choices Waiver is a state Medicaid program designed to help those who require institutional levels of care transition to living in a community-based setting. The waiver can be used to help seniors who would otherwise require nursing home care live in an assisted living facility while receiving memory care services. The waiver doesn't cover the cost of room and board but can assist with attendant care, case management and certain adult residential services. To be eligible, seniors must meet the care and financial requirements to qualify for Medicaid.
Utah Memory Care Rules and Regulations
Memory care services in Utah are provided in Level II assisted living facilities that are licensed and regulated by the Utah Department of Health, Facility Licensing and Certification and Resident Assessment Bureau. Facilities must comply with regulations relating to the standard of care, staffing, background checks and care plans. The bureau inspects all facilities once every 18 months, and licenses must be renewed annually.
Scope of Care
Memory care facilities must provide the standard services offered by assisted living facilities, such as room and board, meal service and assistance with activities of daily living. The facilities must also offer engaging activities to maintain cognitive well-being, person-centered care and a safe, secure and calming environment suitable for seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia.
Care Plan Requirements
Prior to admission to a memory care facility, residents must have a comprehensive health assessment. The facility must issue a personalized care plan for the resident within 7 days of admission. Residents must have their care plans reviewed within 6 months of admission, and any updates to the care plan must be approved by a healthcare professional.
Medication Management Requirements
All patients must have their medication schedules reviewed by a licensed physician, nurse or other healthcare professional at least twice a year. Residents assessed as being able to do so may self-administer medications under staff supervision. Registered nurses and other licensed caregivers may administer medication for residents who are unable to self-administer.
Staff Screening Requirements
Criminal background checks aren't mandatory for memory care staff working in the state of Utah.
The Alzheimer's Association provides a variety of services to those living with Alzheimer's, their caregivers and family members. The association funds research and also offers support groups, advocacy and education for those living with the condition and those whose lives it has touched indirectly. Many services are provided free of charge.
The center specializes in Alzheimer's-related research and uses an interdisciplinary approach to improving the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's. It also works with patients to provide personalized assessments, disease management and healthcare plans prepared in conjunction with doctors, neuropsychologists and neurologists. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in various dementia-related studies.
Utah Agencies
Utah Department of Human Services - Adult Protective Services
Utah's Adult Protective Services department serves older adults across the state, including those residing in memory care facilities. It investigates reports of neglect, exploitation or abuse. Anyone concerned about the well-being of a vulnerable adult can contact Adult Protective Services to file a report.
Area Agencies on Aging in Utah
There are 12 Area Agencies on Aging in the state of Utah. These agencies administer a range of programs including senior transportation, congregate nutrition, care coordination and other services, including long-term care and memory care options counseling. Each office operates independently and the available services vary. Services are offered free of charge to Utah seniors, regardless of income.
Veteran Affairs Offices in Utah
The Utah Department of Veterans Affairs works with former servicemen and women and their families, helping them apply for state and federal benefits, navigate the pension and disability system, and understand the available financial assistance programs. Many of these benefits can be used to cover some or all of the costs of memory care services.
Social Security Offices in Utah
Utah residents aged 65 and over who are on a low income may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income and optional state supplements. Since SSI is a cash benefit, seniors may be able to use the funds to pay for room and board at a memory care facility. Seniors can contact their nearest SSA office for information and assistance applying.