Burlington Health and Rehab is located at 300 Pearl St in Burlington, Vermont. It is a 126 unit nursing home facility. The community is in a largely middle class area, with a median household income of $38,543. ...
Memory Care in Vermont
- SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Vermont
- Memory Care Directory for Vermont
- Memory Care Costs in Vermont
- Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Vermont
- Vermont Memory Care Rules and Regulations
- Free Memory Care Resources in Vermont
Alzheimer’s disease places fifth among the leading causes of death in Vermont, which is higher than its average ranking throughout the United States. The Green Mountain State also ranked second nationwide for the highest Alzheimer's death rate in 2018, when more than 300 Vermonters died from this disease. Approximately 13,000 seniors 65 and older have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2020, and this number is projected to increase by 30.8% in the next 5 years to roughly 17,000 by 2025. With an expected higher number of hospital readmissions, emergency room visits and hospice cases related to dementia, Vermont’s small number of geriatricians needs to increase by 540% in 2050.
Designed with homelike environments for comfort and safety, memory care facilities in Vermont allow seniors with dementia to remain in community settings. These noninstitutional establishments help residents and their families deal with the challenges of dementia through specialized programs. Memory care residents can receive around-the-clock support and individualized attention from specially trained caregivers. Other beneficial features may include therapeutic activities, brain-healthy food options, stimulating life journey stations and other nonmedical approaches to dementia care. Compared to the U.S. average of $5,064, Vermont’s average memory care cost is $6,673 per month.
This guide provides seniors and their loved ones with valuable information about memory care in Vermont, discussing the state’s SeniorScore and memory care costs. Available financial assistance programs, the rules governing communities and free resources related to memory care are also included.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Vermont
Vermont has a satisfactory overall SeniorScore of 71, which is slightly lower but close to the U.S. average of 72. A SeniorScore is an unbiased rating that shows how well an area satisfies the needs of older adults. This data-driven senior livability index is calculated using over 100 variables from established government and private agencies. These data points provide better insight into senior living and memory care across four categories.
Recreation and Leisure in Vermont received the highest SeniorScore of 67. For a state with a higher percentage of adults aged 55 and older than the national average, it has a good number of municipal parks, churches, golf churches and other recreational facilities. Health and safety is rated at 66 for the state’s above-average life expectancy of 80.5 years and considerably low crime rates, which make Vermont the second safest state in the country. The Green Mountain State is also among the top states when it comes to health care access.
Vermont’s General Quality of Life gets a score of 61 due to its continental climate with cold, snowy winters. Finances scores the lowest at 58 partly because of the state’s average overall cost of living. Other contributing factors are the state's high senior care costs, and that Vermont taxes all forms of income, including Social Security benefits, pensions and retirement account withdrawals.
Top Memory Care Communities in Vermont
Located at 98 Starr Farm Rd in Burlington, Vermont, Starr Farm Nursing Center is a 150 room nursing facility. The facility is in a mostly middle class area, with an average family income of $57,785. With approximately 11,000 ...
Berlin Health and Rehab is located at 98 Hospitality Dr in Barre, Vermont. It is a 141 unit nursing care facility. The community is in a mostly middle income area, with a median per-household income of $50,043. ...
Pine Heights at Brattleboro Center For Nursing and Rehabilitation is an 80 unit nursing facility located in Brattleboro, Vermont. The facility is in a generally middle class area, with a median per-household income of $44,422. With about 18,000 ...
Rowan Court Health and Rehab is located at 378 Prospect St in Barre, Vermont. It is a 96 unit nursing facility. The community is in a largely middle class area, with a median per-family income of $50,043. ...
Kindred Transitional Care and Rehab Birchwood Terrace is a 144 room skilled nursing facility located in Burlington, Vermont. The encompassing area has an average population density, with about 11,000 people residing in the zip code of 05408. It ...
Greensboro Nursing Home is located at 47 Maggie's Pond Rd in Greensboro, Vermont. It is a 30 room skilled nursing facility. The facility is in a mostly middle income area, with a median per-household income of $44,803. ...
Vermont Veterans' Home is a 177 bed senior care facility. It is located at 325 North St in Bennington, Vermont. The community is in a largely middle income area, with a median per-household income of $42,005. With ...
Bennington Health and Rehab is located at 2 Blackberry Ln in Bennington, Vermont. It is a 100 bed skilled nursing facility. The neighboring area has a medium-density population, with approximately 16,000 poeple living in the 05201 zip code. ...
Southwestern Vermont - Centers For Living and Rehabilitation is located at 160 Hospital Dr in Bennington, Vermont. It is a 150 unit nursing home facility. The community is in a primarily middle income area, with a median per-household ...
Rutland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is located at 46 Nichols St in Rutland, Vermont. It is a 123 unit nursing home facility. The surrounding area is densely populated, with roughly 22,000 people residing in the 05701 zip code. ...
The Pines at Rutland Center for Health and Rehabilitation is a 125 unit nursing care facility located in Rutland, Vermont. With roughly 22,000 individuals living in the 05701 zip code, the surrounding area is densely populated. It ...
Gill Odd Fellows Home is a 46 bed senior care facility situated in Ludlow, Vermont. With an average household income of $46,105, the facility is in a primarily middle class area. It is sparsely populated, with approximately 3,000 ...
Saint Albans Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is located at 596 Sheldon Rd in St Albans, Vermont. It is a 115 unit nursing home facility. With about 15,000 individuals living in the zip code of 05478, the encompassing area ...
Located at 9 Haywood Ave in Rutland, Vermont, Mountain View Center Genesis Healthcare is a 158 unit nursing facility. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with about 22,000 residents in the zip code of 05701. It is a ...
Vernon ADvent Christian Home is a 60 room senior housing community. It is located at 61 Greenway Dr in Vernon, Vermont. With about 3,000 individuals residing in the 05354 zip code, the surrounding area has a sparse population. ...
Located at 35 Bel-aire Dr in Newport, Vermont, Bel-Aire Center is a 44 room senior community. The community is in a generally middle class area, with an average household income of $37,931. With approximately 8,000 residents in the ...
Northern Kare Facilities - Union House Nursing Home is a 44 room nursing facility located in Glover, Vermont. The community is in a mostly middle class area, with an average per-family income of $44,803. It is sparsely populated, ...
Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is a 105 unit nursing facility situated in Middlebury, Vermont. The community is in a primarily middle class area, with an average family income of $48,922. With roughly 11,000 residents in the ...
St. Johnsbury Health and Rehab is a 110 bed nursing facility. It is located at 1248 Hospital Dr in St Johnsbury, Vermont. The encompassing area has a medium-density population, with roughly 10,000 poeple living in the zip code ...
The Cost of Memory Care in Vermont
Memory care providers in Vermont include stand-alone Alzheimer’s care facilities and assisted living residences with designated dementia care units. While no authoritative data currently exists for any state when it comes to memory care costs, these costs are estimated to be 20%-30% more than standard assisted living. The increased pricing pays for a higher level of care, which typically includes higher staff-to-resident ratios, specialized health and nonmedical support and enhanced security systems.
The memory care costs used in the following comparisons is based on a 25% over the cost of standard assisted living, per Genworth Financial's 2019 Cost of Care Survey. This put the average cost of memory care in Vermont at $6,673 per month, which is about $1,600 more than the national average of $5,064. New Hampshire has the region’s steepest memory care cost at $8,776, while Massachusetts comes second at $7,050, which makes these two states about $2,100 and $400 more expensive than Vermont, respectively. Seniors in Maine can expect to pay $200 less monthly at $6,461. New York is the most affordable neighboring state at $5,788, saving seniors $900 per month.
- Vermont: $6,673
- National: $5,064
- New York: $5,788
- Maine: $6,461
- Massachusetts: $7,050
- New Hampshire: $8,776
The Cost of Memory Care in Vermont’s Top Cities
In Burlington, Vermont's largest city and the only one included in the Genworth survey, memory care costs an average of $6,391, which is nearly $300 lower than the statewide average. Neighboring New Hampshire’s largest city, Manchester, has a much steeper memory care cost of $8,978 per month. In Nearby Glens Falls and Albany, New York, costs are more affordable at $5,219 and $5,656, respectively. Seniors with budgets below $4,000 may opt for Pittsfield, Massachusetts, which has an average memory care cost of just $3,776.
- Burlington: $6,391
- Pittsfield, MA: $3,766
- Glens Falls, NY: $5,219
- Albany, NY: $5,656
- Manchester, NH: $8,978
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Vermont
Senior care rates are high in Vermont, and memory care is among the most expensive options at $6,673 per month. However, this option saves seniors about $4,000 per month compared to nursing home care, which costs $10,722 for semiprivate accommodations. In-home care and home health care costs are more affordable at $5,196, which is $1,500 less than memory care. This price difference covers the accommodations, meals and specialized care programs provided in memory care facilities. Compared to standard assisted living, which averages $5,338 per month, memory care costs approximately $1,300 more. Adult day care is the least expensive care option at $3,033 per month, and it may be suitable for memory-impaired seniors who don't require 24-hour care.
- Memory Care: $6,673
- Assisted Living: $5,338
- In-Home Care: $5,196
- Home Health Care: $5,196
- Adult Day Care: $3,033
- Nursing Home Care: $10,722
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Vermont
Choices for Care
Address: 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671
Phone Number: (800) 642-5119
Website: https://www.greenmountaincare.org/long-term-care-medicaid
Choices for Care is the Medicaid long-term care program of Vermont. It pays for the costs of supportive services provided in the recipients' settings of choice, including adult family care homes, residential care homes, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. ALF-based services may include case management, nursing overview, personal care, medication management, housekeeping and laundry services.
Eligible Choices for Care participants must be aged 65 and older or adults with physical disabilities, require a nursing home level of care and meet the same financial qualifications of Vermont Medicaid. Long-term care coordinators under the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living perform personal assessments for clinical eligibility, while Green Mountain Care determines financial eligibility.
Enhanced Residential Care (ERC)
Address: 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671
Phone Number: (802) 241-0294
Website: https://asd.vermont.gov/tags/enhanced-residential-care
ERC is a Choices for Care option that provides a daily bundled package of services to Medicaid-eligible seniors living in participating Level III residential care homes and assisted living residences. These services, which may include case management, nursing overview, daily living assistance, medication management and housekeeping, may be provided in participating memory care facilities. Room and board costs are not covered.
Eligibility for ERC is based on the clinical and financial criteria for the Choices for Care program. In addition, applicants must live in a licensed ALF or RCH facility that's an enrolled ERC provider and agree to pay for room and board. Local Area Agencies on Aging may provide assistance with applications and in finding participating facilities.
Assistive Community Care Services
Address: 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671
Phone Number: (800) 642-5119
Website: https://asd.vermont.gov/content/assistive-community-care-services-glance
ACCS is a Medicaid State Plan option that provides supportive services to qualified residents in participating ALRs and Level III RCHs. In addition to similar services provided under the ERC program, ACCS pays for the costs of assistive therapy and restorative nursing services. While room and board costs aren't covered, facilities that participate in both ERC and ACCS may provide a combination of services to recipients eligible for both programs.
Eligible ACCS beneficiaries must be seniors aged 65 and older and qualified SSI and/or Medicaid recipients and must live in a licensed residential care facility participating in ACCS. Local Area Agencies on Aging may be contacted for assistance with SSI and Medicaid applications and in finding ACCS facilities.
Vermont Memory Care Rules and Regulations
Memory care in Vermont may be provided in licensed residential care homes and assisted living residences with designated Alzheimer’s/dementia care units. These facilities are regulated by the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living through the Survey and Certification unit of the Division of Licensing and Protection. ALRs must operate in compliance with the state’s ALR licensing regulations in conjunction with RCH regulations.
Scope of Care | RCFs and ALRs shall provide room and board, personal care, general supervision and medication management. Nursing services may be provided as needed in ALRs and at a limited frequency and duration in RCHs. ALRs must also offer daily activities and social services, particularly coordination and referrals for home health, hospice, transportation and other supportive services necessary for aging in place. |
Care Plan Requirements | ALR and RCH residents shall have written care plans, based on DLP-standardized assessments and developed in cooperation with the clients and/or their legal representatives. A written care plan must describe the care and services to be provided in accordance with a resident’s needs, abilities, choices, dignity and independence. |
Medication Management Requirements | Medication administration by a designated staff member may take place only upon delegation by a registered nurse for a designated resident. Insulin injections may only be administered by unlicensed personnel who received additional training and RN delegation. |
Staff Screening Requirements | ALRs and RCHs must not hire people who:
Screening of prospective employees may be done by checking the following:
|
Staff Training Requirements | All direct care staff must receive at least 12 hours of training per year, covering various topics such as general supervision and care, emergency response procedures, infection control measures and proper interaction toward residents with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. |
Medicaid Coverage | Seniors who meet eligibility requirements for Green Mountain Care may receive long-term care services through the Choices for Care, Enhanced Residential Care or Assistive Community Care Services Medicaid programs. |
Reporting Abuse | Any alleged incident of abuse, neglect or exploitation should be reported to the Adult Protective Services unit of DLP. Mandated reporters such as ALR and RCH staff must submit written and/or oral reports within 48 hours of learning of an incident. Reports may be submitted online, via email to [email protected] or by calling (800) 564-1612. |
Free Memory Care Resources in Vermont
Alzheimer’s Association Vermont Chapter
The Vermont Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association offers free support groups, in-person and online educational programs, caregiver training and other resources for the benefit of seniors and their loved ones affected by dementia
Vermont Agencies
Adult Services Division
Address: HC 2 South, 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-2070
Phone Number: (802) 241-0294
Website: https://dail.vermont.gov/divisions/asd
Administered through Vermont’s Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, ASD primarily manages a comprehensive range of long-term services and supports funded through Medicaid. It also administers senior programs under the State Plan on Aging and the Older Americans Act to support the health, safety and well-being of older Vermonters.
Vermont Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Address: 264 North Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401
Phone Number: (800) 889-2047
Website: https://www.vtlegalaid.org/vermont-long-term-care-ombudsman-project
The Vermont Long-Term Care Ombudsman Project operates in partnership with DAIL and Vermont Legal Aid, advocating for the rights and welfare of seniors living in RCHs, ALRs and nursing facilities. Its support for Choices for Care participants help them secure the right to receive quality long-term care services. Through the Project's staff and volunteers, this program also offers educational advice on seniors’ rights, handles personal complaints and campaigns for administrative and legislative actions related to long-term care.
Area Agencies on Aging in Vermont
Vermont’s five AAAs are part of the state’s Aging Disabilities Resource Connections network which implements a “no wrong door” policy. These agencies provide information and assistance on long-term care options, nutrition programs, health and wellness outreach services, caregiver support and other available local senior services. Each AAA also has certified State Health Insurance Program staff members who can provide free Medicare counseling services.
Veteran Affairs Offices in Vermont
The Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs offers a wide range of services, including benefits application assistance, financial aid and long-term care programs. Aside from state and VA-operated nursing homes, the Veterans Directed Care program offers community-based services to eligible veterans with significant cognitive impairment. Vermont veterans and their dependents may seek assistance from OVA’s certified Service Officers to file claims for VA benefits.
Social Security Offices in Vermont
Low-income Vermont seniors aged 65 and older who are eligible for federal Supplemental Security Income payments may receive additional cash benefit from the state, which can help augment their budget for memory care. SSI-eligible individuals are also automatically qualified for Green Mountain Care. For assistance with applications for SSI benefits, seniors may contact one of Vermont’s three SSA offices which are located in Burlington, Montpelier and Rutland.
Your Information is Processing