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Nursing Homes in Utah

The Beehive State is well-known for its religious traditions and striking desert scenery, the latter of which gives Utah a low population density, perfect for seniors wanting space in their retirement. Its strong religious roots mean that 53% of Utahans attend worship services each week, helping religious seniors find a strong community no matter where in Utah they choose to settle. The state also offers great hospitals, plenty of sunny days and affordable senior care. More than 11% of Utah's 3.2 million residents are aged 65 and older, and the state has a range of programs to help older Utahans as they age. 

Utah’s 99 nursing homes provide care to adults who have more complex medical needs and require skilled nursing care. This guide helps seniors and their families understand the cost of long-term care in Utah, the rules and regulations governing nursing care in the state and the programs and resources that are available to help pay for care.


SeniorAdvice's Guide to Nursing Home Care in Utah



Utah has a SeniorScore of 71, just one point lower than the national average of 72. The SeniorScore is a calculation based on over 100 data points that evaluates how comfortable a state or city is for seniors. These data points cover a wide range of variables, including finance, crime and health care. SeniorAdvice also gives individual scores for four categories that are important to seniors: Health & Safety, Recreation & Leisure, Finances and General Quality of Life. 

Utah scores highly in the General Quality of Life category. The score of 71 reflects the state’s population density and moderate climate. The relatively high Finance score of 63 is impacted by low property taxes and high median household incomes. Senior living costs in the state are also low, which contributes to the good Finance score. 

The Health & Safety category also received a score of 63. Older Utahans have access to a large number of Medicare-registered healthcare providers and there are also a high number of senior living and home healthcare providers in the state. Utah also has a higher life expectancy than the national average. Utah’s lowest score is in Recreation & Leisure, which is largely impacted by the relatively low number of seniors making their home in the state. However, seniors can still enjoy Utah’s 108 golf courses and 822 churches.



Top Nursing Care in Utah




 
 

The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Utah



The Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020 shows that nursing home care in Utah is very affordable when compared to its neighbors and the United States as a whole. Seniors pay an average of $6,388 per month, which is $1,368 less than the national average. Among Utah’s neighbors, Arizona has the least expensive nursing home care at $6,844. In Colorado, the average is $8,517, while Idaho is slightly higher at $8,669. Nevada seniors pay $9,262 per month, $2,874 more than those in Utah.

  • Utah: $6,388
  • United States: $7,756
  • Arizona: $6,844
  • Colorado: $8,517
  • Nevada: $9,262
  • Idaho: $8,669

The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Utah’s Top Cities 

The price of nursing home care can vary widely between locations in Utah; however, costs in all the major cities are lower than the U.S. average. In Ogden, seniors pay $7,254 per month. Prices in Salt Lake City are higher than the state average, while in Provo and St. George costs are equal to the Utah average. Seniors in Logan pay just $5,627 per month, $761 less than the state average.

  • Salt Lake City: $6,996
  • Logan: $5,627
  • Ogden: $7,254
  • Provo: $6,388
  • St. George: $6,388

Senior Care Cost Comparison in Utah

Other senior care options in Utah are more affordable than nursing home care. Seniors living at home pay an average of $4,814 for in-home care and $4,957 for home health care. Memory care and assisted living costs $4,250 and $3,400 respectively. Adult day care is available in some locations and averages $1,928 per month. 

  • Memory Care: $4,250
  • Assisted Living: $3,400
  • In-Home Care: $4,814
  • Home Health Care: $4,957
  • Adult Day Care: $1,928
  • Nursing Home Care: $6,388

Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in Utah



As you can see above, nursing home care is often the most expensive senior care option – sometimes even 2-3 times the cost of other types of senior living. The primary reason for this is the 24/7 skilled nursing and other medical services that are provided. Thankfully, most people aren't forced to pay for skilled nursing care entirely out-of-pocket. Rather, many qualify for financial assistance programs to help cover the cost of nursing care.

Medicaid is the most comprehensive financial assistance program – but, not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid. And because each state operates its own Medicaid program within federal guidelines, eligibility and benefits vary from state to state. Below, we provide more information on Medicaid in Utah.



Medicaid in Utah


Medicaid is a health insurance program, jointly funded by state and federal governments. It covers a range of primary and acute medical services, including long-term support such as skilled nursing care. In Utah, more than 381,000 people are enrolled in the program, an increase of 29% since the state expanded coverage in 2013. Medicaid helps fund the care for half of the state’s 5,574 nursing home residents. The majority of Utah’s 99 skilled nursing facilities accept Medicaid payments.

Medicaid Eligibility in Utah

Utah provides long-term care through waiver programs and Nursing Home Medicaid. Applicants for Nursing Home Medicaid must meet financial and medical eligibility requirements. There is no set income limit for Nursing Home Medicaid in the state, but beneficiaries must put nearly all their income towards their care, keeping just $45 per month for personal needs. Other basic requirements include:

  • The asset limit is $2,000. For married couples, if both spouses are applying, the limit is $2,000 for each spouse. This doesn’t include certain assets, such as a vehicle or personal belongings. 
  • Non-applicant spouses can keep $130,380 of assets and may also be entitled to a Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance.
  • Applicants must be assessed as requiring a nursing home level of care.
  • Applicants must be Utah residents and a U.S. citizen or legal resident.

For more information, or to apply for benefits, seniors should talk to a Nursing Home Medicaid Worker. Nursing homes are assigned Medicaid workers and can give potential residents the name of the person who works with them. Alternatively, workers can be reached at (801) 526-0950 in the Salt Lake area or (866) 435-7471 for people living in other parts of the state. Seniors can also apply online at myCase.



Additional Financial Assistance Options


  • Medicare: For the first 20 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will cover the entire cost of care, and a portion of the costs up until day 100. After 100 days, Medicare won't cover any of the costs. Importantly, seniors must also have a "qualifying hospital stay" that lasts 3 days prior to their admission to a nursing home in order to qualify for Medicare coverage.
  • Aid and Attendance: Aid and Attendance may be available to veterans who receive a VA pension. This benefit is a monthly cash allowance that veterans receive in addition to their standard pension amount. It is intended for veterans in need of long-term care services and may be used to pay for skilled nursing care.
  • Reverse Mortgages: For those who own a home, reverse mortgages are loans that one can take out against the value of their home, essentially converting some of the home's equity into cash. It's often a good fit for married couples when only one partner needs nursing care, as the other residents of the home may continue living there. Keep in mind that reverse mortgage loans do need to be repaid (with interest), typically within 12 months of receiving the loan.
  • Long-Term Care Insurance: For seniors who already have long-term care insurance, the cost of skilled nursing care may be covered. Most policies cover at least a portion of the costs, but it depends on the specific policy terms. It's important to note that older adults who are already in need of skilled nursing care will not be eligible to sign up for a long-term care insurance policy.

Utah Nursing Home Care Rules and Regulations



Nursing homes in Utah are licensed and regulated by the Division of Health Systems Improvement, Health Facility Licensing, Certification and Resident Assessment. This is a division of the Utah Department of Health. It performs regular on-site inspections and investigates complaints to ensure facilities meet required treatment and safety standards. In addition, the division conducts assessments of Medicaid-funded residents to ensure they meet the medical eligibility criteria required of Medicaid. 

Scope of Care

Nursing care facilities in Utah can refer to two types of facilities. Intermediate care facilities are for people who require 24-hour inpatient care but don’t need continuous nursing care. Skilled nursing care facilities provide 24-hour inpatient care to people who need licensed nursing supervision. The services provided in skilled nursing facilities must be provided by or under the close supervision of a licensed health care professional. 

Intermediate care facilities must provide medical supervision, dietary services, social services and recreational therapy. Skilled nursing facilities provide these services, plus dental and pharmacy services. Both can also provide other services based on a care plan, such as occupational, respiratory and speech therapy. The care provided must help preserve current capabilities and prevent further deterioration.

Care Planning

Facilities must have a physician’s order for care when a resident is admitted. An initial resident assessment must be completed within 14 days of admission and any revisions made within 21 days of admission. A comprehensive care plan must be developed within seven days of the assessment and include input from an interdisciplinary team.

Reviews of the assessment occur at least quarterly and when there’s any significant change in a resident’s condition. In addition, a full assessment must occur every 12 months. The care plan must be reviewed and revised after each assessment.

Pharmacy Services

Facilities must obtain pharmaceutical services to provide emergency and routine drugs to meet residents’ needs. The drug regimen of each resident must be reviewed monthly by a licensed pharmacist.

In addition, a licensed pharmacist must consult on pharmacy services, establish a records system and reconcile all controlled substances on a monthly basis. 

Staff Screening

Utah nursing care facilities must confirm through the nurse aide registry that job applicants don’t have a verified report of abuse, neglect or exploitation. If a verified report exists, they can’t be hired for the position.

Staff Training

All people employed by nursing home facilities must be licensed, registered or certified to do the work that they’re hired to undertake. 

Nursing facilities must provide in-service training for all personnel on a variety of topics including fire prevention, abuse reporting, proper use of restraints and the rights of residents. 

Medicaid Coverage

Nursing home care in Utah is covered by Utah Medicaid for eligible seniors and disabled adults. Beneficiaries must meet income and asset requirements and be assessed as requiring a nursing home level of care. These medical assessments are carried out by Health Facility, Licensing, Certification and Resident Assessment.

Reporting Abuse

It’s mandatory for all elder abuse and suspected elder abuse to be reported in Utah. Reports can be made to the Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services at 1-800-371-7897 or through the online reporting form. Any employee who reports suspected abuse can’t be disciplined for making the report.


Free Nursing Home Resources in Utah



Utah Health Care Association

Utah Health Care Association (UHCA) is an industry organization for long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities. It also provides resources and assistance to seniors and their families who are making decisions about their long-term care. UHCA produces a number of consumer guides for people exploring long-term care, including A Consumer’s Guide to Nursing Facilities, and has a search program to help people find the right senior living facility.

Utah Legal Services

Utah Legal Services provides free legal assistance to low-income Utah residents. Although the program isn’t designed purely for seniors, Utah Legal Services has resources available to help older Utahans navigate legal issues. Services available for seniors include estate planning, wills, driving privileges and powers of attorney. Utah Legal Services can also provide advice on Medicare, Medicaid and other programs designed to help people access medical assistance. The service is available to citizens or permanent legal residents who need help in non-criminal cases. Applicants must also meet certain financial requirements, although seniors may be able to access the service even if they don’t meet the income criteria.



Utah Agencies


Utah Department of Health

Address: 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Phone Number: 1-888-222-2542
Website: https://health.utah.gov/ 

The Utah Department of Health works closely with local health departments to help create a healthy environment and ensure access to quality health care. It administers more than 50 programs that promote good health and serve Utahans over their lifetime, including Medicaid, facility licensing and disease control and prevention. The Utah Department of Health’s programs are available to all Utah residents, although eligibility varies between each program depending on who it is designed to help. 

Utah Department of Human Services, Aging and Adult Services

Address: 195 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Phone Number: (801) 538-4171
Website: https://daas.utah.gov/ 

The Utah Department of Human Services, Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) serves as a link between the national Administration on Aging and local programs, including Area Agencies on Aging. It has a number of programs that help protect Utahans as they age. This includes Adult Protective Services, which investigates abuse, neglect and exploitation of seniors. DAAS also manages the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, which advocates for seniors living in long-term care facilities, educates people about their rights and helps resolve issues and complaints. Seniors can also receive help with financial exploitation and Medicare fraud. 

DAAS has services designed to help seniors age independently. It administers nutrition programs, caregiver support, legal services and home and community-based services programs. In addition, Utah’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is managed by DAAS. This program can help seniors understand their health insurance options and provide assistance with claims and bills. DAAS programs can be accessed through local Area Agencies on Aging.



Area Agencies on Aging in Utah


Utah Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) have a range of programs to assist seniors throughout the state. Older Utahans can access meals, transportation and home and community-based services. AAAs also administrate the Utah Caregiver Support Program, which provides family caregivers with resources, counseling and supplemental services and arranges respite care for seniors. Seniors can get more information about programs available in the local area or apply for services by contacting their local AAA.



Veteran Affairs Office in Utah


The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (DVMA) offers a range of services to Utahans who have served in the military. It maintains a list of individuals and organizations that can help veterans identify and apply for benefits and can also help veterans access legal assistance. Utah has four nursing homes available to veterans who require long-term care, as well as spouses of veterans and Gold Star Parents. Seniors looking for assistance can contact the DVMA at (800) 894-9497 or through its website.



Social Security Offices in Utah


The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages a range of programs that provide assistance to seniors and disabled adults in Utah. This includes Social Security disability and retirement payments, Medicare enrollment and survivor’s benefits. Some seniors who receive Supplemental Security Income may also be eligible for Utah’s Optional State Supplementation payment, although this is only available to people in certain living arrangements. Seniors who require assistance with any of the SSA’s programs can contact the local SSA office.

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