Adult Care Homes in Sandy, UT

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Sandy Utah Adult Care Homes: How to pay for, Laws and Regulations and Questions to ask…

Utah is known for its natural beauty and national parks. Sightseers from all over the country come to experience the majestic nature Utah offers. The cost of housing and the cost of living is lower than the national average. Utah is a beautiful location for those considering senior care. Assisted Living facilities in Sandy could accept State Medicaid, private payers, and long-term care insurance which helps to relieve the financial burden of senior care, and could be more cost effective than home care.

Sandy is a city in the Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area and the 6th largest in Utah. Sandy is home to the Shops at South Town shopping mall; the Jordan Commons entertainment office and dining complex; and the Mountain America Exposition Center. The city is currently developing a walkable and transit city center called The Cairns. The plan emphasizes sustainable living, walkability, human-scaled architecture, environmentally-friendly design, and nature-inspired design while managing population growth and its related challenges. These features and more have led to Sandy becoming a preferred location for senior citizens to retire and seek care.

Adult Care Home and other terms

It is good to know the other terms/names of services you may hear when searching for certain senior housing: 

Many states actually designate adult care homes as assisted living/residential care facilities because they all fall under the same license. Be sure to check if your state designates care homes under the same license as other housing options.

  • Other related terminology:
  • Board and care home
  • Care home
  • Adult family home 
  • Residential care home 
  • Adult foster home
  • Personal care Home
  • Community Residential Care Facilities
  • Rest Homes

About Adult Care Homes in Sandy

The senior population of Utah is about 10% of the 3.5 million, but the number of aging adults moving to Utah is growing. Quality of life for seniors, affordable cost of living and the family friendly towns and cities of Utah make it an attractive destination for aging adults. As seniors get older it is possible some may require care at some point. There are a variety of care and housing options for our aging adults. An adult care home may be ideal for a senior citizen who can no longer manage their health and safety in their own home, and may need care. Adult foster care homes are designed and equipped for aging adults because they offer private residencies in a home-like environment, which many people prefer over a nursing home, retirement home or assisted living facility. Similar to a nursing home, residents receive 24-hour care. However, the provided services in adult foster care are all in a single-family environment. Each home has an operator who may employ additional caregivers to support the care of residents. Adult Care Homes are called Adult Foster Care in Utah. They are licensed by the Department of Human Services and are defined as the provision of care to up to three adults in a private home owned by the provider. The services should be conducive to the physical, social, emotional, and mental health of elderly persons and adults with disabilities who are temporarily unable to remain in their own homes due to abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Considerations when looking for care in Sandy

The summers are hot, dry, and mostly clear and the winters are freezing, snowy, and partly cloudy. Sandy is home to 95,050 people so there is a small town feeling with the perks of a lot of healthcare. There are over 100 assisted living programs to choose from. Adult Care Homes in Utah do not show up on careavailability.com due to licensing there and how they name their facilities. Assisted living is listed below as a broader category so be sure to check with each community about their capacity.

Cities Near Sandy

  • Salt Lake City – 17 miles north
  • Highland – 18 miles south
  • South Jordan – 5 miles west

Pricing and How to Pay for Adult Care Homes

The average cost for adult foster care homes in Utah is about $2,600 to $3,200 / month. The cost will vary depending on your location, the specific facility and any additional care needs or amenities. 

You want to consider your payment options for assisted living, memory care, and care homes. For these services, Medicare is NOT an option for payment.

The most common payment for these services would be out of pocket Private Pay and assessing a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.

Medicaid can also be an option, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.

Long-Term Care insurance is also a possible option in cases of chronic conditions, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.

For our Veterans and spouses of veterans, be sure to assess Veteran Aid and your eligibility for these benefits.

Medicare – NO:

  • Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
  • People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
  • Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.

Private pay – YES:

  • Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
  • Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
  • Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.

Medicaid – MAYBE:

  • Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
  • Medicaid is administered by state, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government.
  • Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program.
  • National guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines.
  • The state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
  • If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.

Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:

Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.

  • Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
  • Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.

Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:

This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.

  • There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
  • A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
  • If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

Questions to Ask

Finding an assisted living community can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:

  • Make sure the facility is clean and well maintained. You can tell a lot about the operation by noting what is clean and maintained. Are doorknobs loose or damaged? Do you see any frayed carpet or trip hazards?
  • Visit during lunch hour to observe what the residents are eating. Ask questions about the nutrition program. Is there diversity in meals, healthy fruits and vegetables served at all meals, drink options?
  • Speak to residents and/or family members to learn their perspective.
  • Ask about staff and resident engagement. Get a feel for how staff interact with residents.
  • Ask about the life enrichment programs. Activities are crucial when it comes to quality of life and play a key role in care for older adults.
  • And finally (along with a plethora of more things to consider), get to know the leadership in the building. If you feel good around the Executive Director, Head Nurse, Lead Activities Director and even the Chef or Janitor, it is a good sign you can trust them with the care of your loved one.

Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers 

Alta View Hospital

9660 S 1300 E, Sandy, UT 84094

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Utah

8074 S 1300 E, Sandy, UT 84094

SOUTHWOOD Medical Pavilion

870 E 9400 S, Sandy, UT 84094

Ability First Utah Non profit organiation that provides support services to individuals of all ages and types of disabilities. Individuals must have a physical, mental, cognitive or sensory disabilities to qualify for services. 5 core services are provided free of charge, Peer support, Independent Living Life Skills Training, Individual and system change advocacy and Nursing Home & youth transition services. Other services we provide are Equipment Loan Bank and Assistive Technology evaluation services and transportation to and from program services and to transportation to and from vital community resources.

Utah Department of Human Services, Division of Aging & Adult Services Utah Aging & Adult Services. Helps older Utah residents to be as independent as possible for as long as possible through advocacy, development and delivery of policies, programs and services which support and empower the elderly and their families.

Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services We provide services in compliance with the Older Americans Act which includes, NCW, AW, TAP (a State funded program for adults 18-59, Medicaid eligible), MOW, Rides for Wellness, FGP/SCP, Senior employment, RSVP, SHIP/SMP, Ombudsman, Elder Abuse, Legal Service referral. Our mission is: Promoting independence through advocacy, engagement and access to resources.

Adult Protective Services APS is a social services program that serves older adults and adults with disabilities who are in need of assistance. APS workers investigate cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation, working closely with a wide variety of allied professionals such as physicians, nurses, paramedics, firefighters and law enforcement officers.

Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.

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Written by The Care Availability Team
Experts in the senior care & retirement living industries

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