Iowa Memory care: Communities caring for Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia care
Iowa is ranked the #2 state to retire, only led by Hawaii. The state has the highest rated education system in the United States; families enjoy living in a place where their children can grow up and learn and graduate at the highest level in the country. Iowa is known for all four season, each distinct and beautiful, transitioning seamlessly. An additional bonus of living in Iowa is the low cost of living, which takes some of the stress off of finances. The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease is increasing every year. It’s estimated that 66,000 residents of Iowa live with Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia. Cognitive decline requires specialized care and attention. Memory care communities provide care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Memory care in Iowa is a specific form of care designed to keep residents safe while receiving the appropriate care in a comfortable setting.
- Iowa Memory care: Communities caring for Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia care
- Navigating memory care: care for Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia in Iowa
- Memory care may offer activities and amenities to promote joy in the lives of residents
- How much does memory care in Iowa cost?
- How to pay for memory care in Iowa
- Common terms that differentiate levels and types of senior living:
- Questions to Ask
- Resources and Links – Iowa
- Search other areas for Memory Care
Aside from memory care in Iowa, there are a variety of senior living and care options which suit the requirements and desires of seniors.
Common terms that differentiate levels and types of senior living:
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)- typically include independent living, assisted living, residential care and skilled nursing services all on one campus.
- Independent Living Communities – provide residents a setting without the burden of home ownership. Residents commonly live in fully equipped private apartments or cottages from a studio to large two-bedroom units.
- Care Home or Adult Family Care Home- are private residences in a home-like setting that provide care services to a smaller more limited number of residents (typically 5-12 residents, depending on each state’s regulations).
- Assisted Living- provides housing and supportive care in a community setting, but the residents do not require 24-hour nursing care.
- Memory Care- a care setting for residents with memory loss or confusion. The community typically has a “secured” entry for residents that may wander. This care can be provided in different care settings depending on the state licensing requirements.
- Skilled Nursing is state licensed to provide a safe, therapeutic environment for people who require rehabilitative care 24 hours a day.
Navigating memory care: care for Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia in Iowa
Memory care in Iowa is often offered in an assisted living facility or community. Memory care services and care are designed for residents with Alzheimer’s (the most common form of dementia) and other dementia care. These specialized care communities create programs designed to meet the needs of people who require specific care, with specially trained staff and a secure environment to ensure the safety of residents.
Memory care services offered in Assisted Living facilities in Iowa
- Assistance with activities of daily living. This includes bathing, dressing and toileting.
- Assistance with medications, from storage to administration for residents.
- Round the clock access to trained nurses.
- Transportation to doctors’ appointments and additional outings.
- Interior and exterior maintenance duties.
- Meal preparation and serving.
- Housekeeping and laundry services.
- Evacuation plans.
Memory care typically offers exclusive features designed for the safety of residents with dementia:
- Security cameras to supervise entry and exit points in the community.
- Personal medical alert devices.
- Keypad (or other security measures) locks on doors to prevent residents from wandering.
- Safety protocols in place which may include locked doors.
The focus of activities in a memory care community is to keep residents with cognitive impairment engaged and active as possible. Typically, activities may be like those offered in other residential communities. The positive difference is the modification to keep residents with cognitive impairment engaged.
Memory care may offer activities and amenities to promote joy in the lives of residents
Possible amenities and activities could include:
- Arts and crafts
- Music
- Dancing
- Secure outdoor open-air courtyards
- Swimming pools
- Lounges for residents
- Game rooms
- Dining rooms
- Fitness centers
How much does memory care in Iowa cost?
Memory care in Iowa, like most states, costs about 20-30% more than assisted living. this is due to the specialized care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Still, the good news for residents is that memory care does cost less in Iowa than the national average.
- National average cost of memory care per month: $5,635
- Iowa: $5,4575
- Minnesota: $5,650
- Illinois: $5,625
- Missouri: $3,750
- South Dakota: $4,200
Within Iowa, costs vary between $5,000 to about $6,000 per month depending on the city in which you seek care, as well as the services and specific amenities that may be offered in a community.
- Des Moines: $6,010
- Cedar Rapids: $5,950
- Waterloo: $5,725
- Davenport: $5,450
How to pay for memory care in Iowa
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:
Resources and Links – Iowa
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Iowa HHS provides high quality programs and services that protect and improve the health and resiliency of individuals, families, and communities.
Iowa Department on Aging The Iowa Department on Aging strives to improve the quality of life of older Iowans by connecting them to services provided by Iowa’s six Area Agencies on Aging. Learn how you or your loved one can connect to nutrition services, caregiver support, case management, and more
Iowa Senior Health Insurance Information Program Senior Health Insurance Information Program can help find answers to questions you have on Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance, long term care insurance, and other health insurance issues.
State Long-Term Care Ombudsman A Long Term Care Ombudsman is an advocate for residents of nursing homes, residential care facilities, assisted living programs and elder group homes. The Ombudsman’s Office can investigate and resolve complaints that may affect the health, safety, welfare, or right of residents. Whether through individual contact with residents or systemic advocacy, ombudsmen make a difference in the lives of residents in long term care facilities everyday.
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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