North Dakota Memory Care

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North Dakota Memory Care: Communities caring for Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia care

North Dakota’s population of adults 65 years and older is nearly 16% which is roughly 125,000. 15,000 of the aging adults live with Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia, and the percentage is rising each year. Alzheimer’s disease is among the top five causes of death for North Dakotans. Specialized care is typically required for people with dementia and memory care is designed specifically for these individuals. When most people think of senior care they imagine a nursing home. However, there are different senior care options aside from nursing homes. 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 North Dakota is a specific form of care designed to keep residents safe while receiving the appropriate care in a comfortable setting.

There are cities of note in the state that offer excellent healthcare for seniors: Bismarck, Fargo, Minot, Mandan, Grand Forks, Williston, among others.

Aside from memory care in Missouri, 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 North Dakota

Memory care in North Dakota is usually offered in wha are called basic care facilities or an assisted living facility. They are licensed and regulated by the Department of Health and Human Services. Memory care services 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.

In North Dakota, memory care may not accept residents who require more than intermittent medical attention.

  • Services are coordinated by specially trained staff to perform a range of services designed to support residents 24-hours a day. 
  • Commonly, a memory care community will have entrances and exits that require a code to get in and out. The communities are secured for the safety of residents. 
  • Standard procedures meet the needs of health, daily living activities, and the social needs of residents. 
  • Memory care communities may have organized calendars to keep residents engaged and active. These communities and relationships promote healthy and happy lives. 

Memory care services offered in a basic care facility in North Dakota may include:

  • 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 is to keep residents with cognitive impairment engaged and active as possible. Typically, activities may be like the kind 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 North Dakota cost?

North Dakota may offer memory care in a private facility designed solely for the care of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or in assisted living and basic care facilities. The average cost of memory care in the United States is about 20-30% less expensive than assisted living. This is because of the specialized care and services provided to residents.

The cost of memory care in North Dakota is less expensive than other states in the region besides South Dakota. A month of memory care in North Dakota is $4,250 per month on average.

  • National average cost of memory care per month: $5,635
  • North Dakota: $4,250
  • South Dakota: $4,200
  • Minnesota: $5,650
  • Montana: $5,575

There are limited memory care facilities in North Dakota because of the relatively low population and sparse nature of the state.

  • Bismarck: $4,650
  • Fargo: $4,800
  • Grand Forks: $2,750

How to pay for memory care in North Dakota

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.

Eldercare Locator is a nationwide service 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. 

Hospice Foundation of America is to provide leadership in the development and application of hospice and its philosophy of care with the goal of enhancing the U.S. health care system and the role of hospice within it.

National Association for Home Care & Hospice is a trade association that represents the nation’s 33,000 home care and hospice organizations and the caregivers who provide in-home health and hospice services.

North Dakota Department of Human Services provides services that help vulnerable North Dakotans of all ages to maintain or enhance their quality of life, which may be threatened by lack of financial resources, emotional crises, and other conditions.

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

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