Idaho Memory Care Facilities

Idaho dementia care homes are noteworthy. But because of its location, the state does not get a lot of attention as a whole. The neighboring states of Washington, Oregon and California often overshadow Idaho. However, Idaho Alzheimer's facilities are worth considering as the rates here are cheaper than the rest of the west coast without sacrificing on the quality.

Care communities in Idaho rank within the Top 20 among the inexpensive states for dementia and Alzheimer's care in the United States, with a rank of 16th overall. The western U.S. states of Montana and Arizona are the only ones slightly cheaper and within the same price range.

Relocating to a Dementia Care Home in Idaho

The Alzheimer's Association identifies Alzheimer's as the most common form of dementia affecting around 5.8 million people in the United States as of last year. Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disease that exhibits symptoms of dementia that worsens over time. Dementia, on the other hand, is a broader term that indicates a loss of memory and language, together with a rapid decline in problem-solving and thinking capabilities. 5.8 million individuals suffering from the disease is already a sizable portion of the population, and this number is projected to go up to 13.8% by 2050.

In addition to this, although Alzheimer's and dementia are common among the senior population with the average onset detected in 65-year old’s to 74-year old’s, younger people may also be diagnosed with the disease. Some years ago, an article reported Ken Dodson to have been one of the youngest people to have Alzheimer's in the country while two kids from the United Kingdom, ages six and ten, were reported to be the youngest people diagnosed with dementia in 2018. These facts have been a factor in the rise of memory care homes and the vast improvement of dementia care as a whole.

At the moment, most people with memory loss either live independently or with family. However, in recent times, the number of people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia moving to memory care communities continues to increase. But is relocating to a memory care facility in Idaho the best option for your loved one?

Consider their recent behavioral changes, their health status, their safety, your ability to provide proper care, and your well-being as their chief caregiver when you think whether it is time for your family member to move to a dementia care community.

Sometimes, the early stages of Alzheimer's can be mistaken as part of the growing old process. It might be forgetting keys in the fridge or not recognizing people on the street. But as dementia worsens, more drastic behavioral changes can occur. This is where people who usually pay extra attention to their looks would look less put together and even forget personal hygiene. This change may come from forgetting how to do simple tasks like taking a shower or misremembering and thinking that they finished doing the task. Behavioral changes may sprout from feelings of frustration and helplessness as capable individuals find themselves becoming less effective and more dependent. These feelings may even lead people to lash out as a means of release.

Forgetting daily tasks can also mean that it is very likely that people with Alzheimer's will forget to look after themselves, in terms of eating, drinking, and taking their medication. This situation may cause their health to decline significantly in a short period. For those on medication for other health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure levels, and high cholesterol levels, forgetting to take their medication on time could be even more risky.

Bewilderment and incomprehension come hand in hand with dementia. As the disease gradually progresses, leaving a loved one to their own devices may be potential risky. They may forget to remove aluminum packaging from food and put it in a microwave and start a fire. They may also go to a nearby park and forget where their home is or whom to call for assistance. They may even forget road rules and walk into a street with heavy traffic.

Losing mobility and function is common during Alzheimer's later stages. As the disease progresses, it damages parts of the brain involved in bodily functions leading to immobility, incontinence, and the need for constant care.

As their primary caregiver, no one would benefit if your own health were to deteriorate in your pursuit to provide the person dear to you with enough care and attention. That is why you are strongly encouraged to ask yourself these questions:

• Did you find a balance between caregiving and your other duties?
• Do you still feel connected with family and your social networks?
• Have you been taking care of yourself physically and emotionally?
• Are you still a calm and collected caregiver?
• Can you continue giving the high level of care that is required?

If your answer is 'no' to most or all of the questions above, finding a memory care community in Idaho for your loved one may be the best option for the both of you.

Taking care of a person living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia is a daunting task that becomes more herculean with time. Finding people who can help you give the right care for the person you hold dear is not a question of your devotion; it is you looking for ways to support their ever-changing needs at the capacity you can.

Idaho Memory Care Homes vs. Assisted Living

In an Idaho assisted living facility, seniors and those with unique needs can live independently while having 24/7 access to care professionals who can provide support services. These homes provide meals, boarding, ancillary services, and organized functions to encourage interaction among residents.

However, it is important to note that the federal government has no hand in regulating assisted living homes. The lack of federal regulation leaves opportunities for significant inconsistencies in the quality of care, staff training, kinds of amenities available, facility, and community management.

An Idaho memory care home is an institution specializing in the care of people living with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. They provide housing, meals, 24/7 support including personal and developmental care, treatment specifically for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, supervisory care, one on one or group therapies, and ancillary services.

Idaho's Department of Health & Welfare is responsible for regulating, licensing, and monitoring dementia care homes. As per Idaho guidelines, Alzheimer's care homes can only provide non-medical services that address resident needs, however, they may have licensed staff members who are qualified to administer medication.

A delegation from the state's Department of Health & Welfare regularly checks on the community's compliance with guidelines and other health and safety regulations through surprise checks or scheduled visits.

Idaho Memory Care Community Admission Requirements

Idaho dementia care facilities must have written admission policies that outline their requirements, the services they offer and any other information relevant to admissions, care, and community regulations.

That being said, any Idaho senior or resident with special needs may take admission to memory care homes in the state. This list of eligible individuals includes people who have Alzheimer's and dementia, people with physical and developmental disabilities, those with HIV/AIDS, people with serious injuries to the brain and those who require daily living assistance.

Since dementia care communities in Idaho are not allowed to provide medical care, those in need of constant medical attention may be restricted from admission. These include those needing IV or regular monitored therapies, people who need more than 30 days of nursing services, individuals with pressure ulcers and open wounds that are not visibly improving, those who have complex medical devices that require constant monitoring by a medical professional, and those in a comatose state. Additionally, people who cannot self-evacuate in case of an emergency may also be ineligible. Lastly, those who need to be constantly restrained and can be a danger to themselves and the community are also restricted admission.

Should the community restrict admission based on gender and religious beliefs, they must justify these restrictions based on their capacity to care rather than a mere preference to a certain resident profile. Lastly, all memory care homes in Idaho must disclose information of residents who are registered sex offenders.

However, an Idaho memory care home may make some considerations on a case to case basis. That is why contacting the management beforehand and scheduling a tour of the facility would be greatly beneficial.

Considerations on Homes for Dementia Care in Idaho

A visit to the memory care facility of your choice can help you check the quality of their services, the amenities available, and the community overall. A community tour can also give you a sense of how the establishment is run and whether it meets your expectations.

Some things to ask an Idaho memory care facility during a tour include the following:

• Are family members part of the planning and caring of a loved one?
• How is the family informed of any changes in their health?
• Who can family members contact for regular updates?
• The kind of care available?
• Do they have an in-house physician or a registered nurse?
• How often do physicians and registered nurses visit?
• Are there staff members who are qualified to give memory care?
• What is the process and policy on residents who require a hospital visit?
• What are the fall rates and the resident to staff ratio?
• Can residents move freely in their living spaces?
• Are residents allowed to get their personal effects?
• Are bathrooms accessible and age-appropriate?
• Is the facility accessible and easy to navigate?
• Availability of space indoors and outdoors?
• How does the management encourage socialization and a healthy lifestyle?
• When can family members visit their loved ones?
• What are the policies and procedures of visiting a loved one in the facility?
• Do they have registered nutritionists, and can they accommodate special dietary requirements?
• What are the discharge policies and procedures?
• Is continuing care and aging in place possible in the memory community?

Idaho Dementia Care Amenities

Idaho dementia care homes provide several great amenities for their residents. The meals are typically well-balanced, with special diets and nutritional offerings based on an individual resident’s health.

They have skilled nursing staff on hand, especially trained and equipped to deal with residents with memory issues and provide a good mix of group treatment along with one-on-one interaction. Regardless of the care, the best Alzheimer's care homes in Idaho consistently treat residents with care, respect and dignity while protecting their personal privacy.

Safety and security are other important aspects of Idaho memory care homes. Residents are kept safe and consistent and timely updates are sent to their families. They also encourage friends and family to visit, knowing this is critical to successful Alzheimer's treatment. Residents can wear security pendants and receive other special monitoring to avoid wandering and getting lost.

Factoring in the Cost of Treatment Facilities in Idaho for Memory Care

Idaho Alzheimer's care facilities and dementia care homes average about $150 per day, or $4,480 per month in cost. The national norm is $160 each day, placing Idaho’s facilities at a slightly cheaper level than other parts of the country.

Affordable memory care facilities in Idaho can drop to $90 to $110 per month. There have been reports that some facilities only cost $87 per day. Regardless, it is very possible to find inexpensive senior housing for Alzheimer's or dementia that is less than the state average of $149 per day.

Some luxury dementia care homes can reach prices of $200 to $250 per day, as these facilities generally provide more amenities and hands-on, one-on-one interaction between skilled staff and residents.

The best Idaho’s memory care homes can be found in cities like Meridian (population 92,000), Nampa (population 89,500), Idaho Falls (population 59,000), Pocatello (population 54,600) and Caldwell (51,000).

Boise's state capital is also the largest city in Idaho by far, with over 220,000 residents. A huge variety and selection of high-quality dementia care homes are available in Boise. Moreover, some of the more affordable Idaho Alzheimer's homes can be found in more rural settings, outside the bigger cities.

Making Idaho Dementia Care Community Affordable

Alzheimer's and dementia care homes in Idaho are very affordable. Still, regardless of how cost-effective it is, when you consider long term, the amount of money required is not a laughing matter. In order to provide the best care for your loved ones you can also consider the following options to pay for memory care:

HCBS Aged & Disabled Medicaid Waiver

Eligibility: Idaho residents who are over 65 and adults with disabilities as per Social Security Administration guidelines are eligible. However, they must not have a monthly income of $2,349 or an amount no larger than 300% of the federal benefits rate.

Personal Care Services Program (PCSP)

Eligibility: Medicaid-enrolled residents of Idaho who are over 65 and those with disabilities living in a residential care facility or adult foster home are eligible for this program. They must also follow a financial criterion where single applicants are restricted to a monthly income of $836 and countable assets of up to $2,000. Applicants identified as couples are limited to a $1,195 combined monthly income and combined countable assets no more than $3,000.

Medicare Medicaid Coordinated Plan (MMCP)

Eligibility: Any Idaho residents who are over legal adults with a diagnosed disability and are eligible by Medicaid standards are eligible for this program.

Other options you can consider to help pay for memory care in Idaho are insurance for long-term care, life insurance, veterans’ benefits, and reverse mortgages.