Iowa Memory Care Facilities

The Midwest is a desirable place for seniors for a number of reasons. The conservative, slower pace of living suits seniors well, as traffic is rarely awful, cities are not too noisy or crowded, and the people, polite and friendly. Along with independent living communities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, Iowa’s memory care facilities are also highly touted.

Iowa dementia care communities rank within the Top 20 of most affordable in the United States. The average monthly cost is very comparable to the nearby states of Nebraska, Wisconsin, Missouri and South Dakota. As a result, if you need high quality yet affordable dementia care, then Iowa is difficult to beat. Located in America’s heartland, Iowa Alzheimer’s care homes and dementia care facilities are very reputable.

Detailed Cost of Memory Care in Iowa

Iowa memory care homes provide a good combination of quality care and clean, comfortable rooms. The average price for a room per day in the state is $150. Compared to the national average, Iowa dementia care homes can save families $300 per month or more, and over $3,600 per year. Who doesn’t like to save money?

The projected monthly cost for an Iowa Alzheimer’s care home is just over $4,500 per month, or $54,000 per year. Affordable memory care communities can cost even less than that, as some dementia care units charge between $90 and $120 per day for a room. It’s hard to beat that value.

Even the most highly rated dementia care homes in Iowa are not super expensive, as many can be found between $200 and $250 per day. These facilities generally feature more amenities, hands-on care, one-on-one interaction and more spacious, private rooms.

Iowa houses just over 3 million residents with the biggest cities representing Des Moines (population 203,000), Cedar Rapids (population 126,000), Davenport (population 99,000), Sioux City (population 82,600) and Waterloo (population 68,400). All of the big cities feature a mixture of affordable and more expensive dementia care. Some more rural communities, along with mid-size cities like Ames, Council Bluffs, Dubuque and Iowa City also provide a good selection of memory care.

When Is Your Loved One Ready for Memory Care in Iowa?

Dementia is a cognitive degenerative disease that encompasses a number of types, the most common of which is Alzheimer’s. While its worst feature is the fact that it is incurable, this progressive disease is debilitating not only for the affected individual but also for the caregiver.

The State Library of Iowa, State Data Center reported 34.8% of all adults provide unpaid care to loved ones with dementia and Alzheimer’s, largely due to the preference of 95% of all older Iowans to stay home. The caregivers’ services include cleaning, cooking, feeding and bathing. One in five of them spend at least 20 hours a week doing so, and 28.7% have a history of depression as a result.

Other side effects of caregiving include stress, poor physical and mental health, lost job promotions and benefits, alcohol and prescription drug abuse, and sacrifices of personal time with family, friends and other activities.

With the existence of excellent dementia-specific care programs in Iowa, caregivers should seriously consider placing their loved ones in their facilities. It will benefit them greatly by restoring their health and normal lifestyle. And knowing that their loved ones will receive professional medical care and support from licensed and certified caregivers may assure their misgivings, or even assuage their guilt.

Iowa Dementia Care - Amenities

The standard amenities include daily servings of well-balanced, nutritional meals as well as regularly scheduled activities catered specifically for residents suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, assistance with personal care like getting in and out of bed, washing one’s face, getting dressed, bathing or using the restroom are offered.

Staff is trained to handle the specific needs of patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s. It can include extra measures taken for personal safety, such as helping to avoid falls and wandering. Doors to these kinds of facilities are usually locked and residents may even wear security pendants in order to help them avoid getting lost.

In some of the top-rated dementia care homes in Iowa, extra one-on-one treatment and other forms of interaction are provided to try and keep the mind crisp and help deal with the unfortunate symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Admission Requirements to Memory Care Facilities in Iowa

Prior to admission, a potential tenant to a memory care facility in Iowa must undergo evaluation to identify the status of their functionality, cognitive abilities and health. A health care professional, human service professional, or licensed practical nurse conducts this evaluation.

The person’s representative should also assist them in filling out the My Personal Directions for Quality Living worksheet, and submit it to the facility’s administrator upon admission. This document will help the personnel to prepare for the care of the tenant according to their particular needs and preferences.

In the state of Iowa, an individual may not be admitted to a dementia care facility if they are bed-bound; require routine assistance of two persons when standing or during transfer or evacuation; or deemed dangerous to self, other tenants or staff.

In addition, potential tenants need to sign agreements with a facility regarding the latter’s managed risk policy. This means that the tenant and/or their representative share the responsibility with the facility not only in identifying and meeting the tenant’s needs but also in managing the outcomes when the tenant’s decision-making ability has deteriorated to the point of posing a risk to their safety or those of others.

Security in Iowa Dementia Care Units

If you intend to place a loved one in a memory care facility in Iowa, then their safety is understandably your top priority. Thus, you’ll be pleased to know that Iowa takes security in such establishments as seriously as you do.

The state requires dementia-specific assisted living facilities to provide each tenant access to a one-touch activation 24-hour personal emergency response system. This feature automatically identifies a tenant in distress. When a tenant with late-stage dementia is already incapable of activating the signal, the facility needs to draft a written procedure for their emergency response and instruct staff on the details.

In addition, licensure requirements include written emergency policies and procedures as well as structural safety. Both must address natural disasters, fire, alarm systems, water temperature, and incidents of wandering or elopement.

And lastly, one or more staff persons should be awake and on duty 24/7 both on site and in the facility’s grounds.

Iowa Regulations for Memory Care Establishments

In Iowa, an assisted living program is a facility that provides housing with services such as personal care, health-related care and daily living support to at least three tenants in a home-like environment. It must encourage the involvement of the tenant’s family and the tenant in making decisions with dignity and independence. The facility should also guarantee supervision, safety and security at all times.

License and Certification

A dementia-specific assisted living program in Iowa can obtain certification under any of these scenarios: (1) Houses a maximum of 55 tenants, at least five of whom must have Stage 4 to 7 dementia on the Global Deterioration Scale, or (2) Houses at least 55 tenants with at least 10% between Stages 4 and 7, or (3) Provides specialized care for individuals with dementia in a dedicated setting.

A recognized accreditation institution may voluntarily certify a facility as long as it meets all applicable requirements. The certificate is equivalent to a license and must be displayed in a visible area within the facility. Additionally, the facility should secure monitoring, marshal, and food establishment inspection reports. These documents are public and must be provided to anyone who request them.

Food and Diet

Iowa is very specific in its requirements on planned menus in dementia care facilities based on the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council’s daily recommended dietary allowances: (a) At least 33? percent for facilities providing one meal a day, (b) At least 66? percent for those providing two meals a day, or (c) 100% for those providing three meals a day.

Staff Education

A dementia-specific facility in Iowa must provide no less than eight hours of dementia-specific education and training to all its personnel within 30 days of employment.

The facility should also provide continuing education for at least two hours per year to each on-site staff person without direct contact with tenants. Direct contact personnel must undergo a minimum of eight hours continuing education annually.

These trainings include classroom and web-based instruction as well as hands-on and case studies of the facility’s tenants.

Activities

All memory care facilities in Iowa must ensure each tenant enjoys activities appropriate for their particular age, health status, beliefs, interests and current sensory abilities. These undertakings should be presented in various types and involvement levels. At the same time, tenants must maintain the right to choose the activities they want to participate in, and even to refuse participation.

Structural Requirements

For memory care facilities, Iowa requires design and operations to be tailored to the specific needs of their tenants. The state puts a premium on maintenance, cleanliness, safety, sanitation, and compliance with the fire marshal’s rules. Each dwelling unit must be equipped with a single-action lockable door and may be installed with cooking appliances and implements.

A facility should also have the capability to uninstall or remove appliances if these pose a risk to the health or safety of the tenants.

Questions to Ask Memory Care Communities During a Tour

When looking for a memory care facility for your loved one with dementia, in Iowa, it is important to keep in mind that it is a long-term arrangement. Therefore, you must exercise due diligence and carefully study your options.

Iowa offers a wealth of information on a number of facilities across the state, and it is best to start your search on our website. The factors to consider are your loved one’s specific needs, the cost involved, and location. When you have short listed your options based on these factors, you may proceed with the legwork.

It is imperative that you take a tour of the dementia and Alzheimer’s care facilities on your list so that you can compare the services and support they offer before choosing the one that best fits your loved one’s requirements.

The state offers Nursing Facility and Assisted Living Program checklists which you can use as guides during these visits. Make sure you interview each facility’s personnel and chat with a few residents. Study the common areas and dwelling units on site. Check the grounds for any security issues as well.

Iowa Assisted Living Plus Memory Care

Iowa offers a variety of dementia-specific assisted living programs, for individuals diagnosed with dementia Stages 4 to 7 on the Global Deterioration Scale as well as for those in a dedicated setting.

Other options are also available, such as residential care facilities which offer accommodation, food, personal care and daily living support for a short period. Their services are available to individuals afflicted with physical or mental diseases who cannot take care of themselves but do not require regular medical care from a registered or licensed nurse.

You may consider nursing facilities which provide care and services related to health and nursing. This is also a short-term option for persons with physical or mental conditions who require room, board, care but not medical treatment.

Whether you are the primary caregiver of a loved one with dementia or you’re the decision maker on the matter, you would feel a number of negative emotions like depression, guilt, grief, anxiety, and even anger. You should know that it’s normal to have these feelings, but ultimately, you must acknowledge that placing your loved one in a special care facility is the best option for the long-term. As a caregiver, you can reclaim your health and return to work and to the rest of your family. And as a decision maker, you can provide your loved one with dementia a better quality of life by allowing professionals to take care of them.