Utah Memory Care Facilities

Utah deserves recognition as one of the “Best in the West” for its combination of fair housing prices, low crime, quality of life and scenic landscape. While most people generally associate these attractions with younger crowds, the reality is they are also sought after by seniors. Memory care communities in Utah rank with the better ones in the western U.S., thanks to quality caregivers and several different amenities.

Utah dementia care facilities are much cheaper than what you would find in California or Washington, yet do not suffer much in terms of service. Utah is known for being a very friendly, family-oriented state which translates well with Alzheimer’s care homes. The staff always goes out of their way to provide a clean, comfortable, helpful, caring and loving community for a resident suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Detailed Cost of Memory Care in Utah

Utah is comparable to the rest of the United States when it comes to median averages for quality dementia care. The average Alzheimer’s care homes in Utah rank at the national average, approximately $153 per day for care.

In a projected month, the provider is going to send a bill of about $4,500, which may seem like a lot but is not much different from what you would pay in other parts of the country, and slightly more affordable than other western U.S. states like Colorado, Arizona, Washington and California.

Like other states in the nation, Utah’s memory care is dependent on location and amenities provided. For example, some of the cheapest Alzheimer’s facilities in the state cost only $90 to $120 per day, or approximately $2,700 per month, while the costliest can reach prices of $200 to $250 per day, or approximately $7,750 per month. A substantial gap is noted between the most affordable and least affordable, but the one common thread is all of these facilities tend to offer terrific service that is caring and friendly.

The amenities and programs provided by secured care units in Utah also affect the daily cost of living. For example, private rooms are much more expensive compared to semi-private living quarters. Or if a resident has special dietary needs, it may change the cost of their daily meal plans and the overall daily, monthly, or yearly rate. Likewise, extra services like medication management can increase a facility’s fees.

Therefore, it’s better to ask which of these programs are highly recommended and worth paying for, especially when you’re on a budget. Nevertheless, the great thing about Utah assisted living facilities is that most families could find a community that fits their budget. The table below shows detailed memory care cost in Utah:

How to Pay for Care Facilities in Utah

Monthly charges of assisted living and memory care facilities in Utah could be settled with personal savings, which is the most common way of payment of many residents. Others obtain funds via long-term care insurance which residents could purchase as early as their 20s or 30s. This ensures they get the most out of their policy and finance their stay in top-rated secured care units. Residents may secure a policy later, but their chances of being approved for memory care coverage decrease the closer it is to availing long-term care services.

Besides these options, residents can also use their Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits. Those who served in the military could receive up to $1800 per month, while surviving spouses may collect up to $900 per month. These benefits are a big help in keeping them comfortable with the services provided by long-term care services.

In addition, there are Medicaid programs seniors can apply to. The benefits can help them pay for the monthly fees of care facilities.

Utah Dementia Care - Amenities

Standard amenities in Utah dementia care facilities include nutritious daily meal servings catered to specific tastes or medical needs, management of medications, assistance with daily tasks, housekeeping, room maintenance, indoor and outdoor private seating areas, and building security. Along with some of the most friendly and helpful staff you will find, the amenities provided by dementia care homes in Utah are top notch.

Are you new to Utah but have a family member who currently lives here and needs to be transferred to a dementia care home? Or are you looking to relocate a loved one to a reputable Alzheimer’s care facility? Several people might point you toward the Salt Lake City valley where nearly 200,000 residents call the state of 2.7 million home.

However, if you are looking for a little quieter place with a good selection, you may want to go with Provo, Orem, Sandy, Ogden or St. George. St. George, in particular, has been one of the fastest rising cities in the U.S. over the last decade and a half and has really expanded its senior living options.

Memory Care Facilities or Utah Assisted Living Homes?

Utah memory care communities that we call assisted living facilities have specific floors or buildings made especially for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. There are also independent facilities which solely care for these types of residents.

Secured care units (SCUs) are specifically designed for seniors with dementia and its various forms. The staff are mostly trained in caring for elderly residents diagnosed with the health problem. These personnel are able to handle the patients’ behavior, especially when they are sundowning, a syndrome characterized by irritability and confusion during the late afternoon and at night.

Meanwhile, the programs, and even the design of the entire facility, are made with the residents in mind. Most of the services offered are therapies and treatments to stimulate their senses. It’s something you should check out when transitioning an elderly loved one in a memory care facility.

It’s also essential for the residents to calm their nerves, especially later in the day. Facilities provide aromatherapies and other similar services to help them have peaceful nights free of sundown symptoms.

When it comes to the design and structure of the community, most units assure that their floor plans are simple and easy to navigate. One of the biggest struggles of individuals with dementia is memory loss, so navigating branching hallways would be extremely challenging for them. Thus, memory care facilities in Utah often use color coding in halls and floors to aid seniors in finding their way. Memory boxes are also installed to help them identify their own rooms.

Facilities ensure that active staff is on duty all the time. Still, it’s best to know the staff-to-resident ratio during the day and at night, and to see whether they could indeed provide the attention and care your loved one requires. Moreover, there should always be an active manager 24/7 to supervise the staff and guarantee that all the needs of each resident are met.

If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, transitioning them to a Utah memory care home would be a sound decision.

Moving a Loved One to a Utah Dementia Care Facility

Let’s say you have chosen a community for your elderly loved one. What’s your next step?

The best course of action is to plan for the late stages of dementia. If your senior family member is still active, it is recommended to let them join the entire process to ensure they are comfortable with the choices that you make.

However, if they aren’t active anymore, it’s still better to tell them beforehand that they are moving to a memory care facility, and to explain that it is the best way for them to receive the best care. This prevents the feeling of being abandoned, which typically happens when family members simply drop them off a facility all of a sudden.

Remember that your loved one has a poor memory due to their health condition, so you need to remind them of the move every day. You should also expect that their reaction might differ from time to time, so let them feel loved as much as possible and provide the details of what’s going to happen next.

Nevertheless, if you believe that your senior loved one would feel more anxious about the transition when told about it ahead of time, it may be better to inform them closer to the actual move date. Sometimes, the building anxiety would make their situation worse, and they would end up suffering from sundown symptoms more often.

Each person has a different way of acknowledging the news. Some may take it well, while others might find it difficult.

How to Prepare for the Transition to Memory Care

Due to their mental health, individuals with dementia typically experience moving as a bigger challenge compared to how normal folks do. They would often feel confused when exposed to new environments. Because of this, it might be better to not involve them with the preparations on the actual moving day.

Here are some tips to make the memory care move a lot smoother for you and your loved one:

1. Make a list of the things that will be brought to the facility. As much as possible, include items your resident is familiar with, including bedding, furniture, clothing, pictures, and toiletries.
2. Once you have transferred everything to the facility, take the time to prepare their living space. Try to replicate the furniture arrangement in their old home. This gives your loved one a sense of belonging and familiarity, which then helps avoid confusion and irritability.
3. Ensure the apartment is clutter-free before your senior moves in. Never leave boxes or random stuff lying around as this isn’t just dangerous but may also cause confusion.
4. While you are preparing the living space, your loved one should be with someone they trust and are comfortable around. They could visit the park, have a cup of coffee, or even stay at home. Doing so could help take their mind off of the transition.
5. Coordinate with the facility and the staff. Make sure they know when their new resident is arriving. This facilitates introductions and helps with the transition. It also gives them enough time to prepare for introducing your loved one to their new neighbors and allowing them to bond. The social greeting will make or break the resident’s first night. This is even more important if they are staying in a semi-private apartment.
6. Toiletries are provided by the family but stored by the facility. You must provide the staff a list of all the toiletries you bring along with your loved one as they will store it in a secure place away from the residents’ reach.
7. Medications must be brought directly to the Director of Assisted Living or the Health Service staff on duty. Most facilities provide medication management, but should be done by a licensed medical aide, often with the direct supervision of a licensed nurse.

Moving and transitioning isn’t easy, especially for our senior family members. It takes time for them to become comfortable with the new setup and adjust to their new, unfamiliar surroundings. The most important thing family members should do is to assure them that you will be in constant communication. Call them often, and whenever possible, pay them a visit.

What to Pack to Bring to Memory Care Homes

When it comes to personal belongings, be sure to bring the clothes your loved one is familiar with and most comfortable in. Each piece should encourage independence, which means easy to wear and remove. This includes socks, shoes and slippers they will be using both indoors and outdoors.

In addition, you must include some robes and pajamas in their wardrobe. They need these for when they are lounging in their private space. Some casual clothes are also essential for programs and activities. Sometimes, the community would offer special occasions or field trips. Ensure that your loved one has appropriate clothing and footwear for these occasions.

You may also have to bring photos and other knickknacks that your loved one or the staff could put in their Memory Care Box. These must reflect your senior’s personality and serve as the symbol of their private room.