The Average Costs of Memory Care in 2023

What Goes Into Memory Care Costs?

To care for residents with cognitive impairments, memory care facilities provide supervision from specially trained staff and a secure environment with stimulating therapies. Memory care services include:

• 24-hour care and supervision
• Assistance with activities of daily living
• Housekeeping
• Emergency monitoring (especially for patients who are fall risks)
• Medication management
• Group activities
• Three meals a day, including snacks
• Transportation services

Memory Care vs. Assisted Living Costs

Memory care facilities generally cost more than assisted living due to the level of care, training, and specialization required. A memory care facility provides assistance to people with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other memory impairments, with specific care plans and stimulating activities to boost brain health.

An assisted living facility is a long-term care option for seniors offering personal care assistance and communal activities. Both facilities may offer 24/7 supervision along with three meals a day, laundry, and housekeeping services.

According to Genworth, the monthly median cost for an assisted living facility is $4,635. You can expect to pay 20 percent to 30 percent more in memory care costs due to specialized training, mobility assistance, and additional security on the premises.

Does Memory Care Charge Additional Fees?

Some assisted living and memory care facilities require charges for services beyond their base level of care. Under a fee-for-service model, for example, you will need to pay a base rate for room and board at your assisted living or memory care facility. If you need additional services, then some assisted living communities will charge additional fees and incorporate a fee-for-service model.

Some communities opt instead for an inclusive monthly payment that includes the rental fee for the room along with all the transportation, utilities, housekeeping, and personal care assistance. In many cases, this monthly fee won’t increase or result in added fees for additional services.

You may want to inquire about the pricing tiers at the senior community you choose for your services, since they may have certain service caps or different pricing models. Some communities may also have an interview and entrance fee deposit on top of the monthly rental fees.

Paying for Memory Care

If you or a loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia, then Medicare can help pay for some of the costs of home health care, skilled nursing care, or dementia-related diagnostic tests. Medicare does not cover memory care, however, which means many people are left to figure out a way to pay for this type of care.

In addition to using your savings, some other ways to pay for memory care include:

• Medicaid
• V.A. Aid and Attendance Benefits
• Long-Term Care Insurance

Choosing a Memory Care Community

When looking at memory care communities for yourself or a loved one, keep the following in mind:

• Pricing and what’s included. Memory care communities follow either an all-inclusive or fee-for-service pricing model. When you’re researching a memory care facility, inquire about the monthly pricing and the cost of additional services. That will help you more accurately gauge your total expenses.
• Floor plans. When selecting a memory care facility, you may have the option of selecting studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom units — all of which have different costs.
• Price increases. Some communities guarantee fixed rates for your stay in memory care, but others have been known to increase costs by up to 8 percent in one year.
• Deposits and entry fees. You may need to pay a one-time entrance fee or deposit to enter a senior community or memory care facility.
• Potential discounts. Reach out to your memory care facility to inquire about possible discounts for low-income seniors or move-in specials.
• Care plans. Review your care plan and make sure a healthy diet — along with movement, exercise, and stimulating activities — are included in your overall care plan.
• Extra costs. Consider which additional services you may need, and keep a running list of how these will impact your monthly costs.

To learn more about dementia care, check out our helpful guides:

• Care Planning Tool
• Caring for a Parent With Dementia
• Best Cell Phones for Seniors With Dementia
• Dementia Life Expectancy Calculator