Iowa Assisted Living for Couples

Assisted living in Iowa for couples

Assisted living facilities in Iowa have been developed to meet the needs of senior adults who are looking to maintain an independent lifestyle, with as little assistance as necessary. Typically abbreviated as ALFs, these welcome residents over the age of 62, who have a reasonable state of health. These senior living centers can accommodate younger residents, usually over the age of 55, but they are not able to provide higher levels of care.

Couples who move into an assisted living center in Iowa can live together, in their own apartment or room, sharing the common areas with other residents. All senior adults within the assisted living facility have access to a wide range of services and amenities.

How many ALFs are there in Iowa? In the state of Iowa, there are over 250 assisted living facilities. These senior living communities can be found in the following locations: Ames, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Iowa City, Sioux City, and Waterloo. All residents must sign an occupancy agreement, which includes details about the costs entailed, services received, Medicaid policies, transfer procedures, rules and regulations, refund policy, etc.

Each ALF resident undergoes a medical examination prior to admittance, which is then used to develop an individualized service plan. The plan is designed to cover both the needs and requirements of the respective senior adult, including details about: level of independence, health status, medication/treatment schedule, and other specific needs.

ALFs do not accept residents whose needs exceed the available scope of care. They are also not allowed to admit senior adults who need 24/7 skilled nursing, are bedridden, have limited mobility or incontinence. The same goes for those who might present a danger to themselves or others, are mentally unstable or deal with chronic abuse issues. If the resident requires a high level of assistance with ADLs, his/her application might be refused as well.

Financing and costs of assisted living in Iowa

In Iowa, the average monthly cost of assisted living is around $3,800. By comparison, the national median is of $4,000. Iowa-based ALFs have more affordable rates than the ones in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. On the other hand, neighboring states such as Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota have cheaper monthly fees for assisted living.

Within the state of Iowa, the costs are not that varied. The most expensive ALFs can be found in the Philadelphia area, while Sioux City has the most affordable rates. Assisted living is more affordable than nursing home care and other long-term care options, with the exception of independent living. However, it should be noted that the latter does not provide assistance with ADLs.

Financial assistance is available for those who are interested in assisted living but cannot afford to cover the necessary costs on their own. Senior adults can apply for the Iowa Elderly Waiver Program. If their application is accepted, they can use the respective funds to cover the care costs. Eligibility criteria regard the level of care, residency, monthly income and assets. For married residents, the last two are calculated together. Senior adults can also finance their ALF spot by resorting to the following assistance solutions: veteran benefits, life insurance policies, long-term insurance policies, and reverse mortgages.

Assisted living costs in Iowa

Assisted living facilities represent residential alternatives for seniors who require assistance with daily living activities. They offer personal care services, along adapted housing and amenities, contributing to a higher quality of life. Seniors who move into assisted living benefit from around-the-clock security and support, but they are encouraged to stay independent. These facilities might also provide skilled nursing care for limited periods of time, accommodating the needs of all residents. Keep on reading to discover more details on the costs of assisted living, along other information that might help you find the best community for you or your loved one.

Average costs of assisted living and memory care in Iowa

How much does assisted living cost in IA? The average cost of assisted living in Iowa is $4,300 per month or $51,000 per year. This is lower than the national average of $4,500 per month or $54,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive assisted living facilities are found in Cedar Rapids, averaging at $4,700 per month or $56,000 per year. Sioux City, on the other hand, has the most affordable communities of this kind, averaging at $4,100 per month or $49,000 per year.

How much does memory care cost in IA? When it comes to memory care, the average cost in Iowa is $5,400 per month or $64,000 per year. This is a bit lower than the national average of $5,600 per month or $67,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive memory care communities are located in Des Moines, averaging at $6,000 per month or $72,000 per year. The most affordable facilities of this kind are located in Sioux City, averaging at $5,100 per month or $61,000 per year.

Assisted living costs more than adult day health care, but it is more affordable than home care, home health care, and nursing home care. Memory care costs less than in-home care, home health care, adult day care, and assisted living. It is surpassed by nursing home care, which averages at $7,400 per month or $88,000 per year.

What goes into assisted living costs?

Before moving into an assisted living community, seniors have to cover a deposit fee, which will be returned when the contract begins. These facilities do not have additional costs, there are only monthly fees to be paid. Aside from the living unit type and size, these fees are influenced by the resident's marital status, health status, available amenities and services. General services available include housekeeping, utilities, laundry and linen service, meal planning and preparation, general maintenance. Additional services are offered at an extra cost.

Care fees are paid in accordance with the number of daily living activities seniors receive help with. Residents can choose different care packages, which include emergency response systems, daily planned activities, medication management, physical and occupational therapy, and scheduled transportation. Second occupancy fees must be paid by spouses who decide to live together. In some facilities, utilities are available at extra cost, such as the Internet and cable access. Limited healthcare is often offered by third-party providers and also for additional payment.

What goes into memory care costs?

Dementia seniors have the alternative of memory care, as such communities provide them with adapted housing, healthcare, and around-the-clock monitoring. The access to specific services and amenities is also included. Trained personnel look after the seniors who suffer from different types of dementia, catering to their needs and helping them overcome associated challenges. Care packages are designed with consideration to the type of dementia and the disease stage. Safety features are available with the purpose of helping residents feel less confused and reducing the risk of wandering. The assistance with ADLs is included as well.

Memory care communities have therapists that help seniors work on their memory, cognitive, and speech skills. Thanks to regular therapy sessions, residents are able to delay the progression of dementia. The access to general services is guaranteed, including the following options: general maintenance, meal planning and preparation, housekeeping, laundry and linen service, and scheduled transportation. Additional care-related services include mobility assistance, diabetes care, wound care, and incontinence care.

Senior living in Iowa - cost comparison with other states

In the state of Iowa, the average cost of assisted living is below the national median. Missouri and Nebraska have more affordable rates to offer, while Illinois and Minnesota are more expensive. The overall costs are as follows: Missouri - $3,000 per month or $36,000 per year; Nebraska - $4,000 per month or $48,000; Illinois - $4,400 per month or $52,000 per year; Minnesota - $4,500 per month or $54,000 per year.

The average cost of memory care in Iowa is below the national median as well. South Dakota, Nebraska, and Missouri have more affordable rates to offer, while Minnesota and Illinois are more expensive. The overall costs are as follows: South Dakota - $4,100 per month or $49,000 per year; Nebraska - $5,000 per month or $60,000 per year; Missouri - $3,750 per month or $45,000 per year; Minnesota - $5,600 per month or $67,000 per year; Illinois - $5,600 per month or $67,000 per year.

Finding the best senior living facility in Iowa for your needs

Whether you are looking for assisted living or memory care facilities, please remember that the costs might differ from one community to the other, in accordance with the care offered.

We will guide you through the whole process, making the whole experience less daunting. Just give us a call and we will gladly provide you with all the necessary information on the costs of each senior living facility. It is our pleasure to assist caregivers in finding the best facilities for them or their loved ones, with careful consideration to current needs and budget. We know that the overall costs are influenced by various factors, so we are also happy to discuss these as well. You can then contact the respective facility and request additional information about their services.

Services provided to married couples by assisted living facilities in Iowa

Assisted living facilities, as mentioned, provide a wide range of services to all of the residents, married couples included. These services often complete the ISP, covering assistance, healthcare, personal care, and daily life in general. Aside from room and board, senior adults benefit from housekeeping and general maintenance, on-site security and emergency response systems, Internet and telephone, running errands, shopping, transportation, meal planning and preparation.

Minimum assistance is offered with the tasks of daily living, including getting dressed, bathing, toileting, oral hygiene, grooming, eating, etc. Healthcare services might be offered in some facilities, but these have a limited availability. Residents who suffer from diabetes, for instance, might benefit from diabetes care or they can be monitored while they administer their insulin shots.

Medication management is an important part of the daily service list, with registered nurses either monitoring residents while they take their treatment or administering the medication themselves. The monitoring process is essential, as the staff can use the respective opportunity to remind residents to take their treatment and make sure they are following the prescription. Sometimes, they can also offer assistance with opening various pill bottles or blisters.

Memory care units are sometimes created within assisted living communities, accepting senior adults who suffer from different forms of dementia. Aside from providing them with general services, the staff can offer higher levels of assistance and 24/7 monitoring. The presence of such a unit is of great comfort to couples; when one of the spouses begins to exhibit signs of dementia, he/she can transition to this unit, but remain within the same community and thus close to his/her spouse.

Amenities for couples moving to an assisted living in Iowa

Couples who apply to live in an Iowa-based ALF will be housed in private units. The same goes for single residents. According to the policy of each facility, living units are equipped with keyed entries, accessible bathrooms and fully-functional kitchens. If they house dementia residents, the entrance might be without a lock, to avoid endangering the resident's health or safety. Also, the units that house such residents are not usually equipped with bathrooms, these are located separately.

Iowa-based assisted living facilities have the most diverse amenities, as the main goal is to help residents live a comfortable existence. Senior adults can keep their mind sharp by taking part in various activities; they can practice hobbies, such as painting, woodworking, or gardening. Physical fitness is encouraged, with access offered to fitness center or gyms, swimming pools, yoga classes, etc. Additional amenities might include: group trips, library, computer room, weekly religious service, social club. Dementia residents have access to specific amenities, including learning courses, cognitive therapy, guided walks.