Memory Care Cost by City & State

Always included

• Secured, locked unit with wander-management
• 3 meals/day adapted for dementia (finger foods, texture modification)
• 24/7 dementia-trained staff on site
• Structured daily programming (music, art, reminiscence therapy)
• Personal care (bathing, dressing, toileting, medication management)
• Safety monitoring and emergency call systems
• Housekeeping, laundry, basic utilities

Usually extra cost

• One-on-one behavioral support / sitter services
• Physical or occupational therapy
• Skilled nursing care (wounds, IVs, tube feeding)
• Incontinence supplies (often bundled, sometimes extra)
• Specialized feeding assistance (swallowing disorders)
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Hospice coordination (usually billed separately by hospice agency)

Private pay

Most memory care residents start private pay. Savings, retirement accounts (IRA, 401k), Social Security, and pension income are the most common funding sources.

Medicaid waivers

Most states' HCBS waivers cover personal care in memory care units (same as assisted living). Some states require separate dementia-specific certification. Room and board typically not covered.

VA Aid & Attendance

Veterans and surviving spouses with wartime service may qualify for up to $2,830/month to offset memory care costs. Applying early is critical — processing takes 3–12 months.

Long-term care insurance

LTC insurance purchased before a dementia diagnosis can cover $100–$300+/day of memory care costs. Verify your policy's dementia benefit trigger and elimination period.

Life insurance conversion

A life insurance policy can be converted to a care benefit through a life settlement or chronic illness rider — generating immediate funds for memory care.

Medicaid spend-down

If assets exceed the Medicaid limit, spending down on care (or qualified transfers via an elder law attorney) can establish eligibility. Consult an elder law attorney early.