{"id":221378,"date":"2018-07-31T18:30:56","date_gmt":"2018-07-31T18:30:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.seniorliving.org\/?p=221378"},"modified":"2026-06-30T03:26:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T03:26:42","slug":"memory-care-costs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seniorliving.org\/memory-care\/costs\/","title":{"rendered":"Memory Care Costs in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

As older adults move toward retirement age<\/a>, more and more find themselves facing Alzheimer\u2019s<\/a> and other forms of dementia. In 2022, the Alzheimer\u2019s Association reported that approximately 6.5 million people were living with Alzheimer\u2019s, the main cause of dementia.1<\/span><\/span> Memory care is crucial for individuals with dementia. The national average cost for memory care in the United States is $6,935 a month,2<\/span><\/span>but costs can vary depending on the level of care required. Memory care facilities can provide 24-hour supervised care for patients suffering from all stages of Alzheimer\u2019s or other types of dementia.<\/p>\n

There is no cure for dementia, and the burden of care often falls on the shoulders of unpaid and untrained family members<\/a>. According to the Alzheimer\u2019s Foundation, loved ones, including family members and friends, provided more than $271 billion in unpaid care to people with Alzheimer\u2019s and other forms of dementia in 2021. Although they are doing all they can to care for their loved ones, it can become overwhelming. Coping with difficult circumstances with very little sleep and little to no respite<\/a>, family caregivers often realize they can\u2019t do it alone<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As you make decisions about memory care<\/a> for yourself or a loved one, you may find you have more questions than answers \u2014\u00a0especially about the cost of memory care. Memory care is more intensive than other types of senior care, such as assisted living<\/a>, but not always as medically intensive as a nursing home<\/a> or skilled nursing care<\/a>. Memory care requires around-the-clock supervision and specialized facilities to deal with issues such as elopement.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, let\u2019s look at memory care costs more closely.<\/p>\n

Did You Know?<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>

Did You Know?<\/strong> Someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer\u2019s every 66 seconds,3<\/span><\/span> and the number of people ages 65 and older with the disease is projected to reach 12.7 million by 2050.1<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

Median Memory Care Cost<\/h2>\n

Unsurprisingly, memory care costs run higher than many other types of senior care, such as assisted living. Costs can vary greatly from state to state. Until the need for supervision and assistance becomes too great, individuals with mild to moderate stages of dementia can live within the general population of an assisted living community. When that becomes no longer feasible during the mid to late stages of the illness, they will be required to move to a nursing home, a memory care community, or a skilled nursing care facility. A memory care community can be a secured, locked-down unit or dedicated wing within an assisted living community. It can also be a stand-alone community devoted entirely to memory care.<\/p>\n

Memory care units provide more supervision, often around the clock, and greater security<\/a>. There are more cameras in the public areas, plus secure entrances, exits, and outdoor living areas to prevent wandering. Staff-to-resident ratios are lower, and the staff is trained to manage the impulsivity and reduced safety awareness that individuals with memory issues exhibit. Activities are geared specifically to those with memory loss and schedules are very routine. Rooms don\u2019t include a kitchen.<\/p>\n

Daily Cost of Memory Care<\/h3>\n

Depending on the state and specific facility, the daily costs associated with memory care ran between $83 and $403 per day, with the national median cost being closer to $181 per day in 2022.<\/p>\n

Monthly Cost of Memory Care<\/h3>\n

The monthly cost associated with memory care by state is between $2,500 (Georgia) and $12,090 (D.C.) per month, with the median being closer to $5,000 per month. Caring for those living among the general population of an assisted living community typically costs less each month than a memory-care-specific facility.<\/p>\n

Yearly Cost of Memory Care<\/h3>\n

The yearly cost of memory care ranges from $30,000 (Georgia) to $145,080 (Washington, D.C.), and the national median cost is around $65,000 per year. However, you can expect costs to rise each year.<\/p>\n

Memory Care Costs by State<\/h2>\n

Memory care costs vary widely from state to state. Check the following chart to determine the average cost of memory care in your state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
State<\/th>\nMedian monthly cost (2022)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Alabama<\/td>\n$4,410<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alaska<\/td>\n$4,817<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arizona<\/td>\n$5,448<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arkansas<\/td>\n$5,053<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
California<\/td>\n$5,419<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Colorado<\/td>\n$5,925<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Connecticut<\/td>\n$7,250<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Delaware<\/td>\n$5,972<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
District of Columbia<\/td>\n$11,490<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Florida<\/td>\n$4,650<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Georgia<\/td>\n$3,995<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hawaii<\/td>\n$8,100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Idaho<\/td>\n$4,336<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Illinois<\/td>\n$5,900<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indiana<\/td>\n$5,300<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Iowa<\/td>\n$5,669<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kansas<\/td>\n$6,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kentucky<\/td>\n$4,513<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Louisiana<\/td>\n$4,710<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maine<\/td>\n$7,695<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maryland<\/td>\n$6,285<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Massachusetts<\/td>\n$7,695<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Michigan<\/td>\n$5,213<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minnesota<\/td>\n$6,418<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mississippi<\/td>\n$4,452<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Missouri<\/td>\n$5,800<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Montana<\/td>\n$6,105<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nebraska<\/td>\n$5,935<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nevada<\/td>\nNo data available<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Hampshire<\/td>\n$6,950<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Jersey<\/td>\n$7,710<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New Mexico<\/td>\n$4,600<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
New York<\/td>\n$6,895<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
North Carolina<\/td>\n$5,490<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
North Dakota<\/td>\n$5,745<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ohio<\/td>\n$5,315<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oklahoma<\/td>\nNo data available<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oregon<\/td>\n$6,275<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pennsylvania<\/td>\n$5,635<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rhode Island<\/td>\n$5,925<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
South Carolina<\/td>\n$4,415<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
South Dakota<\/td>\n$6,083<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tennessee<\/td>\n$4,417<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Texas<\/td>\nNo data available<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Utah<\/td>\n$4,220<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vermont<\/td>\n$8,400<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Virginia<\/td>\n$5,555<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Washington<\/td>\n$6,175<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
West Virginia<\/td>\n$5,460<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wisconsin<\/td>\n$5,850<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wyoming<\/td>\nNo data available<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Want to know more? The Genworth Cost of Care Survey has been the basis of long-term care planning strategies since 2004 and helps families plan for the expenses related to long-term care. They have created a cost of care calculator<\/a> that enables you to select a state and see the cost of various types of care in that state. The calculator allows you to see daily, monthly, and yearly costs, as well as project what the costs will be in the future through 2071. There is even a tool to help factor in inflation!<\/p>\n

How to Pay for Memory Care Costs<\/h2>\n

Unless care is provided in a skilled nursing community, meaning that there are medically intensive care needs other than dementia, memory care costs will need to be covered with private funds.<\/p>\n

Does Medicare Cover Memory Care Costs?<\/h3>\n

Medicare doesn't cover the cost of memory care<\/a> when it's provided in assisted living or a memory care-specific community; however, Medicare may cover the cost of care when certain criteria are met for a specified period of time, usually up to 100 days for skilled nursing care under limited circumstances. For example, Medicare will cover any inpatient hospital care after certain criteria have been met, some medical items and some doctor's fees. Many prescription medications are covered by Medicare Part D. Once a patient with dementia is admitted into hospice care, Medicare will pay for most, if not all, of the cost of care.<\/p>\n

To learn about more specifics concerning Medicare coverage, see Medicare's website<\/a>. Also read more about Medicare eligibility<\/a>, Medicare costs<\/a>, and caregiver resources.<\/p>\n

Medicare Special Needs Plans<\/a> (SNPs) are available for persons with dementia. SNPs are Medicare Advantage plans specializing in care for beneficiaries with dementia.<\/p>\n

Does Medicaid Cover Memory Care Costs?<\/h3>\n

Medicaid provides health care coverage to eligible elderly adults, people with disabilities, and others.<\/p>\n

For facilities that accept Medicaid, some long-term costs are covered. Locations that offer Medicaid beds only set aside a limited number of them and memory care communities do so less often than other senior care provider facilities that accept Medicaid. Since Medicaid is funded jointly by each state and the federal government, coverage varies from state to state.<\/p>\n

Some adult day care costs, primarily for low-income seniors, may be covered by the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a partnership between Medicare and Medicaid.<\/p>\n

Although Medicaid requires a “spend down” before qualifying, a spousal protection rule enables healthy spouses some asset protection. The amount of protection varies from state to state.<\/p>\n

Find out more specifics about Medicaid benefits at Medicaid.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pro Tip:<\/div>
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Pro Tip:<\/strong> Don\u2019t think you qualify for Medicaid? Look into this legal loophole<\/a> you may be able to take advantage of.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

Are Memory Care Costs Tax Deductible?<\/h3>\n

In cases where IRS criteria have been met, the cost of dementia care may qualify as a deductible medical expense. In some cases, the entire bill may be tax deductible as a valid medical expense with a written assessment signed by a doctor stating that level of care is required.<\/p>\n

Get advice from someone familiar with your area\u2019s tax laws and elder care.<\/p>\n

More Tips Concerning Memory Care Costs<\/h2>\n