The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Scott County, MN for 2024

Scott County has nearly 146,000 residents, about 14,600 of whom are aged 65 and over. Of these seniors, it's projected that nearly 10 percent of those receiving Medicare benefits have Alzheimer's disease or dementia.  

Scott County has four memory care facilities, including two in Prior Lake, one in Belle Plaine and one in Jordan. As is the case in all of Minnesota, memory care facilities in Scott County are officially known as special care units. SCUs are often located within assisted living facilities. These facilities, which the state refers to as housing with services establishments, register annually with the Department of Health. 

• The air quality in Scott County is exceptional, with the American Lung Association giving the region an A for both ozone pollution and short-term particle pollution, as well as a passing score for annual particle pollution. The county's clean air may benefit memory care residents who have respiratory conditions or cardiovascular disease. 
  
• Minnesota is among the few states that tax all types of retirement income, including Social Security benefits. This may affect how much money can be put toward memory care expenses in Scott County.  
  
• In Scott County, the overall cost of living is nearly 20 percent higher than the national median and over 10 percent higher than the statewide median, which may result in more costly memory care services. Healthcare is relatively affordable, however, coming in roughly equal to the statewide average and about 13 percent lower than in the nation as a whole. 
  
• Scott County residents enjoy mild summers with highs around 82 degrees. Winters are very cold and snowy, however, which can pose a challenge to seniors who have mobility difficulties. The January low is 5 degrees and the region receives 46 inches of annual snowfall, versus the national averages of 23 degrees and 26 inches of snow. 

Memory Care costs in Scott County start around $6,975 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,743 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Scott County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Memory Care in Minnesota page.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Minnesota page.

Scott County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Minnesota are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Minnesota page for more information about these laws.