The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Grand Junction, CO for 2024

More than 66,000 people live in Grand Junction, CO, and nearly 20% of its residents are 65 and older. Statistically, Grand Junction's senior population is more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and dementia than younger demographics. While Alzheimer's deaths in Grand Junction decreased by 26.28% between 2016 and 2020, Alzheimer's currently ranks as the seventh leading cause of death in the county, and an increase in deaths is expected to follow. Fortunately, seniors in Grand Junction can access a multitude of memory care resources to help provide support in the later stages of Alzheimer's and dementia.

Memory care communities are a type of senior care intended for seniors who are living with memory-loss disorders. These communities are designed with security in mind to prevent wandering and confusion and typically offer unique therapies such as music and pet therapy. Staff members are trained to provide 24/7 dementia care and are familiar with the challenges of caring for memory care residents. With this guide, families in Grand Junction can compare and contrast memory care options and learn more about resources in the area.

Memory care communities throughout the state, including those in Grand Junction, are licensed and certified by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. All facilities must undergo a mandatory licensing process, which involves obtaining a certificate of compliance and passing an on-site health survey. Licenses are valid for one year. Subsequent inspections, both announced and unannounced, may be conducted periodically.

• While Colorado typically sees higher living costs than other U.S. states, Grand Junction is affordable. The city receives a cost of living index score of 96, which is lower than the national average of 100 and the state median of 120.5. Seniors can expect to see the largest savings in terms of their health care and grocery costs.
• The state of Colorado also is tax-friendly toward retirees. Its retirement pension/annuity subtraction policy allows seniors aged 65 and older to subtract up to $24,000 from their taxable retirement income. Colorado also has some of the lowest property taxes in the United States, and while sales taxes are high, groceries and medicine are exempt from taxation.
• Rates of violent crime in Grand Junction are in line with national numbers; however, the city sees high rates of property crime. It receives an index rating of 62.8, which is much higher than the U.S. national average of 35.4. Fortunately for seniors, memory care communities are typically outfitted with advanced safety features and state-of-the-art security equipment.
• Mesa County’s Grand Valley Transit system offers public transportation services to communities across the region, including Grand Junction. It provides both fixed-route and paratransit services, as well as a senior shopping shuttle service.
• The city’s mild climate allows for plenty of opportunities for enjoying the outdoors all year long. Summers in Grand Junction are warm, with temperatures climbing to the low-90s. While winters can get chilly, they’re warm compared to average winters in Colorado. Seniors can also look forward to enjoying 245 days of sunshine each year.
• Unfortunately, the air quality in the region is a bit below average. The American Lung Association awards Mesa County with a C-rating for the number of high ozone days it experiences. However, the region scores a bit higher in terms of 24-hour particle pollution and receives a passing grade for levels of annual particle pollution.
• Grand Junction serves as western Colorado’s medical hub, which provides seniors with access to a number of world-class health care facilities, including St. Mary’s Medical Center and Community Hospital.

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we’ve estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

Memory care facilities in Grand Junction typically charge $5,313 per month, though costs can vary based on factors such as location, room types and amenities.

Memory care in Grand Junction is not only affordable compared to the state median, but it’s also around $300 lower than the national average. The city offers some of the lowest rates in Colorado. Costs in Colorado Springs are about $500 more than in Grand Junction, and memory care in Denver is over $1,500 more expensive. The state’s most expensive city is Boulder, where seniors pay $7,844 per month. Individuals may find slightly more affordable memory care in Pueblo. There, average care rates are $4,750 per month, which is about $560 less than in Grand Junction.

At $1,192, adult day care is the most affordable care option in Grand Junction. While less specialized than memory care, assisted living is over $1,000 less expensive. In-home care and home health care are $120 more than memory care, though they allow seniors to remain living at home. Nursing homes, which offer the highest level of care, are the most expensive type of senior care, averaging $8,456 per month.

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 Colorado page.