Memory Care Communities in Cedar Rapids, IA

The cost of memory care in Cedar Rapids is higher than the national and Iowa state averages. The average senior in the state capital of Des Moines pays slightly more each month for care at around $6,004, while seniors in Iowa City pay just $400 less per month than those in Cedar Rapids. Sioux City is one of the more affordable options with care costing an average of $750 less each month than Cedar Rapids.

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.

The average senior in Cedar Rapids pays $5,935 per month for memory care. The exact fee charged by each facility will depend on their location and amenities or activities offered.

Seniors in Cedar Rapids manage memory care expenses by using a range of public and private payment options. This includes state and federal health insurance benefits, veterans’ benefits and money from personal accounts. By using a mix of payment options, seniors can ensure the long-term financial feasibility of residential care.

• Medicaid: Many memory care centers in Cedar Rapids accept the Medicaid Elderly Waiver, a Home and Community-Based Services program. While this waiver doesn’t cover room and board, it helps participants pay for personal care services, home health care, meals and housekeeping.  
• Medicare: Medicare pays for home health care services in memory care facilities, helping residents reduce monthly care expenses and remain in a noninstitutional setting. However, its coverage doesn’t apply to nonmedical memory care services.
• VA Benefits: The Department of Veterans Affairs oversees the Housebound allowance and Aid and Attendance benefits, which provide an increased pension for qualified individuals. Additionally, the VA Health Care for Elderly Veterans program pays for personal care, meals and transportation through the Geriatrics and Extended Care program.
• Private Payments: This payment option includes monthly income, retirement savings and other private funds. Memory care centers accept private payments for all expenses, including housing, meals, recreation and personal care services.

Those looking at more affordable senior care options may want to consider adult day health care at $1,353 per month. Seniors who are still mostly independent but need some assistance on a daily basis can look at assisted living for $4,748. In-home care and home health care both cost slightly less than memory care at $5,529 each month. A semiprivate room in a nursing home facility is around $900 more than memory care, while a private room is $1,594 more expensive.  

In Cedar Rapids and throughout the state of Iowa, the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals Health Facilities Division regulates and monitors memory care communities. The department conducts regular inspections to ensure that facilities are providing the required level of care and following all regulations. 

Benefits:

• Cedar Rapids’ cost of living falls about 6% below the national benchmark. This positively impacts the affordability of memory care and may benefit seniors with limited financial resources.
• Memory care residents in Cedar Rapids access two high-ranking hospitals, including  St. Luke’s Hospital and Mercy Cedar Rapids. Both medical facilities serve seniors through cardiovascular services, orthopedics and surgery, and Mercy Cedar Rapids offers a neurology department.
• Cedar Rapids offers clean air, scoring an A for 24-hour particle pollution and a B for ozone pollution from the American Lung Association. The region's good air quality supports the health and comfort of local memory care residents.
• As a long-term member of the AARP Age-Friendly Network, Cedar Rapids has committed to creating a comfortable environment for older residents. The city features affordable housing options, outdoor community spaces and technology classes.

Drawbacks:

• Cedar Rapids has partly cloudy conditions throughout the year, and local temperatures range from lows of 14 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 84 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Our proprietary Caring.com database shows that over a dozen local facilities feature private patios and balconies, so residents can enjoy favorable weather.
• With an annual crime rate of around 32 incidents per 1,000 people, Cedar Rapids ranks in the bottom 8% of U.S. cities for safety. Fortunately, memory care centers have security features, such as alarm systems and surveillance cameras, to support residents’ safety.