The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Dubuque, IA for 2024

 

Located in the Tristate Area along the Mississippi River, Dubuque, IA, is home to over 58,800 residents. As nearly 19% of the city's population are seniors, many residents are at risk of developing a cognitive condition such as Alzheimer's. As revealed by the Alzheimer's Association, one in every nine American seniors lives with dementia. Furthermore, one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer's — killing more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

Looking at data from the CDC, between 2016 and 2020, the number of Alzheimer's-related deaths in Dubuque rose by a modest 2.8% compared to the 19.5% increase in all deaths during this time. This may be due to Dubuque's many dementia care services and resources, which include memory care communities. These facilities allow seniors with memory loss to access specialized care in a secure environment with dementia-focused amenities and programming.

This guide explores various aspects of memory care in Dubuque, including some pros and cons of living in this area, the average cost of care services and a list of dementia-specific resources.

The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing, Health Facilities Division oversees all assisted living and residential care facilities in Dubuque, including those that offer dementia care units. This regulatory body is responsible for the licensing, certification and regulation of these facilities. This includes conducting unannounced on-site survey visits to assess the quality of care and services provided to senior residents.

 

• Dubuque offers an affordable cost of living for seniors on limited budgets. Compared to the national average of 100, the city has a cost index rating of 84.9, meaning it's roughly 15% less expensive than the average American city. Residents may notice particular savings in terms of their housing, transportation, and grocery costs.
• Seniors can also save when it comes to taxes. As of 2023, retirement income is tax-exempt for Iowa residents aged 55 and older. This includes Social Security benefits, pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s. The state is also repealing its inheritance tax.
• Violent crime rates are very low in Dubuque, scoring 14.1 on a 100-point index scale compared to the U.S. median of 22.7. However, property crime is more prevalent, earning an index score of 42.4, nearly 20% higher than the national average. Fortunately, memory care communities are designed with residents' safety in mind, often featuring 24-hour surveillance, fully secured entries and state-of-the-art security systems.
• As Iowa is part of the Dementia Friendly America initiative, cities across the state, including Dubuque, are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for seniors with memory loss conditions. This community-based effort aims to raise awareness and provide support for individuals and families impacted by dementia, conducting educational programming and outreach efforts to help increase understanding of the disease. The state also provides access to helpful resources, such as memory cafes.
• While summers in Dubuque are warm, winters can be quite chilly. Temperatures can drop as low as 11 degrees, and the city receives an average of 37 inches of snow per year. Fortunately, seniors living in memory care facilities have access to on-site amenities, conveniences and activities for when it's too cold to venture outdoors.
• With 233 physicians per capita compared to the national average of 210, Dubuque is well-equipped to serve seniors' general health and wellness needs. It's also home to top medical facilities, including UnityPoint Health - Finley Hospital, which has a designated behavioral health department that provides medical support for individuals with mental health disorders and dementia.

 

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.

Seniors in Dubuque pay an average of $5,656 per month for memory care, though facilities may charge more or less depending on their location, amenities and services.

Memory care costs in Dubuque are nearly $200 higher than the state average, though they're only about $30 above the national median. Seniors looking for slightly more affordable care may consider Iowa City, where costs are $143 less expensive, or Davenport, where average memory care rates are $218 lower than in Dubuque. However, memory care in Dubuque is less expensive than in Des Moines, which sees the state's highest rates at $6,004 per month. The city is also budget-friendly compared to the 5% higher costs in Cedar Rapids.

There are several other care types to explore in Dubuque, including adult day health care. Ideal for those with minimal care needs, it's the most affordable option at $1,408 monthly. Due to specialized services and dementia programming, memory care costs are higher than the $4,525 monthly cost of assisted living. In-home care and home health care are both $365 less than memory care and are suitable options for those looking to age in place at home. As it's the most comprehensive care type, nursing home care is the most expensive, with costs 22.5% higher than memory care.

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 Iowa page.