Memory Care Facilities in Keene, NH

 

Adults aged 65 and older are more likely to develop Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, and 1 in 3 seniors die while experiencing memory loss. The city of Keene, where seniors represent 18.1% of the population, has experienced this high mortality rate firsthand. In 2020, Alzhiemer's-related deaths accounted for 5% of the city's total mortalities, according to CDC data. This was a slight decrease from 2016 when dementia accounted for 5.9% of all deaths, illustrating the importance of implementing high-quality dementia care programs.

Memory care communities typically feature easy-to-navigate layouts, 24/7 safety monitoring and enriching cognitive therapies to protect residents and combat the effects of memory loss. Staff members are on-site at all times to provide guidance and support, helping seniors handle personal care tasks and stay engaged with daily life. Many communities also offer services such as pet and music therapy to reduce the anxiety associated with memory impairment.

This guide offers more details about memory care in Keene, including information about paying for care and the pros and cons of living in the city.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services implements regulations for memory care facilities in Keene and throughout the state. Seniors and their loved ones can use the agency's website to confirm a facility's license status, file complaints about care quality and learn about health and safety rules for residential senior communities.

 

• Keene is a relatively affordable place to receive health care, with local medical prices averaging 7.1% cheaper than the national norm. Seniors can visit Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene for primary care and specialty services including a dedicated geriatric health center.
• Overall living expenses in Keene are 13.7% cheaper than New Hampshire's norm and 7.9% below the national average, which might help compensate for the cost of memory care.
• Keene and New Hampshire as a whole are very tax-friendly for older adults, with zero state income taxes and zero sales taxes. The state does tax real estate at 1.7%, on average, but seniors can avoid this expense by moving into a residential care community.
• Keene is generally a safe city. On a 100-point scale, the city ranks 15.1 for violent crime compared to the U.S. norm of 22.7. Property crime is more common, ranking at 49.9 compared to 35.4 nationally, but this number has been trending downward in recent years. Additionally, memory care communities are usually equipped with systems such as security cameras, personal tracking pendants and locked gates to protect residents.
• Keene rates highly for its summer weather, scoring 9 out of 10 thanks to comfortable humidity levels and maximum temperatures around 82 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, winter in the city rates 4.1 out of 10. Temperatures drop to 9 degrees Fahrenheit in January, and Keene gets about twice as much snow as the average American city. Fortunately, memory care communities offer indoor activities and climate control to keep residents comfortable.
• Seniors in Keene can benefit from the city's high-quality air and water. On a 100-point scale, the city rates 71 for air compared to the U.S. average of 58 and 72 for water versus 55 nationally, which might be valuable for older adults with compromised immune systems.

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.

On average, memory care costs $10,076 monthly in Keene.

Memory care is more expensive in Keene than is typical across New Hampshire, averaging $2,510 more than the statewide norm. The city's average care price is also higher than the national average by about $4,451, so seniors and their families may want to consider options in other areas. Prices are 19% lower in Portland, ME, and 15.4% cheaper in Boston, MA, but Lewiston, ME, stands out with prices averaging 31.9% lower than those in Keene.

Memory care costs about $10,076 monthly in Keene, reflecting its intensive safety monitoring and cognitive therapy. Seniors who need 24/7 monitoring due to medical issues may consider nursing home placement, which costs about 11.9% more than dementia care. On the other hand, alternatives for semi-independent seniors are cheaper. In-home care provides personal care assistance for about 38.9% less than dementia care, while home health care offers light skilled nursing services for 38.6% less. Assisted living is cheaper as well, offering personal support in a community setting for 19.9% less than memory care, but adult day health care is the most affordable option, providing daytime-only medical supervision for just $1,625 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 New Hampshire page.