The 3 Best Memory Care Facilities in Freeborn County, MN for 2024

Encompassing the Albert Lea metro area, Freeborn County is an area just south of Minneapolis that's home to more than 6,000 people aged 65 or over. Many of these seniors deal with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia which can require specialized care. There are two memory care facilities in Freeborn County that can provide this type of care. In Freeborn County, as in all of Minnesota, memory care units are referred to as Special Care Units            (SCUs).

Freeborn County is home to world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia care such as the Mayo Clinic Health System, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.

• The cost of living is 19 percent lower than the U.S. average of 100 and 25 percent lower than the Minnesota average of 106. Families with limited incomes may want to consider the area for memory care.
  
• Minnesota is not considered a tax-friendly state for retirees. Income from social security is partially taxed. Withdrawals from retirement accounts are fully taxed, and both private and public pensions are fully taxed. State tax rates in Freeborn County range from 5.35 percent to 9.85 percent depending on the total income of the retiree. Seniors on fixed budgets should take Minnesota's tax laws into consideration when scouting for a memory care facility.
  
• The climate in Minnesota is notoriously harsh during winter. The average low temperature in January for Freeborn County is just five degrees. There is also above average snowfall of 38 inches. Seniors' families may want to ensure that their memory care facility has measures to prevent residences from going out into the cold.
  
• Freeborn County has violent crime rates about five percent above the national average of 31.1. Property crime ranks three percent below the U.S. average of 38.1. The overall crime rate is similar to nearby Mower County but higher than many of the other surrounding counties. Seniors' families may want to ask facility staff about measures they have in place to protect their residents from crime.
  

Memory Care costs in Freeborn County start around $5,080 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Freeborn 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.

Freeborn 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.