The Best Memory Care Communities in Deschutes County, OR

Deschutes County in central Oregon, east of the Cascade Range, has a population of 157,773 people. Over 18 percent of these residents are seniors aged 65 and older, some of whom might be among the 65,000 Oregon seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Deschutes County is home to seven memory care facilities.

In Deschutes County, as in all of Oregon, memory care facilities are called Memory Care Communities and are governed by the Oregon Department of Human Services. 

• Deschutes County has a pleasant climate with summer highs of 83 degrees and winter lows of 22. Although the area only receives 18 inches of rain each year, 21 inches less than the U.S. average, annual snowfalls total 38 inches, a full eight inches more than the national average. Families may want to ensure that resident rooms in their chosen facility have individual thermostats to keep residents warm during colder weather.
  
• Deschutes County, as well as the rest of Oregon, does not tax Social Security benefits. However, pensions are partially taxed and retirement savings account withdrawals are fully taxed. Budget-conscious seniors may want to take Oregon’s tax laws into consideration before moving to the county.
  
• The cost of living in Deschutes County is 138.8, almost 30 points higher than the national average of 100. Seniors can expect to save on healthcare and transportation, both ranked lower than the national average. Housing and grocery expenses rank higher at 210 and 110.4, respectively which may be of concern to families who are thinking of moving to the area.
  
• On a scale where 100 represents the most dangerous areas, Deschutes County has a violent crime rate of 41.9 and a property crime rate of 44.9, compared to the national averages of 31.1 and 38.1, respectively. Although the crime rates in the county are higher than the national average, families may have peace of mind in knowing that memory care facilities have protocols to keep their loved ones safe.

Memory Care costs in Deschutes County start around $6,690 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 Deschutes 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 Oregon 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 Oregon page.

Deschutes County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in Oregon are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in Oregon page for more information about these laws.