What Does Assisted Living Cost in Utah and How to Pay For it?
By CarePatrol of Utah
The most common question we get from families is "how much does assisted living cost?" Many people are surprised at how affordable it is when given some specific information about what's included. Below is some information on what assisted living communities to cost in Utah and some ideas on paying for care.
What does Assisted Living cost in Utah?
The cost for assisted living varies greatly in the state of Utah. We see communities charge anywhere from $2,000 a month to as much as $6,000, but the average is $3,350*. This amount largely depends on 3 factors.
How much care does the resident require? For individuals that need help with a lot of activities of daily living (ADL's), the cost will go up. This is important to keep in mind and understand that the cost may increase over time as care needs increase.
- Location. As will any real estate, location affects the cost of assisted living. Utah County can be $500-$1000 cheaper then Salt Lake County.
- Size of the room. Most communities have different size rooms from small studio apartments to 2 bedroom suites. Most individuals are completely comfortable in a studio or 1 bedroom.
In addition to the monthly cost for assisted living, most communities charge a "move-in" or "community" fee for new residents. Make sure you understand all the costs associated with moving before you sign the agreement and move in.
Does Medicare or Medicaid pay for it?
Traditionally Medicare does NOT pay for assisted living. It can, in some cases, pay for a nursing home stay or for in-home care. Medicaid can be used to pay for some of the costs associated with assisted living. In Utah, the Medicaid program that helps pay for some assisted living charges is called the New Choices Waiver. The qualification process and requirements for this waiver can be challenging to understand and apply for. It's recommended to work with somebody that specializes in the waiver. (Pro tip - Call us)
Long Term Care Insurance
Long term care insurance is a great way to help pay for some or all of assisting living costs. Some life insurance policies have a long term care rider. As with any insurance policy, reading and understanding what is covered or not can require a law degree. We recommend having a professional look at your policy.
VA Aid and Attendance
The VA aid and Attendance Pension is a great benefit to many veterans to help pay for long-term care costs. This benefit can be used to pay for independent living, assisted living, memory care and even in-home care. When considering the cost of assisted living its important to know what's included. Here is a worksheet to help compare the costs of living in assisted living to living at home.
If you have any questions, CarePatrol's Certified Senior Advisors can help. Please call (801) 352-0777. *2018 figures as reported, monthly rate for a private bedroom.