Finding great memory care for a parent or loved one can be overwhelming, emotional, and challenging. You want them to be safe, cared for with respect and dignity, and have the highest possible quality of life. Cost also tends to be at the top of your list of concerns, and for good reason. So how much does memory care cost? In this post, we’ll get into all the ins and outs of memory care costs. We’ll discuss the average monthly cost of memory care, what this cost includes and doesn’t include, and ways to pay for this vital care. We’ll also help you find a memory care community that fits your needs and budget.
Quick Answer: How much does memory care cost?
According to US News, the average monthly cost for memory care in the United States in 2025 was $7,505. This varies widely depending on location. In Hawaii, the average cost of memory care was $12,964, compared to $5,205 in Wyoming.
This number might surprise you, but the true cost of memory care is a little more nuanced–and it will probably end up being more affordable than you think. Keep reading to learn more about memory care, payment options, what is included in this cost, and how to find a great memory care community.
What is Memory Care?
Memory care is a type of residential senior care for people who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. A memory care community is a specialized type of senior assisted living community that provides assistance with activities of daily living, meals, social activities, and higher levels of supervision and security to ensure safety.
What does it mean to have dementia or Alzheimer’s?
Dementia is a general term for memory loss and cognitive decline that interferes with everyday life. There are several forms of dementia, including vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. While all of these types of dementia have different causes, the symptoms are similar. Symptoms of dementia include:
- Memory loss
- Trouble communicating or finding words
- Becoming lost or wandering
- Problems with reasoning, problem solving, planning and organization
- Confusion and disorientation
- Personality changes
- Behavior problems
- Hallucinations
These are simply the initial or beginning symptoms of the disease. Unfortunately, the vast majority of causes of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, get worse over time. A person with pre-dementia or early stage dementia may still be able to take care of themselves for a period of time. However, this will eventually progress to moderate or middle-stage. A person with moderate dementia will experience significant problems with memory and need help with daily activities. They will also require a more secure environment to prevent confusion, wandering, and disorientation. The middle stage of dementia is typically the longest stage.
Once a person progresses to severe dementia or late-stage dementia, they will need help with all bodily functions, including eating and using the bathroom. They are also likely to experience severe memory loss, including difficulty recognizing family members, and loss of verbal skills.
When is Memory Care Needed?
Family members can help to care for a loved one with mild or early stage dementia, but memory care becomes necessary once someone has moderate or middle-stage dementia. At this point, they will need help with daily activities like bathing and dressing, as well as a secure environment and around-the-clock supervision. It is extremely difficult for family members to provide this level of care themselves. Hiring home healthcare professionals can help, but without 24/7 supervision, caring for a person with dementia at home will eventually become unsafe. At this point, a memory care community is the safest environment for a person with dementia, and will often provide the best quality of life.
What is the average monthly cost for memory care?
When your loved one has moderate or severe dementia, memory care becomes necessary, not optional. But many people are understandably concerned about the cost of memory care, and how this will affect them financially. According to US News, the average monthly cost for memory care in the United States in 2025 was $7,505. This varies widely depending on location. In Hawaii, the average cost of memory care was $12,964, compared to $5,205 in Wyoming.
No matter where you are, this probably sounds like a big number. But the true cost of memory care is a little more nuanced–and it might be more affordable than you think. Keep reading to learn more.
What is included in the cost of memory care?
With over 30,000 memory care communities in the United States, what’s included in the monthly cost of memory care can vary depending on the community. At Stellar Senior Living memory care communities, the monthly fee typically includes:
- A furnished private apartment with weekly housekeeping, laundry, and linen services
- Three nutritious, chef-prepared meals every day, plus snacks and beverages
- Assistance with activities of daily living and personalized care
- Structured activities all day long, including shuttle bus outings, fitness classes, social activities, educational classes, music, art, and pet therapy
- Support groups and education for family members
- Private transportation to medical appointments
- Amenities, like a library, gym, pool, fitness center, secure outdoor courtyard, full-service salon and barbershop, community gardens, walking paths, etc
- Additional supervision and security measures to prevent wandering or disorientation
Great memory care communities should provide more than just dementia help. They should give your loved one a fun, happy, and hopeful life that values who they are as an individual.
Don’t forget to consider what you won’t have to pay for!
When you take into account all that is included with memory care, the cost can be much more manageable. Make sure to consider everything you won’t have to pay for when figuring out your budget for memory care. For example, if your loved one lives at a memory care community, you won’t have to pay for:
- A car payment, auto insurance, or transportation
- Rent, mortgage, or home insurance
- Meals, food, or groceries
- Help with cleaning or lawn care
- Home or yard maintenance
- Home modifications for safety, like bathroom grab bars
- Home healthcare providers
- Entertainment
- Utilities
When you consider what you or your loved one is already spending on these bills, the cost of memory care might be more affordable than you think. Make sure to contact the memory care communities you’re considering directly to see what they include in their monthly fees. Any community worth considering should provide transparent line-item pricing.
What is not included in memory care costs?
As a general guideline, most memory care costs do not include:
- Private transportation outside a certain radius, or to locations other than healthcare appointments
- Any medical care that must be provided by a skilled medical professional
- Dry cleaning or other specialized or intensive cleaning
- Some specialized care may not be included without an additional fee
As we previously mentioned, what’s included and not included will really depend on the individual community. Make sure to also ask what is not included when touring a memory care community.
How To Pay for Memory Care
Now that you know how much memory care costs every month, you might be wondering what your payment options are. Here’s how to pay for memory care.
Private Pay, Savings, and Retirement
The majority of memory care costs are typically paid for using private, out-of-pocket funds. This is usually in the form of your loved one’s Social Security income, personal savings, retirement accounts, investments, or income from selling or renting their home. If your loved one had long-term care insurance, this can also be used to pay for memory care. Some life insurance policies also have riders for long-term care, or can be “cashed out” to pay for memory care.
Medicare and Medicaid
Unfortunately, Medicare does not pay for any long-term residential care, which includes memory care. However, Medicaid may cover some memory care costs through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). Medicaid coverage varies by state, so contact your state Medicaid office to find out what they will cover.
VA Benefits
If your loved one is a Veteran, VA healthcare will help pay for memory care. Learn more about your VA benefits here.
Other Payment Options
If the above options aren’t enough to pay for memory care, you might be able to take out a loan to help. Most financial experts do not recommend reverse mortgages or bridge loans to pay for memory care. A reverse mortgage would require your loved one to continue living in their home, which would not allow them to live at a memory care community, and bridge loans can be risky. Consult a financial advisor to see what loan options are available to you.
How to Find A Great Memory Care Community
Stellar Living’s Pueblo Norte Memory Care in Scottsdale celebrates with a fancy luncheon!
Now that you know all about how much memory care costs, and how to make this cost work for your budget, it’s time to find a great memory care community for your loved one. When exploring memory care communities, you should ask:
- What are this community’s monthly costs, what is included, and what payment options do you accept?
- What type of lifestyle does this community offer, and does it fit my loved one’s needs?
- Are social activities, outings, and fitness classes available?
- What services and amenities are included?
- What kind of care can the community provide?
- Are there secure indoor and outdoor spaces for my loved one to be able to enjoy safely?
- Are the people who live here as happy and healthy as possible?
Stellar Senior Living’s top-rated memory care communities strive to provide truly Stellar memory care, and to treat your loved one just like our own family. Stellar Memory Care is currently available in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Washington at the following communities.
Arizona Memory Care
- Granite Gate in Prescott, AZ
- La Sonora at Dove Mountain in Marana, AZ
- Pueblo Norte in Scottsdale, AZ
- The Forum at Tucson in Tucson, AZ
- The Gardens of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, AZ
- The Groves in Goodyear, AZ
- The Oaks in Gilbert, AZ
- Thunderbird in Glendale, AZ
Colorado Memory Care
- Bear Creek in Colorado Springs, CO
- La Villa Grande in Grand Junction, CO
- Lakewood Reserve in Lakewood, CO
- Skyline Ridge in Cañon City, CO
- The Grande in Broomfield, CO
- Willow Tree in Delta, CO
Idaho Memory Care
- Lincoln Court in Idaho Falls, Idaho
Nevada Memory Care
- The Grand at Southern Hills in Las Vegas, NV
Texas Memory Care
- Clayton Oaks in Richmond, TX
- The MonteVista at Coronado in El Paso, TX
Utah Memory Care
- Copper Creek in South Jordan, UT
- Courtyard at Jamestown in Provo, UT
- Creekside in Bountiful, UT
Washington Memory Care
- Overlake Terrace in Redmond, WA
- The Grand in Spokane, WA
Learn more about Stellar Senior Living’s unique approach to memory care here.
