Memory Care in Utah

Located just west of the Rocky Mountains, Utah is ripe with natural beauty and charming towns and cities. Known as “The Beehive State” for the industrious nature of the people who have called it home, Utah’s state’s motto is simply the word “Industry.” The state was settled by Mormons in the 19th century and roughly 60% of the state’s current population are Mormon. Aside from being home to the largest salt water lake in the Western Hemisphere, Utah is very mountainous, and is known for having some of the world’s best skiing slopes. Salt Lake City, the state’s largest city, is a major metropolitan area with plenty of world-class amenities to offer. Between the region’s beautiful natural landscape and the welcoming appeal of cities like Provo and Salt Lake City, Utah is a wonderful place to retire.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 65 memory care facilities in Utah. The median monthly cost of memory care in Utah is about $4,500.

Memory care services in Utah are often provided in combined assisted living facilities, which must be licensed for this specific type of care. The Department of Health and Human Services Division of Licensing and Background Checks will license an assisted living community as either Type I or Type II. While these assisted living communities can provide a range of services, only Type II can provide memory care for your senior relative.^[01]

Most of our partner memory care communities operate in assisted living facilities. Memory care units have specific security and staff requirements, but we recommend visiting our Utah assisted living laws and regulations page for more details on overlapping regulations.

Security requirements

To keep your loved one safe, Type II assisted living facilities provide memory care in secure units. Security features may include enclosed courtyards, exit alarms, and unique layouts to help seniors who wander. Memory care units should also have an emergency plan for safely evacuating residents.^[01]

Memory care staff

Having specially trained staff is another way Utah memory care units provide support for your senior family member. Caregivers for seniors with dementia must be trained in the following areas:^[01]

• Dementia-related needs
• Communication skills
• Accident prevention
• Housekeeping
• Food preparation
• Personal care
• Medication assistance
• Residents’ rights

At least one caregiver who’s completed the dementia-specific training should be in the memory care unit of the Type II facility 24/7. There should also be a registered nurse available.^[01]

Utah Department of Health contact information

Utah Department of Health and Human Services
195 North 1950 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84116

Phone: 833-353-3447

Surveys and reports

Utah’s Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for inspecting, or surveying, each assisted living facility. They do so after a complaint has been filed and whenever possible during the two years of each license term.^[01]

For peace of mind about your loved one’s potential memory care unit, you can view the survey results. Known as Notices of Agency Actions, these reports from the Office of Licensing highlight what corrections were needed during a survey. To view these reports, visit the Notice of Agency Actions page and scroll down to “Health Facilities.” Click on “Notice of Agency Actions,” and click on the name of the community you’re interested in.