According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease, the most common form of dementia. That constitutes about one in every nine senior citizens in the U.S.
The disease is more common in women, with one in five women at risk compared to one in 10 for men. According to the same association, 19 billion hours of unpaid care for Alzheimer’s patients was provided in 2024, and long-term care costs for people living with dementia are projected to be just under 400 billion dollars in 2025. That number will grow to nearly a trillion dollars by 2050.
These are staggering numbers. They can be concerning for any family or individual attempting to pay for memory care, but this cost does not have to be an impossible obstacle.
Memory care is a type of specialized healthcare designed for people with dementia, including Alzheimer’s. It provides a safe environment with trained staff who provide support to those suffering from memory issues. This kind of care is akin to assisted living, but memory care provides a greater level of care due to the specialized issues associated with dementia.
Planning now for the costs of memory care can reduce stress later, and understanding your options can lead to better, healthier choices for you and your loved ones. Below, we’ll help break down the average monthly costs of memory care, inform you of why and how costs can vary, and let you know what kinds of support are available, so you can effectively plan your future or the future of those you love.
Average Monthly Memory Care Costs
Memory care is a specialized form of care and thus, tends to cost slightly more than an average assisted living facility. Prices are typically 20 to 30% higher than comparable assisted living facilities.
According to data accessed by the American Association of Retired Persons, the average cost of memory care in the United States is $8,399 per month. That’s higher than the average monthly cost of assisted living centers, coming in at $6,694.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the total lifetime cost of care for a person living with dementia is more than $400,000, a significant sum for any family.
Data has not been collected about memory care costs in Arizona specifically, but we can extrapolate from existing data using the above average of 20-30% increases over assisted living care. According to Elder Life Financial, the typical cost of assisted living in Arizona specifically is $5,500 per month.
With a 20 to 30% increase, costs can be expected to range between $6,600 per month and $7,150 per month. This is lower than the national average but still significant. Keep in mind, these numbers are averages, and your costs may vary.
Why Memory Care Costs Vary
Costs of memory care facilities vary for a number of reasons.
- The first is location: Some locations throughout the U.S. and even within Arizona are more expensive due to typical costs of running the facility in a specific area. Areas with higher cost of living often have higher costs for memory care.
- The second major factor is the level of care your loved ones may require: A higher level of care generally translates to higher costs. If your loved one needs direct medical oversight from trained nurses or doctors, this can increase the cost as well.
- The third factor is facility types and what amenities those facilities offer: Some offer particular things, such as secure wings for those who tend to wander, the level of enrichment offered, and the medical staff and facilities onsite.
- Memory care facilities also generally come in two types — standalone memory care units and memory care within assisted living communities: These can have different costs as well. The latter are often less expensive, but this is due to lower levels of staffing and specific training for those staff, specialized programming available at standalone facilities, and other factors relating to specialization.
As with anything else, it’s important to balance the cost of care with the amenities and medical facilities desired and necessary. Cost should not be the only factor in choosing a memory care facility, and proper research is crucial when deciding between housing and care for your loved ones.
Financial Planning and Support for Memory Care
There are a number of options for payment of memory care in Arizona and across the United States. Those include:
- Long-term care insurance: This type of insurance covers long-term stays at facilities, like memory care, and often includes funds for specific therapies for those with memory issues, skilled nursing, and personal assistance for those that need them. Please note, this type of insurance must be purchased before a diagnosis and generally cannot be purchased after.
- Financial assistance programs from the federal government include VA benefits for veterans and Medicaid or Medicare: Not everyone qualifies for these programs, so it’s best to speak with an insurance agent or a representative of the respective agencies.
- Private pay: This is the method most often used by families to pay for their stays in memory care. This can involve selling property, the use of investments and pensions, help from family members, and borrowing against life insurance.
Arizona specifically offers Medicaid to its residents. It’s part of Arizona’s medical program, AHCCCS, or the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. This organization provides insurance to thousands of people in Arizona each year and, in some cases, can help with the costs of memory care specifically. Please contact your insurance provider or AHCCCS for more information and to see if you or your loved ones qualify.
Other Financial Cost Associated With Memory Care
In addition to the costs above, there can be some other associated costs with memory care. These include:
- Specialized therapies for those with memory issues
- Medication management
- Personal care services, like haircuts and laundry
- Enrichment activities
- Recreation
- Transportation
- Possible extra costs, such as activities, medication management, and therapy
- Room type (either shared or individual)
In some cases, the costs above could be considered “extras.” However, quality of care impacts outcomes. If you want the best for yourself and your loved ones, cost should not be the only determining factor in selection — you should consider a facility holistically and do appropriate research to ensure the facility matches your needs.
At Haven Health, we are always happy to help you and your loved ones decide which facilities may be right for you.
Plan for Your Future and the Future of Your Loved Ones
Planning for memory care services doesn’t have to be impossible. Through specialized insurance, savings, and smart financial decisions — as well as help from the federal and state governments — memory care services are within reach for you and your family.
Give us a call today to discuss further options and if our facilities at Haven Health might be right for you. We’re always happy to discuss costs and other concerns, so you can keep your loved ones safe and healthy, no matter the state of their health and memories.
Contact Haven Health to learn how we can help your loved one to feel at home in assisted living.
Sources:
Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. (2025).
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. (2025).
Crouch, M. (2021). Memory Care: Specialized Support for People With Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
The Cost of Senior Care in Arizona. (2022).