The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Dubuque County, IA for 2024

Dubuque County, which is located in the extreme eastern region of Iowa, has about 97,000 residents, over 17 percent of whom are aged 65 and over. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reports that just under 10 percent of seniors who receive Medicare benefits in this county have Alzheimer's disease or dementia, which is a little lower than both the state and national median.

To serve this population, Dubuque County has two memory care facilities. In this county, memory care services are provided at assisted living programs, which must be certified as dementia care units through the Department of Inspections and Appeals, Health Facilities Division. 

• In Iowa, most forms of retirement income are subject to state income tax, but those aged 55 and over qualify for a deduction to minimize this expense. The state does not impose an income tax on Social Security benefits or public pensions, which may allow for more money in the memory care budget in Dubuque County.
• While the cost of living in Dubuque County is slightly higher than the state average, it's about 8 percent lower than the nationwide average. Healthcare is considerably more expensive here, coming in about 20 percent higher, which may be a concern for those whose senior loved one has a chronic condition like dementia. 
• While violent crime in Dubuque County is on par with the national average, rating 31.2 on a 100-point scale, property crime is less prevalent here than in the nation as a whole, rating 31.6 versus the national average of 38.1. This may make the county a good option for safety-minded families seeking memory care services for a loved one. 
• Year-round temperatures in Dubuque County range between 10 degrees and 84 degrees, which is a little cooler than the nationwide median of 23 degrees and 86 degrees. Families may want to find out what measures their loved ones' memory care facilities take to keep residents safe and comfortable in cold weather.  

Memory Care costs in Dubuque County start around $5,232 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,743 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Dubuque 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 Iowa 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 Iowa page.

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