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

Linn County is located in the east-central region of Iowa and has over 200,000 residents, about 15 percent of whom are seniors. According to the Alzheimer's Association, seniors are most likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, a diagnosis that is found in almost one in 10 of the county's senior residents who rely on Medicare.

In Linn County, seniors with dementia may receive memory care services in assisted living programs that are certified as dementia care units by the Department of Inspections and Appeals, Health Facilities Division. The county is home to four memory care facilities, including two in Marion, one in Robins and one in Cedar Rapids. 

• The air quality in Linn County is decent, with the county receiving an A for ozone pollution and a C for short-term particle pollution from the American Lung Association. The county's relatively clean air may be beneficial for seniors with conditions like asthma or COPD.
  
• In Iowa, most forms of retirement income are subject to state income tax. However, taxpayers who are aged 55 and over qualify for a deduction on their income. Social Security benefits and public pensions are not subject to state income tax, which may let seniors and families put more money towards memory care expenses in Linn County. 
  
• The overall cost of living in Linn County is on par with the Iowa average and about 10 percent less than the national average, which may result in relatively affordable memory care services. Healthcare expenses are similar here as they are in the rest of the state and about 17 percent higher than the national median.  
  
• Summers in Linn County are warm with highs in the mid-80s. Winters are chilly, however, with lows near 10 degrees, and the county receives 30 inches of annual snowfall. This is a little higher than the U.S. average, which may make seasonal travel challenging for families visiting local loved ones in memory care. 

Memory Care costs in Linn County start around $5,450 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 Linn 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.

Linn 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.