Washoe County, Nevada, has approximately 466,000 residents, and 16% of them are 65 and older, the age range most likely to have Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. It's estimated that 64,000 seniors across Nevada, including those in Washoe County, may develop Alzheimer's by 2025.
There are five memory care facilities located in Washoe County that offer support to seniors who need help with the tasks of everyday living. These facilities are referred to as residential facilities for groups and are licensed by the state Division of Health, Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance.
- The cost of living in Washoe County is 121, much higher than the national average of 100 and on par with the Nevada average of 120, driven mainly by housing costs. Healthcare costs of 95 match the state average and fall slightly under the national average of 100, so seniors with chronic conditions like Alzheimer's may save a bit on medical costs.
- The families of memory care residents may wish to ask what security measures are in place to protect their loved ones. Washoe County has a violent crime rate of 31.7, compared to the U.S. average of  22.7, and property crime at 38.3 is also slightly higher than the national average.
- On average, the sun shines over Washoe County 251 days a year, 46 more sunny days than the U.S. average. Summer highs in July hit 89 compared to winter lows in January of 23. This wide temperature range could lead to some days of extreme weather, so families of seniors in memory care may wish to inquire about steps taken to keep their loved ones comfortable.
- Washoe County's air quality is 66, a bit better than the U.S. average of 58. Based on new measures called the National Air Toxics Assessment, this analysis measures the risk of respiratory illness and cancer due to air pollution. Seniors with asthma, COPD and other chronic conditions might breathe a bit easier here.
Note:Â Data reported on this page was updated in 2019 and based on the latest 2018 figures.Â