Memory Care Communities in Gresham, Oregon

Memory Care costs in Gresham start around $5,670 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Gresham 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.

A strategy that includes public and private payment options helps many seniors and families cover memory care costs in Gresham. State and federal health insurance programs reduce out-of-pocket care costs for many residents, while our proprietary Caring.com database finds over a dozen local facilities that accept veterans’ benefits. Additionally, seniors have several options for using personal income and assets to pay for care.

• Medicaid: Oregon’s Medicaid program has two programs that pay for memory care services for qualified individuals, the K Plan and the Aging and Physically Disabled Waiver. These programs include benefits such as case management, personal care, transition services and meals.
• Medicare: Medicare doesn’t pay for standard nonmedical memory care services. However, it can reduce out-of-pocket costs on durable medical equipment, medication administration fees, skilled nursing and rehabilitative therapies.
• VA Benefits: The Geriatrics and Extended Care program covers custodial care costs, while the VA’s Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits increase qualified veterans’ monthly pensions. This added income helps pay for housing, personal care, meals and recreational services.
• Private payments: Memory care centers accept private payments toward all expenses, including housing, personal care and recreational activities. These payments come from residents’ monthly income, retirement savings, proceeds from selling a home or long-term care insurance.

In 2018, there were an estimated 65,000 people age 65 and older in Oregon with Alzheimer's disease, and this number is expected to increase by 29.2 percent by the year 2025. In the city of Gresham, seniors in this age group account for almost 13 percent of the population. 

For families seeking memory care services in the area, there are over 30 different memory care facilities available in Gresham and nearby towns, such as Beaverton and Troutdale. In Gresham and throughout Oregon, the Oregon Department of Human Services licenses memory care facilities as assisted living facilities (ALFs), residential care facilities (RCFs) or nursing facilities. All facilities offering memory care services in Oregon must receive a special endorsement on their licenses and follow state-specific rules for providing memory care.

Benefits

• Gresham seniors don’t pay state income taxes on their Social Security benefits, and those who meet income-based criteria can claim a 9% tax credit on their pension income. This leaves more money in the budget for local memory care expenses.
• Gresham’s mild weather often appeals to seniors sensitive to extreme temperatures. Daytime temperatures range from 43 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 84 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, and the city rarely experiences noticeable humidity.
• Gresham earns a rating of 58 on the AARP Livability Index, ranking in the top half of U.S. cities for favorability for seniors. Several factors influence this score, including the city’s high hospital patient satisfaction percentage, the low preventable hospitalization rate and access to ADA-accessible transportation.

Drawbacks

• Gresham reports around 34 crimes per 1,000 people and around 159 incidents per square mile every year. Fortunately, memory care centers promote residents’ safety through around-the-clock monitoring, and our proprietary Caring.com database finds nearly a dozen gated facilities in the Gresham region.
• Overall living expenses in Gresham exceed the national norm by around 25%, impacting affordability for memory care residents. To help residents budget for living and care expenses, many facilities provide all-inclusive pricing and accept Medicaid.