Memory Care Communities in Charleston, West Virginia

Memory Care costs in Charleston start around $5,110 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 Charleston 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.

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 West Virginia page.

Charleston is a city in West Virginia, a state where the Alzheimer's Association estimates that 37,000 people are living with Alzheimer's disease. The city is home to roughly 48,000 people and has a senior community that makes up more than 17 percent of the total population. In addition to serving as the headquarters of the local Alzheimer's Association chapter, the city supports local seniors with dementia by offering two memory care facilities, with three more facilities nearby for families to choose from.

In Charleston, as in all of the state, memory care facilities may also be called Alzheimer's/dementia special care units, or ASCUs. Some ASCUs occupy their own building, while others are housed in assisted living facilities. Facilities that care for residents with dementia must obtain a separate license as either an assisted living residence or a skilled nursing facility. ASCUs are monitored and licensed through the Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health, Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification.

• West Virginia is among the few states that tax Social Security benefits, and it isn't a tax-friendly city for who are relocating to Charleston from outside of the state. Other types of retirement income are taxed as well, but seniors can claim deductions to offset the expense.
• The American Lung Association gives Kanawha County, the county in which Charleston is located, an A for 24-hour particle pollution, a C for ozone pollution and a passing grade for annual particle pollution. This may be important for seniors with respiratory issues to consider.
• While Charleston's cost of living is slightly higher than the state's overall average, it is about 14 percent lower than the national average. Healthcare here is slightly more expensive than it is elsewhere in the country. Loved ones of seniors with dementia may want to consider how the state's living costs will impact their memory care budget.
• Summers in Charleston are hot and humid with temperatures in the mid-80s, which may be a consideration for seniors who are sensitive to heat. Winters are chilly, with lows in the 20s and about 30 inches of annual snowfall, and it is partly cloudy year round.