Assisted Living in Idaho
Located in the great Pacific Northwest, the Gem State offers residents a beautiful and diverse selection of outdoor activities and attractions. The Snake River, Hell’s Canyon and notable Seven Devils Mountain range are a few of the wonders of Idaho.
Gorgeous mountain ranges and waterfalls give way to lush forests, immense canyons and relaxing hot springs—qualities that make assisted living in Idaho feel like a 24/7 vacation spot. Idaho has the lowest crime rate in the West, according to FBI statistics, so seniors can live carefree while enjoying a small-town lifestyle.
Assisted Living in Idaho Defined
Residential care and assisted living facilities in Idaho are communities for seniors 60 years of age and older who require supervision but do not need 24-hour skilled nursing. Assisted living communities in Idaho provide:
- Dietary services
- Medication assistance
- Housekeeping
- Recreation
According to the Assisted Living Consumer Alliance, facilities of assisted living in Idaho “support independence, dignity and honoring patient rights.”
Regulation of Assisted Living in Idaho
Facilities of assisted living in Idaho are licensed and monitored by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The Idaho Licensing and Survey Agency conducts surveys on newly licensed facilities 90 days after their initial licensure and then again in 15 months. After that, licensed facilities are surveyed every 12 or 36 
months depending on whether or not they have any prior complaints or deficiencies.
Employees who wish to work in a licensed assisted living community in Idaho must complete at least 16 hours of job-related orientation training, along with eight hours of additional training each year. Staff members who are responsible for medication disbursement must first complete a Board-of-Nursing-approved medication assistance certificate.
Staff members of facilities who admit residents with mental illness, dementia or other developmental disabilities must complete specialized training in each of the areas, and one CPR-trained staff member must be on duty at all times. Although a staff nurse is not required to be on duty, the facility must have an on-call nurse available at all times.
Idaho assisted living communities are supported and investigated by the national and state Ombudsmen. Ombudsmen oversee and investigate resident complaints free of charge.
Cost of Assisted Living in Idaho
Communities of assisted living in Idaho typically charge between $2,000 and $3,000 for room and board, depending on the size of the unit and the services provided.
Here is a list of the average monthly rates* broken down by city for a one-bedroom, single-occupancy apartment in an Idaho assisted living facility:
| City | Minimum Cost | Maximum Cost |
| Boise/Nampa | $2,250 | $4,337 |
| Coeur d’Alene | $2,600 | $4,550 |
| Idaho Falls | $2,100 | $4,000 |
| Lewiston | $2,200 | $4,250 |
| Rest of State | $1,500 | $3,925 |
*Genworth Financial 2011 Cost of Care Survey.
Private payment is the most widely accepted form of payment, but some facilities also accept long-term care insurance and Veterans’ benefits for those who qualify. In addition, low-income residents may fill out a Medicaid waiver to receive some payment reimbursement for room and board.
Find Assisted Living in Idaho
Assisted living in Idaho may be found in Twin Falls, Boise, Idaho Falls and other parts of Idaho.
Written by senior housing writer Chrysti Harrison.
