19 Assisted Living Communities in Weber County, Utah

The average cost of assisted living in the county is $3,893 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the county, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 19 Assisted Living Communities in Weber County and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Weber County, UT

• Assisted Living: $3,893
• Nursing Home Care: $6,296
• In-home Care: $3,766
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,289

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study, the average monthly cost for assisted living in Weber County is slightly below the national average at $3,893 but somewhat higher than the state average of $3,350. Weber County is the most expensive area in Utah for assisted living with costs of almost $1,000 per month higher than in areas such as Provo ($2,898) and Logan ($2,950).

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Weber County itself, so data from the Ogden area, the county seat, was used.

The most significant factor driving senior care costs is the type of care desired or required. This is quite evident in Weber County, where a semiprivate room in a nursing home costs over $2,000 more monthly than assisted living. Assisted living is about $200 more per month than homemaker services, but it’s about $100 cheaper than home health services. Although there isn’t much of a price difference between assisted living and home service options, it’s important to consider the expenses seniors incur by continuing to live in their residence. Most of those expenses, including rent or mortgage, utilities, food, cleaning and maintenance, are covered in assisted living rates.

Low-income residents in Utah may apply for medical assistance through Medicaid, a federal- and state-funded health care program. To qualify for Medicaid in Utah:

• Individuals must meet program criteria and the rules for citizenship, residency, and income.
• Continued coverage is contingent on qualifying each month.
• The income limit is 100% of the Federal Poverty Level.
• One person may have up to $2,000 in assets, while a couple may have up to $3,000 in assets.

Financial eligibility takes into account assets, including cash, easily liquidated items, bank accounts, vehicles and vacation residences. Each Medicaid program has different standards for counting assets, but none counts primary residences.

If monthly income exceeds the Medicaid limit, an eligibility worker can determine if a person may qualify for the spend-down, or Medicaid Medically Needy, program. A participant would agree to spend-down monthly income to the Medicaid limit by either paying a medical provider for some medical bills or paying monthly income over the Medicaid limit to the state. Note that not all Medicaid programs allow this option. 

Elderly residents who qualify for Supplemental Security Income or Social Security disability are automatically eligible for Medicaid.

The state offers several Medicaid programs, including the Aged, Blind or Disabled program for people aged 65 years and older. This provision covers care services such as home health, personal attendant care and services commonly provided in health care facilities. 

Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Programs

Medicaid, via various HCBS waiver programs, covers long-term care, including assisted living, for applicants who qualify medically and financially. These services are designed to help people live comfortably and safely in their homes or in the community.


Aging Waiver

The Aging waiver provides services to help Utah seniors remain in community-based settings such as assisted living facilities or family homes. This program supports independent living as much as possible. To qualify, individuals must be at least 65 years of age and require nursing facility level of care. Services under the Aging waiver program include:

• Adult companion services
• Adult day health services
• Chore services
• Personal attendant services
• Community transition
• Nonmedical transportation
• Home-delivered meals
• Supportive maintenance from a home health aide
  

The income limit is 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, adjusted yearly. An individual may have up to $2,000 in assets, but spousal limits are complex. This waiver has a spend-down provision. Contact the Division of Aging and Adult Services for more information at (801) 538-3910.


Community Supports Waiver

The Community Supports waiver provides services for Utah residents with intellectual disabilities so that they can remain in their homes or other community-based settings. This waiver offers many of the same benefits as the Aging waiver and has no age restrictions. However, there’s a waiting list, and beneficiaries must meet stringent requirements:

• Must have functional impairment in at least three areas of major life activity
• For intellectual disabilities, the onset of the condition must have occurred prior to age 18; for other conditions, the onset must have occurred before age 22
• Must meet the level of care criteria for admission to an intermediate care facility for people with intellectual disabilities
  

The Community Supports waiver has financial eligibility rules much like those of the Aging waiver. The Division of Services for People with Disabilities at (801) 538-4200 can give further information.

Assisted Living Bridge Loans

Elderlife Financial Services offers bridge loans that can help seniors and their relatives with short-term costs of assisted living, skilled nursing or home care for up to 12 months or longer. This financing option disburses funds directly to care providers such as assisted living facilities, which helps avoid misuse of those funds. These loans are in the form of a line of credit that can help seniors and their families absorb assisted living expenses while waiting for more permanent financial resources to be arranged. Contact Elderlife Financial at (888) 228-4500 for more information.

Veterans Pensions

A wartime veteran or their surviving spouse with limited financial resources may qualify for a non-service pension. The Veterans Administration provides three levels of pensions:

• Basic Pension/Improved Income for veterans over the age of 65 who are healthy with low incomes

• Aid & Attendance for veterans over 65 who need assistance with activities of daily living

• Housebound for veterans who are 100% disabled, not necessarily due to military service
  

Veterans and their families should note that financial aid from the Department of Veterans Affairs may affect eligibility for other government programs, and it may take several months to begin receiving benefits. VA pensions are disbursed directly to the beneficiary monthly. Contact a veterans services organization listed below for more information.

Elderly veterans in Weber County may be eligible to receive medical assistance and other aid through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Weber County veteran service organizations support U.S. military vets with the cooperation of government and nonprofit agencies at the local, state and federal levels. Contact or visit the local or regional benefits office to apply.


George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home
1102-1200 West St., Farr West, UT 84404
(801) 334-4300

Homeless Veterans Fellowship
541 23rd St., Ogden, UT 84401
(801) 392-7662

Veterans of Foreign Wars
907 W. 12th St., Ogden, UT 84404
(801) 393-1585

Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs
550 Foothill Dr., Ste. 105, Salt Lake City, UT 84158-0897
(801) 326-2372 or (800) 894-9497

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.