Memory Care in Iowa

Iowa is often referred to as the “Land of the Rolling Prairie” due to the immense fertile plains that cover the region. The state is famous for its farms, growing crops such as corn and soybeans. Iowa is more than just farmland, however – it’s home to many quaint, rural towns as well as larger cities such as Sioux City and Des Moines. Its varied landscape, relatively low cost of living, and proximity to major Midwestern cities like Chicago and Minneapolis make Iowa a convenient location to call home and a great place to retire.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 80 senior living communities in Iowa that provide memory care. The median monthly cost of memory care in Iowa is about $5,400.

Iowa licenses assisted living and residential care facilities to provide memory care for people with dementia. This means memory care units follow the same regulations, with some additions specific to caring for Alzheimer’s and other dementia patients. The Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA), Health Facilities Division (HFD), licenses and regulates both assisted living and residential care facilities and ensures compliance with additional memory care protections.

Though facilities don’t need an extra license to create a memory care unit, they must adhere to regulations outlined for assisted living programs. They must also submit a program to the DIA that includes the facility’s proposed memory care policies, staffing plan, admission and discharge criteria, service plan, and safety procedures. Safety procedures must meet Life Safety Code requirements if the unit is locked and separate from the rest of the facility, and all exits must have alarms.

Additionally, the facility will send a “resume of care” to the department at least 30 days prior to the memory unit being opened. This resume must include:^[01]

• The unit’s philosophy and objectives
• The population the unit will serve
• Criteria for transfer to and from the memory unit
• A copy of the floor plan
• Policies and procedures developed for the unit or facility
• A proposed staffing pattern
• A plan for specialized staff training concerning memory care
• Visitor, volunteer, and safety policies
• Programs for activities, social services, and families
• A description of the interdisciplinary team and each team member’s role

It’s important to note what qualifies as a dementia-specific assisted living program in Iowa varies compared to other states. To qualify, it must meet one of the following criteria:^[02]

• Serves fewer than 55 tenants or has five or more tenants with moderate to severe dementia symptoms
• Serves 55 or more tenants and 10 percent or more experience moderate to severe dementia symptoms
• Explicitly markets itself as providing specialized care for people with dementia in a dedicated setting (a standalone memory care community)

Prior to admission, residents must also undergo a complete physical, mental, and behavioral assessment. Facility staff conduct the assessment, and it will become a part of the resident’s permanent record upon admission. This assessment also helps them develop a plan of care for residents within 30 days.

Memory care staff education and training requirements

Assisted living facilities are not required to train staff in caring for patients with Alzheimer’s and other dementias before they’re hired. However, staff must receive eight hours of dementia-specific education and training within 30 days of employment.

Direct care staff require eight hours of annual continuing education, while other personnel need at least two hours of dementia-specific continuing education per year. Specific topics include the program’s service philosophy, an explanation of dementia, communication skills, family issues, and planned and spontaneous activities. Memory care units in assisted living facilities are not required to maintain a specific staff-to-patient ratio, but a sufficient number and type of staff need to be available 24 hours a day.

Residential care facilities differ slightly, as all staff must receive at least six hours of specialized training appropriate for their job descriptions within 30 days of hiring. They must also complete six hours of annual training on the same topics as assisted living facilities. Minimum staff-to-resident ratios are one staff member for every 25 residents during the day, one staff member for every 35 residents in the evening, and one staff member for every 45 residents at night.^[01]

Iowa Department of Health contact information

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Lucas Building
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319

Phone: (800) 972-2017

How to look up the latest inspection and complaint reports

The Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) conducts unannounced recertification inspections every two years before a facility’s current license expires. The inspection ensures compliance with state regulations and that the facility is providing adequate care to residents. If agents find any deficiencies, they’re cited on the inspection report and the facility must submit a Plan of Correction (POC) within 10 working days of receiving the report. The DIA will then revisit the facility within 30 days to confirm the corrections.

The DIA also investigates complaints and incidents filed through their online complaint form or the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman if the allegations warrant it. A complaint’s severity determines how quickly the investigation occurs. For example, complaints or incidents deemed “immediate jeopardy” situations will be investigated within two working days, while “nonimmediate jeopardy” situations can take up to 45 calendar days.^[01]

The DIA’s online inspection tool shows a facility’s demographics, as well as recertification, incident, and complaint reports. To view these reports, search for a specific facility under the “entity search” category by its name, city, county, entity type, or designation type. In this case, if you wanted to find memory care facilities, search for “assisted living programs for people with dementia” under “entity type”. Your long-term care ombudsman may also be able to answer questions regarding a community’s violation history.