Utah Assisted Living
Utah is a rising star among retirement destinations with its bustling economy, stunning natural beauty, temperate climate, and vibrant culture. People who appreciate outdoor recreation will love having access to five national parks, and its low population density makes it appealing to people who prefer less crowded conditions. If you're exploring options for assisted living, you can find information and resources in this guide to help you make decisions that best suit your personal needs and preferences.
The typical resident population in Utah's assisted living communities is 70% female. Overall, 77% of residents are ages 75 and older, with 33% of residents ages 75 to 84 and 44% ages 85 and older.
Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Definitions
The Utah Department of Health issues licenses for two types of assisted living facilities (ALF) based on the level of care required by the residents. ALFs provide a residence where elderly and disabled individuals can receive 24-hour individualized personal and health services.
A Type I ALF is a residential facility that provides assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and social care to two or more ambulatory residents who are mobile enough to exit the facility without assistance. A Type II ALF is a residential facility that provides supportive personal and health care services to residents who are physically disabled but can direct their own care and can evacuate from the facility safely.
Type I and II ALFs are classified as large if they have 17 or more residents, small if they have six to 16 residents, and limited capacity if they have two to five residents.
Resident Agreements and Disclosures
Resident agreements must be signed by the resident or their representative, including room and board charges, basic and optional service charges, refund policies, admission, retention, transfer, discharge, and eviction policies. A 30-day notice period is required for any changes in base charges.
Type II facilities are allowed to operate a special care unit for residents with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Residents in special care units must be able to exit the facility with limited assistance from one person — Type I facilities are not permitted to operate a special care unit.
Assisted Living Admission and Retention
Type I ALFs may admit and retain ambulatory or mobile residents who can exit the facility with no assistance in case of emergency, have stable health, require only limited assistance with ADLs, and require regular or intermittent care in the facility. Type II ALFs may admit and retain residents who require significant assistance with two or more ADLs.
Neither Type I nor II facilities can admit anyone who requires inpatient hospital care or long-term nursing care, anyone who is suicidal or a danger to others. ALFs are not allowed to admit or retain residents with tuberculosis or another communicable disease that cannot be treated at the facility. Hospice care is permitted in ALFs.
Assisted Living Services and Service Planning
ALFs must provide personal care, housekeeping, laundry, maintenance, activity programs, medication administration, assistance with self-administration of medications, and must arrange for both medical and dental care for their residents. Type II facilities provide substantial assistance with ADLs, nursing services, activities, and medication administration. Residents in type II facilities must have a service plan that includes all health and medication-related services.
Facilities do not provide skilled nursing services for their residents but must assist residents in obtaining them if necessary.
A licensed health care professional must conduct an assessment before move-in and at least every six months thereafter. This assessment is used to develop a personalized care plan within seven days of admission. Residents have the right to arrange directly with outside agencies for the provision of medical and personal care.
Assisted Living Food and Dietary Provisions
Facilities must provide three meals a day and snacks. If any residents require a therapeutic diet, the facility must have an approved dietary manual covering that diet.
Assisted Living Staffing Requirements
All ALFs must employ an administrator who is responsible for recruiting, employing, and training all staff to provide services. Direct care staff is responsible for providing personal care services. A licensed nurse must be employed or contracted to provide health monitoring and to provide or delegate nursing tasks to staff. Type II facilities must employ certified nursing aides to provide personal care services.
There are no minimum staff ratios, but there must be a sufficient number of qualified direct care staff to provide for the needs of their residents. Type I ALFs must have an RN available as necessary to provide or delegate medication administration for any resident who is unable to self-medicate. Type II ALFs must have at least one certified nurse aide on duty 24 hours per day.
Assisted Living Housing Requirements
All ALFs must provide residents with a separate living unit. No more than two residents may share a unit. Each unit must have a living and sleeping space, a bathroom, and an optional kitchen area.
Type I ALFs must have at least one toilet and sink on each floor for every six residents and a bathtub or shower for every ten residents. This applies to residents who do not have bathroom facilities in their rooms.
Type II ALFs must have at least one toilet and sink on each floor for every four residents and a bathtub or shower for every ten residents. This applies to residents who do not have bathroom facilities in their rooms.
Apartment-style units are required for Medicaid waiver program participants.
What Is Included With Assisted Living Care In Utah?
There are several requirements that each assisted living community must provide for its residents. The facility must offer both general observations and health supervision to assist in identifying each resident's health condition and ability to function. The facility must assist residents with all ADLs and medication services and assess the need for medication attention or nursing services.
Health Care Services
In Utah, ALFs must provide care and services in the resident’s care plan. This can include coordinating medical care and appointments. Communities may also deliver health services, with 70% of communities providing skilled nursing. Many have health care specialists and on-site services, with 60% of communities offering dental care. In addition, 76% of ALFs have hospice services.
Mental health issues are a growing consideration for communities, and services to address these concerns are becoming more common. In Utah, 73% of communities conduct depression screenings, and 46% offer mental health counseling. Social work programs are also found in 52% of ALFs. Social workers can provide counseling, conduct assessments, and help ensure residents can access all the resources they need.
Some assisted living residents live with various medical conditions. In Utah, 35% have Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. In addition, 43% have high blood pressure, 27% have heart disease, 24% have depression, and 17% have diabetes.
State Mental Health Resources
The Utah Crisis Line assists residents of all ages in locating community-based mental health services. The Utah Department of Human Services Aging and Adult Services also offers referrals. Local senior centers often host support groups for those dealing with loss or other aspects of aging. Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces can contact the Veterans Crisis Line.
Medication Provisions
All ALFs require a licensed health care professional to determine what type and level of medication administration is needed. There are four rules:
- The resident may self-administer medications.
- The resident may self-administer medications with staff assistance.
- Family members may administer medications.
- Facility staff may administer medications, including unlicensed staff who have received a delegation from a licensed health care professional.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) Assistance Services
A primary service of assisted living that benefits residents is receiving help with activities of daily living (ADLs). These are fundamental tasks that a person must do regularly to sustain life and general health, including toileting, bathing or showering, dressing, transferring (getting in and out of bed or a chair), ambulating (walking), and eating. Signs that a person may benefit from living in assisted living include increased isolation, loss of mobility, noticeable weight loss or gain, and/or neglect of household chores.
Residents in Utah’s assisted living facilities often receive help with their ADLs. In Utah, 17% of residents need help eating. Other commonly used services include bed transfer (32%), toileting (37%), and walking (50%). Caregivers in ALFs help 41% of residents dress, and 52% need help bathing.
Cost Of Assisted Living Care In Utah
The average cost of assisted living care in Utah is $3,500. This cost is $1000 lower than the monthly national average of $4,500 per month. The cost of living in Utah is less than the national average by 1.0%, with health care costs less than the national average by 6.1% and housing costs less than the national average by 1.6%.
The level of care a person requires impacts the cost of care, as does where you live. The cost of assisted living ranges from a low of $3,300 in the Logan area to a high of $3,695 per month in the Provo area of Utah.
How Costs Compare In Nearby States
Although Utah has the lowest average monthly cost of assisted living compared to its six neighboring states, you may find other affordable options in nearby states. The average monthly cost is slightly higher in Nevada, at $3,750, or Idaho, at $3,838. Other average costs in neighboring states range from $4,000 per month in Arizona to $4,750 in Colorado.
How to Pay for Assisted Living
Utah Assisted Living Oversight
Assisted living communities in Utah are overseen by the Bureau of Health Facility Licensing, Certification, and Resident Assessment under the state Department of Health. Older adults and their loved ones with complaints about assisted living communities should contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman's office for assistance. This office provides residents of long-term care communities in Utah with free, confidential services that include investigating complaints and advocating for the legal rights of residents. Reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation can also be made through Adult Protective Services via telephone or the department's online portal.
Quality and Safety of Assisted Living Facilities in Utah
All assisted living communities operating within the state of Utah must be in compliance with the rules and regulations set forth by the Department of Health Bureau of Health Facility Licensing, Certification, and Resident Assessment. For instance, communities must maintain specified standards regarding cleanliness, staffing, accommodations, medication storage and distribution, food preparation, caregiver hygiene, and overall building safety.
Administrators of assisted living communities must be at least 21 years of age and successfully pass a criminal background check. Sufficient staff must be on duty at all times. Both Type I and Type II communities must have a registered nurse on staff to perform health evaluations of residents and manage and coordinate other staff members. Communities must have regular, on-site inspections.
Only Type II communities may accept residents with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or dementia, and this is only if the individual is capable of exiting the premises with the assistance of only one staff member.
Legal Resources
Unfortunately, older adults throughout the country have been subject to increasing scams and fraud, and residents of Utah are no exception. Qualifying individuals may be able to get assistance with civil matters from Utah Legal Services. Participants in this program must be within 200% of federal poverty guidelines. Veterans may be able to access pro bono representation for a variety of legal issues from Utah@Ease, a nonprofit partnership between the Utah Office of the Attorney General, the Utah State Bar, and the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs.
