Assisted Living in Idaho

Idaho is known for its beautiful scenery and untouched natural landscape, which makes it an attractive retirement destination for many seniors. Idaho is also ranked higher in medical care than surrounding areas and has a lower cost of living than neighboring states like Oregon and Washington. The cost of assisted living is lower than the national average by over $500 a month and Idaho has many amenities for seniors, like community centers and 30 state parks.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Idaho

It’s important to do as much research as possible about any assisted living community you are considering for a long-term home. See our directory of 144 assisted living facilities in the state of Idaho to start that process. Locate information about amenities, size of the facility, pricing, health insurance, and more using the tool below.

Paying For Assisted Living in Idaho

The monthly median cost of assisted living in Idaho is $3,475, which is significantly cheaper than the national average of $4,000. According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living in Idaho is also less expensive than the median in all of the neighboring states, except for Utah.

Average costs vary in different regions of the state, but most areas are close to the state average. The average monthly cost in the Lewiston is considerably more expensive than other areas, while Idaho Falls is the least expensive area.

The state median cost of assisted living is less expensive than most other types of long-term care except adult day health care. It’s considerably cheaper than nursing home care, in particular, and marginally less expensive than in-home care.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Idaho

Medicaid Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver

While Medicaid in Idaho doesn’t directly cover the cost of assisted living, there is a waiver program that can assist in paying for care. The Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver helps to cover the cost of care, but it doesn’t pay for room and board.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for the HCBS waiver, a person must meet age, income, and special care requirements, including the following.

• Applications must be at least 65 or disabled.
• A single person cannot have income greater than $2,270 a month or assets greater than $2,000.
• A couple may not have more than $4.520 monthly income and $4,000 in countable resources.
• A person must require assistance with at least one activity of daily living (ADL) on a monthly basis.

How to Apply

To get more details about eligibility requirements and start an application, contact your nearest Idaho Department of Health and Welfare office.

More Ways to Finance Assisted Living

Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits: Veterans can take advantage of several different pension programs to help cover the cost of assisted living. For more information, see the article on benefits.va.gov.

• Life Insurance Policies: Even if a spouse or loved one hasn’t died, certain types of life insurance policies can be used to pay for assisted living. More information is available at longtermcare.acl.gov

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance policy that pays for long-term care when it becomes necessary, including the cost of assisted living. For more information on the benefits and drawbacks of this financing method, visit longtermcare.acl.gov.

• Reverse Mortgages: Reverse mortgages allow seniors to access the equity from a home that they own, and these funds can be used to pay for assisted living. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a federally insured reverse mortgage program.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Idaho

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

As in most states, Idaho maintains a Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. The Ombudsman investigates complaints made by residents 60 or older. Complaints are made regarding:

• Activities
• Dietary issues
• Restraints
• Staffing
• Abuse
• Problems with Medicaid or other agencies

Area Agencies on Aging

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) is a network of hundreds of nonprofit organizations across America that provide federally funded services to adults over 60 in their local areas.

Veterans Affairs

As in most states, Idaho has VA centers to help veterans and their spouses with financing options for various kinds of care. These offices can provide guidance on eligibility for various benefit programs, in addition to many other services.

Social Security Offices

Idaho’s Social Security Offices offer another great resource for seniors looking for financial and medical assistance. By contacting or visiting a Social Security office, you can get a better understanding of your or your loved one’s social security benefits, Medicare, and disability benefits, including what types of assistance may be available to help pay for assisted living. Reach the Social Security Administration by phone at 1-866-253-0489.

Idaho Senior Centers

Maintaining an active social and physical life is critical to healthy aging. Senior centers provide opportunities such as exercise classes, community meals, bingo and other games, art lessons, faith and singing clubs, and support groups. Meals on wheels programs are usually centered in the local senior center as well.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Idaho

Definition of Assisted Living

In Idaho, assisted living facilities are also referred to as “residential assisted living facilities” or RALFs. RALFs serve the same functions as assisted living facilities in other states, offering help with the activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, eating, and laundry.

Assisted Living Negotiated Service & Admissions Agreements

Prior to admission, a negotiated service agreement must be completed with every resident. Information in this agreement includes:

• Initial Uniform Assessment findings such as height, weight, and medications
• Levels of care needed in ADLs
• Frequency and scope of needed care
• Habitation and staff training needs, i.e. dementia care
• Identification of specific behavioral symptoms, triggers, and intervention methods
• Physicians’ and other providers’ signed and dated orders
• Management of resident’s funds and possessions
• Discharge and transfer plans
• Family and outside support identification
• Residents desires
• Other identified needs

Residents and facility staff and support will be involved in the creation of this plan. A review of this plan is required at least every 12 months.

In addition to the negotiated service agreement, residents must complete an admissions agreement the day before moving into the facility. A list of all services to be provided and the prices of those services are to be included in this agreement, as well as the resident’s responsibilities, advance directives, and restrictions on service providers.

Assisted Living Admission Requirements

Assisted living and residential care facilities in Idaho are unable to accept residents who are in need of 24-hour skilled nursing. Additionally, any person with unstable mental health issues that would negatively impact other residents, or residents with the potential to become violent may not be admitted.

Assisted Living Scope of Care

Assistance with ADLs such as dressing, light housekeeping, medication management, and travel arrangements are all services provided by assisted living facilities in Idaho. While some nursing services are available periodically, skilled nursing isn’t available 24/7.

Residential Assisted Living Facility Requirements

Residential assisted living facilities in Idaho may provide residences that are apartment-style or bedrooms which offer single- or double-occupancy, but each resident must have their own bed. Every unit needs to have walls from floor to ceiling, a door that locks with a key, a bathroom (one for every 6 residents minimum), a thermostat which the resident can adjust, and a kitchen area. Kitchens must include a sink, a cooking appliance, and counter space.

Medication Management Regulations

Residents must be able to self-administer all of their medications, including insulin injections, or an RN must be provided to administer their medications. Family and spouses are not allowed to assist with medications unless specified in the service plan.

An RN must be available to provide injections and medical services and can delegate medical services to a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) if that RN is able to train and declare competency of the LPN or UAP. Assistance with medication certification takes a minimum of 8 hours of education in addition to the annual 16 hour-education requirement for care staff of assisted living facilities.

Staffing Requirements

Each assisted living facility must have one administrator to schedule the direct care staff. There is no minimum staffing requirement, but there must always be at sufficient staff available to care for all residents. At all times, there is to be at least one CPR and First Aid certified direct care staff member.

In Idaho, it is required for an RN to be on-call 24/7 in an assisted living facility. In a facility with 15 or fewer beds, night staff may sleep through the night unless there is a resident with night needs or who cannot call for assistance. Larger facilities must have at least one direct care staff awake at all times. Multi-building facilities are required to have one skilled staff member available at all times.

Staff Training Requirements

All residential care providers are required to meet training requirements or demonstrate competency. Staff are required to undergo 16 hours of training before they can work unsupervised. Direct care staff need an additional 8 hours of education annually, and directors need 12 hours of annual training. Training topics include illness and disability symptoms, new resident adjustment, ADLs, promotion of independence, and stress reduction.

Background Checks for Assisted Living

Background checks and criminal history screens are mandatory for all residential facility staff, direct care, or service providers in Idaho. Drug screening is not mandatory but many facilities choose to test employees for drug use.

Requirements for Reporting Abuse

Assisted living and residential care facility administrators are required to be informed of and investigate any complaints within 30 days. Residents must be protected throughout the course of this investigation. The person reporting the abuse must receive a written report on the resolution of the complaint or reason why the complaint was not resolved within 30 days. In the event of an incident that is reportable to the licensing and survey agency, this report must be made within 24 hours.

If you or your loved one is suffering from abuse at the hands of residential care staff, call 1-800-677-1116. The ElderCare Locator will direct you to the local agency nearest you.

Idaho COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living Facilities

Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/7/22. Since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, be sure to contact your assisted living facility or local Area Agency on Aging for the most up-to-date information.

COVID-19 Rules in Idaho
Are loved ones allowed to visit residents in their assisted living community?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are residents required to quarantine after their loved ones visit?	Not Available*
Are loved ones required to wear masks when visiting residents?	Yes
Are Hairdressers and other non-medical contractors allowed in assisted living communities?	Yes
Are visitors screened for elevated temperatures before entering the assisted living community?	Yes
Are residents allowed to leave the assisted living community for non-medical reasons?	Yes
Are residents who leave required to quarantine when they get back to the assisted living community?	No (Conditions Apply)
Are assisted living communities required to cancel all group outings?	No
Are assisted living communities allowed to host group activities within the community?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are staff members regularly checked for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are staff members regularly tested for COVID-19?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Are residents regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms?	Yes
Are residents regularly checked for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are residents regularly tested for COVID-19?	Yes (Conditions Apply)

 

Sources: coronavirus.idaho.gov www.cdc.gov

*Note: This information was not available for this state, contact your local area agency on aging or senior living facility for more information.