Assisted Living in Utah

Assisted living communities in Utah provide long-term housing, personalized support, and help with daily activities for older adults who could benefit from extra care. Whether your loved one prefers the convenience of Salt Lake City or the scenic surroundings near Cedar City and Zion National Park, Utah offers a range of assisted living options to fit different lifestyles and care needs. The average monthly cost of assisted living in Utah is $3,964, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.

Assisted living costs in Utah average $3,964 per month, or $47,568 per year, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.^[01] This monthly rate, which is about $790 lower than the national average, includes room and board and is based on information shared by our partner communities in the state. Several factors, such as location, apartment size and layout, and care needs, affect the total cost of assisted living.

Compared with the cost of living in other Western states, assisted living communities in Utah charge about the same as those in Wyoming and Idaho, but are less costly than those in Nevada and Colorado. Throughout the state, communities in Salt Lake City tend to be cost more than those in other parts of the state. The Salt Lake City suburb of Layton can offer some savings while maintaining closeness to city amenities. For a lower monthly cost, consider communities a bit south of Salt Lake City, such as Provo and Elk Ridge.

Seniors who are able to live alone can find some savings in independent living in Utah. This type of senior living is designed to provide older adults with a low-maintenance lifestyle and opportunities for social engagement.

Read more:Assisted Living vs. Independent Living: What’s the Difference?

In Utah, most families use a combination of private funds and public programs to cover the costs associated with assisted living. Because costs and eligibility can vary widely, it’s best to plan early to understand which payment options apply to your loved one’s situation. For an in-depth look at different payment options, visit our complete guide to paying for long-term care.

Private pay options

Private pay options, including personal savings, retirement accounts, and Social Security benefits, are the most common way that families in Utah pay for assisted living. Other sources of personal funding can come from selling a house or long-term care insurance.

VA benefits

Your loved one may qualify for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) if they served in the armed forces or are the surviving spouse of a veteran. Determining which benefit programs to apply for, and applying for them, can be complicated. To ensure your loved one receives the benefits to which they’re entitled, it’s helpful to work with an accredited benefits counselor.

For personalized help in Utah, contact the state’s Department of Veterans and Military Affairs at 801-326-2372 or find a local office. Trained veterans service officers (VSOs) can provide counseling and application assistance.

Medicaid

Medicaid provides financial support for medical and health services and products for people who have low incomes or certain conditions and disabilities. Administered by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services and funded jointly by the state and federal governments, Utah’s Medicaid program helps seniors in assisted living through its regular state plan and through two home and community-based waivers.

Utah’s Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD) Medicaid program won’t cover room and board in assisted living, but may pay for the following care services and products:^[02]

• Hospital care and doctor’s visits
• Help with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and eating
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Lab and X-ray services
• Prescriptions

ABD Medicaid is an entitlement program, meaning that all eligible seniors will receive these services and support.

Seniors in Utah may also qualify for the state Medicaid program’s Aging Waiver, a home and community-based services waiver. This program provides eligible seniors who require a nursing facility level of care to receive supportive services where they live, which includes assisted living communities.^[03]

Finally, the Medicaid New Choices waiver can be used to cover the cost of such services as personal emergency response systems, respite care, and residential care.^[04] Like the Aging Waiver, the New Choices waiver isn’t an entitlement program, meaning that  seniors who qualify may be placed on a waitlist if the programs are full.

Medicare

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older and younger people who have certain disabilities. Medicare can be used to cover medically necessary expenses for seniors in assisted living, but it won’t pay for room and board.^[05]

For free and unbiased advice about Medicare benefits, call 801-538-3910 or find a local office of the Utah State Health Insurance Program (SHIP).

Utah’s Health Facilities Licensing section, within the Department of Health and Human Services’ Licensing and Background Checks office, licenses two types of assisted living facilities (ALFs):^[06]

• Type 1 ALFs provide help with ADLs and social support to residents who can evacuate without assistance in the event of an emergency.
• Type 2 ALFs also provide help with personal care, but also provide some health care services, to residents who need the help of one person to exit the facility with the help of another person.

Both types of facilities must meet size-based building codes depending on how many residents they support. Large facilities serve 17 or more residents; small facilities serve between six and 16 residents; and limited capacity facilities serve two to five residents. All facilities must be inspected at licensure and again every two years.^[06]

How to check license status and inspection reports for Utah assisted living facilities

Use the state’s Find A Facility tool to view license and recent inspection status search for specific facilities. Note that Utah doesn’t share inspection reports if no major problems are discovered. Additionally, data in the records dates back only to October 2023. To access older data, ask the community directly or submit a public records request.

Why do licensure and inspection reports matter to families?

State regulations — and a community’s track record with inspections and licensing — offer important insights into safety and quality of care in senior living communities.

Download the Guide to Senior Living Licensure and Inspection Reports to learn what to look for in inspection reports and what questions to ask when touring communities. This resource explains how to use state licensure and inspection information to evaluate a community’s compliance, care standards, and responsiveness to issues.