Memory Care in North Dakota

North Dakota is known as “The Peace Garden State,” named after the International Peace Garden which straddles the border between the U.S. and Canada. North Dakota was once the edge of the American frontier, and wild bison still roam its plains to this day. Today, North Dakota is a hub of agricultural production and oil extraction. From its quaint, rural towns to its cities like Fargo and Bismarck, North Dakota’s landscape is varied, and the state is an ideal place for those who would like to save a bit on living costs and retire in a quiet, serene setting.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 10 senior living communities in North Dakota that provide memory care. The median monthly cost of memory care in North Dakota is about $5,700.

Memory care in North Dakota is provided in a basic care facility or unit of a basic care facility licensed to provide specialized dementia care services. The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services licenses and provides regulatory oversight of basic care facilities.

Basic care facilities that are licensed to provide specialized dementia care can admit residents who require 24-hour supervision and only intermittent nursing or medical care. Additionally, North Dakota requires dementia facilities to follow specific regulations that include the following:^[01]

• Facilities must provide assistance with activities of daily living along with therapeutic, social, and recreational programming.
• Protective oversight must be provided to reduce the risk associated with wandering and elopement.
• Residents must have access to the community and outdoor space.
• Privacy must be available to residents in their sleeping areas.
• Facilities must complete a functional assessment and develop a person-centered care plan.
• Care plans must be reviewed every three months or whenever a change occurs in the resident’s needs.
• Facilities are required to provide training and education specific to the needs of residents.
• Staff are required to complete training and pass competency evaluations within three months of hire.

In North Dakota, basic care facilities providing specialized memory care must also adhere to the rules and regulations that govern non-dementia licensed facilities. Examples of these regulations include the following:^[01]

• Three meals that meet recommended dietary allowances must be served each day.
• Only certified staff may administer medications.
• Resident’s medications must be reviewed by a pharmacist or health professional annually.
• Residents must be assessed within 14 days of moving in and then on a quarterly basis after initial assessment.
• All employees must receive in-service annual training in: safety, fire and accident prevention, mental and physical health needs of residents, infection control and prevention, and residents’ rights.

Additional information about regulations can be found in our overview of assisted living in North Dakota.

North Dakota memory care violations and licensing information

After memory care facilities in North Dakota receive their initial license, renewal is required by December 31^st of each year. Scheduled and unscheduled inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with regulations.

To review licensing and deficiency information for individual facilities use the DHHS’s facility information search. The results show if a facility is open and a list of deficiencies, their type, and the date when the deficiency was cited. Use the following tips to search for facility information:

• Enter the name of the facility, program type (basic care facility), city, or county
• Click on facility to review status (open or closed) and a list of deficiencies.

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services contact information

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
600 East Boulevard Ave
Bismarck, ND 58505
Phone: 701-328-2310