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Independent Living in Idaho

Overview of Independent Living in Idaho

As families consider senior living options, Idaho should be at the top of the list for those looking for a unique geographic blend of dry, desert-like conditions and rugged, snowy wilderness — along with a relatively low cost of living.Sandwiched between the lush, temperate Pacific Northwest and the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the aptly nicknamed “Gem State” is truly a hidden gem of the United States. Idaho’s landscape consists of scenic wonders and untamed natural features such as Craters of the Moon National Monument, City of Rocks National Reserve, and the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area. Even part of Yellowstone — the country’s first and most well-known national park — spills over from neighboring Wyoming into Idaho’s northeast corner, just below the state’s jagged, mountainous border with Montana. Rivers and waterfalls are also distinguishing features of Idaho, and the Snake River Plain through the state’s central region is home to its most populous cities, like Boise.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 30 independent living communities, sometimes simply called retirement communities, in Idaho. Our Senior Living Advisors can provide you with a list of communities in Idaho to help you find one that fits your needs and budget.

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Idaho

20
20 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Pacifica Senior Living Pinehurst

208 South Division Street, Pinehurst, ID 83850
9.9
Review Score
39 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Teri - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

We had a great experience with Pacifica Senior Living Pinehurst. The RN was amazing and really helped us all at the end of my sister in laws life. Based on the experience we have had, we would definitely...

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25
25 Photos available

Heatherwood Senior Living

5277 Kootenai St, Boise, ID 83705
9.9
Review Score
64 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Christina T - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

This has been a great place for my parents. The staff is attentive, the food is good and I like that there is a staff member available 24/7. They have a one bedroom unit that feels like it is big enough. ...

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14
14 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

North Star

2340 W Seltice Way, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
9.8
Review Score
59 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Kerry A - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

North Star was exceptional in their organization, staff, and care. Category 8 would be rated a 4, only because it's so expensive that few can afford it. For that reason alone, we had to find another place...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Nampa

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10
10 Photos available

Karcher Estates

1127 Caldwell Blvd, Nampa, ID 83651
8.6
Review Score
25 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Kimberly L - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

We looked at numerous places before deciding on Karcher. They were the clear leader in our decision and have not failed to disappoint. Since movingly my aunt in, we have discovered a few disappointments like...

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25
25 Photos available

Heatherwood Senior Living

5277 Kootenai St, Boise, ID 83705
9.9
Review Score
64 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Christina T - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

This has been a great place for my parents. The staff is attentive, the food is good and I like that there is a staff member available 24/7. They have a one bedroom unit that feels like it is big enough. ...

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22
22 Photos available
12
12 Floor plans available

Revel Eagle

745 E Riverside Dr, Eagle, ID 83616
9.5
Review Score
51 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Sharon Y - I'm a current/former resident or client

Since I moved into Revel I have made new friends and being active and mingling with everyone is the best way to live. We do so many different activities and outings here at Revel. It really keeps me going.

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Meridian

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9
9 Photos available

Meridian Meadows Assisted Living and Memory Care

2584 E Magic View Dr, Meridian, ID 83642
8.6
Review Score
8 reviews
Donella Timmermans - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

First I would like to thank all of the staff at Meridian Meadows. I honestly can not be more grateful for the support, and kindness . My father was in the assisted living facility, and then moved to memory...

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9
9 Photos available

Copper Springs Senior Living

3570 E Amity Rd, Meridian, ID 83642
8.1
Review Score
35 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I chose Copper Springs Senior Living because of the cost and the smaller size of the building he is in. But there have been problems. Most of his clothes have disappeared. So I don't feel it's very secure.

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10
10 Photos available
7
7 Floor plans available

Table Rock Senior Living at Paramount

6280 Fox Run Way, Meridian, ID 83646
8.0
Review Score
5 reviews
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The place is very beautiful! Moving my loved one in was easy. They were super sweet to let us eat with them a number of times. I understand that they were able to actually get the billing set up correctly so...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Boise

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25
25 Photos available

Heatherwood Senior Living

5277 Kootenai St, Boise, ID 83705
9.9
Review Score
64 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Christina T - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

This has been a great place for my parents. The staff is attentive, the food is good and I like that there is a staff member available 24/7. They have a one bedroom unit that feels like it is big enough. ...

Get Pricing
10
10 Photos available
5
5 Floor plans available

MorningStar of Boise

5850 N Five Mile Rd, Boise, ID 83713
9.5
Review Score
33 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I live or lived in this community

If there is a dietary problem ( sodium or dairy intolerance) you will have to navigate it yourself- most meals are planned for no dietary problem. Probably that way for most facilities if this type. No...

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13
13 Photos available

Overland Court Senior Living

10250 W Smoke Ranch Dr, Boise, ID 83709
9.3
Review Score
94 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Debbie G - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My mom was only in a couple of weeks before she passed but they took good care of her. I came and visited her every weekend and the people that worked there were very nice to me and to the people in there.

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Post Falls

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13
13 Photos available
11
11 Floor plans available

Broadway Court Estates

13505 East Broadway Avenue, Spokane Valley, WA 99216
9.8
Review Score
85 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Gaye Johnson - I'm a current/former resident or client

Felt like home right away, made friends right away, love the activities and excercise. The staff is wonderful and helpful. I love the food and the music. I love the light in my apartment and my view of...

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14
14 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

North Star

2340 W Seltice Way, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
9.8
Review Score
59 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Kerry A - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

North Star was exceptional in their organization, staff, and care. Category 8 would be rated a 4, only because it's so expensive that few can afford it. For that reason alone, we had to find another place...

Get Pricing
21
21 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available

Revel Spokane

16807 E Mission Pkwy, Spokane, WA 99216
9.6
Review Score
66 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Revel was great for my Dad. He had a fall and had to go to rehab for the last month. He is now ready to go to an assisted living space. Based on the experience we have had with Revel Spokane we would...

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Idaho laws and regulations for independent living communities

Stand-alone independent living communities in Idaho don’t need to be licensed or undergo inspections. The exception is if an independent living community is part of a combined senior living facility that provides assisted living services. In this case, the community as a whole is licensed as a Residential Assisted Living Facility (RALF) by the Department of Health and Welfare.[01]

Combined communities

Many of our Idaho independent living partner communities are combined with assisted living communities. If you move into a combined RALF, the following regulations will apply to the assisted living wing or building:[01]

  • Basic services must be provided, including medication assistance, support with activities of daily living (ADLs), and supervision.
  • At least one staff member is trained in first aid and CPR must be on site 24/7.
  • There can only be up to two seniors per unit and six seniors per toilet.

Visit our Idaho assisted living laws and regulations page to learn more about this care type.

Your rental rights

Similar to a traditional rental, you have rights when renting a 55+ independent living unit in Idaho. We recommend reviewing the summary of your rights below and downloading the Idaho landlord and tenant manual before signing an independent living rental contract:[02]

  • Landlords must give at least 30 days’ notice for a rent increase.
  • Landlords are responsible for handling plumbing, heat, smoke detectors, weather protection, and insect infestations.
  • You have the right to privacy in your rental unit, except for in emergencies and during necessary repairs.
  • You have the right to live with a support or service animal, because they aren’t considered pets.

You also have the right to reasonable accommodations and modifications under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act. Reasonable accommodations include changes to rules and policies for your apartment, such as assigning accessible parking spaces and adjusting rental payment due dates. Reasonable modifications include changes that make your living space more physically accessible, such as bathroom grab bars and entryway ramps.[03]

Idaho Department of Health contact information

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare: Residential Assisted Living Facilities Program

Phone: 208-364-1962

Email: RALF@dhw.idaho.gov

Let our care assessment guide you

Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.

Inspection and monitoring surveys

The Licensing and Survey Agency inspects, or surveys, the assisted living portions of RALFs to make sure they comply with all regulations.[01] Regular monitoring holds each community to the proper standards, which helps keep seniors and staff safe.

Once a RALF gets its first license, a survey is done within 90 days and again 15 months later. If all is well during those first two surveys, the community is surveyed once every three years. Otherwise, the Licensing and Survey Agency will survey the community whenever necessary.[01]

To find surveys for combined senior living communities in your area, visit Idaho’s Facility Licensing and Regulatory Enforcement System (FLARES) search tool. First, either select your county or type in the name and address of a specific facility. Next, click “Search Facilities.” Click on a facility’s name and scroll down to the “Surveys” section. Finally, click on the magnifying glass icon in the “View” column to read the survey results.

References

  1. Idaho Compendium of Residential Care and Assisted Living Regulations and Policy. 2015 ed. Residential Care/Assisted Living Facilities.

  2. Office of the Attorney General. (2023, July). Landlord and tenant manual.

  3. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Reasonable accommodations and modifications.

Find independent living in other states

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.