Nursing home prices are high and getting higher. If you’re looking for a nursing home for a senior you love, you want a place that will keep them safe and happy. But there’s one factor that most of us can’t ignore: the price tag. In this video, Jeff Hoyt, SeniorLiving.org’s Editor-in-Chief, takes you on a deep dive into nursing home prices, including the factors that make your costs so high, nursing home prices in your state and, most importantly, how to pay for a nursing home stay.
Time Stamps
0:00 Introduction to nursing homes
1:08 Differences between nursing homes and assisted living facilities
1:42 Assisted living costs
2:00 Nursing home prices
2:15 What nursing homes provide
2:41 nursing home prices per state
If both medical and personal care needs have become too great to handle at home or in another senior living community, you may need to find a nursing home for a loved one. This could be due to their being hospitalized or suffering through a worsening chronic illness. A nursing home is a place for a person who can’t be cared for at home but doesn’t need a hospital. Nursing homes typically have a nursing staff on site 24 hours a day.
Nursing homes also provide their residents with 24-hour safety monitoring, daily living assistance, and advanced on-site medical care.
To be clear, many people mistakenly refer to assisted living facilities as nursing homes, but those are for people who are more independent. It’s important to learn the difference between the two.
With assisted living, a resident can get basic medical care such as wound dressing and blood pressure monitoring, but only with nursing home care will they have daily access to the skills of more advanced practitioners such as registered nurses and occupational therapists.
In this video, we discuss the costs of nursing home and assisted living facilities, both private and semi-private rooms. We break down the average cost by state, and explain how to pay the costs, including through Medicaid, VA benefits, and long-term care insurance. We also cover the many valuable services included such as medical care, socialization, rehabilitation, as well as housekeeping services.
Jeff Hoyt is SeniorLiving.org’s Editor-in-Chief.
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Assisted Living Facilities
Assisted living facilities provide residential care for seniors who require assistance with activities of daily living, like dressing, bathing and eating. These services are usually not as extensive as those provided by nursing homes.
Assisted living communities also offer social and recreational activities for their residents to enjoy. These benefits can help a senior live more actively and avoid depression as they age.
assisted living facilities
Assisted living facilities are for seniors who need assistance with daily activities but don’t want to move into a nursing home. These communities offer medical care and supervision, meals, housekeeping, transportation, security, and social activities.
Generally, residents have their own apartments or rooms and share common areas such as a dining area or lounge. Most facilities provide up to three meals a day, help with personal care, and other services.
Many seniors appreciate having their responsibilities taken care of while still maintaining their privacy and independence. Assisted living facilities also relieve the stress and hassle of housekeeping and transportation, so they can enjoy more time with family and friends.
does medicare pay for assisted living
Whether medicare pays for assisted living or not is a big question that many seniors face. Medicare is a health insurance program that covers medical expenses like doctor visits, prescription drugs, and some preventive care.
However, it does not cover long-term custodial care or room and board. Assisted living is a type of long-term care that focuses on helping seniors with daily activities.
Medicaid, a joint federal/state program, may help pay for some assisted living costs. But this coverage is only available if the senior meets all income and asset eligibility requirements.
To find out if you qualify for Medicaid, talk to an elder law attorney in your area. They can help you apply for it and get a waiver. They can also provide advice on how to finance your stay in an assisted living facility.
how much is assisted living
Assisted living costs vary significantly based on where you live, how much care your loved one needs, the size of their apartment and other factors. In the Midwest, for example, the average monthly cost is $3,500 to $8,000, says Dan Minter of Senior Housing Search, an online directory of assisted living communities nationwide.
Some communities offer a package of services that are bundled together and paid on a monthly basis, he says. Others have a flat price that covers all the services a resident receives.
Residents pay a fee on top of their rent for help with the activities of daily living (ADLs), which include eating, bathing, toileting and taking medications. Some communities also offer on-site healthcare or pharmacy access.
who pays for assisted living
Assisted living facilities typically charge a monthly fee that covers room and board as well as health care services and supervision. These fees can vary based on the needs of the resident, but are generally less than those of a nursing home.
Many seniors make use of public funding sources, such as Medicaid, and private ones, such as personal savings, Social Security benefits, pension payments or retirement account savings. Financial assistance is often limited, however.
In New York, if you’re eligible for Medicaid, you can get help with some of your assisted living costs through the state’s Assisted Living Program (ALP). ALP’s have limited enrollment, so waiting lists are common.
assisted living vs nursing home
Assisted living facilities are generally a great fit for seniors who need some help with daily activities but wish to maintain some level of independence. They offer personalized care plans that are designed to meet each resident’s needs.
Aside from personal assistance, these communities also offer a range of amenities, social and recreational activities and transportation. Residents can also keep their own furniture and decorations.
Nursing homes are designed for seniors who require more extensive medical care and supervision. They usually provide around-the-clock skilled nursing care, physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Before choosing a nursing home, ask your doctor, family, friends and neighbors for recommendations. Then, go visit a few nursing homes to observe the day-to-day activities and meet with staff members to get a feel for how well they treat residents.
