Seniors and adult children of aging parents are often concerned about finding excellent in-home care, while being able to afford the cost. It's no secret that elder care can be expensive. Comfort Keepers put the national averages together on virtually every form of care so that you can get a better idea of what to expect.
The cost of care looks like this:
The national average daily rate for a private room in a nursing home is $212 or $77, 380 annually. In Madison, this cost is $231 and $84,315.1
The national average daily rate for a semi-private room in a nursing home is $191 or $69.715 annually. For Madison, this cost is $207 and $75,555.
The base national average monthly rate for a room at an assisted living facility is $3031 or $36,372 annually. In Madison, this cost is $3224 and $38,688. (Source: http://www.metlife.com/assets/cao/mmi/publications/studies/mmi-studies-2008-nhal-costs.pdf)
The national average hourly rate for home health aides is $23. For only 5 hours of care 7 days per week, the monthly average is nearly $3500 per month or $41860 annually.
The national average hourly rate for homemakers aide is $20. For only 5 hours of care 7 days per week, the monthly average cost is $3033 per month or $36,400 annually.
The national average hourly rate for adult day care is $64 DAY. For 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, that cost would be $1280 per month or $15,360 annually. (Source: http://www.allbusiness.com/health-care/health-care-facilities-clinics/11587440-1.html)
Staying At Home for Life!? How Long Can Seniors Be Cared for At Home- Realistically? The answer to this question depends on many things, but ultimately it depends on how much support seniors have in their own community from family, friends, neighbors, religious organizations, and ease of access to the medical system.
Set up properly, a senior can stay in his or her own home for their entire life. As long as care can be paid for, or provided by family members locally, and as long as the living situation is safe and comfortable, seniors stay at home.
It is important to note that according to a study by the National Association of Home Builders 50+ Housing Council, for those owning single family homes, 35.9% of households in the 55 to 64 age group reported difficulty in at least one physical activity.
How Can We Keep Seniors Safe in Their Own Homes? Keeping seniors safe includes making sure that the interior and exterior of the home is up to-code, senior-friendly, and accessible for those who are disabled. On the exterior of the home there should be sturdy handrails wherever there are steps or uneven pavement. Senior friendly homes are now constructed on one level with no steps at the front door or garage entry. Many home builders are now specialized in senior living and are available for consultation.
In-Home Care (Medical) - Home health care is a form of health care service provided where a patient lives. Patients can receive home care services whether they live in their own homes, with or without family members, or in an assisted living facility. The purpose of home care is to promote, maintain, or restore a patient's health and reduce the effects of disease or disability. These caregivers are nurses, doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists and speech therapists. These services are most often referred by a physician and are covered under Medicare.
In home non-medical Care is care that is provided by persons who may be licensed as Certified Nursing Assistants, Home Health Aide or Homemaker Aide. These services include assistance with the activities of daily living such as bathing, mobility, transferring and positioning, incontinence care, toileting, feeding, oral hygiene or special diets. These agencies also provide other services such as errands, light housekeeping, light meal preparation, laundry, socialization, trips to MD appointments, getting the mail, grocery shopping, and more. These services can be referred by physicians, but most often are requested by family members. Services are either privately paid or paid through long-term care insurance.
Adult Day Care - Adult day care includes programs, services, and facilities designed to assist physically or mentally impaired adults remain in their communities. These are persons who might otherwise require institutional or long-term care and rehabilitation. There are two general purposes for adult day-care. The first is to provide an alternative to placement in a residential institution, and increased socialization. The second is to create a respite for care-givers, often the children of the persons for whom the care is being provided.
With careful advanced planning and preparation an elder should be able to stay in his or her home until they die.
Comfort Keeper has developed a FREE Report that provides information on how interactive care giving allows elders to be more socially, financially, physically and cognitively involved and details many of the ways that seniors can afford to stay at home for life while paying for private in-home care. Call (608) 442-1898 for your free report.
Stephen P. Rudolph has a Masters Degree in Health Care Administration and is the owner of Comfort Keepers, a nonmedical, in-home service that provides personal cares and other non-medical services for aging adults, those with disabilities and others needing assistance. Rudolph is Board Certified in health care management, a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and a member of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors (SCSA).
