As loved ones enter the autumn of their lives, relatives are often left trying to pay the costs associated with assisted living and nursing home care. The amount of care and the level of care your loved one requires will usually determine the overall cost of the facility. While there are many variables that will affect the overall price, Denver assisted living centers fair comparably to other forms of elder care.
When choosing an assisted living center, it really is true---“You get what you pay for”. The nicer the facility, the more you can expect to pay every month for care. Many assisted living facilities offer apartment like features and hotel amenities including recreational rooms, pools and activities coordinators. Also be aware that the cost of living in an assisted living center varies from state to state.
Nursing homes usually cost more than assisted living centers because they provide 24 hour nursing care and supervision. Patients in nursing homes often require help walking, eating and bathing and receive multiple medications, testing and daily procedures. As a result, nursing homes are a more expensive form of elder care than most assisted living facilities.
According to the 2008 MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home and Assisted Living Costs, the average semi private room in a nursing home costs $69,715 per year while the average assisted living facility cost $36,372 per year. Yet even though assisted living facilities cost almost half as much as a nursing home, most of those costs will not be covered by Medicare or Medicaid.
Private nursing home rooms vary substantially from state to state. According to the MetLife survey, room rates varied from $577 per day in Alaska to only $127 per day in non-suburban areas of Louisiana. Assisted living centers ranged from $4,708 a month in Southern Maine to only $1,980 in North Dakota. Contact your local facility to find out what rates will be like in your state.
If you desire to stay in your home, assisted living costs may be even greater. Most agencies charge on average $20/hour or more for nursing care. If you require very little care and assistance, these fees can be manageable and can be a cheaper alternative to living in a community or nursing home. But as your needs increase, the cost of living in your home may prove to be too great. If you require a nurse 24 hours a day for care and supervision in your home, this could amount to $14,400 a month! But if you only need a nurse to visit for two hours a day to help with bathing and medications, you would be able to receive assistance in the comfort of your home for only about $1200/ month.
If you are comparing the cost of Denver assisted living facilities and nursing homes, be sure to ask what those costs include. Many facilities charge extra for certain tasks such as administering medications or meal service. Always be sure to check with different communities and homes in your area to ensure that you are paying the best price for the best facility.
