A new survey by Genworth Financial found that that at-home care service is rising faster than most care delivered in a skilled nursing home. In its Cost of Care Survey 2019, Genworth found that the costs associated with homemaker services increased 7% and 4.5% when performed by a home health aide over the last 12 months. Homemaker services typically include cooking, cleaning, and performing household errands while a home health aide assists with eating, getting dressed, and reminders to take medication. In comparison costs associated with a private room in a nursing home increased just 1.8%.
It is essential to understand these costs of care services vary by location, the type of care performed, the skill level required by the person to provide the service, and when the service is delivered. Genworth collected data from over 15,000 surveys and 441 regions (state/county combination).
Nationally the Cost of Care Survey 2019 found the median cost for homemaker services was $22.50 per hour. In California, the median hourly rate for either a Homemaker or Home Health Aide was closer to $28 per hour. The survey calculated that if services were delivered 44 hours per week, the monthly cost was $5,335 and $64,018 annually for Homemaker or Home Health Aide service.
The findings of the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2019 underscore the need for seniors and families to plan for understanding how to pay for at-home care and, if necessary, long term care delivered in a skilled nursing home. Unfortunately, many people mistakenly believe that Medicare will pay for long term care. While Medicare can pay for up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, after that time the person must self-pay except in limited circumstances.
When the need arises for your husband, wife, or parent need assistance in paying for at-home care as well as long term care delivered in a skilled nursing home, contact Medi-Cal Benefits. We’ve helped families in financial need for years and can probably help yours as well. Download our free whitepaper on the 11 Ways to Pay for Long-Term Care and share it with your family. No cost or obligation!
Source: https://www.genworth.com/aging-and-you/finances/cost-of-care.html
