Long term care report: Women more likely to receive at-home care

A new study conducted by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance shows that more women receive privately paid-for in-home care than men but that women tend to receive this care later in life than men. Approximately 60 percent of those receiving care were women and more than 80 percent were 75 or older.

"The vast majority of both men and women home care recipients were over age 71 and most received care for three days a week or less," said Jesse Slome, executive director of AALTCI. In regards to the frequency of service, 66 percent of women received private in-home care for three or fewer days per week; forty-nine percent of men received care for three or fewer days. All others received four or more days per week.

The cost of home health care depends on the services required and can vary by location. "The average cost today is about $20 an hour," said Slome. "Someone needing care three days a week for six hours a day is looking at a cost of between $20,000 and $25,000 annually, which is why increasingly individuals purchase long-term care insurance with a home-care benefit."