According to the Metlife Market Survey of Long-Term Care Costs, nursing home and assisted living rates have been on a steady incline since 2009.
There has been a 4.6 percent increase in private room nursing home rates, raising to $229 per day or $83,585 per year, with the highest average daily rates in Alaska, where rates are now $687 for a private room and $610 for a semi-private room. Costs are lowest in Louisiana, outside the Baton Rouge and Shreveport areas, at an average of $138 per day for a private room.
Assisted living rates rose 5.2 percent on average to $3,293 per month or $39,516 per year. The Washington, D.C., area had the highest average monthly base rate at $5,231 for assisted living while Arkansas, outside of Little Rock, had the lowest average monthly rate of $2,073.
Sixty-eight percent of nursing home residents were women, and only 16 percent of all residents were under the age of 65, according to the 2009 Census. The median age of residents was 83 years.
