Survey Finds that LTC Costs Continue to Climb

By Warren S. Hersch

April 21, 2011 at 08:00 PM

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The cost of long-term care services continues to rise, according to a new report.

John Hancock Financial Services Inc., Boston, published this finding in a summary of results from a new study of 11,000 U.S. providers, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities and home health care agencies. The report was conducted by LifePlans Inc., Waltham, Mass.

To determine how long-term care costs are trending over time, John Hancock calculated a 9-year average based on a comparison of data gathered from providers across the country for surveys conducted in 2002, 2005, 2008, and 2011. The 9-year average annual increases in the cost of care, the company says, closely track the long-term average annual rate of inflation, which is 4.1%.

Among the report's findings:

–The 2011 average cost of a private nursing home room ($235 a day/ $85,775 annually) has risen an average 3.5% per year.

–The 2011 average cost of a semi-private nursing home room ($207 a day/ $75,555 annually) has risen an average 3.2% per year.

–The 2011 average cost for a month in an assisted living facility ($3,270 a month/ $39,240 annually) has risen an average 3.4% per year.

–The 2011 average cost for a home health aide ($20 hourly/$37,440 annually) has risen an average 1.3 percent per year.

The survey reveals that the national average annual cost of care in the U.S. to be $85,775 for a private room in a nursing home; $75,555 for a semi-private room in a nursing home; and $39,240 for an assisted living facility.

The average cost of care received at home was approximately $20 per hour, the report says.

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