Long-term care is expensive — not just for the person receiving care, but for family caregivers who may be stepping in when no other alternative is available.
Genworth's 13th annual study on the cost of LTC allows both planners and their clients to get an idea of what that care might cost, not just in terms of dollars and cents for the care itself, but also in the toll it takes on nonprofessional caregivers' finances and well-being. People considering planning for a potential need for LTC coverage might want to consider some of those factors.
For instance, caregivers who say that action should have been taken sooner to arrange for care figure that about $8,000 in out-of-pocket costs could have been avoided. More than half of both caregivers and care recipients say that if they had it to do over again, they'd plan better and get help sooner.
And the cost to caregivers is high; they miss an average of seven hours of work a week in fulfilling their responsibilities—that's nearly 18% of a 40-hour workweek. In addition, in 2015, 77% of caregivers missed some work time. Some even retire just to provide care, while others say that taking care of their loved one resulted in a loss of a third of their income.
But that's not all: in 2010, 41% of caregivers reported using their own savings and retirement money to pay for care. But by 2015, that number had risen to 62%. And no matter how willingly a person may provide care for a loved one, all those costs — not to mention the physical and emotional drain of providing care — can lead to resentment on the part of caregivers, damaging the relationship with the person they love.
Medicare does not cover LTC costs, although many people believe it does, and Medicaid only kicks in when one's assets have been depleted. But care can still be had in some states for less than one might think. The 15 states Genworth says have the lowest average rates appear below. Categories included are adult day care, licensed home care, assisted living and nursing home private rooms.
15. Kentucky
Average Annual Cost: $46,052
Adult day care: $17,940
Licensed home care: $42,900
Assisted living: $39,600
Nursing home (private room): $83,768
14. Iowa
Average Annual Cost: $45,989
Adult day care: $16,120
Licensed home care: $52,624
Assisted living: $42,210
Nursing home (private room): $73,000
13. Kansas
Average Annual Cost: $44,927
Adult day care: $19,500
Licensed home care: $46,332
Assisted living: $46,350
Nursing home (private room): $67,525
12. North Carolina
Average Annual Cost: $44,886
Adult day care: $12,935
Licensed home care: $41,184
Assisted living: $36,000
Nursing home (private room): $89,425
11. Utah
Average Annual Cost: $44,705
Adult day care: $18,720
Licensed home care: $48,048
Assisted living: $35,400
Nursing home (private room): $76,650
10. Tennessee
Average Annual Cost: $44,466
Adult day care: $15,600
Licensed home care: $41,184
Assisted living: $45,360
Nursing home (private room): $75,719
9. Mississippi
Average Annual Cost: $43,437
Adult day care: $17,420
Licensed home care: $38,896
Assisted living: $38,400
Nursing home (private room): $79,030
