The Average Cost Per Year of Nursing Home Care in the U.S.
With the aging of the baby boomer generation in America, more and more individuals are needing long-term nursing home care. However, such care does not come free and multiple factors affect how much a person pays per year for nursing home care. While some government assistance programs help qualified individuals pay for nursing home care, most people are not eligible for this assistance. Thus, it is important to plan ahead and begin evaluating the average cost per year of nursing home care in order to save appropriately.
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Daily Care/Room Expenses
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According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a semiprivate room (usually shared by only two people) in a nursing home averages $198 per day, while a private room costs an average of $219 per day, as of 2010. Thus, simply having a room in the nursing home can cost more than $72,000 per year. However, there are additional costs that must be factored in when determining the actual average cost of nursing home care.
Medications and Supplies
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The cost of your room doesn't include medications and other supplies you need for proper medical care, such as bandages, ointments and oxygen. Most insurance plans and Medicare will pay for these, but you might be required to pay a monthly deductible and some items and medications might not be covered so you will need to pay these expenses yourself.
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Additional Professional Care
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Some nursing homes have an in-house physician who is paid a salary and oversees the general population or serves as the primary care physician for new residents. However, the majority of nursing homes and long-term care facilities require residents to have a primary care physician to oversee their medical care. The nursing home does not pay this doctor to assess his patients' needs, to write prescriptions or to perform any other professional function. You need to pay for the visit just as you would if you were going to his office for a checkup.
Additionally, while some therapists (physical, speech, occupational) are salaried by the nursing home, others bill your insurance provider for the services you receive -- or bill you if your insurance or other means of payment does not cover therapy. Any other professional medical services you require, such as surgery, X-rays, dental or optometry, also are usually not covered in the cost of your room and might not be covered by your insurance, so it is best to plan ahead for these expenses.
Other Considerations
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The most frequently overlooked cost of nursing home care is that of actually living. Many individuals' primary concern is in paying for medical treatment, but living in a nursing home does not mean you don't need clothing and personal items (preferred toiletries, hair accessories, lap blankets) anymore, or that you must give up all of your usual activities. Nursing home activities staff members coordinate outings for residents to do things like shopping, visiting the beauty parlor or barber shop, and attending concerts and special events. The nursing home staff will also assist residents in obtaining books, videos and supplies for continuing hobbies, but you must usually pay for these things out of your own pocket.
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