Typical Costs Associated With Eldercare In Southern California

By Rue Nichols


There are more than 90 million Americans in the United States with ages ranging from 60 and above wherein half of them are in need of help and care at a certain level. It works for many when a friend or family member helps in chores or maybe a housekeeper is hired to address laundry and cleaning. But for the others a higher level of care is actually needed which includes bathing, dressing, prescription management and healthy meal provision.

Although tasks often are simply handled by family members, eldercare at some level may give families better options. Of course expect such level of care to be with corresponding costs as well. Take hiring an in-home caregiver as an example. Hiring one would require him to come over several times in a week, maybe daily or even live in your home. Costs range according to the level of care extended. Basic daily help could cost you about $700 each week or even as high as $3,000 weekly should you need actual nursing and medical care. Rates on an hourly basis vary from $14 to $45 each hour - of course still depending on the level of eldercare.

Board and care facilities, which also are sometimes called residential care homes, are located in actual homes and have about six residents at the most. A caregiver will be on site 24 hours a day and the costs include meals and help with many daily tasks, but rarely any type of medical care beyond basic managing of medicines. The costs for these homes also vary, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 per month for this type of home.

Eldercare comes with another option - assisted living. These are basically communities wherein elders live in apartments, a choice between studios or two bedrooms. Many assisted living facilities also cater elders requiring memory care. Of course the cost you will be paying depends on the size of the apartment and if you are in memory care apartments, the cost will definitely be higher because of more personal care and security. You will be paying for meals, laundry, housekeeping and help for some tasks required daily. For assisted living, you will pay the amount ranging from $2,500 up to more than $3,000 monthly. Yes, it may be the most expensive of the care options but they come with a variety of amenities and social activities for residents.

With the three previously mentioned types of care, rarely will you ever be able to use benefits such as Medicare or Medicaid to cover the costs of these services. Skilled nursing facilities, or nursing homes, are the only option where benefits might be able to be used to pay for your expenses. For some senior adults, this type of facility is the most cost effective option when they can no longer live on their own. Generally, it costs about $50,000 per year for nursing home care, but these costs often are deferred by Medicaid or another type of assistance or insurance.

It may be tough to find that best option for your loved one as some of us may not even know where to start the process. Things could be easier though if you contact a service like Care Placement. You will find many different options to take into account as this service introduces you to board and care, assisted living facilities, in-home care, skilled nursing care as well as Veteran's homes. Bet that Care Placement staff will consider the needs of your loved ones, your budgetary constraints and could give you a list of apt facilities which are already pre-screened.




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