If you are interested in how much senior care will cost in your particular part of the United States, there are tools out there that can help you predict what you will pay for the care of an older loved one. And then, after looking at those averages and estimates, you can get a better idea of whether the service that you are thinking of employing is helpful for you and your family or not.
The research was conducted by a company called “How Much.” You can find the link to their infographic right here.
Not surprisingly, California was near the top in pretty much all categories when it came to the cost of care per month. But it wasn’t the most expensive. States like Alaska, North Dakota, and Hawaii had much higher costs, on average. A lot of this is because of the availability of care. In these states, the caregiver crisis is already starting to bear fruits. This shortcoming is expected to grow across the country in the coming years as the population of seniors grows at a faster and faster rate.
Whenever you look at these tools, it’s important to remember that they are just estimates. These calculators and state averages do not know what your family’s specific situation looks like, nor is it realistic for you to expect that. Rather, this will give you a very broad look at what you should expect to pay. Remember that prices will change over time, and you can use certain types of insurance and other avenues to help offset these costs.
Care costs money, There’s no way to get around that, the vast majority of the time. This is a service that an individual and a company are providing to you and your family, and even if you are not paying those people, someone else is. You can provide unpaid care yourself as a family caregiver, but even this will cost you in terms of opportunities. Picking the right way to help your family is key for ensuring that they get all of the help that they need. Different types of care have different costs, and they also serve very different functions.
It’s also important to remember that cost should not be the only thing that matters when you are calculating which type of care is best for your mom or dad. For example, Medi-Cal might pick up the cost of a nursing home for your mom, but that doesn’t mean that this is the best place for her to receive care. She might be happier and healthier if care is given through an in-home care service. These are two very different types of care, and theoretically, they should serve different types of needs. But because of a variety of different reasons, this isn’t what happens in real life. By knowing more about care, and having a better idea of how you will pay for care and what those projected costs are, you can ensure that your parent is receiving their senior care from the best possible place.
If you’re unsure of what care is best for your family or how to pay for care, get in touch with us today. We can point you in the right direction.
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