How to Find Affordable Long-Term Care

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I and my family were in this situation about 6yrs. ago and I had to choose the Assisted Living Facility for my mother. I had to pay $1,400 a month for assisted while it would have cost $20.00 an hr. for her to stay home. I had to have someone there all the time because of her memory plus I would have had another person to dispense meds. They charged more for that, and they all had a 4hr. minimum. OUCH!

Gladys Reece of IN 5:47PM June 26, 2010

If you need 24 hour monitoring, or capability for help. Consider the $18/hr figure as the low end x 24 hours x 30 days per month = $12,960.... that sure doesn't sound cheaper than the $3,100 for an assisted living community! Sure you could cut back on the number of hours the help is there - I just hope you don't fall when they aren't there, or get stuck in the bathroom needing assistance, or confuse the medications......

Jennifer Cook of OR 5:36PM June 13, 2010

As stated in the article and by a reader, Adult day health care offers respite to family members as well as therapeutic health care services to individuals with physical, cognitive, mental and social impairments. At Elderday in Santa Cruz, CA http://www.splg.org we offer physical and occupational therapy in addition, to nursing services, meals, door-to-door transportation, case managment and therapeutic activites. Visit http://www.caads.org to find out more about Adult day services and to find a center in California.

Sheri Anselmi of CA 6:08PM May 24, 2010

I BELIEVE THAT WE ALL NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR OWN CARE. THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO IS BUY LONG-TERM INS. IF YOU WANT TO PRESERVE YOUR ESTATE. I HAVE SAT IN MANY LUNCH ROOMS OF PROFESSIONAL PERSONS AS THEY PLOT HOW THEY CAN GET THEIR PARENTS MONEY WITHIN 5 YEARS OF PLACEING THEM IN A NURSING HOME AT OUR COST. THIS IS STEALING BUT THEY SEE IT AS BEING SMART. I FEAR FOR OUR COUNTRY AS THIS TYPE OF THINKING BECOMES THE NORM

JOAN BURKE of OH 11:19AM May 21, 2010

MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH RETIRED EARLY AND ARE NOW 65 WITH ONLY SOCIAL SECURITY AND A PENSION FROM MY HUSBAND THAT DOES NOT EVEN PAY UTILITIES. MY SS CHECK IS NOW UP TO $300 A MONTH....AND I READ ABOUT LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO MAKE OVER 100,000 MONTHLY SS ....THIS IS NOT RIGHT. IF AND A BIG IF THEY PAID IN THAT KIND OF MONEY OVER 40 YEARS THEN THEY DESERVE TO GET THEIR MONEY BACK...AND ONLY THEN. SS MONIES ARE MONIES WE PAID THE GOVT TO SAVE FOR US...AND THERE SHOULD BE PLENTY OF MONEY IN THE POT EXCEPT FOR CONGRESS STEALING FROM IT TO PAY SOMETHING ELSE...MAKE THEM PUT IT BACK!!!!!
YOUR ARTICLE HAS SCARED ME INTO AT LEAST 10 YEARS LESS OF LIVING. WHO WANTS TO WHEN THERE IS NO SAVINGS OR MONEY TO PAY FOR THE THINGS NECESSARY TO LIFE...THIS IS A SHAME AND MAKES AMERICA A VERY POOR PLACE TO LIVE FOR ELDERLY....THOSE WHO WORKED HARD ALL THEIR LIVES AND PLAYED BY THE RULES....WE WERE SUCH FOOLS.

cheryl of SC 10:26AM May 21, 2010

As Emily Brandon mentioned, "Adult day health care, which was by far the most inexpensive long-term care option in the survey, costs a median of $60 a day. Seniors generally spend part of the day with trained caregivers and peers and the rest of the day at home." Medical adult day cares such as Active Day http://www.activeday.com are the best and most cost effective alternative to nursing home care. This long term care option, which seems to be 'a best kept secret' in many communities, offers socialization, health care supervision, therapeutic programming, nutritional meals and snacks, and transportation. More importantly, it offers hours of respite to the caregiver and a safe and secure environment for your loved one.

nccaregiver of NC 9:46AM May 19, 2010

Illinois has created a wonderful option for those who need some help to maintain their independence but do not require skilled nursing care. Called Supportive Living, the program benefits adults 65 and older of all incomes, especially those who cannot afford private pay assisted living.
Residents of Supportive Living communities enjoy the benefits of living in a highly residential environment while receiving the help with medications and personal assistance they need.
The program is often referred to as the missing piece of the affordable housing puzzle for seniors, providing a alternative to struggling alone at home or nursing home care.

Rick Banas of IL 5:12PM May 18, 2010