Understanding Cost Differences in Care

Whether we want to admit it or not, cost is one of the primary determinants when it comes to which type of senior care you will choose for an elderly loved one. Even though things like services provided, quality of care, and the personalities and compatibility of the individual caregivers should be given a higher priority, money is often at the heart of the important decisions that we all make.

 

Should it be like this? No. In a perfect world, money would not be a priority at all. We would all have the things that we needed to thrive, regardless of the cost. But different types of care cost different amounts of money. In general, the more intensive the care and the more medical attention that is needed, the more expensive it will be.

 

Cost will inevitably play a role in senior care decisions.

 

When it comes to non-medical care, there are two main choices to think about if you are looking for professional assistance. These are in-home care and assisted living. Typically, these are about the same in price, but not always. Also, it depends on where you are located and what services you need caregivers to perform. For example, a caregiver that provides transportation as part of their included services will usually cost more than a caregiver that does not do this–for obvious reasons.

 

On a national basis, assisted living costs about $123 per day and in-home care costs about $20 per hour. If you are looking at eight hours per day, five days a week, that equals $800 per week. Overall, the services provided are often the same and comparable in price, but because in-home care’s hours are more easily adjusted, the average cost of this type of care is a bit lower. Again, your personal situation may warrant different circumstances. The important thing to keep in mind is that you want the right care for your loved one, and you want that to be administered in the best possible manner. Inevitably, each family will need to decide for themselves what is in their best interests.

 

This does not mean that in-home care is always cheaper or always best. It also doesn’t account for expenses that those who live at home have that others do not.

 

Ultimately, cost differences come down to what each individual company offers as far as services, where the company is located, and a number of other factors. There are tools online that you can use to approximate the average cost of care where you are located, but these are only estimates and not perfectly accurate. If you really are looking for a more accurate appraisal of what senior care will cost you, the best way to proceed is to get in touch with the senior care services near you to see what their charges are.

 

If we can be of service to you and your family, give us a call today. We can go over costs and other concerns with you during a free consultation. Hopefully, this will give you more information so that you can form a better care plan as you decide what is best for your family.

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