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Assisted Living Costs: Facts and Figures

When you are considering an assisted living community for your parents or loved one, it is important to know how much you can expect to pay so you can budget for your loved ones appropriately.

The cost of joining an assisted living community varies upon several factors which typically include:

  • Geographic location of the community
  • Size of accommodations selected
  • Level of care required
  • Additional amenity and service fees

    Assisted Living Costs by State

    Just as the cost of real estate varies by geographic area, assisted living costs also vary nationwide. In the 2015 Cost of Care Survey conducted by Genworth Financial, assisted living showed an increase of 2.86% compared to the 2014 costs and the national median monthly rate is $3,600. Residents of assisted living communities can typically expect a 4.28% annual increase in their base rate.

    The table below shows the range of monthly assisted living costs by state in 2015* for a one-bedroom, single-occupancy assisted living apartment.

    StateMinimumMedianMaximum
    Alabama$930 $3,075 $6,524
    Alaska$800 $5,703 $8,250
    Arizona$1,400 $3,418 $7,072
    Arkansas$1,100 $3,063 $5,900
    California$698 $3,750 $10,650
    Colorado$2,050 $3,750 $8,850
    Connecticut$2,551 $5,575 $10,800
    Delaware$5,061 $5,745 $8,175
    District of Columbia$4,950 $7,838 $8,600
    Florida$1,000 $3,150 $8,280
    Georgia$619 $2,880 $6,840
    Hawaii$1,384 $4,000 $8,892
    Idaho$1,800 $3,240 $5,450
    Illinois$1,278 $4,050 $9,840
    Indiana$1,600 $3,693 $7,860
    Iowa$1,534 $3,500 $9,425
    Kansas$2,300 $4,188 $7,500
    Kentucky$1,181 $3,350 $10,125
    Louisiana$600 $3,010 $4,722
    Maine$1,935 $4,800 $8,880
    Maryland$1,750 $3,900 $8,950
    Massachusetts$1,988 $5,300 $9,495
    Michigan$800 $3,250 $8,465
    Minnesota$876 $3,468 $10,500
    Mississippi$1,525 $3,150 $6,600
    Missouri$700 $2,525 $6,400
    Montana$1,000 $3,560 $6,000
    Nebraska$1,985 $3,628 $6,225
    Nevada$1,500 $3,238 $5,889
    New Hampshire$2,750 $5,103 $8,975
    New Jersey$3,280 $5,725 $11,250
    New Mexico$2,000 $3,500 $6,000
    New York$1,100 $4,100 $11,100
    North Carolina$1,000 $3,000 $7,143
    North Dakota$959 $3,239 $5,250
    Ohio$877 $3,890 $8,940
    Oklahoma$950 $3,345 $6,340
    Oregon$2,000 $3,880 $6,955
    Pennsylvania$900 $3,555 $6,955
    Rhode Island$3,370 $5,325 $8,500
    South Carolina$1,341 $3,125 $5,700
    South Dakota$1,900 $3,023 $5,250
    Tennessee$600 $3,395 $7,128
    Texas$900 $3,545 $9,000
    Utah$2,000 $3,000 $6,750
    Vermont$1,266 $4,020 $6,050
    Virginia$1,200 $3,933 $10,350
    Washington$1,845 $4,625 $9,750
    West Virginia$1,600 $3,500 $8,452
    Wisconsin$740 $3,980 $10,000
    Wyoming$2,250 $3,900 $4,695

    The states with the most expensive median monthly assisted living costs are:

    District of Columbia

    $7,838

    Delaware

    $5,745

    New Jersey

    $5,725

    Alaska

    $5,703

    Connecticut

    $5,575

    The states with the least expensive median monthly assisted living costs are:

    Missouri

    $2,525

    Georgia

    $2,880

    North Carolina

    $3,000

    Utah

    $3,000

    Louisiana

    $3,010

    Size of Accommodations Selected

    When joining an assisted living community, new residents can typically choose from several apartment types and sizes including studio, studio alcove, one- and two-bedroom apartments. The size of an apartment and apartment features, such as a kitchen or private patio or balcony, determines its monthly rate, as does the location of the apartment with regard to views and proximity to elevators and public areas.

    While it’s common for families or seniors to prefer larger apartments, it’s important to remember that the entire community becomes a resident’s home. In addition, if your parents have mobility issues, which could contribute to a higher risk of falling, you should minimize the amount of walking between rooms that is required.

    Typically communities offer either a month-to-month leases or one-year leases that may be renewed.

    Older woman sitting in a plush chair and smiling
    Older woman sitting in a plush chair and smiling

    Level of Care Required

    Either upon admission and when residents require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), a licensed nurse conducts an assessment which forms the basis of a care plan that outlines the level and frequency of  supportive services that will be provided. According to the National Center for Assisted Living, assisted living residents need help with three or more ADLs on average. More than half of all seniors residing in assisted living communities require help with preparing meals, managing their medications and bathing.

     

    In most cases a point system or levels of care are used to breakdown the costs for assisted living services. When a point system is used, each type of care and the frequency in which it’s provided determines the assisted living cost. For example, medication management/administration once a day may cost an additional $150 per month while the same service provided three times a day may cost an additional $300 per month.

    Levels of care may be based upon a point system as well, with this type of cost determination often providing less flexibility in assisted living costs. For example, a resident may fall between a Level One and a Level Two but they must pay for Level Two care as their needs exceed Level One.

    Activity of Daily Living% of Residents Needing Help
    Medication Management81%
    Meal Preparation87%
    Bathing72%
    Dressing52%
    Toileting36%
    Transferring25%
    Eating22%

    Additional Costs Found at Assisted Living Communities

    Assisted living communities charge a refundable deposit fee, which secures a particular apartment within the community for a specific period of time (usually two weeks). Once a resident moves in, this deposit usually applies toward the one-time community fee (terms for the name of this fee may vary). Ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, this fee is non-refundable and covers administrative expenses and the cost of apartment renovations between residents.

    Other assisted living costs may include fees for private transportation, off-site activities, guest meals and use of a guest apartment within the community. There may also be a monthly second person fee if a couple lives together or a pet fee.

    More Information on Assisted Living Costs

    For more information on how to pay for assisted living costs, check out the following articles:

     

    Written by gerontologist Sara Shelton.

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    SeniorHomes.com

    Those with certain disabilities or diseases have more obstacles to overcome when searching for a quality assisted living home. If you have questions, we are here to help provide the answers. Give our senior care advocates a call and read our guides for specific information and resources related to your or your loved one’s condition.

    SeniorHomes.com

    Those with certain disabilities or diseases have more obstacles to overcome when searching for a quality assisted living home. If you have questions, we are here to help provide the answers. Give our senior care advocates a call and read our guides for specific information and resources related to your or your loved one’s condition.

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