Long-Term Care Options

Q. What is long-term care?
A. “Long-term care” is a generic term that refers to several different care options for people who no longer can live completely independently. People use the term to refer to in-home assistance, residential living facilities that do not provide medical care, assisted living facilities that provide a wide range of support, and skilled nursing facilities (“SNFs” or “nursing homes”) that provide around the clock nursing care. At this point in time, only SNFs accept Medi-Cal. In certain situations some in home care may also be covered by Medi-Cal, but that program is limited.

Q. How do I find good long-term care facilities?
A. There are many good resources for individual or family members looking for long term care options. In the Bay Area, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR), (800) 474-1116, is a good place to start. John Muir Senior Services in Walnut Creek offers assistance, as well. State and local information resources can be accessed by calling (800) 510-2020, no matter what county it is that you live in. There are also placement locating services that are funded by the facilities that will locate options for you at no cost.

Q. How expensive is long-term care?
A. In a word, very. It depends upon where you live and what your level of need is. The following is just a ballpark guideline: In home care services charge by the hour. 24-hour care in the home can be around $10,000 per month or more, depending upon what is included. Residential care is more in the range of $2,000–$3,000 per month, but can be less depending upon the services and space provided. Assisted living can be $8,000–$9,000 or so. Skilled nursing facilities are about $6,000 and up, if paid for privately.

Q. How do I pay for long-term care?
A. This is the big question. Most people don’t financially plan on living decades with expensive medical needs, but this is the reality for many families. Some people have long term care insurance, but once you are already in your 60s, long term care insurance is difficult to get and doesn’t cover many expenses. Public benefits like Medi-Cal are available for those who have no other resources. Veteran’s Benefits may help. But most people fall into the category of having to pay for this care out of their own resources. Needless to say, these expenses quickly deplete a nest egg.