What are expected costs for care?

It’s just the opposite. Medicare pays for in home skilled nursing or therapist care. What they don’t pay for is custodial care (ADL’s or activities of daily living).

Medicaid pays for long term care. The person must qualify financially and require skilled care (as in a skilled nursing facility, known as nursing homes). Qualify ing financially requires a spend down of assets - the rules vary by state. It is wise now to see an elder law attorney (CELA) to learn about qualifying for Medicaid, way before you need it.

Fees for assisted living start around $6,000 per month; with higher levels of care costs go up (eg medication assistance). (Memory Care may start at $8,000).

The most expensive 24 hour care is in-home care; per hour you may pay $40 through an agency, less for a private caregiver (but then you add on taxes).

Towards end of life Medicare pays for Hospice care, which is rarely 24 hour care, but is a wonderful help in many ways. If symptoms warrant, the person may be admitted to a Hospice Home. Hospice also pays for respite care, typically a week at a time.

Everyone on these boards would tell you to see a CELA now for POA’s, advance directives, Medicaid planning, and other legal matters particular to your situation.

My mother in NJ recently paid $10,000/month for assisted living with a higher care package (care plus). The prices were negotiable.

We paid $35.00/hour for an aide at home.

You spend down your assets and then apply for Medicaid. An elder law attorney can advise you what to do.

Hi kathy I am in Tennessee and from my searches last yr I found costs for a mcf to range greatly from a low 2300 it was not good and have heard of highs over ten k. I paid 8500 for 30 days in a skilled nursing rehab which was not mc specific. I am at 3659 still I do help with my dw care. I often get her up and dressed which has kept her at level 1 care the highest is 4100. Plus meds and depends. I am very happy where she is at.

Good luck which ever route you go.

My DH resided in a stand alone MCF for 17 months before he passed. We are in North/central PA. The facility was Alz/dementia specific, cottage style, 16 residents with private rooms/half bath. The cost was $6200/month, all inclusive; private pay, Medicaid not accepted. No “ hidden fees”; I provided wipes and briefs. It was warm, quiet and cozy there, homelike, nothing flashy. He was content and well cared for; I would do it again. Best of luck; it is a hard journey.

He has the best care...It takes two of us to manage him but MC is not in the picture.

Sad to say instutional is likely for YOU If you have any resources left.

You have plan for both people to gets sick

I just answered with a pm.

Here in the SF Bay Area, CA, $13,000/mo. for a private room, all inclusive care, plus $400 /mo. for incontinence supplies, in memory care only facility.

Charley, you need to see a CELA (certified elder law attorney) early in the disease. They can protect a lot of assets for you, draw up POAs and other documents you might need, and explain how Medicaid works in your state, and help you apply for it if needed. Your wife will not be able to act for medical decisions in your behalf, so you need to choose someone else to act if/when that time comes around. This is something you don't want to put off because if you wait too long, you will be sorry.