Cost of Care

What is the average cost of care in California?

The following outlines the costs of various levels of long term care needs, and should be used as a guideline only.

In-home Care Givers

As of January 1, 2014, the following rates are for 8 or more hours per day. If caregivers are in home less than 4 hours, a higher rate of approximately $2 - $4 is applied to their hourly rate.

  • A range of $19 - $26 per hour.
  • Live in rates require the caregiver is able to have 6-8 hours sleep uninterrupted. $285 – $425 daily rate which includes food.

Caregiver to patient ratio average:

  • Home 1:1
  • Board and care 3:1
  • Assisted Living 4-5:1
  • Nursing homes 5:1

Board and Care

Costs range from $3300 – $5500 a month. The person has their own room and shares common areas of home. They cannot manage any skilled nursing needs such as giving insulin, G-tube feedings, and dressing changes. They can administer nebulizer treatments, give oral medications, and oxygen.

Caregiver to patient ratio average:

  • Home 1:1
  • Board and care 3:1
  • Assisted Living 4-5:1
  • Nursing homes 5:1

Assisted Living

Costs range from $5,000 – $15,000 a month. The care varies from one assisted living to another. The memory care units are higher in cost due to the need for more care to be provided. They have a nurse on staff 24/7 and some are able to administer insulin, and tube feedings.

Caregiver to patient ratio average:

  • Home 1:1
  • Board and care 3:1
  • Assisted Living 4-5:1
  • Nursing homes 5:1

Nursing Home

Costs range from $7,000 – $23,000 a month. They can provide all levels of care and treatments. They have RN (Registered Nurse), and LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) on staff at all times.

Caregiver to patient ratio average:

  • Home 1:1
  • Board and care 3:1
  • Assisted Living 4-5:1
  • Nursing homes 5:1

Medicare: Benefit Period

Benefit period also is known as "Medicare skilled days"

Your hospital and skilled nursing facility (SNF) stays are measured in benefit days and benefit periods. Every day that you spend in a hospital or SNF counts toward the benefit days in that benefit period. A benefit period begins the day you first receive inpatient hospital services or, in certain circumstances, SNF services, and ends when you haven’t received any inpatient care in a hospital or inpatient skilled care in an SNF for 60 days in a row.

Driving

What should I do if I think my loved one should not be driving?

Contact your physician and request an appointment to discuss. Do not try to solve this on your own without medical attention.

Skilled Nursing Facility

How many days does Medicare pay for a skilled Nursing facility?

As long as you continue to make progress towards your prior level of functioning, Medicare covers 100% of the first 60 days.

Medical Assistance

What do I do if I need medical assistance but cannot afford it?

Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP is a free health-benefit counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their families or caregivers. SHIPs mission is to educate, advocate, counsel and empower people to make informed healthcare benefit decisions. SHIP is an independent program funded by Federal agencies and is not affiliated with the insurance industry.

Angel On My Shoulder specializes in finding the medical assistance that you need and works within your budget. For a better understanding of how we can help, see our client story about Mrs. B, and how we restored her quality of life.

Healthcare Advocacy

What does a healthcare advocate do?

A Healthcare Advocate is someone you chose who assists you in making medical decisions. They are someone you trust who works well with other medical staff, and knows how to navigate the medical system. An effective advocate works to assure you are receiving appropriate medical care.