Nursing Home Care

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Nursing homes provide long-term care for those with numerous assistance needs. Services include medical, nursing, personal care, social, and assistance in activities of daily living (ADL). They are generally reserved for patients not needing acute care but who need more attention than is provided in an assisted living facility. Today, only 18 percent of long-term care is in a nursing home. The balance is given in a home health care situation, adult day care, or in an assisted living facility. (1)

Nursing homes are primarily engaged in providing nursing care and related services on an inpatient basis under a license issued by the Department of Public Health or the appropriate licensing agency of the state in which it is located. They provide a range of services from very skilled care for those seriously ill requiring close medical attention by a licensed nurse, and as little as custodial care provided by a nursing assistant.

In 1997 nursing home costs were between $40,000 and $80,000 a year, which is between $100 and $200 per day. Frightening numbers for most of us to consider! And yet, 75 percent of the female population will spend some time in a nursing home after the age of 60.

To see the average cost of nursing home care in 2005, in your area please visit The MetLife Market Survey on Nursing Home and Home Care Costs.

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Source:
1. http://www.opm.gov/insure/ltc/snippetts.htm