Nursing home cost is often the most expensive option
March 4, 2009
Nursing homes are generally stand-alone facilities, but some are operated within a hospital or retirement community. Nursing and medical attention are usually not provided on the premises. State licensure and the terminology used for this type of facility vary greatly.
Nursing homes, with an average cost $77,745 per year, are often the most expensive and least desirable setting to receive care, but are essential for those with the most complicated health needs. Assisted living is somewhat cheaper, with an average annual cost of $35,628. Nursing home services are for those who need more medical care than other Minnesota assisted living options can offer, such as wound care, rehabilitative therapy, and help with respirators or ventilators. Personal care for bathing, dressing and going to the bathroom also is available at nursing homes.
Nursing facilities provide skilled, 24-hour nursing care services according to Paul Contris. Many nursing facilities serve special populations, such as patients with Alzheimer’s disease, AIDS, or others requiring specialized services.
Nursing home costs in Minnesota averaged $190 a day in 2006, which comes out to $69,390 per year! Not many people have this kind of money lying around and that isn’t even taking into account the price of hospital visits and medication. Nurses don’t handle daily things such as dressing, bathing, or feeding, any more than you would call the hospital to send a nurse to dress your kid every morning.
Nursing-home lobbyists are forced to come begging for enough money to give their employees modest cost-of-living increases and continue to operate under the standards required by law. Every year, legislators of both parties give lip service to the need to pay for the long-term care needs of the state’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens.


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