Assisted Living Costs

The average monthly base cost of assisted living increased 15% this year, to $2,905. That works out to $34,860 a year The annual survey was conducted by LifePlans, Inc., a risk management and consulting firm that provides data analysis and information to the long term care insurance industry.

Rates ranged considerably by region. The most expensive city was Boston, where people in assisted living facilities spent an average of $4,629 per month. The lowest cost was Jackson, Miss., where the average was just $1,642.

Assisted living is a form of housing for older Americans that is growing in popularity. This is in response to the aging of the population and the preference to age in a home-like setting. The monthly private pay base rates, which are defined as room and board and typically include at least two meals, housekeeping and personal care assistance, were obtained for private rooms with private baths in assisted living facilities. Quarters can range from a small house to a large apartment-style complex.

For the most part, base rates include 24 hour supervision, two to three meals per day, assistance with the activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring and continence), social activities, medication management, laundry, housekeeping and maintenance and recreational and spiritual activities. Most residents pay privately or through long-term care insurance policies.

The average assisted living costs in Georgia are $2,795 for Alpharetta and $2,643 for Atlanta. This is slightly below the national average. Do you have a plan in place to pay for this type of care when you need it? If you have a plan, have you reviewed it recently? Contact us for an evaluation of your plan to pay for assisted living costs.