Author: Andrea Miller

Reviewed By: Catherine Braxton

Short-term assisted living costs an average of $148 per day, which adds up to $1,036 per week or $4,500 per month. You or a loved one may need a short-term stay at an assisted living facility when recovering from an injury or illness. Short-term assisted living care, or respite care, is also suitable when a family caregiver needs to take time away. 

Do Medicare and Medicaid pay for short-term assisted living?

Medicare covers hospice care at a nursing home or in a hospital setting, not in assisted living. If your family member has Medicaid, a state waiver covers only part of the cost of short-term assisted living. For further financial help, explore state and local assistance programs through the Area Agency on Aging or the Veterans Administration if your loved one served in the U.S. military.

Does insurance cover short-term assisted living?

If your family member has private health or long-term care coverage, this insurance policy sometimes covers the cost of short-term assisted living care. Review the policy documents or contact the insurance company to find out more about short-term coverage for assisted living.

What does short-term assisted living include?

A short-term stay at an assisted living center includes help with activities of daily living, meals and room and board. It also includes social activities and use of the center’s amenities, such as a fitness room or common areas. Many assisted living communities offer transportation and medication management. When you explore short-term assisted living, ask the center exactly what the cost of the stay covers.