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What Is The Average Cost Of Caring For A Person With Alzheimer Disease?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
The average monthly cost of caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease is roughly $5,625, according to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey. Genworth doesn’t track memory care costs directly. Consequently, the $5,625 figure is derived from adding 25% to the average monthly cost of an assisted living care facility to cover additional expenses, such as extra security/safety features and staff training.
Memory Care Costs Across the Nation
The U.S. monthly average for memory care is $5,625, but costs vary widely by state, region and city. New England’s seniors pay some of the highest costs. For example, Rhode Island’s average monthly memory care fee is $8,533, while in Massachusetts, it’s $8,125. However, the state with the highest reported median memory care fee is at the other end of the country. Alaskans typically pay $8,538, which is roughly 35% more than the national average.
Conversely, monthly costs for memory care are significantly below the national average in many Southern and Midwestern states. Southern states with notably low average costs include Georgia ($4,419), Alabama ($4,379) and Mississippi ($4,375). Missouri’s average of $3,750 make it roughly 33% below the national average and the lowest median fee in the country.
Caring for People in the Early Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
Seniors with early stage Alzheimer’s disease may not need the level of medical support memory care provides. Assisted living facilities or in-home care may be able to offer adequate help.
According to Genworth, the average monthly cost for assisted living is $4,500, and the average for in-home care’s nonmedical services is $4,957. Medical professionals deliver home health care services, such as wound care, which accounts for the slightly higher average fee of $5,148. Although, there are many areas where in-home care and home health care agencies have the same average fees.
Caring for People in the Late Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
In the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease, some adults need to be moved to a nursing home environment that can meet their changing medical requirements. Nursing homes are generally the most expensive care option. As of 2021, the average cost of a semiprivate room in a nursing home is $7,908 per month, while a private room is around $9,034.