Nursing Home Communities in Washington, DC

Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States, and it’s situated on the banks of the Potomac River. The city has a population of about 705,000, and about 12% of residents are aged 65 or older. It has a humid, subtropical climate with hot summers. However, the cold winters are perfect for seniors who enjoy snowy weather. Seniors in Washington have access to the Inova Fairfax Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center, which are both ranked in one specialty by US News.

Nursing homes are best-suited to seniors who require a high level of care and medical assistance due to frailty, an illness or a long-term disability. The type of care provided in a nursing home results in a higher cost. According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020, the average monthly rate for nursing home care in Washington is $11,726 for a semiprivate room and $13,059 for a private room.  Family members may want to look into other care options such as home care or assisted living for their loved ones.

This guide looks at the cost of nursing home care and other care options in Washington, D.C.

Many seniors and their families use some form of financial assistance to help them pay for nursing care. The main options available are Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits. These programs can be complicated, especially when it comes to benefit terms. Below, we give a brief overview of how these programs may be used towards paying for skilled nursing care.

• Medicare: Medicare will typically cover all skilled nursing costs for the first 20 days of one’s stay in a nursing home and a portion of the costs until day 100. After 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will not cover any part of the cost of the stay. While this is adequate when short-term care is needed, those in need of long-term care will need to either pay out-of-pocket or use another source of financial assistance.
• Medicaid: Medicaid covers most of the costs of living in a skilled nursing facility for those who qualify. Care, room, and board are covered with no time limit, but residents may be charged for extras like specially prepared food or cosmetic services. Medicaid eligibility standards are strict and complex, so not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid benefits.
• Veterans Benefits: Veterans receiving a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit administered by the VA. Aid and Attendance is a monthly allowance that beneficiaries may use to pay for their long-term care, including skilled nursing care.

If these options aren’t available to you, check if your loved one has long-term care insurance or contact your Area Agency on Aging to ask about any local financial assistance programs for seniors.