Elder and special needs law attorneys Kathleen Rodberg and Andrew Atherton were recently interviewed for a Mountain Xpress article to discuss navigating Western North Carolina’s long-term care options.
When sitting down with a family to discuss how to pay for the long-term care needs of a loved one, the mood is generally somber. Contrary to generalized myth, families do not take the decision to seek long-term care for an aging family member lightly. Many families are unprepared for the emotional and financial cost of long-term care. In Western North Carolina, hourly rates for in-home care can range from $22 for unlicensed care to up to $30 for nursing care, assisted living cost can range from $2,700 per month to more than $5,000 per month, and nursing home cost can range from $7,000 to more than $9,000 per month according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey. Genworth provides a Cost of Care Comparison Tool that allows users to compare different levels of care across the United States.
Many families have the misconception that Medicare or private health insurance will cover long-term care needs. Generally, Medicare will cover a maximum of 100 days of nursing home care as long as the nursing home resident has come from a qualifying stay at a hospital and is receiving therapy services.
Kathleen and Andrew focus their practice on elder and special needs law and have over 20 years of combined experience in helping the elderly navigate the sea of options.
You can read the full Mountain Xpress article with more detailed tips HERE.