I'm asking because my brother-in-law seems to think North Carolina is a cheaper place for someone who needs residential care than Maryland. (our state.)
We are not anywhere close to looking into that, as far as I can predict, but it's an interesting question. There would have to be a pretty major discrepancy before I'd consider changing states for that reason.
I don't know about Maryland and North Carolina but my Elder Care Lawyer told me there was an advantage to living in WV vs some other bordering states because WV allows the surviving spouse to keep the house and Medicade cannot come back and claim against it.
Emily, the medicaid rules/regs differ by state and so do the private costs for facility care. It would make sense - the costs would be set based on the average income in the region or geographic area. Here in NJ the costs for an alf run around $6500/mo, some dementia only alfs run around $7200/mo. Nursing homes are about $10,00/mo. But NJ has a high average income and the costs are set based on people's ability to pay.
My sister and I checked the costs for the same facility (Arden Court) in NJ and CT (she's in CT). The facility in NJ was full with a waiting list and cost about $7000/mo. The same chain in CT had several vacancies and charged about $6000/mo. I guess it also depends on demand.
My SIL in Ohio who was recently moved to an ALZ facility pays $225.00 per day. A nursing home here in SC charges $180.00 per day. So depending on how many days in the month the price fluctuates.
Interesting thought about changing states--I would think that it would only make sense if you had planned on retiring somewhere else anyway, and coincidentally, the costs were lower. With an unpredictable life expectancy and the high cost of a move, it would be rather risky otherwise.
I agree. There'd have to be a huge savings for me to even remotely think about it. I don't even know if I would then. It's just that Jeff's brother brought it up since he seems to know at least a couple or so people who have moved to North Carolina for that very reason. But based on the chart I cited, the difference between MD and NC is not that enormous.
I live on the westside of Washington state and I really haven't run into any facility that is as inexpensive as that chart reports. I'll keep on looking. Maybe the east side of the state, it's usually less expensive.
I live in PA but right on the WV border. Charlie was in a facility in WV. The cost was a little cheaper, but it was a small facility and they didn't have a special section for dementia patients. They had 50 patients and 45 of them had dementia. He received excellent care.
I agree mothert - those I have priced in the Vancouver area are much more. I have not checked into the east side where we are now. When it comes time, he will go into the VA facility in Hood River, OR if we still live in the state.
Assisted living is much less than facility for dementia care. I've been checking our area this afternoon--dementia care more than AL, but there is, of course, more care involved. Still our area seems to be less than some places. What prompted my research today? Hb was standing beside me one minute while I propped tomato plants that had fallen in wind, and when I stood up, he was nowhere to be seen. I called his name (read that *yelled*); he answered, but wouldn't come. He was in his favorite spot in woods, shrubs and now tall grass. I was tempted to leave him, but it *is* very hot today, and I didn't want to get in trouble....so I "rescued" him. If he were a kid, he'd be in time out. Good thing I'm buying his shirts at GW Boutique because he left one out there w/nature.