Nobody hands families a straight answer to this question, so here it is — real median prices for every type of care, what Medicare will and won't pay, and the free help most people never hear about.
If you're reading this, you're probably staring down a decision you didn't plan for — and the first thing you need is an honest number. The hard truth: senior care is one of the largest expenses most families will ever face, and Medicare covers far less of it than people assume. But knowing the real figures early is exactly what lets you plan instead of panic.
Below are national median costs by care type. "Median" means half of providers charge more and half charge less — it's a realistic middle, not a best case. Your actual cost depends heavily on your state, the level of care needed, and the specific community. Treat these as a starting point, then get local quotes.
| Type of Care | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| In-Home CareNon-medical caregiver, 44 hrs/week | ~$6,670 | ~$80,080 |
| In-Home CarePart-time, ~20 hrs/week | ~$3,030 | ~$36,400 |
| Adult Day CareHealth center, 5 days/week | ~$2,060 | ~$24,700 |
| Assisted LivingPrivate one-bedroom | ~$6,200 | ~$74,400 |
| Memory CareSecure dementia community | ~$7,400–$8,000 | ~$89,000–$96,000 |
| Nursing HomeSemi-private room | ~$9,580 | ~$114,975 |
| Nursing HomePrivate room | ~$10,800 | ~$129,575 |
Sources: CareScout / Genworth 2025 Cost of Care Survey (in-home, adult day, assisted living, nursing home). Memory care figures are national estimates compiled from A Place for Mom and SeniorLiving.org 2025–2026 data, which typically place memory care 20–30% above assisted living. Monthly in-home figures calculated at the $35/hour national median rate.
This is the most common starting point, and for good reason — most seniors want to stay in their own home. The national median for a non-medical caregiver (help with bathing, dressing, meals, and light housekeeping) is about $35 per hour. That's the number that surprises families: it sounds manageable until you multiply it out.
If skilled medical care is needed at home — wound care, injections, IV — that's a private-duty nurse, with a national median around $90/hour or about $160 per visit. That's a different budget entirely.
In-home care is usually cheaper until your loved one needs constant supervision. Once you cross roughly 40 hours a week of paid help, a facility with shared staffing often costs less than paying for one-on-one care at home. That crossover is the moment to re-run the math.
Assisted living bundles housing, meals, housekeeping, activities, and help with daily tasks into one monthly bill. The national median is about $6,200/month ($74,400/year). It's designed for seniors who need help but not round-the-clock medical care.
The catch to watch for: many communities advertise a base rate, then add "level of care" fees on top based on how much help your loved one actually needs. A quoted price can climb $500–$2,000/month once those tiers are applied. Always ask for the all-in number for your specific situation, not the starting rate on the brochure.
Memory care is assisted living built for dementia and Alzheimer's — secure entrances to prevent wandering, specially trained staff, and cognitive programming. That extra care carries a premium: nationally it runs 20–30% more than assisted living, landing most families somewhere around $7,400–$8,000/month, though quality communities in high-cost regions run well past $10,000.
If your loved one is already in assisted living and paying high "level of care" add-ons, moving into the memory care wing of the same community can sometimes cost less — because the specialized care is bundled into one rate instead of billed as extras. Ask the community to compare both options side by side.
A nursing home (skilled nursing facility) is the highest level of care — 24/7 medical supervision for people who can't be safely cared for elsewhere. It's the most expensive option: about $114,975/year for a semi-private room and $129,575/year for a private room. This is the number that drives most long-term-care financial planning.
Medicare does not pay for long-term custodial care. The everyday help most seniors need — bathing, dressing, eating, supervision — is not covered by Medicare, whether it's delivered at home, in assisted living, or in memory care.
Here's the line that matters. Medicare covers short-term skilled care: up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility after a qualifying hospital stay, plus things like short-term home health and hospice. It does not cover ongoing custodial care — the kind measured in months and years.
So who pays for long-term care? In practice, it's one of three sources: out of pocket, Medicaid (which covers long-term care but generally only after assets are nearly spent down), or a long-term care insurance policy bought years in advance. Understanding this gap early is the whole reason to read a page like this before you need it.
Before you spend a dollar, use the free resources built exactly for this. None of these cost anything, and most families have never heard of them.
Our sister site GovSifter.com walks through government benefit programs and assistance for seniors and families in plain language — a good next stop once you know which type of care you're weighing.
If you've decided a community may be the right path, finding the actual place is its own overwhelming project — comparing dozens of options, checking availability, and matching budget to care level. You don't have to do that part alone, and you don't have to pay for help with it.
A Place for Mom offers families personalized help finding senior living and home care at no cost to you, drawing on a large network of communities and providers. An advisor can narrow the options to fit your budget and care needs. It's free to the family, and you're never obligated to choose any community they suggest.
Disclosure: A Place for Mom is an advertising partner. If you connect with them through this link, CareSifter may earn a referral fee at no cost to you. Their advisors are typically paid by the communities they recommend, and they may follow up by phone.
For most families, the cheapest path is helping a loved one stay independent at home for as long as it's safe. The gap between "aging in place" and a $6,000+/month facility is enormous, and modest safety measures often buy years before a move becomes necessary.
That usually means a few practical upgrades: grab bars and better lighting, a plan for medications, and a way to call for help fast if something happens. A medical alert system, for example, runs roughly $30–$60/month — a rounding error next to facility care, and often the single thing that lets someone stay home confidently after a fall scare.
Answer 6 quick questions and get a personalized care plan matched to your family's exact situation — free, in about 90 seconds.
Take the Free Care Quiz →Cost figures on this page are national medians drawn from the CareScout / Genworth 2025 Cost of Care Survey and supplementary 2025–2026 industry data as noted. Medians are a middle reference point, not a quote — actual costs vary significantly by location, provider, and level of care. This page is for general information and is not financial, medical, or legal advice.