The MetLife Mature Market Institute® recently released its national survey of adult day services and home care costs which found that the national average daily rate for adult day services is $64, up $3 per day or 5% from 2007. The national average hourly rate for home health aides is $20,a $1 or 5% increase from 2007. The 2008 national average hourly homemaker/companion rate is $18, unchanged from last year. This year’s study includes expanded coverage of statewide averages for all 50 states, in addition to rates for each state’s largest metropolitan regions.
The maximum reported daily costs for adult day services are highest in the state of Vermont ($141 daily) and lowest in Montgomery area, Alabama ($27). For both home care categories, rates are lowest in Shreveport area, Louisiana ($12) and highest in two areas of Minnesota – Minneapolis/St. Paul ($$28) for home health aides and Rochester ($26) for homemaker/companions. Rate variances reflect regional cost differences, local demand and pricing practices, services included, and differences in state-level reporting requirements.
“The trend toward older persons desiring to stay in their homes or ‘age in place’ has increased the demand for in-home care and other programs and services available during the day,” said Sandra Timmermann, Ed.D.,
director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute. “We are closely watching this data and the trends in this industry as new adult day centers are opening in virtually all parts of the country. According to the National
Adult Day Services Association (NADSA), there are more than 3,500 centers nationwide helping more than 150,000 Americans each day. This form of care has gained prominence as caregivers realize that these facilities
provide a less costly alternative to nursing homes and in-home care. They also allow people to continue to live in their homes while giving their caregivers the time during the day to work or take a few hours off, and they
provide socialization for the care recipient.”
For more information on the press release, click here.
