Sources and methodology

The calculator answers one question: how quickly long-term care could use the assets you count, and how an insurance design changes that draw. The links below are the authorities behind the supporting sections. They are not part of the year-by-year math.

24-hour home care

Published home-care medians are for about 44 hours a week. This model does not multiply that rate by 168 hours (168 ÷ 44 = 3.82). Around-the-clock care is priced as an illustrative live-in schedule of about 18 paid hours a day: two daytime shifts, with overnight presence not billed as a third full hourly shift. 18 × 7 = 126 hours a week, and 126 ÷ 44 = 2.86, shown as 2.8 times the 44-hour annual median. Agencies also use daily live-in rates and different shift patterns. Confirm a local quote. This is not an agency price.

Facility and assisted-living figures are annualized from monthly planning medians (monthly amount × 12). Confirm the location on the LTC News Cost of Care Calculator.

Care costs

Long-term care insurance

Medicare and Medicaid

Tax

Veterans

Professional verification

Government program benefits, eligibility standards, and laws may change. Verify current requirements with the appropriate government agency or qualified professional.

← Back to calculator