This page reflects Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey 2021. Please check back for updated trends and insights based on 2023 data in the coming weeks.
Since 2004, families across America have counted on us to help them understand the cost of care.
Our research in 435 cities and towns across all 50 states has not only helped individuals plan for their own care but helped policymakers with forecasting and legislative reform. In 2021, the 18th year of the survey, the United States continued to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and the national median costs associated with all long-term care service providers increased compared to 2020 data.
| Type of Service | Rate Type | 2021 National Median Values | 2020 National Median Values | Year-Over-Year Increase | Five Year Annual Compound Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homemaker | Hourly | $26 | $24 | 10.64% | 5.39% |
| Home Health Aide | Hourly | $27 | $24 | 12.50% | 5.92% |
| Adult Day Services | Daily | $78 | $74 | 5.41% | 2.78% |
| Assisted Living Facility | Monthly | $4,500 | $4,300 | 4.65% | 4.40% |
| Nursing Home Semi-Private Room | Monthly | $7,800 | $7,650 | 1.96% | 2.93% |
| Nursing Home Private Room | Monthly | $8,910 | $8,700 | 2.41% | 3.25% |
Why Cost of Care is Increasing
Since we started tracking the cost of care in 2004, long term care services have been on the rise. Certainly, though, the last two years have brought new challenges to a challenging landscape. While already experts in caring for vulnerable populations, in response to COVID-19 care providers increased their use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and enhanced their trainings and protocols to meet the health and safety concerns of their clientele. Costs associated with those measures, as well as compliance with guidelines and regulations, contribute to increases in rates seen this year. These COVID-19-related costs, though, are expected to dissipate over time and represent a small proportion of the overall increase in the 2021 rates.
The core driver of increases in the cost of care services remains supply and demand. Every day until 2030, 10,000 Baby Boomers will turn 651 and seven out of ten of them will require long-term care services at some point2. The level of care needed by this rapidly aging population has itself increased over the years3. The high turnover rate and insufficient supply of professionals to meet this growing demand pre-date the COVID-19 pandemic4, but are now amplified as those providing care on the frontline must consider their own risk of exposure against increasing opportunities for competitive salaries in alternative lines of work.
Genworth Cost of Care 2004 - 2021
In-Home Care Costs5
National hourly cost for a Home Health Aide in 20216
The median yearly cost of in-home care in the United States in 2021 was $61,776 for a Home Health Aide and $59,488 for Homemaker services. The hourly rate for a Home Health Aide ranged from $19 in West Virginia to $36 in Minnesota.
Private Room Nursing Home Costs7
Annual National Median cost for a
Nursing Home Private Room in 20217
The median yearly cost of a private room in a nursing home in the United States in 2021 was $108,405. The daily rate for a private room in a nursing home ranged from $195 in Missouri to $1,036 in Alaska.
Assisted Living Facility Costs8
Annual National Median cost for Assisted Living Facility care services in 20218
The median yearly cost of care in an Assisted Living Facility in the United States in 2021 was $54,000. The monthly rate for assisted living facility care ranged from $3,000 in Missouri to $6,978 in the District of Columbia.
