How Much Does Senior Care Cost?
The cost of care is one of the biggest unknowns families face — and the options span an enormous range. Knowing the typical numbers up front makes it far easier to plan, compare, and avoid being blindsided. The calculator below estimates the monthly and yearly cost of every option using verified U.S. national median prices.
As a rough national picture (CareScout Cost of Care Survey, 2025): a non-medical in-home caregiver runs about $35/hour, adult day care about $95/day, assisted living about $6,200/month, and a nursing home about $315/day for a semi-private room. Memory care runs roughly 25% more than assisted living — about $6,690/month (A Place for Mom, 2026). Use the Care Needs Assessment first if you’re not sure which level of care fits.
One thing families almost always get wrong: Medicare does not pay for long-term care. It covers short-term skilled care (up to 100 days after a qualifying hospital stay), but not the ongoing custodial care most people need in assisted living, memory care, or a nursing home. That’s paid privately, through long-term-care insurance, or — for those who qualify by income and assets — Medicaid. About 70% of people turning 65 will need long-term care at some point, so it’s worth planning early.
These estimates use national medians; your area will vary. When you’re ready, an elder-law attorney or financial advisor can help with long-term-care planning, and the seniors living alone safety guide covers ways to extend safe, lower-cost independence at home.
How this tool works & sources
Estimates use U.S. national median costs from the CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025 (in-home care, adult day care, assisted living, and nursing home) and A Place for Mom (2026) for memory care, with Medicare/Medicaid coverage notes from Medicare.gov. This version uses national medians only — actual prices vary by state, city, provider, and level of care. It is a planning estimate, not financial advice.
- CareScout (formerly Genworth). Cost of Care Survey 2025 — national median care costs (last reviewed 2026-07-08)
- A Place for Mom. Cost of Memory Care (2026) (last reviewed 2026-07-08)
- Medicare.gov. Nursing home care & long-term care coverage (last reviewed 2026-07-08)
Use this tool on your website
Libraries, agencies, and senior-care sites are welcome to embed it — free, ad-free, and it collects no visitor data.
Important Disclaimer
These estimates use U.S. national median care costs and are for general planning and educational purposes. Actual prices vary significantly by state, city, provider, and level of care.
This is a cost estimate, not financial, legal, or tax advice. For decisions about paying for care, Medicaid eligibility, or long-term-care insurance, consult a qualified elder-law attorney or financial advisor who can review your specific situation.
Coverage rules for Medicare and Medicaid change and vary by state. Confirm current details at Medicare.gov and with your state Medicaid office.
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