Figuring out the cost of in-home care in Anchorage can seem daunting and shocking. However, we all know finances and expenses play a big role in the decisions we make about caring for aging loved ones.
Often, we know that in-home health care has reached its limits and that our loved ones would be better off in the trusted care of a vibrant senior living facility. Especially when there are needs involving memory care or acuity care, the cost for 24-hour caregivers may not be appropriate.
The good news is that a senior living community is probably much more cost-effective than you think. Often, people are intimidated by hearing the total cost of all-inclusive pricing and don’t take into consideration or are not aware of what the total cost of in-home health care amounts to.
It‘s time to compare the cost of 24/7 in-home care and consider all the advantages that a senior community like Baxter Senior Living in Anchorage, Alaska provides. We can give your family and senior loved one service that home health care in Anchorage can not.
The Cost of Maintaining a Household
One of the biggest expenses of in-home care is the home the senior is being cared for in. The average monthly mortgage price in Anchorage, Alaska, combined with property taxes and homeowner’s insurance, is $2,185.
That number is just the price of having the house. There are other costs to be considered as well, such as:
- Home maintenance
- Lawncare and landscaping
- Snow and ice removal
- Security and fire protection
All these services combined cost around $550 per month. Properly working utilities are also needed. Maintaining heat, electricity, trash, water, and sewage is necessary, but so are utilities for communication such as cable, internet, and telephone. These bills together cost around $700 per month.
All told, maintaining the typical household a senior lives in will cost around $3,435 per month.
Baxter Senior Living offers spacious and accessible one-bedroom, studio, and shared apartments with different floor plans. Our community is located in the beautiful foothills of the Chugach Mountains and has well-landscaped grounds that include a pavilion, gardens, and building maintenance. Cable, Wi-Fi, a private phone line, and all other utilities are included.
Additional Life Expenses Before Paying for Home Care
A senior living at home will likely spend around $500 a month on food, but this number doesn’t account for expensive delivery fees that may be paid if your loved one is looking for a little variety or better quality in their meals. Light housekeeping and laundry services will add an additional $375.
Often, families try to cut corners on these services, which often results in these things not being attended to or family members having to overextend themselves to get it done.
Entertainment and transportation costs and expenses for things that support personal care, such as gym memberships, should also be considered. For most seniors, this adds another $685. The total costs associated with choosing a lifestyle dependent on in-home health care starts to add up.
What do home caregivers do?
A home health aide may do light housekeeping or help make a meal. The aide will likely also run errands for the senior.
Home caregivers are also important because they become friends with the seniors they care for and provide a sense of companionship when they visit.
Some older adults require more intensive services if they have chronic conditions or are returning from a nursing home. More specialized caregivers will be required to provide a higher type of medical care.
The cost of home care will depend on how often services are needed. Seniors who need help with chores may only need a few hours per week, while others will require 24/7 care.
How much does 24/7 in-home care cost?
Understanding the cost of 24/7 in-home care is crucial when planning for senior care. Here’s a breakdown to help you:
The national 24-hour in-home care cost:
- A home health aide at 168 hours per week costs approximately $24,024 per month.*
- This translates to an hourly rate of about $35.72.
The cost for 24-hour caregivers in Alaska:
- A home health aide providing 168 hours per week costs around $25,116 per month.
- The hourly rate for an overnight caregiver in Alaska is approximately $37.50.
Residents in assisted living communities have a different experience.
Baxter Senior Living provides 24-hour support by trained team members and full-time licensed nurses. We give residents personalized care plans for activities of daily living, daily wellness checks, and tons of enrichment activities and social events. We also partner with local home care agencies to provide more advanced services.
Our community offers comprehensive services and amenities for only $6,250 per month, covering everything a senior could need.
Advantages of a Senior Living Community
There are also many advantages to living in a senior community that should be considered. The floor plans of the apartments are designed for seniors and are spacious and accessible allowing for more independence.
Friendships are formed as the residents experience life together, relate to one another, and share in milestones and holidays as a community. Baxter Senior Living residents take bus trips to local places of interest, varying from outdoor experiences to shopping to shows.
We are very proud of the three meals a day we offer. The food is hot, fresh, and made to order. There is weekly housekeeping and linen service and scheduled personal transportation to doctor’s appointments and weekly outings. The campus offers various entertainment options, including a movie theatre, coffee bar, sunroom, and craft studio.
Sadly, seniors are most often limited by a misplaced belief that hanging on to the home they have lived in for many years will give them independence. It is often that very home that is limiting and keeps the senior from being mobile, social, and living a full and independent life.
Assisted Living Provides Value Over 24/7 Home Health Care Costs
When you compare the hourly rate for overnight caregiver to assisted living, the value is clear. Contact us to arrange a tour of Baxter Senior Living in Anchorage, AK.
*Figures taken from the 2023 Genworth Cost of Care Survey.
