Georgia Home Care Costs Among the Nation's Lowest

/PRNewswire/ -- According to Genworth's 2010 Cost of Care Survey, home care costs, as well as the costs of other long term care services, are lower in Georgia than they are nationally. The median annual rate for home care costs in Georgia is $38,896 statewide, about 11 percent below the median annual rate of $43,472 nationally.(1) Georgia is the 7th most affordable state for home care services, along with Idaho and Kentucky.

This is important to note given that a majority of Americans prefer to receive care in the home. According to another Genworth survey conducted earlier this year, when asked to identify the setting most preferred to receive long term care, 78 percent chose the home; 18 percent chose assisted living, and only 2 percent selected a nursing home.(2)

"Long term care is not just about nursing homes anymore," said Buck Stinson, President, U.S. Life Insurance Products at Genworth. "For many Georgia residents, the ability to live independently is critical to maintaining quality of life. Preparing for the expenses associated with one's preferred care setting is a key factor in retirement planning," he added.

Now in its 35th year of providing long term care insurance to American families, Genworth's annual Cost of Care Survey helps raise public awareness of the costs associated with various care options across the U.S. In Georgia, the survey includes information on long term care costs in 15 regions.

Georgia Cost of Care Survey Findings

  Home Health Aide Services (Licensed)

Statewide, costs are rising at a rate of 1 percent annually over the past five years. This compares to an annual increase of 2 percent nationally over the same period.(3) Costs in Columbus are 17 percent lower than nationally.

Select Regions                       Median Hourly Rate
  Georgia-Statewide                                   $17
  Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta                      $19
  Augusta-Richmond County                             $16
  Columbus                                            $16
  --------                                            ---
  US National                                         $19
  -----------                                         ---


  Assisted Living (One Bedroom/Single Occupancy)

Annual cost increases across the state are lower than they are nationally over the past five years (costs in Georgia have remained relatively flat compared to 7 percent across the U.S.) (3) Costs in the Augusta area are 44 percent lower than nationally.

Select Regions                    Median Annual Rate(4)
  Georgia-Statewide                               $28,200
  Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta                  $33,000
  Augusta-Richmond County                         $21,300
  Columbus                                        $24,450
  --------                                        -------
  US National                                     $38,220
  -----------                                     -------


  Nursing Home (Private Room)

Statewide, nursing home costs are significantly lower than national levels. The annual increase in the cost for this type of care in Georgia is 5 percent over the past five years, in line with the national increase.(3)

Select Regions                    Median Annual Rate(5)
  Georgia-Statewide                               $61,926
  Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta                  $62,134
  Augusta-Richmond County                         $63,875
  Columbus                                        $56,747
  --------                                        -------
  US National                                     $75,190
  -----------                                     -------


  Adult Day Health Care

  Costs for this type of care are lower statewide than they are nationally.




  Select Regions                    Median Annual Rate(6)
  Georgia-Statewide                               $14,300
  Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta                  $14,300
  Augusta-Richmond County                         $13,879
  Columbus                                            N/A
  --------                                            ---
  US National                                     $15,600
  -----------                                     -------

Let's Talk

To help families plan more effectively for potential long term care needs, Genworth Financial launched its national "Let's Talk" campaign in 2009.

"The first step in developing a comprehensive long term care plan is to speak with loved ones about the impact that a long term illness would have on them, emotionally and financially," added Mr. Stinson. "Genworth's 2010 Cost of Care Survey, when used in conjunction with the resources available at caringtalk.com, provides families with a complete tool kit for mapping out a comprehensive long term care plan that addresses these concerns."

About Genworth's 2010 Cost of Care Survey

Genworth's Cost of Care Survey is the most comprehensive of its kind, covering nearly 13,000 long term care providers in 436 regions nationwide. It surveys the cost of long term care across the U.S. to help Americans plan for the potential costs associated with the various types of care available in their preferred location and setting.

CareScout, acquired by Genworth in June 2008, has conducted the survey since 2004.

Genworth's 2010 Cost of Care Survey was conducted during January, February and March 2010.

Full results of Genworth's 2010 Cost of Care Survey, including an interactive map of the cost of care in all 50 states and 436 regions, and other useful tools and information is available online at Genworth.com/CostofCare2010.

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