Senior custodial care expenses are climbing fast. According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, median private-pay costs for home care and assisted living rose by nearly 50% between 2019 and 2024. That kind of inflation can outpace Social Security and retirement income for many households.
If you are planning for care in San Antonio or anywhere in Texas, it helps to start with trusted cost tools:
- LongTermCare.gov for national education on long term care needs and payment options
- The AARP Long-Term Care Cost Calculator to compare local nursing home, assisted living, and home aide cost ranges
Why Costs Are Skyrocketing
Surging rates. Recent market surveys put national median averages near $35 per hour for in-home aides and about $70,800 per year for assisted living. Exact numbers vary by city, provider, and level of care.
Outpacing income. Long term care cost inflation has been rising faster than the income growth of many senior households. When care costs climb while income stays flat, families feel the gap quickly.
Labor shortages. High demand for caregivers paired with a limited pool of healthcare workers continues to push wages and service prices higher.
Navigating the Rising Bills
Medicare does not cover custodial care. Original Medicare generally does not pay for long term help with bathing, dressing, eating, and other activities of daily living. Those out-of-pocket costs can drain retirement savings faster than families expect.
Medicaid is a last-resort path for many. Medicaid can cover custodial care for people who qualify, but applicants often must spend down assets first. That is why many families look for a cash-benefit recovery strategy earlier, while they still have choices.
Elder Care Cash is designed to help families prepare for those gaps with cash benefits that can be used for home care, assisted living, and nursing recovery when care is needed. Check your ZIP code on our homepage to see what is available where you live, or call us for a no-obligation sample premium.
Sources: AARP Public Policy Institute reporting on LTSS affordability (2019-2024), LongTermCare.gov, and the AARP Long-Term Care Cost Calculator. Figures are educational medians and change over time.