Long Term Care for the Elderly in Vermont

Among the 50 U.S. states, Vermont has the lowest birth rate and a fast-growing elderly population that will require Vermont long term care in a couple of years or so.

According to the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL), the fastest growing segment of the elderly population is the 85 and older age bracket which is expected to increase 149% in 2030.

The increasing number of senior Vermonters should not be an issue since Vermont boasts a wide array of long term care (LTC) facilities that offer outstanding services. In other words, retirees and other people who are considering moving into this state and settle here for good with their families have more options in terms of LTC services.

Most if not all institutional LTC facilities in Vermont provide special intensive care units for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other health conditions that require specialized care.

In-home care is also much supported by the government as this is the preference of 90% of Americans over 50 years of age. Since not everybody receives care from paid caregivers, Vermont’s Aging Network will also see to it that the needs of family or unpaid caregivers are met.

Various health care agencies in Vermont are working together in hopes of attaining their goal which is to provide older Vermonters with the best care. Among these agencies that are constantly on their toes are the State Unit on Aging (SUA), Division of Disability and Aging Services (DDAS), and DAIL among others.

Apart from providing topnotch care to the elderly population, these agencies also aim to come up with plans that will help Vermonters afford the very high cost of care which is currently threatening their finances.

Vermont Long Term Care Costs

Like its neighboring states in the New England region, Vermont offers very high LTC costs. Individuals who are looking at receiving care 20 or 30 years from dread the cost of care by then because at present the rates of nursing homes, home health care, and community-based care are already too much to bear.

Based on the 2011 Cost of Care Survey which was conducted by Genworth Financial, the median annual rate of a private nursing home room in this state is $100,375 while a semi-private room would cost around $90,000.

Now if you happen to be a resident in the Burlington Area you are compelled to pay out a bigger chunk of money every year as the smallest annual rate for a private nursing home room in this city is $106,160.

If you think you will manage to save more money if you will opt for in-home care, the difference is not that big at all.

Vermonters who are currently receiving home care pay out $25 per hour to get assistance with the activities of daily living (ADL) from a home health aide. Meanwhile, those living alone and can no longer perform household chores pay an additional $24 for homemaker services, which is another form of LTC that covers meal preparation, housecleaning, and laundry service among others.

Vermont long term care is no doubt expensive so you have to plan for it intelligently. Consult your family and study your options very carefully.