Pick a type of care, add how much of it you'd need, and see the estimated annual and multi-year cost — based on real 2025 national median rates. Everything is calculated right here in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.
| Care type | Rate | Annual (national median) | YoY change |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-home caregiver (non-medical) | $35/hour | $80,080 (at 44 hrs/week × 52 weeks) | +3% |
| Adult day health care | $95/day | ~$24,700 (at 5 days/week × 52 weeks) | -5% |
| Assisted living community | $6,200/month | $74,400 | +5% |
| Nursing home, semi-private room | $315/day ($9,581/month) | $114,975 | +3% |
| Nursing home, private room | $355/day ($10,798/month) | $129,575 | +1% |
Source: CareScout/Genworth Cost of Care Survey, conducted July–November 2025 (national medians). See the CareScout Cost of Care Survey for full methodology, state-by-state data, and rate trends.
Most people end up paying for long-term care through a mix of sources rather than one single plan. Long-term care insurance, if purchased years in advance, can cover some or all of in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home costs once you meet the policy's benefit trigger (usually needing help with a certain number of daily activities). Not everyone has a policy, and premiums and coverage vary a lot by when and where you bought one — see our guide on whether long-term care insurance is worth it for how to think through that decision.
For people without insurance or savings large enough to cover care for years, Medicaid becomes the primary payer for many — but only after meeting strict state-specific income and asset limits, often through a "spend-down" process where countable assets are reduced to qualify. Rules differ significantly by state, and having no family member to help navigate the process adds another layer of complexity. Our article on Medicaid planning when you have no family advocate walks through what that process tends to involve.
Private pay — using savings, retirement income, investments, or home equity — is how most people cover care costs, at least initially, before other coverage kicks in. Homeowners sometimes look at a reverse mortgage as one way to convert home equity into funds for care without having to sell or move immediately. Veterans and some surviving spouses may also qualify for an added VA benefit called Aid & Attendance, paid on top of a wartime pension for those who need help with daily activities; our article on veteran's benefits for long-term care explains the eligibility basics.
There's rarely a single "right" way to pay for care — the combination that makes sense depends on your health, assets, family situation, and state of residence. Starting the math early, with real numbers like the ones in this calculator, gives you more options and more time to plan.