As seniors age, the need for long-term care increases, particularly when a they cannot do the activities of daily living (ADL), such as getting dressed, bathing, or preparing meals. For these older adults, care in a nursing home or skilled-nursing facility (SNF) may be appropriate. But it’s one of the biggest expenses Medicare beneficiaries are likely to face. The median monthly cost to live in a nursing home is $7,908 for a semiprivate room, according to the AARP. The options for paying for such care are limited, says Lori Smetanka, executive director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group in Washington, D.C.
