I know that the average stay in a nursing home is 1 year and that the average cost is $65,000 a year, so how can I afford this? What will Medicare pay for?
A. Medicare only pays for 20 days of nursing home care and with supplemental insurance another 80-100 days can sometimes be covered. If the average stay is 1 year, are you prepared to pay up to $65,000 for the remainder of the year? And what if the stay is longer? If this is a concern to you, we recommend that you consult a professional estate planner for long-term care. We know from experience that there are many options for seniors to pay for long-term care.