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Nursing Home Communities in Washington, District Of Columbia
Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States, and it’s situated on the banks of the Potomac River. The city has a population of about 705,000, and about 12% of residents are aged 65 or older. It has a humid, subtropical climate with hot summers. However, the cold winters are perfect for seniors who enjoy snowy weather. Seniors in Washington have access to the Inova Fairfax Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center, which are both ranked in one specialty by US News.
Nursing homes are best-suited to seniors who require a high level of care and medical assistance due to frailty, an illness or a long-term disability. The type of care provided in a nursing home results in a higher cost. According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020, the average monthly rate for nursing home care in Washington is $11,726 for a semiprivate room and $13,059 for a private room. Family members may want to look into other care options such as home care or assisted living for their loved ones.
This guide looks at the cost of nursing home care and other care options in Washington, D.C.
What you can do with Caring
The Cost of Nursing Home Care in Nearby Cities
Nursing home care in a semiprivate room is significantly more per month on average in Washington, D.C., than in the average American city, with a cost difference of about $4,000 between Washington, D.C. and the national average of $7,756.Â
However, the average monthly cost of nursing home care is similar in the neighboring cities of Baltimore, Maryland ($11,984), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ($11,285) and New York, New York ($11,771). The average monthly cost of care is lower in nearby Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at $9,125.Â
Washington, D.C.
$11,726
The United States
$7,756
Baltimore, MD
$11,984
Philadelphia, PA
$11,285
New York, NY
$11,771
Pittsburgh, PA
$9,125
Nursing Home Costs in Washington, DC
The average monthly cost of nursing home care in Washington, D.C., is $11,726 for a semiprivate room and $13,059 for a private room.
Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care in Washington, D.C.
Many seniors and their families use some form of financial assistance to help them pay for nursing care. The main options available are Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits. These programs can be complicated, especially when it comes to benefit terms. Below, we give a brief overview of how these programs may be used towards paying for skilled nursing care.
- Medicare: Medicare will typically cover all skilled nursing costs for the first 20 days of one’s stay in a nursing home and a portion of the costs until day 100. After 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will not cover any part of the cost of the stay. While this is adequate when short-term care is needed, those in need of long-term care will need to either pay out-of-pocket or use another source of financial assistance.
- Medicaid: Medicaid covers most of the costs of living in a skilled nursing facility for those who qualify. Care, room, and board are covered with no time limit, but residents may be charged for extras like specially prepared food or cosmetic services. Medicaid eligibility standards are strict and complex, so not all seniors are eligible for Medicaid benefits.
- Veterans Benefits: Veterans receiving a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit administered by the VA. Aid and Attendance is a monthly allowance that beneficiaries may use to pay for their long-term care, including skilled nursing care.
If these options aren’t available to you, check if your loved one has long-term care insurance or contact your Area Agency on Aging to ask about any local financial assistance programs for seniors.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Seniors and their family members may be interested in looking at other care options besides nursing home care. The cheapest senior care option is adult day care, at an average of $1,744 per month. Assisted living is a popular choice for those who don’t need medical care around the clock, at an average cost of $6,000 per month. Homemaker services and home health aide services cost a monthly average of $4,601 and $4,767, respectively. The most expensive option is nursing home care, at an average monthly cost of $11,726 for a semiprivate room and $13,059 for a private room.
Adult day health care
$1,744
Assisted living
$6,000
Home care
$4,601
Home health care
$4,767
Nursing home (semiprivate room)
$11,726
Nursing home (private room)
$13,059
Free Resources for Seniors in Washington, D.C.
A number of free resources in Washington, D.C., may be of interest to seniors in the area and assist them in safely remaining in their homes for a longer period of time.Â
| Resource | Contact | Service |
|---|---|---|
| SOME | (202) 797-8806 | So Others Might Eat is a charity organization in Washington. It runs volunteer programs to help maintain the well-being of seniors and help them safely live in their homes for as long as possible. The organization runs a senior center where seniors can participate in many activities, including fitness classes, community trips and health seminars. Lunch is provided each day for those partaking in activities. The homebound senior program provides active case management and includes regular needs assessments, accompaniment to medical appointments and weekly calls. |
| IONA | (202) 895-9448 | IONA is a nonprofit that aims to assist seniors to live well and age well. It provides a number of community services, including adult day health services, care management and nutrition programs. Additionally, it offers a wellness program at a St.Albans senior center, which includes fitness classes and healthy eating seminars. |
| D.C. Gov | (202) 724-5626 | The D.C Department of Aging has a range of services to help seniors in the city, including a nutrition program, transportation, home safety adaptations and adult protective services. It operates a number of senior centers around the city where seniors can enjoy a free hot meal each day and take part in many activities such as fitness classes, technology classes, field trips and health care lectures. All services provided by the agency are free. The nutrition program delivers free meals to homebound seniors throughout the city who are unable to prepare a meal for themselves. |
Reviews of Communities Nearby
Nursing Homes
SuburbanShopper
1.0
Review of Serenity Rehabilitation and Health Cente
Staff had arguments with each other in hallways Random patients wander into your room though you don’t know them Nasty nursing assistants Incompetent staff Dirty rooms When you click the call...
Nursing Homes
Mark
3.0
Review of Serenity Rehabilitation and Health Cente
I'm at Serenity Rehabilitation and Health Center for rehab. Some of the nurses are very nice and responsive for the most part. Management is a whole different story, and the food is not the best....
Nursing Homes
Randy Watts
5.0
Review of Rock Creek Manor Nursing Center
I was the legal guardian for 2 people whom I had to place at Rock Creek Manor Nursing Home. They were very helpful and attentive with both of the residents. My brother, who was psychotic was one...
