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Aging-at-Home Cost Comparison Worksheet
Compare the true monthly cost of keeping a loved one at home vs. facility care — including the costs most families miss.
1 Paid Home Care Costs
Enter the costs you pay (or expect to pay) for professional in-home care services.
Primary aide / caregiver
Hours per week your primary aide works, multiplied by their hourly rate.
hrs/wk
×
$
/hr
=
$0/mo
Second aide (if applicable)
If you use a second shift, overnight, or weekend aide.
hrs/wk
×
$
/hr
=
$0/mo
Agency markup or management fee
Some agencies charge a percentage on top of the hourly rate, or a flat monthly coordination fee. Enter whichever applies.
$
/mo
Adult day care
Days per week attending an adult day program. National median: ~$108/day.
days/wk
×
$
/day
=
$0/mo
Home health (skilled, if any)
Monthly out-of-pocket for skilled nursing visits, PT/OT, or other medical home health services not covered by insurance.
$
/mo
Paid home care subtotal
$0/mo
2 Hidden Home Costs
These are the costs families typically miss when comparing home care to facility care. In a facility, most of these are bundled into the monthly rate.
Transportation
Rides to doctors, pharmacy, therapy, social activities. Include rideshare, mileage, medical transport, or gas costs.
trips/mo
×
$
/trip
=
$0/mo
Meals & nutrition
Delivered meals, groceries beyond normal household costs, nutritional supplements, special dietary needs.
$
/mo
Supplies & equipment
Incontinence products, wound care, medical supplies, mobility aids, monitoring devices. Average the monthly spend.
$
/mo
Home modifications (amortized)
Grab bars, ramps, stairlifts, bathroom renovations, smart home devices. Divide the total one-time cost by the expected months of use.
$
total
÷
months
=
$0/mo
Respite care
Relief care so the primary caregiver can rest, travel, or attend to their own needs.
days/mo
×
$
/day
=
$0/mo
Other recurring costs
Anything else: lawn care, housekeeping, laundry services, companion apps, medication management, etc.
$
/mo
Hidden home costs subtotal
$0/mo
3 Primary Contact Time Cost
This quantifies the family member's invisible labor — the coordination time that doesn't show up on any invoice but has a real economic value.
Hours per week on caregiving coordination
Include: phone calls, scheduling, portal checks, follow-ups, driving to appointments, managing helpers, researching options, handling insurance and billing, updating family members.
hrs/wk
Your approximate hourly rate
Your professional rate, or what your time is worth to you. US median: ~$30/hr. If you've reduced work hours or turned down opportunities because of caregiving, use your professional rate.
$
/hr
Monthly coordination cost
Hours/week × hourly rate × 4.33 weeks/month.
$0/mo
Opportunity cost notes
Describe any career impact: reduced hours, passed promotions, declined projects, lost clients, delayed retirement.
Why this number matters. This represents the value of time you're currently contributing for free. In facility care, coordination is handled by on-site staff. At home, your family absorbs it — and it often grows as care needs increase.
Your coordination time value
$0/mo
4 Facility Cost Comparison
Pre-filled with national medians (Genworth 2024). Edit any value to reflect your local rates or actual quotes.
Assisted Living
National median. Enter your local rate if you have a quote.
$
/mo
Memory Care
If applicable. Specialized dementia or Alzheimer's unit.
$
/mo
Nursing Home (semi-private)
Skilled nursing facility, shared room.
$
/mo
Nursing Home (private)
Skilled nursing facility, private room.
$
/mo
Facility costs typically include room, meals, housekeeping, personal care, basic transportation, and on-site coordination. These are bundled — you generally don't pay for them separately the way you do at home.
Compare home care against:
5 Side-by-Side Summary
Auto-calculated from the values above. Updates live as you enter numbers.
Home Care Total
Paid care
$0
Hidden costs
$0
Your time
$0
Total
$0/mo
Without your time: $0/mo
Facility Total
Assisted Living
$5,511
Total
$5,511/mo
Enter your costs above to see the comparison.
This comparison is approximate and based on national medians where you haven't entered local rates. Actual costs vary by location, provider, and individual needs. This is not financial advice.
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