Long Term Care in Iowa – Cost & Insurance Options

When an aging parent or someone else close to you reaches a point where they need skilled nursing care, we’re faced with the question: How can I get this person the best long term care in Iowa without putting immense financial burden on myself or loved one?

For seniors living in Iowa, who tend to have fewer financial resources than other age groups, this question can be particularly harrowing. According to a 2021 survey by Genworth**, the average median cost of long term care services in Iowa can range anywhere from $16,237 to $89,425 per year, depending on the type of care you need.

Regardless, most families don’t have this kind of money lying around.

Luckily, financial options exist to help ease the burden of long term care costs for Iowa residents. Most facilities work directly with long term care insurance companies to help pay for long term care services, if you have a policy.

So when does long term care insurance make sense for your family? And what type of services does long term care insurance cover in Iowa?

In this article, we’ll help you decide by reviewing common types of long term care services covered by insurance, and their average cost in Iowa. For more information on long term care in general, check out our full long term care guide.

Nursing Homes in Iowa

Nursing homes are a common choice in Iowa for people who can no longer live on their own. They offer around the clock medical care and are best suited for people with serious health conditions that require constant monitoring and attention.

Generally, nursing homes offer two types of rooms you can purchase: private or semi-private rooms.

Purchasing a private room in a nursing home guarantees your loved one will have a space all to themselves. However, in most states this comes at a 30% cost increase over other options.

On average, purchasing a private nursing home room in Iowa will cost you $89,425 annually. That equates to $245 every day.

On the other hand, a semi-private nursing home room in Iowa typically costs $82,490 annually. That brings the average daily cost for a semi-private room in Iowa to $226.

The good news is that across Iowa, nursing homes tend to be the most expensive long term care option you can purchase. For more information, see our full breakdown of nursing home costs across Iowa.

Iowa’s Assisted Living Facilities

If you or a loved one is having trouble living independently, but don’t need 24-hour skilled nursing care, you may be better suited for one of Iowa’s highly regarded assisted living facilities.

Assisted living is a residential option for adults who want to maintain independence, but need some help with daily activities. It’s an alternative to nursing homes or living alone in your own home. Activities these facilities may assist with include bathing, dressing, cooking meals, medication management, transportation, and housekeeping.

Though not right for every situation, assisted living facilities are typically a cheaper long term care option in Iowa than nursing homes. The median monthly cost of an assisted living facility in Iowa is $4,367 per month, which equates to $52,404 for an entire year.

For more information, see our full breakdown of assisted living costs across Iowa.

Adult Day Health Care in Iowa

The goal of adult day care is to enhance the quality of life for the participant while supporting caregivers.

Iowa’s adult day care programs are not designed to provide 24-hour support. Rather, they provide day time supervision, medical assistance, and social programs for adults in a community-based group setting. Services may range from nursing care, to recreational programs, to physical and occupational therapy.

If you’re a caregiver in Iowa looking for a little extra support, adult day care may be a great option for you. Prices for this type of care typically cost around $62 per day. And the previously mentioned Genworth survey found that the median cost for a full year of adult day care in Iowa was $16,237.

For more information, see our full breakdown of adult day care costs across Iowa.

Iowa’s In-Home Services

There are two types of common in-home services covered by long term care insurance in Iowa: homemaker services and home health aides.

Homemaker services are intended to assist with household tasks that the person cannot do by themselves. This may include such tasks as meal preparation, cleaning, and running errands.

Home health aides, on the other hand, focus more on personal care tasks. They may help with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, and administering medication. Sometimes their duties may include homemaker services as well, but the big difference between the two is the level of personal care the patient may receive.

Since these types of in-home services do not offer around the clock support, they are usually billed by the hour.

The typical cost of a home health aide or homemaker in Iowa is approximately $29 per hour.

For a full year of service, the median annual cost of a home health aide in Iowa is $66,924, while the median cost of a homemaker in Iowa is $66,352.

For more information, see our full breakdown of homemaker and home health aide service costs across Iowa.

How can long term care insurance help?

Examining your long term care needs and planning around them is a daunting task. Getting the right coverage can help ensure you have the support you need when the time comes, which is why it’s so important to have expert help well before you need it.

Policy Solver partners with the best carriers and agents in Iowa, to ensure you get the right coverage, at the right price.

Schedule a free consultation today to begin browsing your options. Our brokers are waiting to answer your questions and help you find the best coverage at the lowest price, guaranteed.