Westport, CT – October 30, 2007 – Nursing home costs increased 3% on average across the country in the last year, according to newly released data from the MetLife Mature Market Institute®.

Assisted living costs remained virtually unchanged at $2,969 per month or $35,628 yearly.

The 2007 MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home and Assisted Living Costs reported that the average cost of a private room in a nursing home was $213 per day or $77,745 annually, compared to $206 in 2006. Semi-private rooms edged up 3% as well from $183 per day to $189. Nursing home costs are the highest in Alaska at $510 daily and lowest in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at $123.

The monthly base rate for assisted living rose only one dollar on average from $2,968 in 2006. These costs were highest in the Washington, D.C. area at $5,031 per month and lowest in Indianapolis at $1,963. The study reports that base rates are often affected by facility size with smaller facilities reported to provide more services in the base price.

Also noteworthy is the fact that more assisted living facilities are providing dementia care (59% versus 48% in 2006) and that the additional costs for those services average $1,110 per month. The average monthly rate for facilities charging an extra fee for Alzheimer’s care is $4,270, or $51,240 annually.

"While nursing home costs have risen slightly higher than the rate of inflation, the base cost for assisted living has remained stable over the past year," said Sandra Timmermann, Ed.D., director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute. Timmermann added, "In many cases, special services for assisted living are added to the base price, so consumers should inquire about all costs when exploring their options."

Here are nursing home and assisted living costs by region throughout the U.S.: