Skilled Nursing Care Demographics in Rhode Island
Nearly 8,000 people reside in Rhode Island’s 84 nursing homes and skilled nursing care facilities at any single point in time.
They are mostly independent facilities (60.7%), although a large minority belong to a multi-facility organization (39.3%). Nearly eight in 10 (78.6%) RI nursing homes are for-profit.
Residents are predominantly female (72.1%) and non-Hispanic white (93.4%).
More than half (55.5%) are aged 75 or older.
In 2012, RI nursing home costs averaged $8,517 per month for a shared room and $9,277 per month for a private room. Source: Rhode Island Journal of Medicine: The Nuts and Bolts of Long-Term Care in Rhode Island: Demographics, Services and Costs (March 2015)
WHAT ABOUT BEING ABLE TO RECEIVE CARE AT HOME UNDER THE MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM?
Rhode Island has a program called SSI Enhanced Assisted Living Program that provides up to approximately $1,200 / month to be put toward the cost of assisted living. However, this is not a Medicaid program. RI does have a Medicaid program called RIte @ Home which offers 24/7 personal care in a residential environment but not in assisted living communities. Finally, the state’s Home and Community Care Medicaid Waiver also covers assisted living.
Nursing Home Demographics
Elderly Rhode Island residents can receive a variety of care services and support through the Home and Community Care Program. This program is intended as an alternative to nursing homes. The services are provided to individuals living at home or “in the community”. By the rules of the program, “in the community” includes assisted living residences. The benefits of the program are designed to support individuals at home. This program provides adult day care, in-home care, meal delivery services and medical alert services.
This program is under the jurisdiction of the Rhode Island Division of Elderly Affairs and is funded through a combination of state and federal monies.
Want to learn more about how nursing home skilled nursing and the Waiver Program may impact you and your family? Contact our office for a free consultation.
