Americans lack awareness of LTC price tag, survey finds

Most Americans are clueless when it comes to identifying long-term care costs, a new survey finds.

Only 8% of respondents in an AARP survey could reasonably estimate the cost of nursing home care. Less than one-quarter could estimate the cost of assisted living or knew the cost of an in-home visit by a skilled nurse. A total of 60% of respondents aged 45 and older were somewhat familiar with available long-term care services.

AARP plans to use the survey as a tool to educate the public and policymakers about the issue. For more on the survey, go to http://www.aarp.org/research/press-center/presscurrentnews/long_term_care_report.html.