- A new study ranked states based on the number of nursing homes, occupancy rates and the cost of the residence.
- Some states charge tens of thousands of dollars more for care than others
A new study has revealed the ten best states for accessing senior care.
Florida is widely known as the retirement capital of the US, but it doesn’t even make the top ten in surprising new research from hospital bed makers SonderCare.
The top three places are Iowa, Oklahoma and Missouri.
The study evaluated states on the number of nursing homes per 100,000 residents, occupancy rates, costs and deficiencies, which are defined as problems that can affect the health and safety of residents.
SonderCare CEO Kyle Sobko said, “This data provides a clear view of which states currently offer the best access to senior care and outlines the factors that contribute to this.”
Iowa Tops List for Best Place to Access Senior Care
The rural South and Great Plains rounded out the top ten in the SonderCare study
Rural southern and Great Plains states, such as Iowa, made up the majority of the top ten in the study.
At the top of the list, with a score of 70.67 out of 100, is Iowa.
The state has 412 nursing homes and 112 rest centers per 100,000 inhabitants.
A private room in a nursing home costs just $7,452 a month on average.
Iowa, Oklahoma, with a score of 66.06, and Missouri, with 63.34, follow closely.
The rest of the top ten is completed by Louisiana (59.95), South Dakota (58.35), Kansas (57.02), Montana (56.67), North Carolina (53.49), Wisconsin (53, 46) and Nebraska (53.07).
Meanwhile, California came in last place with a score of just 18.61.
The state’s poor rating is due to the high cost of a room (more than $12,000 a month for a private room) and the high number of deficiencies in each home.
Also in the bottom five are Alaska, Connecticut, West Virginia and Hawaii.
Sobko said, “The most surprising finding of this study is that Alaska overwhelmingly ranks as the most expensive state for senior care, both semi-private and private.”
“The cost of a room in a private nursing home in Alaska is $31,512 per month, which is more than $16,300 more than the second most expensive state, Connecticut.”
Missouri came in third for its affordable rooms and high-quality care.
Oklahoma came in second behind Iowa.
Florida, meanwhile, ranked 41st with a score of 26.85.
And although it didn’t make the top ten, it’s known as the retirement capital of the country for a reason.
It has no low tax burden, no estate, inheritance or income taxes for retired Americans. Florida also has the lowest poverty rate among people 65 and older in the United States.
In addition to financial factors, it ranks high in quality of life, with many adult volunteer activities, theater companies, golf courses, and country clubs.
Colorado, Virginia and Delaware offer equally favorable terms for taxpayers, with no estate or inheritance taxes on seniors.