Introduction:
This webpage is intended to aid Vermont residents in understanding the costs associated with elderly care throughout the state. Average costs of assisted living, home care, and adult day care will be covered. Programs that are available to aid in the cost of paying for senior care, both in-home and out-of-home, will also be discussed.
While the programs listed on this page are inclusive as to what is available from the state of Vermont, nationwide programs are also available for assistance. To assist one in searching for other available programs, such as those from non-profit and private organizations, and to find the best option for one’s needs and circumstances, don’t hesitate to use our free Resource Locator Tool.
Vermont Eldercare Costs for 2023
Assisted Living / Memory Care
As of 2021, per Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living statewide in Vermont is $5,310 / month. The Burlington metro area is above the statewide average and costs approximately $5,425 / month. Compared to the nationwide average of $4,300 / month for assisted living, the cost of assisted living in Vermont is quite high.
For those who have Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, memory care units in assisted living facilities are also available. These types of units, also referred to as Alzheimer’s care units, provide a higher level of care, supervision, and security. For these types of units, one should expect to pay approximately $1,062 – $1,593 / month more than the average cost of traditional assisted living facilities.
Home Care
In Vermont, as of 2021, according to the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the statewide hourly average rate for home care is $28.50. As with the cost of assisted living, this figure is quite high compared to the nationwide average for home care, which is just $23.50 / hour. The metro area of Burlington is on par with the state average at $28.50 / hour.
In addition to home care that is non-medical in nature, limited in-home medical care is also available. On average, this type of care costs approximately $.50 more per hour than does in-home non-medical care.
Adult Day Care
In 2021, Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey indicates the statewide average cost of adult day care in Vermont is $138 / day, which again, is quite high in comparison to the nationwide average of $74 / day.
Vermont Medicaid Financial Assistance Programs
Medicaid Programs & Waivers for the Elderly
Medicaid Programs & Waivers
Prior to learning about Medicaid based assistance, it is beneficial to understand what Medicaid is. Medicaid is a jointly funded federal and state health care program intended for low-income individuals. The federal government sets basic parameters for the program and each state administers the program as they see fit within the given parameters.
In the state of Vermont, the Medicaid program is called Green Mountain Care. The authority that operates the entire state’s Medicaid program is the Global Commitment to Health Waiver. For the elderly and disabled, benefits under this demonstration waiver include nursing home care and limited in-home personal care under the regular state Medicaid plan. Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver benefits, such as adult day care, personal care assistance, and home modifications, are also available under the Global Commitment to Health Waiver.
State Medicaid plan benefits, such as nursing home Medicaid, are entitlements, which means anyone who meets the eligibility requirements are able to receive services. HCBS waiver services, on the other hand, have enrollment caps and once a program has met the cap, a waitlist will form. The following programs are available through Vermont’s Medicaid program.
1. The Assistive Community Care Services (ACCS) Program is a state Medicaid option for Vermont residents who live in Level III residential care homes / assisted living facilities. Intended to delay or prevent nursing home placement, personal care assistance, light housecleaning, assistive therapy, routine nursing, and a number of other benefits are available.
2. The Attendant Services Program (ASP), another state plan option, provides in-home personal care assistance (bathing, dressing, mobility, etc.), light housecleaning, meal preparation, and grocery shopping, for disabled Vermont residents. This is a self-directed program, meaning eligible applicants hire, train, manage, and fire their own care providers. This includes friends and some family members.
3. Via the Adult Day Services Program, seniors are provided with adult day care. At these facilities, benefits may include daytime supervision, nursing services, personal assistance, meals, recreational activities, and transportation to and from the facility.
4. The High Technology Home Care Program provides skilled nursing services for Vermont residents who are elderly and disabled and require medical technology. Additional benefits include case management and caregiver training.
5. The Choices for Care (CFC) Waiver provides a variety of long-term care services for seniors in their personal homes, assisted living residences, or adult foster care homes. Personal care assistance, adult day care, respite care, home modifications, and personal emergency response systems are available benefits. The option for self-direction of care allows seniors to hire family members, even spouses, as caregivers. Within CFC, there is a Moderate Needs Group (MNG) Services Program, which provides benefits for both Medicaid and non-Medicaid Vermont residents. While CFC requires a nursing home level of care, CFC MNG does not. Instead, program participants must require some assistance to live independently. In addition to adult day care and homemaker services, flexible funding to promote independent living is provided. Flexible funding can be used for personal emergency response systems, home modifications, and to hire personal caregivers.
Medicaid Eligibility
For Vermont residents to be eligible for Medicaid, there are both income and asset limits. Make note, eligibility for the state Medicaid plan and Medicaid Waivers may differ. As of 2023, single applicants applying for the state Medicaid plan are allowed income up to $1,258 a month. For those residing in Chittenden County, the monthly income limit is slightly higher, with the income limit set at $1,358 a month. The asset limit is $2,000, which does not include the primary home in which one lives, given their equity interest is not valued at more than $688,000, their household items and personal goods, and a motor vehicle.
For married applicants of institutional (nursing home) Medicaid or a Medicaid Waiver, there are spousal impoverishment rules put into place to prevent non-applicant spouses from having too little from which to live. A Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMNA) allows applicant spouses to transfer up to $3,715.50 a month in income to their non-applicant (community) spouses. There is also a Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) that allows non-applicant spouses to retain up to $148,620 of the couple’s assets. This unfortunately isn’t as straightforward as it sounds, as there are rules and formulas in place to govern if, and how much, community spouses are allowed in respect to the MMNA and the CSRA.
Applying for Medicaid can be complicated, particularly if one is over the income and / or asset limit(s) or is married. In cases such as these, it is highly recommended one seek assistance from a professional Medicaid planner. Learn more here.
Vermont Non-Medicaid Assistance Programs
The state of Vermont also offers a number of non-Medicaid programs that provide assistance to senior residents.
1. The Healthy Vermonters and VPharm are Vermont’s state pharmaceutical assistance programs. Healthy Vermonters provides medications at a discounted rate with no monthly premiums, while VPharm (for seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D) does charge monthly premiums, but offers larger discounts.
2. Dementia Respite Care Grants provide primary caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s and related dementias financial assistance for respite care, which allows caregivers a break from caregiving duties. Respite care may be in-home or in an adult day care facility. Overnight respite care is also available.
3. The VCIL Home Access Program and the Sue Williams Freedom Fund is intended for disabled individuals who have limited income. Through the Home Access Program (HAP), home modifications, such as installation of wheelchair ramps and widening of doorways, are made possible. While the Sue Williams Freedom Fund (SWFF) is similar to HAP, it is available to assist in the cost of mobility aids, such as wheelchairs and walkers.
4. The Home Sharing Program is unique in that it pairs aging Vermont residents who wish to remain living at home with a housemate. In exchange for free or reduced rent, the individual provides care assistance, meal preparation, housecleaning, etc.
