How much does long-term care cost in Ohio?

Costs vary by city and level of care, and they rise most years. Directionally: regular in-home help costs thousands a month, assisted living more, and full nursing care commonly crosses into six figures a year. A multi-year need, which is common, can rival what many families spent on their house.

The bigger surprise is who pays. Medicare covers short rehabilitative stays, not long-term custodial care. Medicaid helps only after most assets are spent down. The default plan, for most families, is 'our savings and our kids,' usually without ever deciding that on purpose.

Every year the conversation waits, options narrow: coverage gets pricier, health events can make it unavailable, and choices compress toward whatever a crisis leaves. Planned early, the answer might be insurance, a hybrid policy, earmarked assets, family arrangements, or a documented decision to revisit at a set age. All are legitimate. Undecided is the only bad plan.

We wrote a short book that walks the whole decision in plain language. For Signature Retirement clients, the conversation is part of the plan, worked on their actual numbers.