Nov 21, 2013 1 min read

Residents of the Washington County Health Center are facing a rate increase beginning Jan. 1, and for the first time, the facility has added a separate rate for residents of the dementia unit.

“The cost of care goes up every year,” said Tim Kimmel, health center administrator, who noted the last rate increase took effect nearly three years ago.

Here are the new rates per day:

• Skilled nursing, private room, $280, previously $260.

• Semi-private room for both skilled nursing and long-term residents, $270, previously $250.

• Long-term private room, $260, previously $245.

• The daily rate for those who live in the dementia unit will be $300.

Kimmel said the staff at the health center researched neighboring facilities and found that they had a separate room charge for their dementia units due to the increased amount of supervision that patients require.