Health Care Costs
Until recently, religious communities were relatively self-sufficient, with members contributing stipends earned in ministry to the support of the community. The women and men were hard working, relatively young, and committed not only to God and service, but to the healthy maintenance of their home and health. However, as membership declined after the 1960s and the average age increased, significant financial issues emerged. The general practice of investing earnings and stipends into ministry and education meant that pension funds were non-existent or seriously underfunded. The commitment to caring for elder and dying members posed new and challenging hardship.
In 1987, the average cost of living for women and men who were members of Catholic religious communities was $9,948 and $10,908 respectively. Today the average cost of independent living is $24,927; for assisted living, the average cost is $41,538; and for skilled nursing care, the average cost is $49,850. These increases have contributed to a projected unfunded retirement liability for religious communities of $9 billion.
Cost of Care 1987 - 2007 
