Types of Long-Term Care

These facilities provide care to people who can't be cared for at home or in the community. Nursing homes provide a wide range of personal care and health services. For most people, this care generally is to assist people with support services such as dressing, bathing, and using the bathroom, for people who can't take care of themselves due to physical, emotional, or mental problems. Medicare doesn't pay for this type of care and doesn't pay for most nursing home care.

Some nursing homes may provide skilled care after an injury or hospital stay. Medicare pays for skilled nursing facility care for a limited period of time if you meet certain conditions. For more information, look at the Medicare booklet, Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care. To locate nursing homes in your area, look at Nursing Home Compare on this website.

The cost for nursing homes can vary depending on where you live and what type of care you need.

To find out information on accreditation of nursing homes in your area, look at the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations' (JCAHO) website.

Nursing Home: Checklist

It is important for you and your family members to visit the nursing home to make sure that it meets your needs, as well as those of your family. A few things to consider when choosing a nursing home are listed here.

Is the nursing home accepting new residents?	YesNo
Is the nursing home easy to visit for family and friends?	YesNo
Does the nursing home use hospitals where my doctor practices?	YesNo
Does the nursing home have the services I need?	YesNo
Does the nursing home have a variety of activities I might enjoy?	YesNo
Do residents appear clean and well groomed?	YesNo
Do the residents have the same staff on a daily basis?	YesNo
• Is there enough staff available to assist residents?	YesNo
• Does the staff respond quickly to residents' calls for help?	YesNo
Does the nursing home have an active resident and/or family council?	YesNo
Is the nursing home clean and pleasant?	YesNo
Is the nursing home certified by Medicare and Medicaid?	YesNo
Are the nursing home and current administrator licensed?	YesNo
How much is the cost of care in this nursing home?
• What services are included in this price?
• What additional costs will I have to pay?

Ask to see the nursing home's last annual state inspection report. Did the report find any problems? Ask how the problems were fixed.

Page Last Updated: August 3, 2012