Skilled care, around the clock.
When health needs are serious, a nursing home offers 24 hour nursing, therapy and support in one place, for a short rehab stay or for the long term.
What is nursing homes?
Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities, provide around the clock care from licensed nurses and aides. They help people with serious medical conditions, limited mobility or recovery after surgery or a hospital stay.
Many offer short term rehab with physical, occupational and speech therapy, along with long term care for people who need ongoing help.
It may be a good fit when
- Your loved one needs skilled nursing care every day
- They are recovering from surgery, a stroke or a hospital stay
- They need help with most daily activities
- They have complex medical needs or limited mobility
- Care at home is no longer safe
What does nursing homes cost?
Nursing homes are the most intensive type of senior care and usually the most expensive. Costs vary by state and by private versus shared rooms.
Medicare for rehab
Medicare may cover a short rehab stay after a qualifying hospital stay. It does not cover long term custodial care.
Medicaid for long term care
Medicaid is the largest payer of long term nursing home care for people who qualify financially.
Private pay and insurance
Families also pay privately or use long term care insurance. VA benefits may help eligible veterans.
Questions worth asking
Print this list or keep it on your phone when you call or visit. Good providers are happy to answer every one.
- What are your most recent state inspection results?
- What is the nurse to resident ratio on each shift?
- How often do residents see a doctor?
- What therapy services are offered, and how often?
- How do you prevent falls and bedsores?
- How are families kept in the loop?
- Do you accept Medicare and Medicaid?
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Nursing Homes: what families ask
How do I check a nursing home's quality?
Look up the facility on Medicare's Care Compare website to see star ratings, staffing and inspection results. Then visit in person, ideally more than once and at different times of day.
Does Medicare pay for a nursing home?
Medicare may pay for up to 100 days of skilled nursing care after a qualifying hospital stay, with costs after day 20. It does not pay for long term custodial care.
What is the difference between short term rehab and long term care?
Short term rehab helps people recover after a hospital stay, usually for a few weeks. Long term care is for people who need ongoing help and nursing care.