Understanding the different types of senior care facilities can be helpful for older individuals and their caregivers. The various options, such as in-home care, independent living, assisted living, and memory care, may seem confusing — how do you know which type will offer just the right mix of care and independence?

This guide offers a review of nursing homes, also known as "skilled nursing facilities" (SNFs). These residences provide medical care and other services for seniors who do not need hospitalization but may struggle to manage solely with in-home care or other residential settings.

Explore the amenities and care offered in these facilities with this helpful resource, along with when it's the right time to consider this option for your loved one. If you've found yourself searching for "nursing facilities near me," you can use this guide for detailed information on these care settings.

A nursing home or SNF can provide the right amount of attention for older individuals who require round-the-clock medical care. Services in these facilities may include skilled nursing, dietary guidance, rehabilitation therapies, assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), or medical social services.

A nursing home might be a short-term solution while your loved one recuperates from illness or a long-term living situation if they have more complex medical needs. Although nursing homes can be pricey, you can find ways to pay for them from private and public sources.

The following list compiles some signs that a nursing home/SNF might be a good choice for your loved one.

 

• Require medical attention throughout the day
• Decreased mobility
• Eating poorly
• Not physically caring for themselves
• Struggling with medication schedules
• Needing frequent specialist care
• Suffering frequent falls
• Experiencing significant changes in wellness, routines, and behavior

 

Only you, your senior, and their medical team can decide whether a nursing home is the right choice. Start by considering the level of care your loved one needs — perhaps they have just had surgery, for example, and require frequent medical checks and services.

Or maybe you have noticed a change in their abilities, leading to more frequent falls or a lack of concern with their appearance. Changes in mobility, signs of dementia, and difficulty with ADLs also offer clues. If you've stretched your caregiving abilities to the limit and feel helpless to provide a level of appropriate care, it may be time to discuss nursing home care with your loved one and their doctors.

Nursing home care costs vary greatly depending on the facility's location and available services. According to CareScout’s Cost of Care survey, in 2024, the median cost for a semi-private room in a nursing home was $9,277/ month, while a private room was $10,646 monthly. Note that these figures represent median survey results — your costs may vary.

If you're counting on Medicare or Medicaid to pay for your loved one's nursing home care, determine whether the facility has received government certification. Coverage under these programs varies based on strict qualifications, but you can learn more by contacting your local Social Security office.

 

For many individuals, paying for nursing home care is a matter of pulling together a variety of resources that can cover the costs of the SNF. Consider the following potential sources:

 

• Medicare: Medicare covers limited periods of inpatient care in an SNF following a hospital stay under strict guidelines. Medicare will not cover custodial care but will pay all charges for the first 20 days after hospitalization and all charges except a coinsurance amount for days 21-100.
• Medicaid: Eligibility varies among states, but this service likely covers costs if the facility is Medicaid-certified. Unlike Medicare, there is no requirement for previous hospitalizations, but Medicaid does set income and asset limits.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance may cover nursing home costs, depending on the policy. Since the terms and conditions of each policy may differ, make sure to discuss with your agent when considering nursing home care for your loved one.
• Veterans' Benefits: The VA will pay for costs for eligible veterans living in VA nursing centers, VA-contracted community nursing homes, and state veterans homes. Some veterans may also qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits and apply them to SNF care costs.
• Life Insurance: Cashing out a life insurance policy could help pay for nursing home costs. If the policy has accelerated death benefits, the policyholder could access some of the death benefit while still living. If the senior wishes to keep the policy and it is permanent insurance such as whole life or universal life, they can often access assets in the policy's cash value account.

Are you ready to explore the possibility of a nursing home or skilled nursing facility for your loved one? Caring.com can help. Our Family Advisors offer expert guidance at no cost to help you find the perfect fit for your senior. Call (800) 558-0653 to speak with an advisor who can answer your questions and offer guidance in picking a facility that will provide a warm, comfortable home.

• Calculate the cost of long-term care near you. (2024). CareScout.com
• Custodial care vs. skilled care. (n.d.). Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• Does long-term care insurance cover nursing homes? A comprehensive guide. (2023). National Council on Aging
• Gascon, Ana. (2024). 11 Signs Your Parent May Need a Nursing Home. GoodRx.com
• Goff, Kacie. (2023). Life Insurance With Living Benefits. Bankrate.com
• Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, and Home Health Care. (2024). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• VA Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance. (2024). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs