Nursing homes give care in both of these general areas: What kind of care do nursing homes provide? Nursing homes are for anyone who requires 24-hour care and not just for the elderly.Some homes will let couples live together.Many nursing homes have special care units for people with serious memory problems, such as Alzheimer’s disease.Other nursing homes feel more like your own personal home–residents may have open kitchens and interact with neighbors, and the staff is encouraged to develop relationships with residents.Some nursing homes function like hospitals, with nurses’ stations on each floor, and they provide physical, speech, and occupational therapy, in addition to medical care.Nursing homes have government oversight the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) contracts with every state to inspect all nursing homes that participate in Medicare or Medicaid.Often a doctor is on the staff or makes frequent visits to the home.

Nursing homes have trained staff most have skilled nurses and nurses’ aides available 24/7.Whether you need medical help (for example, you have a feeding tube) or custodial help (for example, help bathing), it can be demanding for loved ones to give this constant care and to do it right. Advantages of a nursing homeĮven if you live with loved ones, they might not be able to provide the level of care you need. Medicare generally does not cover care at assisted or independent living facilities. Assisted living usually does not include medical care. Assisted living facilities offer a level of care that’s between independent living and skilled nursing. Independent living facilities are usually apartments or homes for who need little or no help or care. Nursing homes are not the same as assisted living or independent living facilities. Medicare generally does not pay for long-term nursing home care, but covers short-term care while you recover from an illness or injury.

If you or a loved one cannot live at home independently, a nursing home may be the best possible option.

Medicare.gov nursing home compare