nursing homes

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Finding a Nursing Home

Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home

Find a detailed guide to find and compare nursing homes and other long-term care services like paying for nursing care, nursing home residents’ rights, and nursing home care alternatives.

Care Compare (for Nursing Homes)

Consumers can find and compare Medicare-certified nursing homes based on a location, and compare their staffing and the quality of care they give. The tool also lets you:

• Search for short-term care such as rehabilitation from surgery, and other forms of specialized care. 
• Find resources useful when searching for Nursing Homes like a checklist and guide for finding nursing homes and the quality of care at nursing home facilities.

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What Is Nursing Home Care?

Services include:

• Skilled nursing
• Dietary guidance 
• Rehabilitation therapies
• Assistance with activities of daily living
• Medical social services  

Around-the-clock nursing home care supports individuals following an illness, injury or surgery. Some seniors transition back into community care settings or return home after recovery. Nursing facilities also care for seniors with chronic conditions, cognitive decline, terminal illnesses and frailty. This guide explains nursing home care in further detail.  

Key Takeaways

• Signs It May Be Time for Nursing Home Care:  Diverse signs indicate a need for nursing home care.
• Overview of Nursing Home Care Services:  Skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes may offer differing services.
• How Do Nursing Homes Compare to Other Senior Care Options?  Nursing home care provides more medical and rehabilitative services than other long-term care options.
• How Much Does Nursing Home Care Cost?  Seniors may qualify for public funding to help them pay for nursing home care.
• How To Find a Nursing Home:  Families should compare facilities to identify the best fit for their loved one.

Signs It May Be Time for Nursing Home Care

Moving into a skilled nursing facility for long-term care may present a difficult decision for you and your loved ones, but it can also offer numerous benefits. Key signs that your loved one may benefit from nursing home care include:

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

When making your decision, it may also be helpful to:

• Go through a typical day with your loved one and observe how well they’re managing.
• Ask others if they’ve noticed any type of decline or significant changes you should know about.

For a more detailed guide, see our full article that answers the question,  When is it time to move from assisted living to nursing home care?

Overview of Nursing Home Care Services

While nursing homes may vary in the level of care and services provided, intermediate care facilities represent a distinct category. Typically, these facilities have fewer beds compared to other residential care settings and offer a more limited range of services.

Nursing homes offer a variety of health-related care and services, which vary by facility, however:

• Federal requirements  state that each nursing home must provide specified services.
• If a resident can’t perform activities of daily living on their own, nursing facilities must provide services to maintain good nutrition, grooming and personal and oral hygiene.
• They may also provide a range of supplemental services.

For a more detailed guide, see our full article on  nursing homes vs. skilled nursing facilities .

How Do Nursing Homes Compare to Other Senior Care Options?

Nursing homes differ from assisted living facilities and home health care, so ensure you’re choosing the right care option for your loved one by comparing the services provided and considering their needs.

Nursing Homes vs. Assisted Living

If your loved one doesn’t require full-time medical care or supervision but can’t continue living independently at home, consider assisted living in lieu of a nursing home.

For a more detailed guide, see our full article on  assisted living vs. skilled nursing .

Nursing Homes vs. Home Health Care and Home Care

Home care and home health care may suit seniors who can still mostly look after themselves and prefer to age in place. Both take place in a client’s residence, based on their needs and schedule. Home care provides non-medical support and home health care includes medical and non-medical assistance.

However, don’t confuse these options with  hospice . This may take place in the home as well, but it provides end-of-life care with medical treatment for seniors who are expected to live about six months or less.

How Much Does Nursing Home Care Cost?

According to the  2023 Genworth Cost of Care Study , the nationwide median monthly cost of nursing home care is $8,669 for a semi-private room and $9,733 for a private accommodation.

Many older adults and caregivers worry about the cost of medical care. How your loved one pays for their long-term care in a nursing home depends on their financial situation and the types of services they require. They may rely on a variety of payment sources.

Financial Assistance for Nursing Home Care

If you’re counting on Medicare or Medicaid to pay for your loved one’s nursing home care, find out whether a facility is government certified. Coverage under these programs is limited with strict qualifications, but you can learn more by contacting your local Social Security Office.

Understanding Medicare Coverage of Nursing Home Care

Medicare provides limited coverage for short-term stays in a  skilled nursing facility  following a hospital stay, but seniors must meet specific requirements. Key points include:  

• They must remain hospitalized for at least three days.
• Medicare will pay for up to 100 days of skilled nursing per benefit period.
• The first 20 days are covered in full.
• From day 21, beneficiaries must pay a daily coinsurance rate.
• After day 100, seniors are responsible for the entire cost.
• To qualify for another benefit period, seniors must have at least 60 consecutive days between hospital or skilled nursing facility stays.
• Coverage includes bed and board in a semi-private room, skilled nursing, rehabilitation therapies, medications, medical supplies and more.
• Coverage excludes assistance with daily activities and using medical equipment.

Financial Assistance for Ongoing Nursing Home Care

Seniors who need help paying for long-term nursing home care may qualify for:

• The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in select areas
• Medigap supplements can cover daily coinsurance rates for days 21 through 100
• Long-term care insurance can provide more comprehensive benefits

For further details, see our full article on nursing home costs and ways to pay .

How to Find a Nursing Home

Follow these steps to find the most suitable nursing home for you or your loved one:

• Enter your ZIP code here in the Nursing Home Directory to find nursing homes in your area.
• Check ratings and reviews from other family caregivers.
• See government  star ratings  for nursing home quality.
• If you are certain you will be using Medicaid to pay for nursing home care, restrict your search to  Medicaid-only nursing homes .
• Call numerous nursing homes  to find what sets each one apart.
• Ask for references and call them.

For further details, see our full article on choosing a nursing home .

How To Support a Loved One Moving Into a Nursing Home

Ease the transition into a nursing home by talking with your loved one about skilled nursing options sooner rather than later, and always seek their input, especially when it’s time to choose a facility. 

Once your loved one moves into a facility, stay involved and in touch through regular visits or phone calls when you can’t visit. Get to know the staff that cares for your loved one and work with the ombudsman should any concerns arise about your loved one’s care.

More Answers To Frequently Asked Questions

• What Happens When You Run Out of Money While in a Nursing Home?
• How Do You Know It’s Time to Put Your Parent in a Nursing Home?
• What Is the Average Length of Time Someone Lives in a Nursing Home?
• What Qualifies a Patient for Skilled Nursing Care?
• What Questions to Ask When Looking for a Skilled Nursing Facility?
• Is a Feeding Tube Considered Skilled Nursing?
• What Are the 3 Most Common Complaints About Nursing Homes?
• What Is the Average Life Expectancy of a Person in a Nursing Home?
• What Is a Nursing Home Person Called?
• Does the Government Pay For Nursing Home Care?
• Do You Have to Pay for a Nursing Home?
• What Are the Signs That Your Parent Needs a Nursing Home?
• Can a Hospital Put You in a Nursing Home?
• What Is the Biggest Problem in Nursing Homes?
• Can My Family Force Me Into a Nursing Home?
• What Are the Cons of Nursing Homes?
• Why Do People Decline in Nursing Homes?
• What Percentage of Old People End up in a Nursing Home?
• What Age Do Most People Go Into a Nursing Home?
• How Do You Avoid Ending Up in a Nursing Home?
• What Is the Main Purpose of a Nursing Home?
• Who Needs Nursing Home Care?
• How Do You Tell a Parent They Need a Nursing Home?
• How Often Should You Visit Your Mother in a Nursing Home?
• What Is the Best Time to Visit a Nursing Home?

Top Cities for Nursing Homes

Albuquerque, NM

Appleton, WI

Augusta, GA

Baltimore, MD

Baton Rouge, LA

Bellingham, WA

Birmingham, AL

Bismarck, ND

Bossier City, LA

Bridgeport, CT

Broken Arrow, OK

Brooklyn, NY

Catonsville, MD

Cedar Rapids, IA

Charleston, WV

Charlotte, NC

Chattanooga, TN

Chesterfield, MO

Cincinnati, OH

Cleveland, OH

Colorado Springs, CO

Columbia, SC

Columbus, GA

Columbus, OH

Corpus Christi, TX

Davenport, IA

Des Moines, IA

Detroit, MI

Dubuque, IA

East Orange, NJ

East Providence, RI

Evansville, IN

Fall River, MA

Fayetteville, AR

Fayetteville, NC

Florence, SC

Florissant, MO

Flushing, NY

Fond Du Lac, WI

Fort Collins, CO

Fort Smith, AR

Fort Wayne, IN

Fort Worth, TX

Frederick, MD

Glendale, AZ

Grand Rapids, MI

Green Bay, WI

Greensboro, NC

Greensburg, PA

Greenville, SC

Henderson, NV

Holyoke, MA

Honolulu, HI

Hot Springs, AR

Huntsville, AL

Independence, MO

Indianapolis, IN

Jackson, MS

Jackson, TN

Jacksonville, FL

Kalamazoo, MI

Kansas City, KS

Kansas City, MO

Kenosha, WI

Knoxville, TN

Lafayette, LA

Lake Charles, LA

Lakewood, CO

Lakewood, NJ

Las Cruces, NM

Las Vegas, NV

Lexington, KY

Lincoln, NE

Little Rock, AR

Livonia, MI

Long Beach, CA

Louisville, KY

Lynchburg, VA

Madison, WI

Manchester, NH

Memphis, TN

Meriden, CT

Meridian, MS

Milwaukee, WI

Minneapolis, MN

Montgomery, AL

Morgantown, WV

Murfreesboro, TN

Muskogee, OK

Nashville, TN

New Bedford, MA

New Haven, CT

New Orleans, LA

Newburyport, MA

Newport News, VA

Norfolk, VA

Oklahoma City, OK

Overland Park, KS

Owensboro, KY

Pittsburgh, PA

Pocatello, ID

Providence, RI

Raleigh, NC

Rapid City, SD

Richmond, VA

Riverside, CA

Roanoke, VA

Rochester, MN

Rochester, NY

Rock Hill, SC

Rockford, IL

Rockville, MD

Sacramento, CA

Saginaw, MI

Saint Louis, MO

Saint Paul, MN

Saint Petersburg, FL

Salt Lake City, UT

San Diego, CA

Sarasota, FL

Savannah, GA

Scottsdale, AZ

Scranton, PA

Seattle, WA

Shreveport, LA

Silver Spring, MD

Sioux City, IA

South Bend, IN

Spartanburg, SC

Spokane, WA

Springdale, AR

Springfield, IL

Springfield, MO

Staten Island, NY

Terre Haute, IN

Toms River, NJ

Vancouver, WA

Virginia Beach, VA

Voorhees, NJ

Warwick, RI

Washington, DC

Waterbury, CT

West Hartford, CT

Wichita, KS

Wilmington, DE

Wilmington, NC

Winston-Salem, NC

Worcester, MA

Nursing Homes by State

Connecticut

District of Columbia

Massachusetts

Mississippi

New Hampshire

North Carolina

North Dakota

Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

West Virginia

Search for Properties in Your Area

How do I choose a nursing home?

• Find and compare nursing homes in your area.
• Ask people you trust (like family, friends, or neighbors) if they’ve had personal experience with nursing homes. They may be able to recommend one to you.
• Ask if your doctor provides care at any local nursing homes. If so, ask which ones so you can continue to use your doctor while you're in the nursing home.
• Use the  Eldercare Locator  to get more information on nursing home choices in your area.
• Help you find a nursing home that meets your needs.
• Arrange your transfer to the nursing home when you’re ready to be discharged from the hospital.

Consider these criteria when you’re comparing nursing homes:  

• Health inspection results  
• Nursing home staffing  
• Quality measures

Are there other ways I can find out about nursing home quality?

After deciding what’s most important to you in a nursing home, visit the facilities you’re considering before you make a final decision. If you can’t visit a nursing home yourself, you may want to ask a family member or friend to visit for you. A visit gives you the chance to understand the quality of care and life of the facility’s residents. It also lets you interact with the residents, their families, and the facility’s staff so you can get answers to any questions you might have.  

When you go for a visit, take a copy of the  Nursing Home Checklist to help you evaluate the quality of the nursing home. Use a new checklist for each nursing home you visit. In addition to the questions on the checklist, here are a few other things to consider when you visit:

• Who are the doctors who will care for you?
• What type of therapy is available at the facility? Are therapy staff available every day?
• You don’t want the shot
• You've already been immunized during the immunization period
• The shots are medically contraindicated

Are there other things I should know before I visit a nursing home?

If you find more than one nursing home you like with a bed available, use all the information you can to compare them and make your decision.  

• Talk with people who understand your personal and health care needs. This can include your family, friends, doctor, clergy, spiritual advisor, hospital discharge planner, or social worker.
• If you’re in a hospital and decide not to go to a certain nursing home that has a bed available, talk to the hospital discharge planner or your doctor. They may be able to help you find a more suitable nursing home or arrange for other care (like short-term home care) until a bed becomes available at another nursing home you choose. But remember: if you stay in the hospital, you may owe the full amount for any additional days you’re there.

If you move into a nursing home and decide you don’t like it, you can move to another facility with an available bed. You may have to let your current nursing home know ahead of time that you’re planning to leave, so ask the staff about their rules for leaving. If you don’t follow the rules, you may have to pay extra fees.  If you move in or out of a nursing home or other facility, you can switch Medicare drug plans at that time. In this situation, “other facilities” don’t include assisted living, adult living facilities, residential homes, or any kind of nursing home that’s not certified by Medicare or Medicaid.  

Not sure a nursing home is what you need? Learn about other long-term care options .