Health and Disability

Nursing homes provide care to over 1.7 million people every year. However, many individuals and family members find it a real challenge to select a facility and to ensure appropriate care will be provided. Generally, a nursing home is a residential facility offering daily assistance to individuals who are physically or mentally unable to live independently. Residents are provided rooms, meals, assistance with daily living, nursing services and some medical treatment. Medicare can help pay for skilled nursing facility (SNF) care for up to 100 days in a benefit period when a beneficiary meets certain conditions. Medicaid may also help pay for nursing home care, though coverage varies from state to state. Individuals who require custodial care such as help with eating, bathing, taking medicine and toileting, as well as those who require skilled care may have their nursing home stay paid for by Medicaid if they meet specific financial criteria. 

The long term care system is complex and difficult to understand. The many different agencies responsible to help ensure good care for nursing home residents are listed below.