Long-Term Care: Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, and Home Health Services on the Web
As one grows older, the prospect of needing nursing home care or another form of living assistance becomes increasingly real. The National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information estimates that more than 60 percent of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care services at some point in their lives. For those who are sick or have disabilities, more specialized living arrangements may be necessary. The Web has many resources for exploring long-term care options.
Expand All Guide SectionsLong-Term Care Options
Care options for the sick or the elderly vary greatly and are largely need-based. For example, ... read more »
Finding and Choosing Long-Term Care
The first step in choosing a long-term care provider is to know what type of care someone requires ... read more »
Paying for Long-Term Care
Costs are a major factor in determining the type of care you obtain for yourself and a loved one. If you have questions about the costs of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or home care, use the sites below to find the answers you need.
Dulcinea's Insight
- As you probably know, you'll have to be certain you understand the payment options available at a senior care facility. Some, for example, only accept private pay patients. You could save yourself time by asking what type of payment a facility accepts before you schedule a visit to the facility.
- If you’re planning to pay for care with your own money, another good question to ask a facility is what happens if your funds run out.
- Medicare and Medicaid are two programs that could help pay for long-term care, but only if you or your loved one meet certain criteria. We have included sites to help you learn more about both programs.
- Military veterans can qualify for special insurance and healthcare benefits. To learn about these benefits, go to the United Stated Department of Veterans Affairs Web site.
- Your Social Security benefits can also be used to help pay for your healthcare. People 65 and older may also qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Social Security Web site explains how to determine whether you qualify for SSI benefits and explains how to apply for the program. The application process can take a long time.
- Nursing homes are the most expensive type of long-term care, followed by assisted living facilities, then home health. There are more options to help people stay in their homes longer. See our “Home Care” section to learn more.
Dulcinea's Picks
For general payment information …
The National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information
has a page on who pays for care, including a chart that breaks down the types of facility and the types of payment: Medicare, private Medigap Insurance, Medicaid and out-of-pocket. There’s also an interactive map you can use to determine the cost of long-term care near you.
Nursing Home INFO
, the Web site of a financial and Internet marketing consulting firm specializing in the senior care industry, summarizes payment options available for seniors looking for a care facility. The section about private pay patients is worth reading, especially since the law requires most people to use up their personal savings before Medicaid coverage kicks in. The information about “Life Settlements” at the end of the section is an ad, not part of the article.
For Medicare and Medicaid information …
Medicare.gov
, the official Web site of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, explains a variety of things about nursing homes and long-term care, including the types of care Medicare will cover. A PDF booklet about Medigap, which pays for aspects of health care that Medicare does not, is also available.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
have a 48-page booklet that explains what Medicare does and does not cover at nursing homes.
For insurance information …
BenefitsCheckUp
, an online service of the National Council on Aging, helps you search for and enroll in insurance programs on the federal, state, and local levels to obtain help paying for prescription drugs, health care, and other necessities. The site also has more than 250 forms and fact sheets if you already know in which program you’re interested.
The National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information
has a page on private financing, with links to pages that explain long-term care insurance, annuities, and other options. There’s also a table that outlines what choices are better for younger and older people.
Adjusting to Long-Term Care
Moving into a long-term care facility can be hard on the person leaving his home and the family ... read more »
Home Care
If, after all your research, you've decided that moving yourself or a relative to a long-term care ... read more »
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
