Help finding long-term nursing care

Families usually encounter two common types of facility care: skilled nursing and long-term nursing.

Skilled nursing (also called “short-term rehab” in many situations) means round-the-clock care from licensed nurses and therapy when needed. Long-term nursing care is ongoing daily help and supervision when someone needs assistance for weeks to months or longer.

Because terms can overlap, it helps to ask facilities what level of care they provide, what “bed hold” or discharge timelines look like, and what documentation they need for admission. Northhaven Care provides general, educational guidance and can help you organize what to ask, but we are not a care provider and we do not decide medical eligibility.

Northhaven Care is a free matching service. We help you compare nursing homes or skilled-nursing facilities based on location, care type, and language needs, and we share practical information on ratings and typical costs.

Some participating facilities may pay Northhaven Care a flat fee to be matched. This does not change what you pay, and it never changes our general guidance about Medicare or Medicaid. It also does not guarantee availability, admission, or outcomes.

If you reach out, we only use contact-intent details (for example: the first name of the person needing care, a way to reach you, your state, the general kind of care needed, and preferred language). We do not request medical records, diagnoses, medication lists, Medicare/Medicaid numbers, SSNs, or immigration documents.

In the US, nursing homes are commonly listed on Medicare.gov Care Compare using the CMS Five-Star Rating system. The Five-Star rating has three parts: (1) health inspections, (2) staffing, and (3) quality measures.

Of these, staffing is often the most informative for everyday care. “Staffing ratio” (how many residents each nurse or aide covers) and nurse staffing hours—especially registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day—can help you understand how much hands-on coverage exists. Ratings can’t show everything, but staffing data can reveal whether a facility is set up to handle daily needs.

When you compare facilities, look for consistent patterns, not just the overall star number. Also check the inspection details and quality measure notes for recurring themes (for example, infection-related issues or care planning concerns). For official information, start with Medicare.gov Care Compare.

Nursing home costs vary widely by state, room type (shared vs. private), facility level of care, and how care is billed. As a planning guide, skilled-nursing or nursing-home care often runs roughly $7,000–$13,000+ per month, and the real number can be higher or lower depending on where you live and what is needed.

Medicare may help for certain short-term skilled-nursing stays. In general, Medicare covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing after a qualifying hospital stay, with cost-sharing after day 20. Coverage rules are specific and time-limited, so it’s important to confirm details with Medicare guidance and the facility’s billing team.

Medicaid can help many people with long-term nursing care if they meet eligibility rules based on income and assets. Medicaid is administered by states, so the rules and covered services can differ. Qualifying for care through Medicaid is separate from immigration status, and help is often available in the family’s language. To verify details, contact your state Medicaid office and review Medicaid long-term services and supports.

A tour helps you see daily routines, cleanliness, and whether the facility feels safe and respectful. Plan to visit at different times if possible, and bring a short list of questions. If communication is a barrier, ask how the facility supports language access.

Here are high-value questions families often ask:

- Staffing and schedules: How many nurses and aides are on each shift, and what is the RN coverage during evenings and nights?
- Resident care: How are call lights handled, and how quickly do staff respond?
- Care planning: How do they create and update a care plan, and how do families participate?
- Safety and oversight: What systems are used for fall prevention, medication safety, and infection control?
- Short-term vs. long-term: What happens after rehab goals are met or if needs change?

For the official checklist and quality tools, you can also review guides on our guides. If you want help organizing choices, you can start with services or request matching through get-matched.

It’s normal to feel uneasy when you’re placing a loved one in a new environment. If something worries you—like communication problems, staffing turnover, repeated call-light delays, or changes in condition—bring it up calmly and quickly.

Start with the facility leadership or the social worker and request specific information: what happened, what action is being taken, and when you will see follow-up. Keep notes of dates and observations. If you believe health and safety rules may be violated, you can also contact your state’s long-term care ombudsman. The ombudsman program is independent and focuses on helping resolve concerns.

Avoid anyone who guarantees a placement or care outcome. Nursing homes and admissions can depend on bed availability, clinical requirements, and documentation. Northhaven Care does not promise admissions or outcomes; our role is education and comparison so you can make safer decisions.