Guides for families
Medicare, Medicaid, costs, types of care and how to choose: explained simply, with official sources.
New: Medicaid for long-term care, state by state: its name, programs and how to apply in each state.
Types of care
Types of senior care in the U.S.: which one your loved one needs
Nursing homes, assisted living, board and care, memory care, adult day care, home care, and hospice: who each one is for, what it costs, and who pays.
What is assisted living? Costs and how to pay for it
What assisted living is, who regulates it in each state (RCFEs in California, Type A and B in Texas), what it costs, and when Medicaid pays for services.
Board and care homes: small care homes for seniors in the U.S.
What a board and care home is, who it's right for, how it's licensed in California, Washington and Florida, how to pay for it and what to ask.
Memory care: senior living for Alzheimer's and dementia
Memory care for Alzheimer's and dementia: what it is, when it's needed, what to ask on a visit, how each state regulates it and how to pay for it.
Stages of Alzheimer's and what type of care fits each one
The mild, moderate and advanced stages of Alzheimer's and the care that often helps in each: home, adult day care, memory care, nursing home or hospice.
Adult day care: what it is, what it costs and how to pay for it
What adult day care is, how it differs from adult day health care, what it costs and how to pay for it with Medicaid, PACE, CBAS or the VA.
Home care for seniors: options, costs and help in the U.S.
A caregiver from an agency or hired by your family, Medicare home health and Medicaid (IHSS, STAR+PLUS): typical costs and your duties as an employer.
Hospice and palliative care explained: what Medicare covers
The difference between hospice and palliative care, who qualifies for Medicare hospice, what it covers, what you pay and how to choose a provider.
PACE program: a nursing home alternative for living at home
PACE, the Medicare and Medicaid Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly: who qualifies, what it covers, what it costs, and how to find a center.
Nursing homes with Spanish-speaking staff: how to find them
How to find a nursing home, assisted living or caregiver that speaks Spanish, your right to a free interpreter, and what to ask when you visit.
How to pay
How much does a nursing home cost in the U.S.? (2026)
Nursing home, assisted living, adult day care, and home care prices by state (CareScout 2025). What the rate includes, what's extra, and how to pay.
How to pay for long-term care: all your options on one page
Savings, Medicaid, Medicare, VA, insurance, the home, PACE and community help: what each option pays for, who it's for and where to start in 2026.
Does Medicaid pay for nursing homes? Rules and how to apply
Yes, Medicaid pays for a nursing home if your loved one qualifies. 2026 limits, the 5-year look-back, spouse protections, waivers and how to apply.
Can Medicaid take the house? The family home and other assets
Will Medicaid take the house? When the home doesn't count, which transfers the law allows, how the spouse is protected and what estate recovery is.
Medicaid home care waivers (HCBS): what they are and how to apply
What Medicaid waivers and other Medicaid programs for care at home (HCBS) are, who qualifies, why there are waiting lists and how to apply.
Does Medicare pay for nursing homes? What's covered in 2026
Medicare pays for up to 100 days of rehab after a 3-day inpatient stay, not long-term nursing home care. 2026 costs, home health and hospice.
Long-term care insurance: how to use a policy to pay for care
How to find out if your loved one has long-term care insurance, when it starts paying, how to claim the benefit step by step and how it ties to Medicaid.
VA Aid and Attendance: veterans benefits for nursing home care
VA Aid and Attendance pension: 2026 rates, the net worth limit, State Veterans Homes and VA facilities to help pay for a veteran's care.
How to get paid to care for a family member in the U.S.
How an adult child or other relative can get paid to care for Mom or Dad: self-directed Medicaid, IHSS, CDPAP, structured family caregiving and the VA.
Immigration status and benefits for nursing home and senior care
Who can get Medicaid and Medicare based on immigration status in 2026: emergency Medicaid, state programs and public charge. An informational guide.
National Family Caregiver Support Program: help for caregivers
What the National Family Caregiver Support Program is, who qualifies, its five services and how to apply. Plus FMLA and Medicaid for family caregivers.
Medical transportation and home-delivered meals for seniors
How to get rides to appointments with Medicaid (NEMT), what Medicare pays for, paratransit, home-delivered meals and help buying groceries.
Choosing, moving and staying involved
How to choose a nursing home: a step-by-step guide
How to choose a nursing home: assess the need, check the license, star ratings and inspections, visit, what to ask and how to read the contract.
Medicare star ratings for nursing homes: how to read them
What Care Compare star ratings measure for a nursing home: inspections, staffing, and quality. What the abuse icon and the SFF program mean.
How to talk to your mom or dad about moving to senior living
How to talk with your mom or dad about moving to senior living: include them in the decision, talk with siblings, try a short stay and use words that help.
Nursing home care plan meetings: how to prepare
What a nursing home care plan meeting is, how often the MDS assessment is done, who takes part, what to bring and what to ask the care team.
Nursing home resident rights and how to file a complaint
Federal nursing home resident rights, how to resolve concerns with the staff, what the ombudsman does and how to file a formal complaint.
Hospital, paperwork and urgent needs
Hospital discharge to a nursing home: what to do
What to do when an older adult is discharged from the hospital: inpatient vs. observation, Medicare's 3-day rule, how to appeal and a 48-hour checklist.
Short-term rehab after the hospital: how to make the most of it
How to choose a skilled nursing rehab center, what happens in the first days, when Medicare stops paying, how to appeal and what comes next.
Hospital social worker: how they help with discharge and care
What a hospital social worker or discharge planner does, what you can ask for, your right to choose the facility, and how to prepare for the meeting.
Power of attorney and advance directives before a nursing home
What a power of attorney, health care proxy, advance directive, and guardianship are in the U.S., when to prepare them, and forms in Spanish.
By state
Medi-Cal and IHSS in California: nursing home and home care
How Medi-Cal pays for a nursing home and how IHSS pays a caregiver at home, even a family member. The 2026 asset limit, CBAS and how to apply.
Texas STAR+PLUS Medicaid: nursing home and home care
Learn about STAR+PLUS, Texas Medicaid for older adults: who qualifies, what it covers (nursing home, help at home, adult day care), and how to apply.
Florida Medicaid for nursing homes and home care (SMMC LTC)
How Florida Medicaid long-term care (SMMC LTC) works: who qualifies, the waitlist, the ADRC screening and how to apply, step by step.
New York Medicaid long-term care: nursing homes, MLTC and CDPAP
How New York Medicaid pays for nursing homes and home care: MLTC, CDPAP with PPL, the NYIA assessment and the Assisted Living Program.
Senior care in Puerto Rico: care homes, égidas and CAMPEA
What Puerto Rico's care homes, family foster homes, égidas and CAMPEA centers are, who licenses them, what Plan Vital covers and who to call.
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