Choosing a nursing home is a very important decision. You need to think about whether a nursing home is the best choice for you. A nursing home provides care to people who cannot be cared for at home or in the community. For people who can't take care of themselves due to physical, emotional, or mental problems, nursing homes can provide a wide range of personal care and health services. For many people, this care generally is custodial, or non-skilled.
Care in a nursing home can be very expensive. Nursing homes usually provide 24-hour medical care as well as room, meals, activities, and some personal care. Most nursing homes charge a basic fee for room, meals, and some personal care. You may have to pay extra for other services or care for special medical needs. It is important to get a list of fees in advance and discuss these costs and how you will pay for them.
A nursing home may not be your only choice for your personal care and health services. Depending on your needs and resources, there are other kinds of living and care choices available for long-term care. You can get long-term care at home, in senior centers, at community centers, or in special retirement or assisted living facilities. You may need help from family and friends, community services, and professional care agencies. You may wish to talk to your family, doctor, or a social worker to help decide what long-term care you need.
Listed on the next few pages are some of the most common kinds of long-term care. These long-term care choices may be called by other names in different states. The services and costs may vary between facilities as well. Call your local Area Agency on Aging for a list of long-term care choices in your state. To get their telephone number look at www.aoa.gov on the web. Or, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 (weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time) ask them for your local Area Agency on Aging telephone number. Ask your local Area Agency on Aging for a list of long-term choices in your state.