Long-Term Care Help for Seniors and Families
Compare senior care options, costs, payment programs, safety records and the questions that reveal what daily life will really be like.
Need help understanding your care options? Call (855) 479-4345 for more information.
Free care guidance
Finding long-term care can feel overwhelming.
Tell us a little about what you or your family needs, and a care placement specialist will help explain available options, answer your questions and make the next steps easier to understand.
There is no pressure to make an immediate decision. The goal is to help you compare appropriate care options and make an informed choice.
Free educational guidance — no obligation
Personalized help comparing care options
Or call us directly: (855) 479-4345
Get Personalized Help Finding the Right Care
Tell us a little about what you or your family needs, and a care placement specialist will help explain available options and make the next steps easier to understand.
Educational starting point — not a medical assessment
What kind of help is needed right now?
Select the option that best describes the current situation to see a starting recommendation. Always consult a physician for a full medical and functional assessment.
Senior Care Options Explained
Long-term care is not one-size-fits-all. The right choice depends on the person's medical needs, desired independence and financial situation. Here is an overview of the main options.
In-Home Care
- Best for
- Seniors who want to remain at home
- Services
- Companion care, personal care, home health, medication reminders
- Independence level
- Highest — person stays in their own home
Adult Day Services
- Best for
- Seniors who need daytime supervision or social engagement
- Services
- Structured activities, meals, health monitoring, caregiver respite
- Independence level
- High — person returns home each evening
Independent Living
- Best for
- Active seniors who want community and convenience
- Services
- Housing, meals, activities, transportation — minimal personal care
- Independence level
- High — designed for self-sufficient older adults
Assisted Living
- Best for
- Seniors who need daily help with personal care
- Services
- Personal care, meals, housekeeping, medication management, activities
- Independence level
- Moderate — private apartment with on-site support
Memory Care
- Best for
- People living with Alzheimer's or other dementia
- Services
- Secured environment, specialized programming, trained staff, 24-hour supervision
- Independence level
- Structured — safety and routine are prioritized
Skilled Nursing
- Best for
- People recovering from surgery, illness or injury
- Services
- Short-term rehabilitation, physical therapy, wound care, IV therapy
- Independence level
- Temporary — goal is to return home or to a lower level of care
Nursing Home Care
- Best for
- People with complex, ongoing medical needs
- Services
- 24-hour nursing, medical supervision, personal care, meals, activities
- Independence level
- Limited — for those who need the highest level of daily support
What Does Long-Term Care Cost?
Costs vary significantly by location, room type, care level and service hours. The figures below are national medians or estimates for reference only. Always request a complete written estimate from any provider you are considering.
Source: Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2023 and other cited sources. Figures are updated periodically; verify current costs directly with providers.
| Care Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Home Health Aide | $33/hour |
| Adult Day Services | $85/day |
| Assisted Living | $5,350/month |
| Memory Care | $6,160/month |
| Nursing Home (semi-private) | $8,669/month |
| Nursing Home (private room) | $9,733/month |
Important: Medicare Generally Does Not Pay for Ongoing Long-Term Care
Many families are surprised to learn that Medicare does not cover custodial long-term care — the ongoing help with bathing, dressing, eating and daily activities that most people need in assisted living or nursing homes.
What Medicare may cover (with strict conditions): Short-term skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying 3-day hospital stay, and short-term skilled home health care ordered by a physician. These benefits are time-limited and require ongoing skilled care needs — they are not available for custodial care alone.
The "100 days" myth: Medicare may cover up to 100 days of skilled nursing per benefit period, but significant cost-sharing begins after day 20, and most people do not qualify or use all 100 days. This benefit does not apply to long-term custodial residence.
Read the full Medicare and long-term care guideA Four-Step Decision Process
Choosing long-term care is one of the most important decisions a family can make. This process helps you move from uncertainty to a confident, informed choice.
Assess actual care needs
Work with the person's physician to understand their medical, functional and cognitive needs. A professional assessment identifies what level of care is truly required.
Identify priorities
Consider the person's preferences, values and financial situation. What matters most — staying at home, being near family, maintaining a social life, or managing a specific medical condition?
Compare providers using evidence
Review state inspection records, Medicare Care Compare ratings, staffing data and complaint history. Visit facilities in person and ask detailed questions.
Plan and monitor the transition
Create a written care plan, understand the contract fully and stay involved after the move. Care needs change — regular reassessment protects quality of life.
Needing Care Does Not Erase a Person's Voice
Older adults who need long-term care retain the right to make decisions about their own lives. Preserving independence and dignity is not a luxury — it is a core part of good care.
When evaluating care options, look for providers who actively involve residents in decisions, honor personal routines and treat each person as an individual — not just a diagnosis or a care level.
Use the least restrictive safe setting
The goal is always to support the person in the most independent environment that is safe for them.
Involve the older adult in decisions
Whenever possible, the person receiving care should be part of every significant decision about their life.
Preserve routines and relationships
Familiar schedules, friendships and family connections are essential to emotional well-being.
Speak directly to the person
Address the older adult directly in conversation — not just their family members or caregivers.
Build on abilities, not only limitations
Good care focuses on what a person can do and supports their strengths, not just their deficits.
Put important promises in the written care plan
Verbal assurances are not enough. Specific preferences and commitments should be documented.
Find Free Local Aging Services
The federal Eldercare Locator connects older adults and families with local Area Agencies on Aging, which provide free information, referrals and assistance — at no cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about long-term care for seniors and families.
Last reviewed: September 2026. This page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, legal or financial advice.