For U.S. Residents Only

Nursing Home

A nursing home serves as a permanent residence for people who are too sick to stay at home. It usually provides 24-hour medical care, room, meals, activities, and some personal care. Certain care services for special medical needs may cost extra. Check your medical insurance coverage so you know exactly which services are covered and which you may have to pay for. For more information about health insurance, click here.

If you're considering nursing home care, talk to your doctor. Most facilities require a complete physical exam, and your doctor can assess the level of care your loved one will need.

To be sure your loved one will have his or her needs met and will receive quality care, it's wise to visit and compare several nursing homes before committing to one. Here are three important steps to consider before choosing a nursing home:
  • Find out what nursing homes are in your area. You can ask people you trust for a recommendation or consult with your doctor or hospital social worker.

  • Compare quality. Nursing homes must be certified to ensure they meet federal health and safety requirements. To find out how homes in your area compare in quality, call your state health department or local office of consumer affairs and ask for information on nursing home quality. A reputable Web site to visit is the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) at www.medicare.gov; select "Nursing Home Compare."

  • Visit homes you are interested in. A visit gives you a chance to see for yourself the quality of care a facility's residents receive. It also enables you to meet the staff who will be responsible for making sure that your loved one's needs are met. Call ahead to make an appointment. Be sure to ask what services the home provides and what fees are charged for other services.
For information on other caregiving options, click the links below.

Home Care
Respite Care
Hospice

Sources of Information

There are many organizations that provide information and support for caregivers and families of people with cancer. You may contact them by phone, mail, or on the Internet.
  • Medicare
    http://www.medicare.gov
    The official US Government Web site for people with Medicare; offers a section, "Nursing Homes," for comprehensive information.

  • Concerned Relatives of Nursing Home Patients
    P.O. Box 18820
    Cleveland, OH 44118
    1-216-321-0403
    Supplies information about quality care, long-term care facilities, and payment for services.

  • National Citizens Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
    1424 Sixteenth Street, NW, Suite 202
    Washington, DC 20036
    1-202-332-2949
    Serves as an information clearinghouse, offers nationwide referrals for help with long-term care facilities, and provides a free consumer package for residents and families.

  • Nursing Home Information Services
    1331 F Street, NW
    Washington, DC 20004
    1-202-347-8800
    Offers a nationwide listing of nursing facilities and information about costs, admission, and programs.

Additional Resources

Knowing where to find credible and accurate information about caregiving is an important step toward making life better for yourself and your loved one. The following resources may help:

There's No Place Like (a Nursing) Home:
4 Powerful Steps That Will Change Your Life
Karen Shoff
Invisible Ink
ISBN: 0971684707
2002

Consumer Reports Complete Guide to Health Services for Seniors:
What Your Family Needs to Know About Finding and Financing Medicare,
Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, Home Care, Adult Day Care
Trudy Lieberman (Editor) and Consumer Reports Editors
Three Rivers Press
ISBN: 0812931475, 384 pages
2000