Compare Long-Term Care Settings
How nursing homes compare with other care settings in services, cost structure and who pays.
Families often search for a nursing home when another setting would meet the need at a lower cost, or the reverse. The table below compares the main options by how they work, who they suit and what to watch for. It deliberately compares setting types rather than individual providers or prices, because costs vary widely by state and facility.
Read across a row to see the trade-offs, then confirm the details with a doctor, a hospital discharge planner or your local Area Agency on Aging.
Select a column header to sort.
| Setting | How it works | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term nursing home (skilled nursing facility) | 24-hour nursing care and help with daily living in a licensed, federally regulated facility | People with significant medical needs or who cannot safely be cared for elsewhere | Highest private-pay cost; Medicare does not cover custodial stays |
| Short-term rehab in a skilled nursing facility | Therapy and nursing after a hospital stay, often under Medicare Part A or a Medicare Advantage plan | Recovery after surgery, stroke or a fall | Requires a qualifying inpatient stay for Original Medicare; coverage ends when skilled need ends |
| Assisted living | Apartment-style housing with help with bathing, dressing and medication, usually paid privately | People who need some daily help but not round-the-clock nursing | Rules vary by state; Medicaid support is limited; monthly fees can rise as needs grow |
| Memory care | Secured setting with staff trained in dementia, either a unit in a nursing home or in assisted living | Dementia with wandering or safety risks | Staff training and ratios vary; ask about discharge criteria |
| Home health aide or personal care at home | Aides visit at home by the hour; skilled home health may be covered by Medicare for limited periods | People who can stay at home safely with support | Costs climb quickly as hours increase; family caregivers carry the load |
| Adult day program | Daytime supervision, meals and activities in a community center | Caregivers who work or need respite | Does not cover nights; transportation may be extra |
| PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) | Managed program that combines medical and long-term services for eligible older adults | Adults 55 and over who qualify for a nursing home level of care and live in a PACE service area | Available only in some areas; you generally use the program's own providers |
| Continuing care retirement community (CCRC) | Campus with independent living, assisted living and nursing care under one contract, typically with an entrance fee | Planners who want a guaranteed path to higher care | Large upfront fees and complex contracts; check the provider's finances and refund terms |
Terms and eligibility differ by state and by program. Confirm details with Medicare.gov, the Administration for Community Living Eldercare Locator, and your state Medicaid agency. This table is general information, not medical or legal advice.