Nursing Homes and Assisted Living

Nursing homes and assisted living are residential settings for people who need help with daily living or ongoing medical care. Nursing homes offer round-the-clock nursing, while assisted living offers housing with help for people who can do more on their own. State licensing agencies, federal health agencies, Medicare, Medicaid, and the facilities themselves are all involved.

People usually ask how to choose a facility and what to check before signing a contract. They want to know how inspections and ratings work, who pays, how Medicaid covers nursing home care, how residents' rights are protected, and where to report a problem.