Choosing the Right Care Center for Loved Ones

May 15, 2025

Moving a loved one into a care facility is an important decision that requires careful consideration. Choosing the right one takes in-depth research to determine if it’s a good fit for the individual’s needs. There are nearly 31,000 assisted living centers in the U.S. The first step in finding care is understanding the difference between types of facilities and whether they can provide the level of attention the patient needs.

Types of Care Centers

A nursing home provides around-the-clock medical care for individuals who will likely remain there until their passing. These are meant for individuals who can no longer care for themselves independently or be cared for by their loved ones at home. A skilled nursing facility may be intended for a short or long period. Still, it provides a higher level of medical attention and is usually for those recovering from surgery or an illness.

Independent living and assisted living centers are for those who need less intensive medical assistance but still require some level of care. A continuing-care center can serve as an intermediary between assisted living and a nursing home. For individuals who need 24/7 care and supervision due to Alzheimer’s or dementia, there are memory care centers that specialize in those specific needs.

Paying for Long-Term Care

Many people are unaware that there is no federal assistance available for long-term care costs. There is one exception in which Medicare will pay for the first 100 days in a nursing home or skilled nursing facility if the patient has been hospitalized for at least three consecutive days within the last year before needing to be transferred to a care facility.

Paying for care can be a significant issue for families as it can become costly. “Nursing homes are one of the most expensive levels of care,” says Amie Clark, a senior care expert. “And most people don’t have that kind of money.”

Long-term care insurance policies may be a wise, proactive investment, but they can also be expensive. In most cases, people pay privately or out of pocket until their resources are used up. According to the NCHS, 62% of nursing home residents use Medicaid as their payment source.

Other Factors to Consider

Unfortunately, nursing homes face their fair share of challenges, such as being understaffed or dealing with infectious outbreaks. This is why it’s so important for families to do their due diligence in researching facilities and not feel rushed into making a decision.

Medicare offers an online resource to find and compare nursing homes, hospitals, and other care facilities in your area. It uses a five-star rating system and provides information about each nursing home, including vaccination rates and inspection reports. Another helpful resource is the Nursing Home Inspect, which compiles nursing home inspection reports.

Experts suggest not relying on ratings alone and focusing on a facility’s staffing, saying that nothing beats an in-person visit.

Here’s what to do when you’re on-site:

• Speak with a range of employees, from administrators to activity managers to culinary directors.
• Take note of response times.“How long does it take for call lights to be responded to?” says Shannon Gimbel, manager of the ombudsman program for Denver’s Area Agency on Aging. “Are residents standing in hallways waiting for medication?”
• Notice the patients’ level of hygiene. “Listen in the hallways,” says Tony Chicotel, attorney for the patient advocacy group California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform. “Look at the hair, clothing, teeth, and fingernails of the residents.”
• Try the food. Sit in the dining hall with other residents and observe the interactions between patients and staff.
• Ask about the activities offered to residents and consider whether or not they will be intellectually stimulating.

While it’s best to find a care facility that’s close to you, traveling farther for the best fit may become necessary.

Insureyouknow.org

Once you determine what kind of facility your loved one needs and make payment plans, then you should do your research and take the time to visit all of the centers you’ve narrowed down on your list. With Insureyouknow.org, you may compile your research, keep track of finances, and store your loved one’s medical records in one easy-to-review place. While it will take some research, finding the right place will provide you with invaluable peace of mind.

Do You Need Long-Term Care Insurance?

December 4, 2018

No one likes to think about growing old. In fact, many people pretend that it’s never going to happen. But instead of fearing the inevitable, it’s better to plan for it.

In addition to starting to save for retirement at an early age, it’s important to think about what you’re going to do if your health starts to decline. According to AARP, by the time you hit 65, chances are 50-50 that you’ll need long-term care (LTC) due to chronic illnesses, disabilities or other conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease. And it’s not cheap; if you pay for it yourself, you’re looking at an average annual cost of $140,000.

LTC insurance can help. LTC insurance is different from health insurance, which you’ll still need. It helps cover costs that your regular health insurance won’t, such as help with daily activities like bathing, getting dressed and eating. These services may be provided in your home or at a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Unfortunately, LTC insurance is cost-prohibitive for many due to poor planning on the part of insurance companies. When these policies were first introduced, insurers greatly underestimated the amount they would pay out in claims. People were living longer, but they weren’t necessarily staying healthier, so insurers were paying for care longer than they had anticipated. In addition, insurers thought people would prefer to receive care in their homes, but many opted to move into more expensive assisted-living facilities.

As a result, many insurers stopped offering LTC insurance. In 2000, 125 companies were selling standalone LTC policies; by 2014, only 12 companies were. Those that still do sell them have raised their premiums drastically. For example, earlier this year, Mass Mutual announced it was raising premiums on existing policies by 77 percent. Today, premiums average $2,700 a year.

There are options you can consider if you can’t afford LTC insurance. Maybe relatives can help with your care. Maybe you can pull some equity from your home. Maybe you can build up your savings even more and plan on paying for future LTC out of pocket.

But if you have a family history of Alzheimer’s or simply believe LTC insurance would bring you more peace of mind, it may still be your best bet. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you start looking for a policy:

• Begin your search in your 50s or early 60s at the latest. Prices rise sharply as you age. You can pay 10 percent more for a policy when you buy it at age 65 rather than at 64. Keep in mind that you won’t qualify for coverage if you wait until you actually need care because then you will be considered as having a preexisting condition.
• Shop around. Like with any other major purchase, it’s important to do your homework and research your options. If the process sounds daunting, you might want to consider getting assistance from an insurance agent or broker.
• Look into group rates. Premiums may be more affordable if you qualify for a group rate through an employer-sponsored plan or plan offered by a professional organization you belong to. Before you sign up, be sure to read the fine print and find out if you can keep the policy if you leave the organization.
• Consider a joint policy. You may get a better rate by purchasing a single policy that covers you and your spouse or another family member. The discount is typically 30 percent off the price of separate policies. If you’re interested in going this route, you’ll want to find out what the maximum benefit is for everyone under the policy and consider whether that will be enough for both of you.

If you do purchase an LTC insurance policy, be sure to keep all related paperwork safely stored on InsureYouKnow.org along with all your other important documents. It’s the best way to make sure you can find them quickly and easily should the need arise.