Long-term care insurance begins after the 100th day of a nursing home stay. Because of these limitations, most people will eventually have to dip into their own funds to pay for care. There are nurses on staff, and services such as meals, laundry and transportation are usually provided. Medicare doesn't cover these facilities. Continuing care retirement communities offer all levels of care.
Seniors come to the community while they are still independent.
For family members who remain at home or in the care of a relative, Medicare will pay for two months of assistance from a visiting nurse, home therapist and home health aide. Home health aides are certified by the state and trained to provide personal care services. Private home attendants are not certified but can still provide personal care services at less expense. Once your resources have been depleted to a certain level, you can apply for Medicaid. Like Medicare, Medicaid pays only for people who medically need to be in a nursing home.