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Depending on your needs, you may be able to get help with your personal activities (for example, help with the laundry, bathing, dressing, cooking, and cleaning) at home from family members, friends, or volunteers. If you think you need home care, talk to your family to see if they can help with care or help arrange for someone to come to your home to help.

Some home care can only be given by licensed health workers, such as if you need skilled nursing care and certain other health care services that you get in your home for the treatment of an illness or injury. Skilled nursing care includes services and care that can only be performed safely and correctly by a licensed nurse (either a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse) or a licensed therapist. Remember, Medicare only pays for home care if you meet certain conditions. For more information, look at the Medicare booklet, Medicare and Home Health Care.

You can also hire a home health care agency for care in your home if Medicare doesn’t cover it. In this case, you will need to pay for this care on your own. Home care costs can vary depending on where you live, the type of care you need, and how often you need care. Usually home care is charged by the hour.

To locate home health agencies that provide services in your area, look at Home Health Compare on this website. You can also look at the National Association for Home Care website to get information about home care and hospice. This website includes information on how to find a home care or hospice agency and how to prepare for care.

The following home health services may be available in your community:

• Skilled nursing care
• Homemaker/Health aides
• Personal care aides
• Respite care
• Medical equipment
• Home repair and modification
• Hospice

These facilities provide care to people who can’t be cared for at home or in the community. Nursing homes provide a wide range of personal care and health services. For most people, this care generally is to assist people with support services such as dressing, bathing, and using the bathroom, for people who can’t take care of themselves due to physical, emotional, or mental problems. Medicare doesn’t pay for this type of care and doesn’t pay for most nursing home care.

Some nursing homes may provide skilled care after an injury or hospital stay. Medicare pays for skilled nursing facility care for a limited period of time if you meet certain conditions. For more information, look at the Medicare booklet, Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care. To locate nursing homes in your area, look at Nursing Home Compare on this website.

The cost for nursing homes can vary depending on where you live and what type of care you need.

To find out information on accreditation of nursing homes in your area, look at the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations’ (JCAHO) website.

Nursing Home: Checklist

It is important for you and your family members to visit the nursing home to make sure that it meets your needs, as well as those of your family. A few things to consider when choosing a nursing home are listed here.

Ask to see the nursing home’s last annual state inspection report. Did the report find any problems? Ask how the problems were fixed.