What should I do if I think I need to go into a nursing home?
Determining what kind of care you need and where you should receive that care is a complicated issue that you should discuss with your doctors and family members.

• The first question for most people is what level of care they need. "Level of care" is the term for the amount of care and kinds of care a person needs on an ongoing basis. Your level of care will determine whether your insurance or Medicaid will pay. Your doctor can determine what level of care you need.

• The next question is whether you have insurance to cover the nursing home costs, or if you need to apply for Medicaid, or if you must pay for it yourself.

Medicaid eligibility for nursing homes is complicated and you should consult a lawyer if you have questions.

Where can I get more information about nursing homes?
See the Forms & Education tab of this section for more resources, or you can review the information available on the following websites:

20 Common Nursing Home Problems, and How to Resolve Them

The Baby Boomer's Guide to Nursing Home Care

See also the Forms & Education tabof this section for more information.