Tool · From Official Sources, Checked October 2026
Care Options Guide
What Kind of Care Does Your Parent or Spouse Need?
Answer five questions about the help needed to see which kinds of care fit, from in-home help and adult day to assisted living, memory care, nursing homes and hospice, with what each involves and who usually pays under Medicare's rules. It runs in your browser and sends nothing.
How the Guide Works
Each answer points to care settings that match it, as Medicare.gov describes them and their coverage. It can't assess a person's needs: the doctor, a hospital discharge planner or your Area Agency on Aging can. Compare settings in senior housing options and assisted living vs nursing home, and see how to pay for care.
This tool restates official rules and published figures, checked October 2026. It isn't medical, legal or financial advice and doesn't decide eligibility; your state Medicaid agency, Medicare and your doctor do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare Pay for Long-Term Care?
No. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term care, also called custodial care, when it's the only care you need. It covers short-term skilled nursing after a qualifying hospital stay, home health for people who are homebound, and hospice.
What's the Difference Between Skilled Care and Custodial Care?
Skilled care is nursing or therapy that only professionals can safely give, like wound care or physical therapy. Custodial care is help with daily activities such as bathing and dressing.
Who Can Help Us Decide?
The person's doctor, a hospital discharge planner or social worker, and your local Area Agency on Aging. Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to reach your local agency.