What are Long-Term Care Facilities?

Long-Term Care facilities provide up to 24 hour care for aging or disabled individuals who are unable to live safely by themselves.  There are various types of facilities, including Nursing Homes, Adult Care Homes, and Family Care Homes.  Each differs in size and services provided.

Nursing Homes are facilities that provide nursing or convalescent care for three or more persons unrelated to the licensee. A nursing home provides long-term care of chronic conditions or short-term rehabilitative care following hospitalization.

Nursing Home Compare on Medicare.gov provides quality ratings for each of the nation’s 16,000 Medicare and/or Medicaid-certified nursing homes. Each facility is rated from a low of one star to a high of five stars based on three critical areas: health inspection results, quality measures, and staffing levels. An overall rating is also provided. Use the quality ratings together with other information about nursing homes you get by talking to your doctor or other health care provider, visiting nursing homes and talking to the staff, and contacting the Long-Term Care Ombudsman or State Survey Agency. Go To The Nursing Home Compare Page

Adult Care Homes, also known as Assisted Living Facilities, include Adult Care Homes (7 or more residents) and Family Care Homes (2-6 residents). These facilities provide care for persons age 18 and older who do not need nursing home care, but are no longer able to remain in their homes because they need help in meeting daily needs such as medication management, bathing and dressing. Assisted living homes are for people who need only occasional and incidental medical services. Room and board, personal assistance, supervision of medications, and social activities are provided. The private cost rates vary from home to home and supplemental assistance may be available to cover the cost for those with limited incomes. Information on assistance and placement may be obtained through local County Departments of Social Services Adult Services Section.

Similar to Nursing Homes, Adult Care and Family Care Homes also receive Star Ratings. Adult Care Homes are rated from a low of zero stars to a high of four stars based on their annual inspections and complaint investigations. Star ratings provide useful information in selecting a facility when used along with facility visits and talking with your local Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Go to the Adult Care Home Star Ratings.