1. Home care
offers support and services for those who want to age in place but may need help with (ADLs), such as grooming, toileting and dressing.
Cost
vary, depending on the type and frequency you need. A nonmedical caregiver, for instance, costs $6,673 per month ($35 per hour for 44 hours per week), while a private duty nurse costs $17,160 per month ($90 per hour for 44 hours per week), according to . Additional costs can include home safety enhancements.
Pros
— Seniors can stay in their homes, maintaining familiarity with their surroundings and connections with neighbors, notes a in the Delaware Journal of Public Health.
— A nonmedical caregiver coming to your home for a few hours a week to help with light housekeeping and personal care tasks will be significantly more affordable than staying at an assisted living facility (which CareScout estimates costs $6,200 per month, on average).
Cons
— Safety is a major concern, so modifications, such as widened doorways or strategically placed ramps, grab bars and other aids, may be necessary. You should also tackle obstacles that can contribute to , such as furniture that presents a trip hazard, loose rugs or slippery flooring.
— Home care lacks some of the that residents would get in a senior living or long-term care facility.
— only covers some services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social services and durable — canes, commode chairs and hospital beds, for example. aides who come in to help with , and those expenses can add up over time.
2. Senior apartments
Available to adults age 55 and older, are often a compromise between a long-term care facility and an .
Cost
Prices vary based on location, unit size and amenities, such as pools, on-campus dining and recreational offerings.
Pros
— Low maintenance costs
— Smaller living spaces
— housing
— Security and grounds maintenance
— Resident independence
Cons
— These residences typically don’t provide any services for seniors, who will need to make their own arrangements for meals, transportation and housekeeping.
— Without personal care services or community social activities, some older adults may feel isolated or , particularly if they’re less mobile or lack personal connections within the community.
3. Assisted living communities
First developed as a social model of senior housing, communities have evolved into a type of long-term care facility. These communities attract residents who have some physical limitations or and could benefit from assistance with ADLs.
Cost
You can expect an average price tag of about $6,200 per month for assisted living, CareScout reports.
Pros
— Assisted living residents generally have their own , with access to common areas and amenities, including a laundry room, on-site halls or restaurants and outside spaces, such as gardens, patios and pools.
— There are plenty of socialization opportunities, which can reduce feelings of .
Cons
— Assisted living facilities do not offer the level of medical care that do. Unlike nursing homes, they aren’t required by federal law to have a medical director and may have fewer clinical staff, such as registered nurses and certified nursing assistants.
— Most aren’t covered by Medicare. Depending on the policy, can help pay for assisted living care that isn’t covered by Medicare or other private health care insurance.
4. Board and care homes
Reminiscent of the boarding houses popular in the 1930s and ’40s, board and care homes are in which residents may have their own room or suite but share common spaces for dining and socialization. Sometimes known as residential care homes, these homes may also specialize in .
Cost
The monthly cost of board and care homes varies largely by location, but this option typically runs a little less than assisted living communities.
Pros
— This option comes with a home-like setting, versus the potentially more institutional feel of nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
— Residents receive help with daily tasks, such as bathing or dressing.
— Residents may also get some support with services like meals or laundry.
— Because board and care homes are limited to a handful of people, there may be a higher ratio of to residents.
Cons
— Privacy can be limited.
— These homes often come with fewer amenities and social activities.
— Residents may not be compatible.
— Medicare won’t cover personal care or room and board, but it will cover some medical costs, such as hospital or and lab tests, incurred while someone lives in this setting.
— Quality of care may be varied or limited, as group homes are often smaller and have fewer resources or oversight than larger .
5. Continuing care retirement communities
, or CCRCs, are a one-stop shop for senior care. Also referred to as life plan communities, these facilities include independent living, assisted living and nursing home care on one campus.
Cost
Monthly can vary, depending on the type and fee structure, but some may require a hefty upfront payment.
Pros
— enables residents to age in place, limiting their moves as they get sicker or require more care and services.
— CCRCs have a high staffing ratio and a significant number of registered nurses on staff.
— There tends to be a wide range of housing options, including cottages, townhomes and duplexes.
Cons
— These facilities can be expensive.
— Medicare doesn’t cover CCRCs, nor do most long-term care insurance plans.
6. Medicare PACE programs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly () falls under home and community-based services program. PACE offers a combination of services that enables seniors to continue living in their homes or with family members while receiving some long-term care.
Cost
While PACE fees vary, costs average $4,000 to $5,000 per month, according to the .
Pros
— Services can include adult day care, meals, , emergency services, social work counseling and transportation.
— Person-centered care, provided by a group of health care professionals, is a priority.
— Medicaid beneficiaries do not have to pay monthly premiums for the long-term care part of PACE.
Cons
— Enrollees are often required to use a PACE-preferred doctor, so you’ll need to check if a specific practitioner qualifies.
— Those with Medicare must pay monthly premiums for both long-term care with PACE and for prescription medications.
7. Respite care
For short-term needs, consider . This option can take many forms, such as:
— Visits from an
— Adult day health care
— Temporary stays at an assisted living community
Cost
Prices vary, depending on the type of respite care you’re using. Adult day health care, for instance, runs about $95 per day, according to CareScout.
Pros
— can take a break to go on vacation, go to work, run errands or just rest and refresh.
— Services often include bathing and hygiene assistance, recreational activities and opportunities for socialization.
Cons
— There may be a transition as your loved one adjusts to a new temporary caregiver or caregiving situation.
— Costs can add up, depending on how often services are required.
8. Adult foster care homes
Depending where you live, this option may be referred to as an adult family home, family care home or residential care home.These home-like facilities with on-site staff are much smaller than other live-in care options. States often regulate the number of residents that can reside here, and typically, this can mean only one to six residents at a time, as opposed to the high-occupancy environments in nursing homes.
Adult foster care programs provide assistance with ADLs, such as daily personal care, household chores and . Some adult foster care homes may also provide transportation and opportunities for socialization.
Adult foster care differs from adult day care, as day care is a daytime-only program, whereas foster programs are round-the-clock, permanent living arrangements.
Cost
The cost of adult foster care homes can vary considerably. However, they generally run lower than assisted living facilities or , which average $9,581 per month for a semi-private room and $10,798 per month for a private room, CareScout notes.
Pros
— The small number of residents can mean more personalized care.
— A home-like environment can provide comfort and the feeling of for residents.
— Adult foster care can be a more cost-effective alternative to other senior living options.
Cons
— Quality of care can vary considerably.
— Medical care is not offered generally, making aging in place a challenge if care needs change and if the home is not integrated with a larger facility.
— With a small number of residents, socialization may be limited, or residents may not get along with one another.
Personalize, prioritize and prepare
It’s important to weigh all your options and be realistic about what your loved one will need now and in the future. Cost alone isn’t an adequate determinant of the best for an individual, nor which facility or community is the best.
“Needs, issues and other factors vary from person to person. The most important things to think about are safety and quality of life,” says Barbara Resnick, a professor of organizational systems and adult health at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “Knowing the individual and being open to the fact that their situation and wishes can change is key.”
It’s not always best or desirable for an older person to stay in their home. An assisted living community or other facilities, including nursing homes, can provide socialization, meals, activities and other benefits seniors can’t get at home. These can make life joyful, purposeful and safe, which improve quality of life for your loved one and peace of mind for you.
Assessing your loved one’s care needs
To get started, have your loved one take a comprehensive geriatric assessment, a questionnaire usually used for people age 65 or older who have a serious illness, such as , or are showing signs of to help evaluate their health and well-being.
A geriatric assessment considers several aspects of a senior’s overall health, including:
— Physical function
— Nutrition
— Medical conditions
— Mental and cognitive health
— Emotional and psychological well-being
— Social support and environment
“Typically, this assessment takes about two hours and can shed light on specific needs, issues and concerns,” says Steven Buslovich, a New York-based geriatrician and chief medical officer of PointClickCare.
He notes that this -administered assessment also examines medication-related risk factors, such as polypharmacy, which is the use of five or more prescription medications. It’s possible that could be the cause of fatigue, lethargy or cognitive concerns.
Once your loved one has completed an assessment, you can narrow down appropriate care options.
Nursing home alternatives to consider:
— Home care
— Senior apartments
— Assisted living communities
— Board and care homes
— Continuing care retirement communities
— Medicare PACE programs
— Respite care
— Adult foster care
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originally appeared on
Update 05/07/26: This story was previously published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
