If your parent needs assisted living, one of the first questions may be:
How are we going to pay for it?
Assisted living can be a significant monthly expense, especially when care needs increase over time.
The latest CareScout national benchmark reports a 2025 median assisted living cost of $6,200 per month, or about $74,400 per year. Actual costs vary widely by location, community, apartment type, and level of care.
The good news is that families do not always have to rely on one source of money.
A realistic plan may combine:
- Social Security
- Pension income
- Retirement savings
- Investments
- Long-term care insurance
- Medicaid
- VA benefits
- Home equity
- Rental income
- Family resources
- Other community or public benefits
The goal is not simply to find a program that pays the entire bill.
The goal is to understand:
- How much care will cost
- How much income your parent has
- What insurance or government benefits may be available
- How much savings can reasonably be used
- How long the money is likely to last
Quick answer: Medicare generally does not pay for long-term assisted living. Families often use income and personal assets, while some people may also qualify for long-term care insurance, Medicaid programs, VA benefits, or other assistance.
How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?
Before deciding how to pay for assisted living, get a realistic estimate of the total monthly cost.
The latest national median reported by CareScout is:
$6,200 per month
That equals approximately:
$74,400 per year.
This is a national median, not a guaranteed price for your parent.
Actual costs can vary based on:
- State and city
- Community
- Apartment size
- Private or shared accommodation
- Level of care
- Medication assistance
- Transportation
- Housekeeping
- Personal care
- Memory care
- Community or move-in fees
- Additional services
A community advertised at a low starting price may cost considerably more after care services and other fees are added.
Related: How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in 2026?
Ask for the Total Monthly Cost
When comparing communities, ask for a written estimate that includes:
- Base monthly fee
- Care fees
- Medication management
- Transportation
- Housekeeping
- Laundry
- Personal care
- Community fees
- Move-in fees
- Deposit
- Additional services
Don't compare communities using the advertised starting price alone.
Start With Your Parent's Monthly Income
Before selling assets or applying for benefits, calculate how much money your parent already receives each month.
Potential income sources include:
- Social Security
- Pension
- Retirement distributions
- Annuities
- Investment income
- Rental income
- Other regular income
Create a simple income worksheet:
| Income Source | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Social Security | $ |
| Pension | $ |
| Retirement income | $ |
| Investment income | $ |
| Rental income | $ |
| Other income | $ |
| Total Monthly Income | $ |
Then compare that income with the estimated assisted living cost.
Suppose assisted living costs:
Monthly assisted living cost: $6,200
Monthly income: $3,800
---------------------------------------
Monthly funding gap: $2,400
That means the family needs another $2,400 per month, or about $28,800 per year, from savings, insurance, benefits, or another source.
This simple calculation is one of the most important first steps.
1. Use Social Security and Other Monthly Income
Social Security can help pay for assisted living, but it generally does not provide a separate assisted living benefit.
For example:
Assisted living: $6,200
Social Security: -$2,100
-----------------------------
Remaining amount: $4,100
The remaining amount could potentially come from:
- Pension income
- Savings
- Investments
- Long-term care insurance
- Medicaid
- VA benefits
- Other resources
This is why families should think about assisted living as a monthly funding plan rather than looking for one program to cover everything.
2. Use Savings and Retirement Accounts
Personal savings and retirement assets are commonly used to pay for long-term care.
Potential sources include:
- Checking accounts
- Savings accounts
- Certificates of deposit
- Brokerage accounts
- IRAs
- 401(k)s
- Other retirement accounts
However, withdrawing retirement money can have financial consequences.
Depending on the account and your parent's circumstances, withdrawals may affect:
- Income taxes
- Required distributions
- Benefit eligibility
- Investment growth
- A spouse's financial security
- How long the assets will last
Don't Just Ask "Can We Afford It?"
Ask:
"How many years can these assets realistically support the care plan?"
For example:
Savings: $150,000
Annual funding gap: $28,800
-----------------------------------
Simple estimated runway: 5.2 years
This is only a basic calculation.
It does not account for:
- Investment returns
- Inflation
- Taxes
- Assisted living price increases
- Changes in care needs
- Medical expenses
- Emergency expenses
Still, it can provide a useful starting point.
For large retirement withdrawals or complicated family situations, consider speaking with a qualified financial professional.
3. Does Medicare Pay for Assisted Living?
Generally, no.
This is one of the most common misunderstandings about senior care.
Medicare generally does not pay for:
- Assisted living room and board
- Long-term custodial care
- Ongoing help with activities of daily living
Activities of daily living may include:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Toileting
- Eating
- Personal care
However, Medicare can still cover certain eligible medical services while a person lives in an assisted living community.
For example, a resident may receive medically necessary healthcare services covered by Medicare.
That does not mean Medicare pays the assisted living bill.
Medicare coverage for medical care is different from coverage for assisted living.
4. What About Medicare and Skilled Nursing Care?
Assisted living and skilled nursing care are different.
Medicare may cover certain short-term skilled nursing facility care when specific eligibility requirements are met.
That is not the same as paying for long-term assisted living.
A family should not assume:
"Medicare paid for rehabilitation, so Medicare will pay for assisted living."
These are different types of care with different coverage rules.
Related: Medicare and Long-Term Care: What Families Should Know
5. Can Medicaid Pay for Assisted Living?
Sometimes.
Medicaid is different from Medicare.
Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal government and states, and programs are administered by individual states within federal requirements.
Some Medicaid programs can help eligible people pay for certain long-term services and supports.
However:
Medicaid coverage for assisted living is highly state-specific.
Medicaid may help cover certain care services without paying the entire assisted living bill.
In some situations, the resident or family may still be responsible for:
- Room
- Board
- Rent
- Personal expenses
- Services not covered by the program
Eligibility can depend on:
- Income
- Assets
- Functional needs
- State residency
- Program rules
- Care requirements
Do not assume that Medicaid will cover the full monthly cost.
6. Medicaid Questions to Ask
If you think your parent may qualify for Medicaid assistance, ask:
- Does my state provide Medicaid assistance for assisted living?
- Are home- and community-based services available?
- What are the income requirements?
- What are the asset requirements?
- Does my parent need to meet a functional-care requirement?
- Does the community accept the relevant Medicaid program?
- Is there a waiting list?
- Which services are covered?
- Is room and board covered?
- What expenses would our family still have to pay?
Important
Don't choose a community based on a salesperson saying:
"Medicaid should cover it."
Verify the specific program, eligibility rules, and participating community.
7. Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cover Assisted Living?
If your parent has long-term care insurance, review the policy before assuming you know what it covers.
Many long-term care insurance policies can provide benefits for eligible assisted living expenses.
However, policies vary.
Look for:
- Daily benefit amount
- Monthly benefit
- Elimination period
- Benefit period
- Covered care settings
- Inflation protection
- Maximum lifetime benefit
- Eligibility requirements
- Reimbursement rules
Example
Suppose:
Assisted living cost: $6,200/month
LTC insurance benefit: $4,000/month
-----------------------------------------
Remaining amount: $2,200/month
The policy may cover only part of the total expense.
Call the insurance company and ask for a written explanation of the benefits.
8. What Is an Elimination Period?
An elimination period is a waiting period before eligible long-term care insurance benefits begin.
For example, a policy may have a:
90-day elimination period
During this period, your family may still need to pay eligible care expenses.
The exact rules depend on the policy.
Ask the insurer:
- When does the elimination period begin?
- What qualifies toward the waiting period?
- Is it based on days or services?
- Do payments have to come directly from the policyholder?
- When will reimbursement begin?
Don't assume the insurance company will automatically pay the first assisted living bill.
9. Can Veterans Get Help Paying for Assisted Living?
Some Veterans and survivors may qualify for VA benefits that can help with long-term care expenses.
One program families may want to investigate is:
VA Aid and Attendance
Aid and Attendance may provide an additional monthly payment to certain eligible Veterans and survivors who meet specific requirements.
Eligibility can depend on factors such as:
- Military service
- Disability or care needs
- Income
- Assets
- Other eligibility requirements
The VA also provides information about long-term care options for eligible Veterans.
If your parent is a Veteran or surviving spouse of a Veteran, it is worth checking whether they may qualify.
Being a Veteran does not automatically mean someone qualifies for every VA long-term care benefit.
Related: VA Aid and Attendance for Assisted Living
10. Can Selling a House Pay for Assisted Living?
Yes.
For some families, selling a home can provide a significant source of funding.
For example:
Home sale
↓
Sale proceeds
↓
Long-term care reserve
↓
Monthly assisted living expenses
But selling a home is a major financial decision.
Before selling, consider:
- Is a spouse still living there?
- Is there an outstanding mortgage?
- Are there tax consequences?
- Does the family need the home later?
- Would renting be better?
- How much would the home actually net after selling costs?
- How long could the proceeds fund care?
Don't calculate using the home's estimated market value alone.
Calculate the amount the family would actually have available after costs.
11. Could Renting the Home Help?
Selling isn't the only option.
Some families keep the home and rent it.
For example:
Monthly rent: $2,000
Social Security: $2,200
Pension: $800
--------------------------------
Total income: $5,000
Against:
Assisted living: $6,200
--------------------------------
Monthly gap: $1,200
Rental income can help reduce the funding gap.
However, use net rental income, not gross rent.
Consider:
- Property management
- Repairs
- Property taxes
- Insurance
- Maintenance
- Vacancies
- Utilities
- Legal or accounting costs
12. Can a Reverse Mortgage Help?
For some homeowners age 62 or older, a reverse mortgage may be another option to investigate.
However, this is a complex financial decision.
Consider:
- Home equity
- Existing mortgage
- Interest
- Fees
- Spouse's rights
- Tax considerations
- Future housing needs
- What happens when the borrower permanently moves into assisted living
A reverse mortgage should not be treated as a simple solution for paying assisted living costs.
Families should consider speaking with a qualified housing counselor or financial professional before proceeding.
13. Can Family Members Help Pay?
Sometimes children, siblings, or other relatives contribute toward assisted living costs.
This may happen when:
- The parent's income is insufficient
- Assets are limited
- Several siblings are involved
- Family members agree to share expenses
But family contributions can create conflict if expectations are unclear.
Before making a major financial commitment, discuss:
- Who will contribute?
- How much will each person contribute?
- How long will the contribution continue?
- Is the money a gift or a loan?
- What happens if care costs increase?
- What happens if one family member can no longer contribute?
For significant arrangements, consider putting the agreement in writing and obtaining appropriate professional advice.
14. Don't Forget the Spouse!
This is one of the most important financial considerations.
Suppose one parent moves into assisted living while the other remains at home.
The family cannot simply calculate:
Total household assets ÷ assisted living cost
The spouse who remains at home may still need money for:
- Mortgage
- Rent
- Utilities
- Food
- Property taxes
- Home maintenance
- Transportation
- Insurance
- Medical expenses
The financial plan needs to consider both people, not just the parent entering assisted living.
15. Build a 12-Month Assisted Living Budget
Before signing a contract, build a one-year budget.
Monthly and Annual Expenses
| Expense | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Assisted living | $6,200 | $74,400 |
| Medication | $ | $ |
| Transportation | $ | $ |
| Personal expenses | $ | $ |
| Insurance | $ | $ |
| Clothing | $ | $ |
| Family travel/visits | $ | $ |
| Other | $ | $ |
| Total | $ | $ |
Then calculate available income.
Monthly and Annual Income
| Income | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | $ | $ |
| Pension | $ | $ |
| Investment income | $ | $ |
| Rental income | $ | $ |
| LTC insurance | $ | $ |
| VA benefits | $ | $ |
| Other | $ | $ |
| Total | $ | $ |
Then:
Annual expenses
-
Annual income
=
Annual funding gap
That funding gap is the amount that must come from savings, assets, benefits, or another source.
16. Plan for Assisted Living Price Increases
Don't build a financial plan that works only at today's price.
Ask the community:
"How often can the monthly rate increase?"
Also ask:
- How much did rates increase recently?
- How are care-level increases determined?
- What happens when care needs increase?
- Are medication fees separate?
- Are there annual increases?
- Are there one-time charges?
- What happens if memory care becomes necessary?
For example:
Starting cost: $6,200/month
Annual increase: 5%
Year 1: $6,200
Year 2: $6,510
Year 3: $6,836
Year 4: $7,178
This is only an example, not a prediction.
The important point is that assisted living costs may change over time.
17. What Should You Use First to Pay for Assisted Living?
There is no universal order that works for every family.
However, a useful planning framework is:
Step 1: Calculate the real cost
Get a complete written estimate from the community.
Step 2: Calculate regular income
Include:
- Social Security
- Pension
- Rental income
- Other recurring income
Step 3: Check insurance
Review long-term care insurance before using substantial savings.
Step 4: Check VA benefits
If your parent or their spouse may qualify, investigate available VA benefits.
Step 5: Check Medicaid
Review state-specific eligibility and programs.
Step 6: Review retirement assets
Determine how much can reasonably be withdrawn without creating unnecessary financial problems.
Step 7: Evaluate home equity
Consider selling, renting, or other housing options.
Step 8: Consider family resources
If appropriate, discuss whether family members can contribute.
Step 9: Compare alternative care
Assisted living may not be the only option.
Consider:
- Home care
- Adult day services
- Independent living
- Family caregiving
- Memory care
- Other community-based services
There is no single "correct" funding order. Tax rules, benefit eligibility, insurance policies, and family circumstances can change the best approach.
18. What If Your Parent Cannot Afford Assisted Living?
If the numbers don't work, don't immediately assume there are no options.
Work through the problem step by step.
Step 1: Get the real price
Ask the community for a complete fee schedule.
Step 2: Calculate monthly income
Include every reliable income source.
Step 3: Calculate the funding gap
For example:
Assisted living: $6,200
Income: $3,800
-----------------------------
Monthly gap: $2,400
Step 4: Check long-term care insurance
Find out exactly what the policy pays.
Step 5: Check Medicaid
Investigate your state's programs.
Step 6: Check VA benefits
If applicable, investigate Aid and Attendance and other programs.
Step 7: Review housing
Consider whether selling or renting the home makes sense.
Step 8: Compare other care options
For some families, home care or another care arrangement may be more affordable.
19. Compare Assisted Living With Other Care Options
Assisted living is not automatically the cheapest option.
Depending on your parent's needs, compare:
| Option | May Work Well For |
|---|---|
| Independent living | Older adults who remain mostly independent |
| Assisted living | People needing regular help with daily activities |
| Memory care | People needing specialized dementia support |
| Home care | People who prefer to remain at home |
| Adult day services | Families needing daytime support |
| Family caregiving | Families able to provide substantial support |
The right choice depends on:
- Care needs
- Safety
- Family availability
- Cost
- Housing
- Transportation
- Your parent's preferences
Related: Assisted Living vs. Home Care
20. Get a Complete Fee Schedule Before Signing
Never make the decision using only the advertised monthly price.
Ask for the complete pricing information in writing.
Look for:
- Base monthly fee
- Care-level fees
- Medication management
- Transportation
- Housekeeping
- Laundry
- Personal care
- Community fee
- Move-in fee
- Deposit
- Cancellation terms
- Annual increases
- Memory care pricing
- Additional service charges
Then compare at least three communities if possible.
Related: Senior Living Tour Checklist
21. Seven Common Mistakes Families Make
1. Looking Only at the Starting Price
A $5,000 starting price may become much higher after care services are added.
2. Assuming Medicare Pays for Assisted Living
Medicare generally does not pay for long-term assisted living room and board or custodial care.
3. Waiting Until a Crisis to Investigate Medicaid
Medicaid eligibility and application processes can be complicated.
Start learning about your state's rules early.
4. Ignoring the Spouse's Needs
The spouse who remains at home still needs housing, food, transportation, and medical care.
5. Forgetting Annual Price Increases
A financial plan should account for the possibility that costs will rise.
6. Spending Retirement Assets Without a Plan
Large withdrawals can affect taxes, investments, and benefit eligibility.
7. Signing a Contract Before Understanding the Fees
Ask for the contract and fee schedule.
Take time to review them before signing.
22. What Documents Should You Gather?
Before making a long-term care financial plan, gather important financial and care documents.
Depending on your situation, these may include:
- Social Security statements
- Pension information
- Bank statements
- Retirement account information
- Investment statements
- Long-term care insurance policy
- Health insurance information
- VA records
- Property information
- Mortgage information
- Recent tax returns
- Assisted living estimates
- Current medication list
- Care assessment
Keeping these documents together can make conversations with financial and benefits professionals much easier.
23. Where Can Families Get Help?
Paying for long-term care can become complicated quickly.
Depending on your situation, consider speaking with:
Financial Planner
A qualified financial professional can help evaluate:
- Retirement withdrawals
- Investments
- Income
- Cash flow
- Long-term sustainability
Elder Law Attorney
An elder law attorney may help with issues involving:
- Medicaid planning
- Estate planning
- Powers of attorney
- Spousal protection
- Long-term care planning
Medicaid or Benefits Counselor
A qualified counselor can help explain state-specific eligibility and application requirements.
VA Benefits Counselor
If your parent is a Veteran or survivor, a qualified VA representative can explain available benefits.
Long-Term Care Insurance Representative
Ask the insurer to explain exactly how the policy works before relying on it to pay for care.
Don't rely on a senior living salesperson as your only source of financial advice.
A community representative can explain the community's prices and policies, but they may not be able to determine the best financial strategy for your family.
24. Questions to Ask the Assisted Living Community
Before choosing a community, ask:
Cost
- What is the total monthly cost?
- What is included?
- What costs extra?
- Are there community or move-in fees?
- Is there a deposit?
- How often can prices increase?
Care
- How are care needs assessed?
- How much does each care level cost?
- What personal care is included?
- Is medication management available?
- What happens when care needs increase?
Future Needs
- Is memory care available?
- Can residents transition to higher care levels?
- Can my parent remain in the same community?
- What happens after hospitalization?
- What happens if my parent can no longer afford the community?
Contract
- Can I take the contract home?
- Is the deposit refundable?
- What is the cancellation policy?
- How much notice is required to move out?
- Are there termination fees?
Related: Senior Living Tour Checklist: 35 Questions to Ask
25. A Simple Assisted Living Funding Worksheet
Use this worksheet to estimate your parent's monthly funding gap.
Monthly Costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Assisted living | $ |
| Care fees | $ |
| Medication | $ |
| Transportation | $ |
| Personal expenses | $ |
| Insurance | $ |
| Other | $ |
| Total monthly costs | $ |
Monthly Resources
| Resource | Amount |
|---|---|
| Social Security | $ |
| Pension | $ |
| Rental income | $ |
| LTC insurance | $ |
| VA benefits | $ |
| Investment income | $ |
| Other | $ |
| Total monthly resources | $ |
Funding Gap
Total monthly costs
-
Total monthly resources
=
Monthly funding gap
Then multiply the monthly gap by 12:
Monthly funding gap × 12
=
Estimated annual funding gap
This gives you a starting point for determining how much may need to come from savings or other assets.
26. Senior Living Financial Checklist
Before choosing an assisted living community, make sure you have reviewed:
- Total monthly cost
- Base monthly fee
- Care-level fees
- Medication fees
- Transportation costs
- Community or move-in fees
- Deposit
- Annual price increases
- Social Security income
- Pension income
- Retirement accounts
- Savings
- Investments
- Long-term care insurance
- Medicaid eligibility
- VA benefits
- Home equity
- Rental income
- Family contribution
- Spouse's financial needs
- Emergency reserve
- Future care needs
- Contract terms
- Cancellation policy
27. How Long Will the Money Last?
One of the most useful questions is:
"How long can our current resources support the expected monthly gap?"
For a simple estimate:
Available savings ÷ annual funding gap
=
Estimated years of coverage
For example:
Available savings: $150,000
Annual funding gap: $28,800
----------------------------------
Simple estimate: 5.2 years
But this is only a rough estimate.
Real-world results can change because of:
- Assisted living price increases
- Investment returns
- Taxes
- Increased care needs
- Medical expenses
- Changes in income
- Unexpected expenses
A longer-term financial projection may be appropriate for families with substantial assets.
28. What If Care Needs Increase?
This is one of the most important questions to answer before moving in.
Ask:
"What happens financially if my parent needs more help next year?"
Find out:
- How care levels are assessed
- How often assessments are repeated
- What triggers a higher care level
- How much each level costs
- Whether medication assistance costs extra
- Whether memory care is available
- Whether your parent can remain in the same community
- What happens after hospitalization
A community that fits today's budget may not fit the budget after care needs increase.
29. Don't Wait Until There Is an Emergency
Financial planning becomes much harder when a family has only a few weeks to find care.
If your parent is beginning to need more assistance, start gathering information early.
You don't have to make a decision immediately.
Instead:
- Estimate the cost.
- Review income.
- Review insurance.
- Check potential benefits.
- Review savings.
- Compare communities.
- Understand alternative care options.
Early planning gives your family more choices.
30. How to Choose a Community You Can Actually Afford
A community should fit both the care needs and the financial plan.
Before choosing, ask:
Can we afford this community if the price increases?
Then ask:
Can we afford it if my parent's care level increases?
And finally:
Can we afford it if my parent needs to live here for several years?
If the answer is no, keep looking.
A slightly less expensive community may provide a more sustainable long-term plan.
Need Help Finding Assisted Living?
Once you understand your parent's care needs and budget, you can start comparing communities.
Consider:
- Location
- Monthly budget
- Care level
- Apartment type
- Services
- Activities
- Transportation
- Future care options
- Availability
Find Assisted Living Communities Near You
Affiliate disclosure: Vitals may receive compensation if you use an affiliate link on this page. This does not increase your cost. Affiliate relationships do not determine our editorial recommendations.
Related: How to Find Senior Living Near You
Final Takeaway
Paying for assisted living usually isn't about finding one program that covers everything.
For many families, the solution is a combination of:
Income + savings + insurance + benefits + other resources
Start with the numbers.
Calculate the real monthly cost.
Then determine how much your parent can contribute through:
- Social Security
- Pension income
- Retirement income
- Savings
- Investments
After that, investigate:
- Long-term care insurance
- Medicaid
- VA benefits
- Home equity
- Rental income
- Other available resources
Most importantly, don't wait until your parent needs care urgently to understand the financial picture.
The earlier you know what your family can realistically afford, the more choices you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does assisted living cost?
The latest CareScout national median assisted living cost is $6,200 per month based on 2025 data, or approximately $74,400 per year.
Actual costs vary significantly by location, community, apartment type, and level of care.
Does Medicare pay for assisted living?
Generally, no.
Medicare does not provide long-term custodial care coverage or pay the room-and-board cost of assisted living.
However, Medicare may still cover eligible medical services provided to someone who lives in an assisted living community.
Does Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Medicaid may help eligible people pay for certain long-term services and supports.
However, coverage varies by state.
Some Medicaid programs may cover care services without paying the entire assisted living room-and-board bill.
Can Social Security pay for assisted living?
Yes.
Social Security income can be used toward the monthly assisted living bill.
However, Social Security generally does not provide a separate assisted living benefit.
Does long-term care insurance cover assisted living?
Many long-term care insurance policies can provide benefits for assisted living.
However, coverage depends on the individual policy.
Check:
- Benefit amount
- Elimination period
- Covered services
- Benefit duration
- Eligibility requirements
Can veterans get help paying for assisted living?
Some eligible Veterans and survivors may qualify for VA benefits that can help with long-term care expenses.
Aid and Attendance is one program families may want to investigate.
Can I use retirement savings to pay for assisted living?
Yes.
Savings, IRAs, 401(k)s, brokerage accounts, and other assets can potentially be used to pay for care.
However, consider taxes, withdrawal rules, investment growth, benefit eligibility, and how long the assets need to last.
Can selling a house help pay for assisted living?
Yes.
Some families use home-sale proceeds to help fund long-term care.
Before selling, consider the needs of a spouse, taxes, mortgage obligations, housing needs, and whether renting the property may be more appropriate.
What should I do if my parent cannot afford assisted living?
Start by calculating the complete monthly cost and available income.
Then review:
- Long-term care insurance
- Medicaid
- VA benefits
- Retirement assets
- Savings
- Home equity
- Rental income
- Family resources
- Alternative care options
For complicated financial or benefit situations, consider professional advice.
Related Resources
- How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in 2026?
- Senior Living Tour Checklist: 35 Questions to Ask
- Assisted Living vs. Home Care
- Assisted Living vs. Independent Living
- What Is Modern Senior Living?
- How to Find Senior Living Near You
- VA Aid and Attendance for Assisted Living
- Long-Term Care Insurance for Assisted Living
References
CareScout Cost of Care Survey
CareScout's Cost of Care Survey provides national and state-level benchmarks for long-term care costs, including assisted living.
Medicare.gov
Medicare provides information about what Medicare does and does not cover for long-term care and skilled nursing services.
Medicaid.gov
Medicaid provides information about Medicaid programs and long-term services and supports. Specific eligibility and coverage rules are administered by individual states.
VA.gov
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides information about Aid and Attendance and long-term care services available to eligible Veterans and survivors.
Editor's Note: Assisted living costs, Medicaid eligibility, insurance benefits, VA programs, and other financial assistance vary by location and individual circumstances. This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide financial, legal, insurance, tax, or benefits advice. Always verify current program rules and eligibility with the appropriate government agency, insurer, or qualified professional.
