Paying for care
How families actually pay for care
Long-term care is expensive, and the rules about who pays are confusing. These guides explain each source of money, its limits, and how they fit together.
How Much Does Senior Care Cost? National Medians and How to Estimate Yours
The latest national medians for home care, adult day care, assisted living, and nursing homes, and how to turn those numbers into a realistic budget for your own family.
What Medicare Covers for Long-Term Care (and What It Doesn't)
Medicare pays for short-term skilled care, not ongoing help with daily living. Here is exactly where the line falls in 2026, and what families pay.
Medicaid for Long-Term Care: Nursing Homes, Home Care, and the Look-Back
Medicaid is the main public program that pays for long-term care. Here is how eligibility works, what protects a healthy spouse, and the mistakes that cause costly delays.
Long-Term Care Insurance: How It Works, Hybrid Policies, and When to Buy
How traditional and hybrid long-term care policies work, the features that matter most, and what to do if your parent already has a policy.
Can You Get Paid to Care for a Parent? Ways Family Caregivers Get Paid
Several programs can pay a family member to provide care, and a written agreement can make private payments fair and above board. Here is how each path works.
Tax Breaks for Family Caregivers: Deductions and Credits That Can Help
The medical expense deduction, the dependent care credit, and the rules for claiming a parent as a dependent can offset part of what you spend on care. Here is how each one works.
Common questions
Does Medicare pay for assisted living?
No. Medicare doesn't pay for room and board or ongoing personal care in assisted living. Some state Medicaid programs help with services in assisted living. See Medicaid long-term care.
Can I get paid to care for my parent?
In many states, yes, through Medicaid self-directed programs, and eligible veterans' family caregivers may qualify for VA support. See paying family caregivers.