What do families ask most?
Where does PlainElderCare's cost data come from?
State-level elder care costs come from the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey (formerly Genworth Financial). CareScout has conducted this survey annually since 2004, making it the longest-running national source for U.S. elder care cost data. Costs shown are state-level medians.
What do the CMS star ratings mean for nursing homes?
CMS rates nursing homes on a 1–5 star scale across three dimensions: health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures. A 5-star overall rating indicates above-average performance across all three. Ratings are updated monthly by CMS and reflect regulatory data — not subjective satisfaction surveys.
How accurate are the cost estimates for my area?
PlainElderCare shows state-level medians from the CareScout survey. Actual costs in your specific county or city can vary significantly from the state median, particularly in major metro areas (often higher) or rural areas (often lower). Use state costs as a starting baseline and get specific quotes from local facilities.
What is the difference between assisted living and a nursing home?
Assisted living provides help with daily activities (bathing, meals, medication management) in a residential setting — residents typically live in private apartments. Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide medical-level care 24 hours a day, including skilled nursing, physical therapy, and intensive health monitoring. Nursing homes typically cost significantly more.
How do I find nursing homes in my county?
PlainElderCare county pages list all CMS-certified nursing homes in the county with their overall star rating and sub-ratings. Browse by state, then select your county, to see the local facility list.
What does Medicare cover for nursing home care?
Medicare Part A covers short-term skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying hospital stay of at least 3 days — typically up to 100 days. After 100 days, Medicare coverage ends. Long-term nursing home care is typically not covered by Medicare and is funded by Medicaid (for those who qualify) or private pay. Consult a benefits counselor for guidance specific to your situation.
Is PlainElderCare affiliated with CMS or CareScout?
No. PlainElderCare is an independent information service built by Kiznis.Studio. We present publicly available CMS data and CareScout survey data in an accessible format but are not affiliated with CMS, CareScout, or any government agency.