Choosing a nursing home, assisted living community, or memory care setting can be an emotional and complicated decision. Families must consider the individual’s medical needs, mobility, memory, personal-care requirements, preferred location, budget, and long-term goals.
Horizon Care Services helps families understand their options and coordinate the search for appropriate senior living and long-term care resources throughout Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie Counties.
The primary difference is the level of care residents require.
Assisted living is generally intended for adults who want to maintain a degree of independence but need help with certain everyday activities. Depending on the community and its license, services may include:
Assisted living communities vary considerably. Some provide limited assistance, while others hold additional licenses that allow them to serve residents with more complex needs.
Nursing homes provide 24-hour nursing care and supervision for individuals who require a higher level of medical and personal assistance. Residents may be recovering from an illness or injury, living with significant physical limitations, or managing a condition that requires ongoing skilled care.
Depending on the facility and the resident’s care plan, services may include:
Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration provides additional information about nursing-home services and regulation.
Memory care may be provided within an assisted living community, a dedicated memory care community, or a nursing home. The appropriate setting depends on the individual’s cognitive condition, mobility, behavior, medical requirements, safety risks, and need for nursing supervision.
A diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease does not automatically mean that someone requires a nursing home. The individual’s complete care needs should be evaluated by appropriate healthcare professionals.
Learn more about Horizon’s dementia and Alzheimer’s care program.
Medicare generally does not pay for long-term nursing-home residence or custodial care when assistance with everyday activities is the only care required.
Medicare Part A may cover short-term care in a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility when the individual meets Medicare’s eligibility and medical-necessity requirements. Coverage may include a limited period of skilled nursing or rehabilitation following hospitalization.
Medicare Part B may continue covering eligible physician visits and certain therapy services received while someone is living in a nursing home. Coverage, eligibility, deductibles, and copayments depend on the individual’s circumstances and insurance plan.
Long-term care may instead be paid through:
Families should confirm coverage directly with Medicare, Medicaid, the insurance carrier, and the facility before making a financial commitment. Visit Medicare’s nursing-home coverage page for current information.
This information concerns coverage for facility-based services and does not imply that Horizon Care Services is Medicare-certified.
Whenever possible, tour several communities and visit promising facilities more than once. Visiting at different times can provide a clearer picture of staffing, activities, meals, cleanliness, and resident interaction.
Questions to ask include:
Pay attention to how staff members speak to residents, whether residents appear comfortable and engaged, and whether the environment looks and smells clean.
Families can use Medicare Care Compare to review participating nursing homes. Florida’s Facility Locator can also be used to review facility licenses and other available information.
The placement process should begin with the individual’s needs—not with a facility list.
Depending on the circumstances, placement assistance may involve:
Admission, medical eligibility, room availability, pricing, and final acceptance are determined by each facility. The client and authorized family members remain responsible for making the final decision.
Some referral and placement services receive compensation from participating facilities when a client moves into a community. Before working with any service, ask:
A placement recommendation should be based on the individual’s care needs, preferences, location, and budget. No placement service can guarantee admission, availability, pricing, or future quality of care.
Not everyone who needs help with daily activities requires assisted living or nursing-home placement. Depending on the individual’s health, safety, and support needs, private-duty home care may allow someone to remain in a familiar home environment.
Home care may include:
A healthcare professional should help determine whether remaining at home is appropriate when significant medical, cognitive, or safety concerns are present.
Horizon Care Services can help families explore home care, senior living, and long-term care resources based on their individual circumstances.
Call 561-776-7757 (toll-free 877-227-3890) or contact Horizon Care Services to discuss options for yourself or someone you love.
Horizon Care Services serves Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie Counties.
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No long-term contract · No membership fees · Cancel anytime
If you're currently experiencing an emergency situation, it would be best to call 911.
