Independent Living vs Assisted Living vs Nursing Home: Care, Costs, and Coverage
This is a recording of a live Good Grief community workshop. Members get access to expert-led sessions where they can ask questions, connect with others, and find support.
Trying to figure out what kind of care your aging parent actually needs and who pays for it?
You are not alone. This workshop is here to help.
In this session, long-term care expert Swasti Apte (24 years of experience at Kaiser Permanente, CareLight Health System, and the SACS Policy Group) breaks down the senior care journey in clear, practical language so you can make confident decisions for your family.
What you'll learn in this video
- The real difference between independent living, assisted living, and nursing homes and how to determine which option fits your loved one's needs right now
- How Medicare and Medicaid actually work when it comes to long-term care costs including what each program does and does not cover
- The 3-day hospital rule that could cost your family thousands if you do not understand it
- Medicaid spend-down strategies and the 5-year look-back rule explained simply
- How to use the CMS Care Compare tool to evaluate nursing homes before making a decision
- Tips for getting the most out of Medicare Advantage benefits, including home modifications and supplemental support
The complete workshop deck, notes, and resources for this session are available in the Good Grief Community Platform.
Access the full recapWorkshop led by
Swasti Apte
Healthcare Policy Expert & Long-Term Care Advisor