Trusted planning tools for families

Caring for a parent shouldn't mean guessing the cost.

Explore real care costs across all 50 states, check a nursing home's official CMS rating, and see what support you may qualify for — in minutes, with no phone number required.

Free to use · No sign-up · Based on 2026 median market rates

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Medicare-certified nursing homes searchable
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states monitored for CMS red flags
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states with detailed cost breakdowns
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cost to use every tool on this site

Free interactive tools

Real answers, not just articles

Four free tools built to give you a concrete next step in under 2 minutes each — no sign-up, no sales pitch.

Nursing Home Quality Lookup

Official CMS inspection ratings for any nursing home — no phone number, no commission, no sales calls.

Check a facility →

Medicaid Eligibility Checker

Enter income, assets, and state to see whether you're likely within 2026 Medicaid home-care limits.

Check eligibility →

Which Care Type Fits?

A 6-question quiz that points you toward in-home care, assisted living, memory care, or a nursing home.

Take the quiz →

Interactive Home Safety Checklist

Room-by-room checklist with progress tracking — check items off, then print or save your results.

Start the checklist →

Where does your parent live?

Search or tap a state on the map. The calculator below updates instantly with local rates.

Rates available Selected

Care Cost Calculator

Six types of care across all 50 states, real local rates, and an estimate of how much support may help cover it.

What type of care are you considering?

20 hrs/wk
A few hoursAround the clock

How the options compare

in Texas

Estimated monthly cost by care type. Tap a bar to switch.

A few things worth knowing

  • These are market rates — the sticker price before any help. Most families end up paying less once benefits are factored in.
  • The cheapest option isn't always the right one. In-home care can cost more than assisted living once you need many hours a week.
  • Costs vary a lot within a state too — a big city often runs well above the state average shown here.

Once you have a number that feels real, the next question is the big one: who helps pay for it? That's exactly what the section below walks through.

Estimated monthly cost

$2,420

20 hrs/week of in-home care

in Texas

Yearly total

$29,040

What this means for you

Who pays for this care?

Programs may cover

$850 (up to 35%)

Your family's share

$1,570

Check government support Turn this number into a full plan — see the $24 Planning Kit →

Email me this plan + free caregiver checklist

We'll email your plan summary and our family caregiver checklist. Unsubscribe anytime — see our privacy policy.

Estimates are calibrated to published 2025 U.S. national median rates and adjusted by state; actual prices vary by provider, region, and level of care. This tool is for planning, not a quote or benefits decision.

Step 2 — paying for it

You've seen the cost. Now find who helps pay it.

Most families qualify for more support than they expect — between Medicaid, veterans' benefits, and choosing the right setting, the number above is rarely what you actually pay out of pocket.

Interactive assessment · 2 minutes

Can my parent safely live alone?

Five honest questions, an instant risk picture, and a clear next step. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere.

Question 1 of 5

Mobility

THE COMPLETE

Elder Care
Planning Kit

State-by-state cost tables

Medicaid & VA roadmaps

Family meeting templates

25 provider questions

16 pages · 2026 Edition · carepathplan.com

$24

The premium workbook

Turn the scariest question in family life into a 90-day plan.

The free tools above show you the numbers. The Complete Planning Kit turns them into decisions — a 16-page fill-in workbook that walks your whole family from "what do we do?" to a written, agreed plan.

Cost comparison tables for all 50 states, plus a budget worksheet that finds your real funding gap

Step-by-step Medicaid waiver and VA Aid & Attendance roadmaps most families never hear about

The family-meeting agenda that prevents the classic sibling fight — and a who-does-what planner

25 questions that separate great care providers from glossy brochures

Cut-out emergency info cards and a day-by-day 90-day action plan

Get the kit — $24

Instant PDF download · Secure checkout via Gumroad · Less than one-tenth the cost of an hour with a care consultant

Elder Care & Knowledge Hub

Practical, judgment-free guides written for family caregivers — read them right here, no sign-up.

Dementia & Alzheimer's Care

How to communicate calmly, prevent wandering, and make the home feel safe and familiar.

Read guide

Mobility & Fall Prevention

A room-by-room plan to remove fall risks and keep your parent moving with confidence.

Read guide

Post-Stroke / Rehabilitation

Supporting recovery at home: routines, exercise follow-through, and warning signs to watch.

Read guide

Daily Living Assistance (ADLs)

Respectful, practical techniques for helping with bathing, dressing, and mealtimes.

Read guide

Paying for care

Funding & big decisions

The money side of caregiving, in plain English — how to find help and choose between options.

How to Apply for a Medicaid Waiver

The step-by-step path to HCBS waivers — eligibility, the application, the 5-year look-back, and the waitlist.

Read guide

Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home

The real differences in care, cost, and who pays — plus a simple way to tell which one your parent needs.

Read guide

VA Aid & Attendance Explained

The tax-free benefit many veteran families miss — who qualifies, and how to apply for free.

Read guide

Caregiver wellbeing & home

Taking care of yourself & the home

Because sustainable caregiving means protecting your own health, your legal footing, and a safe home.

Power of Attorney Basics

Why every family needs it before a crisis — financial vs. healthcare POA, explained simply.

Read guide

Caregiver Burnout

The warning signs most people miss, and what actually helps when you're running on empty.

Read guide

Long-Distance Caregiving

How to help an aging parent from another city or state — and support the sibling who's nearby.

Read guide

Home Safety Checklist

A room-by-room plan to help your parent age in place safely, plus tech that buys peace of mind.

Read guide

Common questions about care costs

Quick, honest answers to what families ask most.

Does Medicaid cover the cost of elder care?+

Medicaid most commonly covers nursing home care once a person meets their state's income and asset limits. For in-home care and assisted living, many states offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that help with the care portion, though rarely with room and board. Coverage and waiver names vary by state — our Medicaid waiver guide walks through how to apply.

How accurate are these cost estimates?+

Our figures are calibrated to published 2025 U.S. national and state median rates and adjusted by state. They're designed for planning, not as quotes — actual prices vary by provider, the specific region within a state, and the level of care your parent needs. Always collect a few real quotes before deciding.

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home?+

Assisted living provides help with daily activities like meals, bathing, and medication in a residential setting. A nursing home provides 24/7 skilled medical care from licensed nurses and costs significantly more. Our comparison guide helps you tell which one fits.

Are there benefits for veterans to help pay for care?+

Yes. The VA Aid & Attendance benefit pays a tax-free monthly amount toward care for qualifying wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities. Applying is free through an accredited Veterans Service Officer — see our VA Aid & Attendance guide.

How do I know if my parent can still live alone safely?+

Warning signs include falls, leaving the stove on, unmanaged medications, weight loss, unpaid bills, and increasing confusion. Our free 2-minute independence assessment gives you a structured risk picture and a clear next step you can bring to the doctor.

You may not have to pay it all yourself.

Most families miss at least one program they qualify for. Start with these three.

Medicaid waivers

State HCBS programs that can cover in-home care for eligible seniors.

VA Aid & Attendance

Extra monthly payments for qualifying veterans and surviving spouses.

Tax relief

Dependent credits and medical expense deductions can ease the load.

CarePath — Care Cost Plan

Prepared · carepathplan.com

State
Type of care
Amount of care
Estimated monthly cost
Estimated yearly cost
Support programs may cover
Estimated family share
Next steps: 1) Check Medicaid HCBS waiver eligibility in your state. 2) If your parent or their spouse served in the military, ask about VA Aid & Attendance. 3) Compare at least three local providers before signing.

Estimates reflect 2026 median market rates and typical program coverage ranges. Actual costs and eligibility vary by provider, income, assets, and care needs. This document is a planning aid, not a quote or a benefits determination.