Guide: paying for care
Who pays for senior care?
Mostly families, from savings and income. Here are the public programs that can help, and how to check eligibility.
- $6,200/mo
- Assisted living, 2025 national median
- 21-2680
- The VA form to apply for Aid and Attendance by mail
CareScout and VA.gov, read Oct 2, 2026. See source
On this page
Most families combine several sources
With assisted living at a $6,200 monthly median in 20255, most families combine savings, income and any program they qualify for.
This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Program rules change and differ by state; the agency's own page is the final word.
VA Aid and Attendance
VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits are monthly payments added to a VA pension for qualified veterans and survivors. To qualify, the person must first receive a VA pension and also need help with daily activities like bathing, feeding and dressing, or be largely confined to bed by illness, or live in a nursing home because of lost mental or physical abilities, or meet set vision limits1.
How to apply. Online, by mail with VA Form 21-2680 to the Pension Intake Center, or in person at a VA regional office. Nursing home residents also file VA Form 21-07791.
Medicaid waivers
Caring.com explains that standard Medicaid does not include assisted living or memory care among its covered services, but many states run Medicaid waivers, including Home and Community-Based Services waivers, that can help pay for some assisted living or memory care services23. Eligibility, waiting lists and what is covered depend on the state; contact your state Medicaid agency.
Ways families pay
| Source of money | What it can help with | Described by |
|---|---|---|
| Savings, income, pensions4 | Most non-medical home care is paid out of pocket | A Place for Mom |
| VA Aid and Attendance1 | Monthly payment on top of a VA pension for qualified veterans and survivors | VA.gov |
| State Medicaid waivers2 | Some assisted living and memory care services, depending on the state | Caring.com |
| Long-term care insurance2 | Policy terms and coverage vary; harder to get once care is needed | Caring.com |
Where to start
Step 1
List income and assets
Pensions, savings, home equity, any long-term care policy.
Step 2
Check VA eligibility
If the person or a late spouse served, start with the VA pension rules.
Step 3
Call the state Medicaid agency
Ask about waiver programs for assisted living or home care and any waiting list.
About this page
We do not earn anything from sign-ups today: every provider link is a plain link to the provider's own site, without a referral code. This site is not a medical provider and nothing on it is medical advice; talk to a qualified clinician about your own health.
ElderCompass Guide is not a care provider, placement agency or medical provider, and nothing here is medical, legal or financial advice. Talk to a qualified clinician about health questions.
Costs are published medians or list prices on the date we read them. The provider's or community's own page, contract and written quote are the final word on price and terms.
