May fit when
- Dementia or Alzheimer's symptoms affecting safety
- Wandering, confusion, agitation, or medication risk
- Family needs structured supervision and dementia-trained staff
May not be enough when
- Short-term rehab after surgery without cognitive support needs
- Medical crisis requiring hospital care
- Families seeking occasional hourly help only
Questions families should ask
- Is the unit secure?
- What dementia training do caregivers receive?
- How are wandering, sundowning, falls, and behavior changes handled?
- What is the staff-to-resident pattern?
- How does the community communicate with family?
Coverage and payment questions
- Medicare may cover medical care, but not long-term custodial room and board. Medicaid waiver rules and veterans benefits vary by state and eligibility.
- Ask whether Medicaid waiver, VA benefits, long-term care insurance, private-pay contracts, or Medicare-covered medical services are relevant.
- Request written fee schedules, care-level rules, and discharge or transfer policies.