Independent Living vs Assisted Living vs Nursing Home: Care, Costs, and Coverage

Trying to figure out what kind of care your aging parent actually needs and who pays for it?

You are not alone. This worksop 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

Whether you are just beginning to think about care for aging parents or are navigating a care transition right now, this session will help you feel less overwhelmed and more prepared.

Workshop Led By:

Swasti Apte
Healthcare Policy Expert & Long-Term Care Advisor
LinkedIn: /swastiapte
Email: swastiapte@gmail.com

Full workshop recap post with deck, notes, & resources can be found in our Good Grief Community Platform here.

You can also connect with our other experts in the Good Grief community.