To first determine whether your loved one can be admitted to a nursing home, your loved one must require skilled nursing care or rehabilitation services on an inpatient, daily basis and need continuous supervision. There must be a need for some minimum level of help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, etc. In addition, a physician must order these services. If your loved one meets these criteria and requires financial assistance for a nursing home, they must apply for a financial assistance program and meet the eligibility requirements of the program. If your loved one's finances are above the limits of the program, then they will need to use private payment until at some point, they will eventually become eligible for the program.

Some possible ways to pay for nursing home care is through long term care insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. When you meet with nursing home staff, be sure to bring along information about any current health care coverage, and a summary of your medical history.