Quick Comparison
| Nursing Home | Assisted Living | |
|---|---|---|
| Level of care | 24-hour nursing and personal care | Help with daily activities, less medical care |
| Best for | Higher medical needs, or rehab after a hospital stay | People who need support but want more independence |
| Typical cost (NH) | Not published here yet: ask each home for its written rate | Not published here yet: ask each residence for its fee schedule |
| Who pays | Medicare may cover a short skilled stay; Medicaid may cover long-term care | Mostly private pay; NH Medicaid CFI may help with services |
We don't yet have a verified, dated source for New Hampshire prices, so we don't show any. Details and sources below.
Nursing homes provide 24-hour nursing care and short-term rehab; most are certified by Medicare and/or Medicaid and are inspected against federal standards. Assisted living offers housing, meals, help with daily activities and oversight, and is licensed by the state. Medicare generally doesn't pay for long-term stays in either.
Who this is for
Families deciding what level of care fits now, or after a hospital stay, especially in New Hampshire.
Side by side
| Nursing home | Assisted living (NH) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical care | 24-hour care; skilled nursing; rehab after surgery or illness; long-term care for help with daily activities; some offer dementia units | Help with daily activities, medications, meals, housekeeping, activities and 24-hour oversight |
| Oversight | Federal certification standards, state inspections, public CMS ratings | NH DHHS licensing: Assisted Living Residence–Residential Care (He-P 804) and Supported Residential Health Care Facilities (He-P 805) |
| Medicare | Part A may cover short-term skilled care (up to 100 days per benefit period) after a qualifying hospital stay; not long-term custodial care | Does not pay for room, board or personal care; may cover separate medical services |
| Medicaid | May cover long-term nursing home care if you qualify | May help with services in assisted living depending on the state and your needs (in NH, see the Choices for Independence program) |
| On CaringBloom | All NH certified homes | Coming soon Not in our directory yet |
Signs a nursing home may fit better
- Needs skilled nursing or therapy every day, at least for a while.
- Needs hands-on help with several daily activities around the clock.
- Medical needs a residential setting has said it cannot meet.
These are conversation starters, not rules. Ask the doctor or hospital social worker, and ask each residence what care it can and cannot provide before someone would need to move.
Key questions
- What exactly is included in the monthly rate, and what costs extra? Get the fee schedule and contract in writing.
- Is staff awake and on site 24 hours? Who handles medications?
- At what point would a resident need to move, and who decides?
- Do you accept Medicaid or Choices for Independence funding?
This guide is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. For decisions about your situation, talk with your doctor, the hospital or facility social worker, an Aging & Disability Resource Center, or an elder-law attorney.
Official sources
- Medicare: Long-term care coverage
- Medicare: Skilled nursing facility care
- Medicare: Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home (PDF)
- NH DHHS: Administrative rules for health facilities (He-P 804, He-P 805)
- NH DHHS: Choices for Independence (Medicaid manual 239)
Sources checked Nov 11, 2026. Rules and dollar amounts change, usually each January; confirm with the source.