Get the facts you need — without being steered.
Straight Path provides research resources to help families compare senior living options, review photos, videos, virtual tours when available, understand customer reviews, and plan the next steps with more confidence.
Assisted living and nursing homes should be researched differently.
Both can support seniors, but they are not the same. Assisted living is usually more residential. Nursing homes are more medical and are rated through Medicare Care Compare.
Assisted Living
Best for seniors who need help with daily activities but do not require constant skilled nursing care.
Nursing Homes
Best for seniors who need 24/7 skilled nursing, rehabilitation, medical monitoring, or long-term clinical care.
Use official sources before making a decision.
These links help families verify ratings, inspection history, licensing details, and community information outside of any referral or sales conversation.
Medicare Care Compare
Use this for nursing home star ratings, staffing, health inspections, and quality measures.
Open Medicare.gov →Five-Star Rating System
Learn how CMS rates nursing homes from 1 to 5 stars using inspections, staffing, and quality data.
Open CMS.gov →Florida Health Finder
Search Florida assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other licensed health care providers.
Open FloridaHealthFinder →AHCA Inspection Reports
Review inspection reports and provider oversight information from Florida’s health care agency.
Open AHCA →Pictures, Videos & Virtual Tours
Use Straight Path community photos, videos, and virtual tours when available to narrow your list before scheduling an in-person visit.
Search Communities →Medicaid, Elder Law & Moving Help
Use Straight Path resources to learn about Medicaid filing services, elder law support, moving help, home sale planning, and renting options.
View Resources →The care search is only one part of the move.
Families often have to solve housing, moving, downsizing, Medicaid, elder law, subsidy, and veterans benefit questions at the same time. Straight Path points families toward resources that can make those next steps easier to understand.
Plan the move
Think through moving companies, downsizing, selling your home, renting your home, timelines, storage, donations, family responsibilities, and what needs to happen before move-in day.
Selling your home
Compare estimated home value, timeline, repairs, estate sale needs, taxes, and whether sale proceeds may affect Medicaid planning. Speak with a qualified real estate, tax, or legal professional before making major financial decisions.
Renting your home
Some families consider renting to create income. Ask about property management, insurance, maintenance, taxes, vacancy risk, and how rental income may affect benefits or care affordability.
Moving companies & downsizing
Research senior move managers, licensed movers, packing help, storage, donation pickup, and estate sale support. Always check customer reviews, insurance, and written estimates.
Apply for subsidies
Some families may qualify for state, local, Medicaid, veterans, or housing-related assistance. Rules vary, so gather income, asset, insurance, medical, and residency documents early.
Medicaid filing services
Medicaid rules are state-specific and can be complex. Straight Path resources can point families toward Medicaid filing services so they can better understand eligibility, look-back rules, income limits, assets, and required documentation.
Elder law support
Straight Path resources can help families find elder law support for powers of attorney, estate planning, Medicaid planning, guardianship questions, asset protection, and long-term care planning.
Veterans Aid & Attendance
Veterans, surviving spouses, or eligible families may want to research VA Aid & Attendance and other veterans benefits that could help with care costs. Eligibility depends on service history, care needs, income, assets, and current VA rules.
How to research before choosing a community.
Use this order to stay organized and avoid rushing into the wrong fit.
Define the care need first
Write down current needs: bathing, dressing, memory issues, medication help, mobility, falls, nursing care, therapy, or behavioral concerns.
Compare the correct type of care
Assisted living, memory care, nursing home, and independent living solve different problems. Start with the care type before comparing buildings.
Check official ratings and licenses
Use Medicare Care Compare for nursing homes and state resources for assisted living licensing, inspections, and complaints.
Use pictures, videos, tours, and reviews
Review community pictures, videos, virtual tours on Straight Path when available, and customer reviews to spot patterns before visiting.
Tour, ask questions, and verify
Ask about staffing, fees, discharge rules, care changes, emergency response, meals, activities, and what happens if needs increase.
Plan the money and the move
Discuss private pay, selling your home, renting your home, subsidies, Medicaid filing, elder law needs, veterans aid, moving help, and family responsibilities before move-in day.
Ready to keep researching?
Search communities, compare options, review photos and virtual tours when available, and use Straight Path resources to make a more informed decision for your family.