About

Lantern Care Notes is an independent information site that helps U.S. families understand the cost of nursing home care and make better decisions under pressure. We explain how typical prices work, what Medicare, Medicaid and insurance actually pay for, how to compare facilities, and what to expect during admission and the first weeks of a stay.

The site is written for adult children, spouses and patients who are paying for care out of pocket or trying to find out whether they qualify for help. We focus on explaining rules, formulas and decision criteria, and we point to official sources such as Medicare.gov, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, state Medicaid agencies and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program so you can confirm current figures.

We do not sell care, refer residents to facilities, or accept payment for placement, and we do not rank individual providers. Nothing here is medical, legal or financial advice. Eligibility rules and dollar thresholds change often and differ by state, so please verify details with the relevant agency and consult a qualified professional about your situation.

How this site is made

Lantern Care Notes is an independent information project. Guides are drafted with the help of AI writing tools and checked against official and primary sources before publication; see our Editorial Policy. We are not affiliated with any provider mentioned on the site and do not sell products or services.