Nursing home or assisted living in California: what is the difference

Nursing homes give 24-hour nursing care and are inspected for Medicare. Assisted living helps with daily life and is licensed by the state. How they differ and how to check each.

How to read a nursing home inspection record

What inspection findings mean: the four severity levels from A to L, how widespread a problem was, why the count alone misleads, and what fines show.

How to choose a care home in California: a short checklist

Six steps for families: decide the kind of care, make a short list, read the official record, call, visit more than once, and check the agreement before signing.