Today it is important to differentiate 1. Nursing Homes  2, Assisted Living Homes

Both are places where health care is given. Both are very expensive.

That is pretty much where the similarities end.

You will not run into a nursing home resident at Starbuck's. One is usually admitted to a nursing home. You don"t walk out on your own. Most residents will leave only to attend their own funeral.
If you have middle to low funds, the government agency called Medicare pays the nursing home until your savings are gone and you are poor. Then Medicare turns you over to Medicaid and that government agency foots the bill.

Since we know how rich America is, the nursing homes charge moogo bucks, while paying the people who feed and clean you minimum wage. The food is cheap and bland. You will probably share a room with a stranger...maybe there will be a crappy TV in the room, but mostly you will sleep. If you do not mostly sleep, the staff will convince  you that you should and they will have drugs to help you.

In the 1970s the inhumane treatment at nursing homes got media attention. Society demanded action and the government drafted regulations. So, now there are decorations for holidays, better scents, and you may get rolled in halls, but mostly you sleep.

In the 1990s, women were working  outside the home more, rich land developers (mostly men even   now) saw moms, dads, would soon need care and there would be money to  be made---lots of interest bearing, rising property value money inheritance that many baby boomers would readily part with, since the greatest generation gave them a college education along with a transportation infrastructure which allowed them  to seek out the best jobs. Those kids would rather pay a stranger to take  care of Mom/Dad than jeopardize their job.

Enter the assisted living home! Made to please the kids. Beautiful grounds, individual units, trips to the zoo and concerts--why, it  provides all YOU (the kids) would give your parents!

But mostly...you sleep.

Medicare will not pay for these places. If you need watching or a reminder to take a pill. plan on paying $5-8,000 a month  for a studio unit.

And my nonrefundable  entrance at last place was $11,000.