Hi Christine, Medicare does not cover nursing home care, except for a few days after a hospital release. If she has few assets and SS is her only income, she will likely qualify for Medicaid which does cover nursing home care. I'd contact your local Social services office, if she has few resources. They will tell you what to do to help her qualify. She'll have to pay for the care until her assets reach less than $2000 (in most states that is true -things vary a little by state). Then, they'd take all but a small amount of her SS check toward her care and Medicaid would cover the rest. Good luck - there's paper work involved, but it's worth it. You need to get help. Carol