Fact checked by Vikki Velasquez Halfpoint Images / Getty Images Cost is increasingly a factor in determining whether to put older family members in a nursing home. Key Takeaways Americans can expect to pay anywhere from about $5,000 to $30,000 per month for nursing home care, depending on the market. Medicare covers 100% of the costs of nursing home care for only 20 days. After that, families must handle the costs. There are steps families can take to try to shield themselves from these high costs, b ...