Here’s Why So Many People Want to Avoid Nursing Homes

Nursing homes provide vital care to seniors who struggle to take care of themselves. But very few people want to end up in such a facility, according to a new survey.

A recent Gallup and West Health poll found that 70% of people in the U.S. say they would be very or somewhat uncomfortable moving into a nursing home even if they were unable to provide for themselves. In addition, 61% said the same about moving a loved one into a nursing home.

Why are Americans so reluctant to move into nursing homes? Here are the top reasons respondents gave to Gallup.

1. Concern about quality of care

Respondents who said this is a primary reason that they would not want to go into a nursing home: 70%

Americans are not impressed with the level of care they see in nursing homes.

In the survey, nursing homes earned an average grade of “D+” from survey respondents when it comes to quality of care. Overall, 36% gave nursing homes a “D,” and another 6% gave nursing homes a grade of “F. ”

Just 1% gave nursing homes a grade of “A.”

2. Too expensive/cost

Respondents who said this is a primary reason that they would not want to go into a nursing home: 49%

Nearly half of respondents — 49% — said cost is a major reason they are reluctant to turn to nursing homes for care.

You can expect to spend about $276 a day — or $8,390 per month — for a semi-private room in a nursing home, according to 2023 estimates from the Genworth Cost of Care Survey. For a private room, the median cost nationwide jumps to $315 a day, or $9,584 per month.

3. Concern about effect on mental/emotional health

Respondents who said this is a primary reason that they would not want to go into a nursing home: 45%

In the survey, 45% of respondents said they are uncomfortable about entering a nursing home because of the potentially negative impact that such a facility could have on their mental or emotional health.

Other reasons people want to avoid nursing homes

Here are some additional reasons that survey respondents said they would prefer to steer clear of nursing homes:

• Loss of independence: 34%
• Do not want to die in a nursing home: 28%
• Concerns about physical safety: 27%
• Loss of privacy: 21%
• Other: 4%
• There is not a facility in the area where I want to live: 3%

For more on nursing homes, check out “5 Things You Should Know About Nursing Homes.”