A residential facility for the care of elderly people or, in some cases, for people who have serious illnesses or disabilities: Approximately 50% of residents in nursing homes are demented and most suffer from a number of medical conditions related to aging.

The ideal nursing home is well equipped with registered nurses, as well as nurses' aides, has regular visits from a physician, provides access to advanced medical care facilities, and is closely linked, both organizationally and geographically, to community hospitals.