3. Does admission into a nursing home require a physician's order?

Admission to a nursing home does not always require a physician’s order, but the order is a condition of payment for Medicare or Medicaid. Families usually work with their doctor to decide the right time to admit a loved one to a nursing home. Several factors -- including age, diagnosis, medical history and abilities of the primary caregiver -- play a part in that decision. Other times, the patient is admitted to a nursing home following a hospital stay. Ultimately, though, the decision to enter a nursing home lies with the patient and the family.