A nursing home is a residential-living and medical-care facility for people who do not need the degree of medical care provided by a hospital but who need some regular medical attention. Most nursing homes have nursing aides, Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Nurses (RNs) on staff and available 24 hours a day.

Some nursing homes have special care units for people with serious memory problems such as Alzheimer’s disease. And some nursing homes will allow couples to live together. Most nursing home residents are older persons but other adults who require 24-hour care may also live in nursing homes.

In New Jersey, nursing homes are regulated by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), which ensures that these facilities comply with state and federal laws to provide a safe and caring environment for residents. Nursing homes in NJ are required to have licensed nurses, including RNs, LPNs, and certified nurse aides, on staff 24 hours a day to meet the medical needs of residents. The state also mandates specific staff-to-patient ratios to ensure adequate care. Facilities must adhere to regulations concerning residents' rights, dietary services, medication administration, and emergency preparedness. Special care units for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia are subject to additional requirements to address the unique needs of these residents. Moreover, NJ nursing homes must comply with the Nursing Home Reform Act under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA '87) at the federal level, which sets standards for the quality of care and residents' rights. Couples in NJ nursing homes are generally allowed to live together, provided the facility can accommodate such arrangements while ensuring the care needs of both individuals are met.