Elder Care Decisions

When a senior needs medical attention, consider the level of care they require and the immediacy of the need before deciding where to take them for treatment.

Knowing at what point dementia patients need 24-hour care is critical. Spot the signs it's time for memory care to improve a patient's quality of life.

Since my husband's hospitalization, the amount of care he requires has become overwhelming. Providing home care myself is no longer a viable option, and deciding what path to pursue next was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make.

Assessing basic ADLs and instrumental ADLs helps determine the level of care a senior needs and what programs and benefits they may be eligible for.

Caregivers often face challenging decisions regarding their loved ones’ care. Here are some strategies for maintaining your sanity, even when making the most difficult choices.

Family members are often forced to decide between giving in to what a senior wants (or demands) and doing what is best for them. A veteran caregiver offers her tips for recognizing the difference between helping and enabling a loved one.

When talking to aging parents about assisted living, acknowledge why they might want to remain at home and reassure them that the decision is theirs to make.

Making care decisions for aging parents is never easy. Use these tips to work with your aging loved ones and devise a plan that balances their safety and independence and gives you added peace of mind.

In addition to wisdom, aging brings changes that can make staying in a cherished home difficult, if not impossible. As an older adult’s care needs change over time, so will their senior housing options.

Deciding whether to use a feeding tube is a complex matter, especially for older patients. Family caregivers should understand why and when tube feeding is appropriate in case they must make this choice for their loved one someday.

On senior living tours, guides often direct your attention to the shiny features they’re proudest of. These amenities may be great, but this checklist of essentials can clue you in to the subtler indicators of a quality community.

Interviewing home care agencies can help you determine which provider best fits your loved one’s needs. Start with these 25 questions.

Find out how to choose the best home care agency by gathering information about providers, evaluating their quality, and getting cost estimates.

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) promise to care for you for the rest of your life, but they do so for a price.

It can be difficult to distinguish scientifically proven options from hyped up “remedies” and expensive “cures.” Know what to look for in an alternative treatment and how to decide if it's worth trying.

This guide explains nursing home room regulations, important questions to ask the facility prior to move-in, and tips for anticipating items nursing home residents need (and don’t need).

When considering the many different types of senior housing communities available, you may be faced with the decision to rent or buy. It’s important to consider an elder’s future care needs and finances before deciding which option is best.

The slow and unpredictable progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias often makes it tricky for families and even doctors to determine when to bring in hospice. Use these guidelines to decide if a loved one is a candidate for end-of-life care.

Hospice, palliative care, home-based care, hospital-based care and long-term care facilities are all viable end of life care options. Compare end of life care types, where they are provided, the benefits offered and how these services are paid for.

Palliative care provides symptom relief for seniors living with a severe illness. Services may include personalized therapies, nutrition advice, and more.