Get the Facts: Elder Care
A curated, annotated, and extensive list of links to vital caregiving information
AARP’s Caregiver Resource Center offers a robust array of information, tools, and guides. Use the dropdown menus to search for guidance:
- Basics
- Care at Home
- Medical
- Financial and Legal
- Caregiver Life Balance
- Community
- Local Resources and Solutions
- Stories
Alzheimer’s Association & AARP Community Resource Finder is a robust and well-researched database of dementia and aging-related resources. Search here for reliable providers of post-acute home care, senior-living options, community-based care programs, and elder law or medical service professionals. The online tool powered by Carelike® makes it easy for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, caregivers, and those involved in making care-related decisions to find local programs and services.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers serves as single points of entry into the long-term supports and services system (LTSS) for older adults and people with disabilities. This federally sponsored site provides a direct link and information about resources available in every state in the country.
Aging Care: Helps caregivers find and compare local service providers like senior housing options, in-home care companies, and elder law attorneys. Their “senior care specialists” provide free online guidance on finding reliable care options. Caregivers get ideas and advice from other caregivers via their online forum. And “Care Topics” offers an extensive A-Z directory of helpful articles produced by professional writers and eldercare experts.
Aging Life Care Association links you to certified professionals, formerly known as geriatric care managers, who partner with families who need help planning and coordinating an elderly loved one’s care. They offer expert assistance when making decisions or solving problems with issues like home care services, housing, government entitlements, or medical management; with legal, financial, or safety concerns.
Care Pathways is a nurse-run site that educates and supports families when making decisions about senior care options. Their on-line database and access to professional advice facilitate the difficult search for home care, adult day care, independent living facilities, residential care homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. Home health care supplies can also be purchased.
CJE Senior Life offers a variety of programs and services for older adults based on Jewish principles. To talk with a social worker or certified geriatric care manager, call 773.508.1000
The Conversation Project: Helps people talk about their wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected. They normalize end-of-life discussions with a “Conversation Starter Guide,” YouTube videos, and “Getting Started Guides” for faith-based organizations, healthcare providers, and communities.
Daily Caring: Offers practical and useful tips, advice, personal stories, and resources related to caring for older adults and those with dementia. This easy-to-navigate site was selected as the Best Senior Caregiving Website in 2021.
Eldercare Locator is a free federally-funded site that instantly connects caregivers with senior services anywhere in the country. Want to get online information? Enter a zip code to access a local list of all government-sponsored agencies and community-based organizations that provide services on a sliding fee scale to older adults and their caregivers. Want to ask someone a question? Send an email. Start an Online Chat. Or speak with an Information Specialist, Monday – Friday, 9 AM-8 PM ET Toll‑free at 800‑677‑1116.
ElderCare Matters is an online directory of more than 600 eldercare experts which is accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Their nationwide network includes:
- Accountants
- Aging In Place Specialists
- Daily Money Managers
- Elder Law Attorneys
- Estate Planning Advisors
- Financial and Investment Advisors
- Geriatric Care Managers
- Insurance Professionals
- Reverse Mortgage Lenders
- Senior Move Managers
- Tax Advisors
- Other eldercare experts who work with seniors and their families
ElderCare Matters professionals also provide useful articles about a wide range of topics and answers to elder care questions.
Hospice Foundation of America offers education, information and publications on end-of-life, hospice care and grief. They provide confidential, personal responses to questions submitted on-line through their “Ask an Expert” function provides a secure group calendar to coordinate offers for help with caregiving tasks.
Medicare is the official US government site for Medicare that provides Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers with information on this health care program. They offer a wide range of free publications in print, podcast, and eBook formats. Another easily-understood source of information is also provided by RetireGuide.com.
- Guide to Choosing a Hospital
- Discharge Planning Checklist
- What is Medicare? is an easy-to-understand overview by RetireGuide.com
National Adult Day Services Association speaks as the national voice of adult day service community. They offer practical guidance on how to choose an adult day center. Their caregivers section provides a detailed site-visit checklist to help judge which site is right for you and/or your loved one.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization provides free resources to help people make decisions about end-of-life care and services. They answer questions about hospice and palliative care; links to hospices in your area; and specific guidance on managing symptoms and pain. The resource section offers a library of downloadable publications.
SeniorAdvisor sponsored by A Place for Mom, is a comprehensive online directory of senior housing options, home care providers, and senior services across the United States and Canada. Listings include pricing information, photos, local attractions, and are based on verified consumer reviews and ratings. Call Toll‑free: 800‑805‑3621.
Senior Safety Advice provides information on how to make the home living environment as safe as possible for older adults, through the use of home modifications, technology, and adaptive equipment. Guidance comes from Senior Home Safety Specialists, certified by Age Safe America.