Essential Tips for Elder Care

Home Care

Understanding Home Care

What is Home Care?

Learn what home care involves, what services are included, and how it differs from medical care.

Home Care vs. Assisted Living

Compare cost, lifestyle, and support between aging at home vs. a senior living facility.

Why More Americans Are Choosing In-Home Care

Key trends and benefits of aging in place—from independence to improved outcomes.

Signs Your Loved One Might Need Home Care

Behavioral and functional indicators it may be time to bring in help.

Exploring Your Options

Types of Home Care Providers

Learn about the different types of home care providers.

Agency vs. Independent Caregiver

Understand differences in flexibility, pricing, and insurance options.

Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Caregiver

Be prepared with must-ask questions to ensure a great fit.

How to Find the Best Home Care in Your City

Local tips and resources for hiring in your area.

Ready to Take Action

Our Home Care Screening Process

See how we vet and match caregivers based on safety, skills, and empathy.

What Does Home Care Cost Per Hour?

Transparent pricing by region and level of care. No surprises.

Can I Use Insurance to Pay for Home Care?

Learn what’s covered by Medicaid, Medicare, and long-term care insurance.

Start Building Your Custom Care Plan

Get matched with a caregiver today.

Essential Reading

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Agency vs. Independent Caregiver

Learn the real differences in cost, control, and quality between care models.

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Conditions

Understanding the Basics

What Is Chronic Care at Home?

Learn how in-home care supports people with long-term or complex conditions.

Companionship vs. Personal Care

Understand the difference between emotional support and hands-on daily assistance.

Live-In and Overnight Home Care

Explore care options for families who need support beyond typical daytime hours.

Specialized Caregiver Training & Skills

What to look for in caregivers trained to manage specific medical or behavioral needs.

Navigating Specific Conditions

Dementia & Alzheimer’s Home Care

Specialized support for memory loss, mood changes, and daily routines.

Stroke Recovery at Home

Rehab-focused care to restore strength, mobility, and independence.

Parkinson’s In-Home Support

Help managing tremors, balance issues, medication timing, and safety.

Managing Multiple Conditions at Home

Guidance for families dealing with overlapping diagnoses like diabetes and COPD.

Planning for Long-Term Support

How to Build a Long-Term Care Plan

Coordinate in-home care, finances, and family involvement over time.

Palliative & End-of-Life Home Care

Compassionate, comfort-first care for individuals with serious illness.

Legal & Financial Planning for Home Care

Learn about POAs, Medicaid eligibility, long-term care insurance, and more.

Setting Up 24/7 or Live-In Support

How around-the-clock care works, including staffing and logistics.

Essential Reading

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Dementia & Alzheimer’s Home Care

Specialized guidance for memory care routines, safety tips, and long-term planning.

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Costs

Understanding Coverage

Does Medicare Cover Home Care?

Learn what’s covered, what’s not, and who qualifies.

Medicaid Waivers for Home Care

Understand how state Medicaid programs help pay for in-home support.

How Long-Term Care Insurance Works

Tips for using LTC insurance to cover caregiver costs and what's typically reimbursed.

Aid & Attendance for Home Care (VA Benefits)

Learn how veterans and spouses can qualify for extra funding for care.

Exploring Payment Options

Private Pay: What Families Actually Spend

Hourly rates, national averages, and how costs vary by location and need.

How to Use Health Savings & Flexible Spending Accounts

Tax-advantaged ways to pay for eligible in-home care expenses.

Comparing Home Care vs. Assisted Living Costs

Total cost breakdowns and value differences between staying at home or moving.

What’s Covered by Employer Benefits or Retiree Plans?

Rare but possible — learn if your or your loved one’s insurance includes home care.

Planning Your Budget

How to Estimate the True Cost of Care

Factor in hours, caregiver type, schedule, and geographic location.

How Home Care Affects Medicaid Eligibility

A guide to spending down, asset limits, and estate planning strategies.

Legal & Financial Planning with a Trust or POA

Key documents that impact how you fund and manage care decisions.

Setting Up a Shared Payment Plan with Family

Coordinate financial contributions from multiple family members.

Essential Reading

Medicaid Waivers for Home Care

Understand how state Medicaid programs help pay for in-home support.

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Families

Navigating Family Roles

Talking to a Parent About Getting Help

Learn how to approach sensitive conversations with empathy and clarity.

Caring for Aging Parents in Immigrant Households

Navigate cultural expectations, family duty, and language barriers.

Power of Attorney for Home Care Decisions

Understand how POA works and why it matters for caregiving.

Juggling Work and Elder Care

Tips for managing a job while supporting a loved one at home.

Supporting Emotional Wellness

Handling Caregiver Burnout

Spot the signs of burnout and learn how to build resilience.

How to Protect Your Sanity While Caregiving

Mental health tips for staying grounded while caring for others.

Caring for a Parent at End of Life

Emotional and logistical support for this final chapter.

Faith & Religious Needs in Home Care

Respect and integrate spiritual care into your loved one’s daily life.

Handling Practical Realities

Advance Directives and Home Care

Learn what forms you need and how they affect care delivery.

Coordinating Care from Another State

Set up systems, communication, and local support remotely.

Creating a Family Care Plan That Actually Works

Define roles, schedules, and expectations across siblings and relatives.

Legal Guardianship and Home Care

When and how to pursue guardianship to make care decisions legally.

Essential Reading

Talking to a Parent About Getting Help

A gentle guide to starting the conversation — and getting the outcome everyone can live with.

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States

State Guides

Medicaid Home Care State Guide

Navigate Medicaid coverage in each of the 50 states.

Medicaid Waiver State Guide

Understand the waiver landscape in all 50 states.

Long-Term Care Insurance State Guide

Understanding the complex LTCI landscape across the country.

Private Pay & Private Insurance State Guide

Understanding private pay and private insurance options.

Other Local Resources

Top Independent Care Guide by State

Our rankings of the top Independent Home Care providers by state.

Top Agency Care Guide by State

Our rankings of the top Home Care Agencies by state.

Memory Condition Care Guides by State

A useful collection of local guides for caring for patients with different medical conditions.

Our Completely Free Care Finder Tool

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Over 500,000 Independent Care Providers and 10,000 Agencies

Locate the ideal care team for you or your loved ones.

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Estimator Tools

xxHome Care Cost Estimator

Home Care is expensive but it can be more manageable with thoughtful planning.

xxInsurance Coverage Navigator

There are many types of insurance which provide partial or complete funding for Home Care.

xxHome Care vs. Other Alternatives

Evaluate the different care options for you or your loved ones.

xxMedicaid Spend Down Calculator

Determine the out of pocket medical expenses which will enable you to qualify for Medicaid home care coverage.

Checklists & Templates

xxInterview Questions Template

Choosing a home care provider can be very stressful. These interview questions will aid you in the process.

xxCaregiver Contract Templates

Once you have a caregiver in place, it's critical to make sure you have a carefully crafted contract.

xxHome Safety Checklist

Home care has many benefits but it also increases the burden of responsibility. Use this checklist to cover your bases.

xxEmergency Info Sheet for Caregivers

Contingency planning is critical in a home care situation.

Interactive Guides

Is Home Care Right for Us?

How do you know if this is the right path for you or your loved ones? This guide helps to navigate.

How do we Compare Home Care Agencies?

There are many agencies out there, and they all have a great sales pitch! Learn how to separate out the best from the rest.

Which Care Option is Right for Us?

If it's not home care, what is it? Use this guide to learn about navigating this critical decision.

Featured from Toolkit

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xxHome Care Cost Estimator

Demystify the frightening world of home care costs with our handly Home Care Cost Estimator.

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Technology & Tools

Best Medical Alert Systems for Seniors

Compare top-rated devices for fall detection, safety, and peace of mind.

Home Automation for Aging in Place

Use smart lighting, locks, and voice controls to support independent living.

Tracking Health at Home with Wearables

Monitor vitals, movement, and medication adherence using easy-to-use tools.

Top Apps for Family Caregivers

Organize calendars, tasks, and health updates across the caregiving team.

Trends & Innovations

How AI Is Changing Home Care

From predictive alerts to virtual assistants — what’s already here and what’s coming.

The Future of Aging in Place

Explore how technology, culture, and design are redefining senior living.

Cultural Shifts in Family Caregiving

Changing roles, rising expectations, and the new face of elder care in America.

New Models of In-Home Support

From gig platforms to MSOs — how care delivery is evolving fast.

Policy & Professional Resources

New Medicaid Waiver Rules

What families and providers need to know about the latest changes in coverage.

Understanding Caregiver Accreditation

A breakdown of training, licensing, and certifications across care types.

Top Conferences in Home Care & Aging

A curated list of events for staying ahead in elder care, policy, and innovation.

Becoming a Professional Caregiver

A guide for those looking to enter or advance in the home care field.

Essential Reading

How AI Is Changing Home Care

See how artificial intelligence is reshaping safety, staffing, and personalization in caregiving.

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