Rachel Stein is a senior vice president at a communications firm. She lives with her husband, two preteen sons, and a large dog. In an interview, she talked about her family’s struggle after her mother, then 78, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Stein’s mother lived independently in her townhouse until her condition began to deteriorate. […]
As adult children help their aging parents decide how to meet their future housing needs, they typically ask whether the parent is capable of aging in place. Older adults often hope to stay in the family home for as long as they can, but coping with stairs and home maintenance can pose difficult challenges. Children […]
Assisted-living facilities offer care to residents who need help with their activities of daily living (ADL), such as bathing, dressing, and eating. Care is generally provided by certified nursing assistants (CNAs), a position that is sometimes identified as a care assistant or nurse’s aide. Assisted-living facilities do not provide the same level of healthcare that […]
Updated June 2026 As parents grow older, their adult children may be called upon to help them make decisions about their future. Those decisions can be complicated with a parent suffers from a disabling health condition. Surveys show that most older Americans want to age in place. Staying in the family home can be challenging […]
Updated May 2026 When aging parents need help with their daily activities, their lives become more challenging. Hiring caretakers to help them stay in their homes may be the best option for some families. Adult children might want their parents to move into their homes, but that option works best when a family member is […]
Healthy aging means maintaining the functional abilities that enable wellbeing. Functional abilities include the capacity to meet basic needs, to be mobile, to build and maintain relationships, to make decisions, and to feel like a contributing member of society. Factors that contribute to healthy aging include exercise, diet, healthcare, having regular contact with friends and […]
When your mom or dad (or any other elderly family member) needs assistance with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, and grooming, but does not need complex medical services that a nursing home provides, living in an assisted living community may be the best option. Knowing that your aging parent is safe, comfortable, and happy […]
As you begin to take a serious look at assisted living options for seniors, you will find that a great deal of emphasis is placed on helping seniors perform the activities of daily living. Limitations in those abilities are the key to a senior’s suitability for an assisted living facility and eligibility for financial benefits. […]
Transportation options for seniors living in an assisted living community are varied and depend upon what is specifically offered at the facility and within the immediate vicinity. Your elderly loved one may have a variety of reasons to travel away from the community, and these may dictate how he or she will get there. If […]
The average cost of living in an assisted living facility in 2021 was $4,500 per month (or $54,000 per year). That figure assumes that residents were the sole occupants of one-bedroom apartments. The average has grown by more than 4.65% over the last 5 years, so rising prices need to be considered when budgeting for […]