Resources
These resources are meant to inform—not replace personalized guidance. If you’d like help understanding how this information applies to your situation, our nurse-led team is available to support you.
Videos:
Understanding Levels of Care
Choosing the right care setting begins with understanding how different levels of care are designed to support medical needs, safety, and daily living. The appropriate option depends on health status, cognitive changes, mobility, and the amount of supervision required—not just age.
National Institute on Aging:
Assisted Living vs. Memory Care at an Adult Family Home
Although assisted living and memory care may exist within the same community, they are designed for different levels of cognitive and safety needs. Memory care at an assisted living may cost more than care in an adult family home.
Adult Family Homes provide memory care through specialized staffing, structured routines, and secured environments for individuals living with dementia.
Understanding this distinction is critical for safety, quality of life, and long-term placement success.
Mayo Clinic: Types of Dementia
Adult Family Home Council: Adult Family Home vs Assisted Living
Questions to Ask on a Tour
Tours are an opportunity to understand how care is delivered day to day—not just how a community looks. Asking the right questions can uncover important differences in staffing, training, emergency response, and how care needs are reassessed over time.
Our Advisors know the important questions to ask and will assist the family during a tour. Families should feel comfortable asking direct, specific questions.
Use our Tour Questions Guide
Signs It’s Time for Placement
Changes in health, safety, or cognition can happen gradually, making it difficult to recognize when additional support is needed.
Seeking guidance early can help families avoid crisis-driven decisions.
Top Signs an Elderly Family Member Is Ready for Long-Term Care
Requires ongoing assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, or transferring
Experiences frequent falls, unsteady gait, or significant mobility limitations
Demonstrates memory loss, confusion, or impaired judgment that compromises safety
Cannot reliably manage medications, leading to missed doses, overdosing, or errors
Lives in an unsafe or poorly maintained home environment
Shows poor nutrition, dehydration, or unintended weight loss
Has escalating medical needs requiring frequent monitoring or skilled care
Experiences wandering, sundowning, or nighttime safety risks
Exhibits behavioral or personality changes such as agitation, paranoia, or withdrawal
Suffers from social isolation, depression, or loss of engagement
Has repeated emergency room visits or hospitalizations
Is unable to manage finances or is vulnerable to exploitation
Displays poor personal hygiene or inability to maintain self-care
Resists help despite clear decline, indicating lack of insight into limitations
Places excessive strain on family caregivers, resulting in caregiver burnout
Paying for Care: Understanding Costs & Medicaid Basics
Paying for long-term care is often one of the most confusing and stressful parts of placement planning. Costs vary widely based on level of care, location, and services provided—and payment options can differ depending on timing and eligibility.
Families may use a combination of private pay, long-term care insurance, and Medicaid. Understanding how these options work—and when planning is required—can help families avoid unnecessary delays or unrealistic expectations.
National Institute on Aging: Paying for long-term care
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Medicaid eligibility
Hospital Discharge & Short-Notice Placement Planning
When a hospital or rehab stay is ending, families are often asked to make placement decisions quickly—sometimes within days. Discharge timelines may not align with what families feel prepared for, and understanding options early can prevent rushed or unsafe decisions.
Knowing what questions to ask, what timelines are realistic, and how care needs are assessed can help families advocate effectively during discharge planning.
Tips for Transitioning From Hospital to an Adult Family Home (we will assist you!)
Begin placement planning before hospital discharge
Ensure the adult family home can meet the required level of care
Share complete discharge summaries and care instructions
Reconcile medications to prevent missed doses or errors
Arrange pre-admission assessments when possible
Coordinate therapy services and follow-up appointments
Prepare essential personal items and medical equipment
Establish clear communication expectations with caregivers
Anticipate a short adjustment period after the move
Monitor closely during the first 30 days to reduce readmission risk
Involve the resident in decisions when possible
Keep all medical and care documents organized