About Assisted LivingAssisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.Complete guide to assisted livingBest of 2024 Assisted Living Winners
About Memory CareMemory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering. Complete guide to memory careBest of 2024 Memory Care Winners
About Independent LivingIndependent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to independent livingBest of 2024 Independent Living Winners
About Senior LivingSenior living is a term used to describe various housing and care options for older adults from maintenance-free, 55+ facilities for active seniors, to secure, fully staffed facilities for seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia. Complete guide to senior livingFind senior living facilities near you
About Nursing HomesNursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.Complete guide to Nursing Homes
About Senior ApartmentsSenior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to Senior Apartments
About Care HomesResidential care homes are shared neighborhood homes for seniors who need a live-in caregiver to assist with activities of daily living, like dressing and bathing.Complete guide to care homes
Veteran ResourcesVA benefits for long-term care, such as Aid and Attendance benefits, can help eligible veterans and their surviving spouses pay for senior care.Guide to VA benefits for long-term care
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Photo of expert panelist Carol Bradley Bursack
Expert Panelist

Carol Bradley Bursack, NCCDP-certified dementia support group facilitator

Owner of Minding Our Elders
Apfm Logo2024 Expert Panel Member
Expertise
Author Carol Bradley Bursack spent two decades as a primary caregiver to seven elders and is also a newspaper columnist, blogger, and expert on aging.

About Carol

Carol Bradley Bursack spent two decades as a primary caregiver to seven elders and is a dementia support group facilitator certified by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. She’s the author of "Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories" and a contributor to several other titles. Carol is a newspaper columnist, blogger, writer, and expert on aging. Learn more about her at mindingourelders.com.

More from Carol

A senior woman and younger woman hug while sitting on the couch.
Ask yourself these important questions to determine if moving your parent in with you is right for them and your family.
Elderly woman laughing while talking to caregiver
Learn about the average length of stay for memory care residents and discover how unique factors affect the length of stay.
Multigenerational family laughing and hugging outside
Learn which types of insurance cover memory care costs and how to use existing policies to pay for dementia care.
Elderly woman being read to by her private caregiver while sitting on a couch.
Learn the differences between a private in-home caregiver and an agency caregiver. Compare costs, benefits, and drawbacks of each option.
A young woman with her arms around the shoulders of a senior man looking concerned
Your relative prefers to age in place, but that may not be possible if their care needs increase. These six tips can help you discuss assisted living.
What to Do When Dad and Mom Have Different Senior Living Care Needs
Parents with different needs can choose the same senior living community, use in-home care, or visit each other with your help.