Every link on this page goes to a government agency, a national nonprofit, or another well-known organization. If a website ever asks for your Social Security number or a payment just to look something up, stop and call someone you trust.
Looking for money, retirement, Social Security or Medicare cost tools? Those live on our Silver Suite page.
🏠 Finding Care for a Parent Who Needs Help Around the Clock
Start here if you are an adult child researching nursing homes, assisted living, or memory care anywhere in the United States.
- Medicare Care Compare: Search nursing homes in any city or ZIP code. Shows star ratings, health inspection results, and staffing levels.
- Eldercare Locator (phone: 1-800-677-1116): A federal service that connects you to the local Area Agency on Aging in your parent’s area.
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: A free advocate for people living in nursing homes, assisted living, and board-and-care homes. They can help you choose, and help if there is a problem.
- Alzheimer’s Association: Guidance on memory care and dementia, with a 24/7 helpline.
Good to know
- Assisted living and memory care are licensed by each state, not by Medicare. Search for your state’s health department and look for “facility lookup” or “inspection reports.”
- Ask for the last two or three inspection reports. Look for the same problem showing up again and again, or any serious violations.
- Visit more than once, at different times of day, before deciding.
💊 Medications and Health
- WhatMeds (Medicare.gov): Pulls your Medicare prescriptions into one list you can show your doctor.
- Medisafe: A popular pill reminder app. Prefer no app? A weekly pill box and a printed medicine list work well too.
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine): Plain-language information on diseases, conditions, tests, and medicines.
- National Institute on Aging: Health Information: Research-based guides on aging, memory, falls, sleep, and more.
Information by condition
- American Diabetes Association
- American Cancer Society
- Alzheimer’s Association (memory loss and dementia)
- More topics, from heart disease to arthritis, are covered on MedlinePlus above.
These sites explain health topics. They do not replace your doctor. If something feels like an emergency, call 911.
💛 Emotional Support
Feeling lonely, grieving, anxious, or worn out from caring for someone is common at any age, and help is free.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, any time, day or night. You do not need to be in a crisis to talk to someone who cares.
- Friendship Line (Institute on Aging): A free line for older adults who want to talk. See the website for the current phone number.
- Loneliness and Social Isolation (National Institute on Aging): Tips for staying connected and what to do if you feel alone.
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Information, support groups, and a helpline for mental health conditions.
- Mental Health America: Free, private screening tests and local resources.
- FindTreatment.gov (SAMHSA): Find mental health and substance use treatment near you.
For family caregivers
- Family Caregiver Alliance: Guides and support for people caring for a parent or spouse.
- Caregiver Action Network: Practical help and a community for caregivers.
👨👩👧 Staying Connected and Learning
- LearnFree (formerly GCFGlobal): Free step-by-step lessons on computers and the internet.
- More on our Resources page.
🛡️ Scams and Safety
- Free Scam Safety Card Pack: Print these and keep them by the phone.
- ReportFraud.ftc.gov: Report a scam to the Federal Trade Commission.
This page is for information only. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Programs, phone numbers, and rules change, so confirm details on each official website. Know a trustworthy resource we should add? Tell us on the Contact page.
