For family caregivers
Helping someone you care about decide on housing and support is easier with the steps in order. Pick the stage you are at.
Is it time?
Questions to ask yourselves before anything else.
- Is it time? A checklist Daily living, safety and caregiver strain, to print or keep.
- Stay or move: a way to think it through A step-by-step guide for the older adult and family to use together. Your answers stay on your device.
Making the decision
Understand what the choices are called and what they mean.
- Kinds of senior housing and care What each kind usually means and what to ask.
- Michigan: what the state licenses What the state does and does not license, in plain words.
- Mary, our assistant Ask in your own words what the different kinds of housing mean.
Costs and paying
See what a month costs and what can pay for it.
- Monthly cost calculator Your costs today next to a community's listed price.
- Paying for Senior Living in Michigan A free guide with worksheets you can print.
Finding care
Look at places, put them side by side and keep a list.
- Search By area, kind of housing and what matters to you.
- Compare Put places next to each other, with where each fact came from.
- Your shortlist Places you saved on this device.
Visiting and moving
Plan the visits and what comes after.
- Plan a tour day Line up several visits in one day.
Looking after yourself
Caregiving is a lot to carry.
You do not have to do all of this at once, and you do not have to do it alone. Take it one stage at a time.
- Take a break when you can, and let other family or friends take a turn.
- Talk with the older adult's own doctor about any health concern. We do not give health advice.
- If you are worried about your own health or how you are coping, tell your own doctor.
- If anyone is in danger right now, call 911.
Your answers in our tools stay in your browser. Where our facts come from.
