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Reference Charts & Data Tables

Quick, citable reference charts for caring for an aging parent: levels of care, costs, ADLs and IADLs, Medicare versus Medicaid versus VA, and dementia staging.

Levels of Care for Seniors: A Comparison Chart
Compare independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing homes, CCRCs, and in-home care by cost, services, and who each is right for.
ADLs and IADLs: Activities of Daily Living Explained
The 6 ADLs and 8 IADLs used to assess how much help an aging parent needs, with a printable-style checklist and how care assessments use them.
Cost of Senior Care in 2026: What to Expect
Typical 2026 median costs for in-home care, assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes, with how prices vary by region and what drives them.
Medicare vs Medicaid vs VA Benefits: Who Pays for Care
A clear comparison of what Medicare, Medicaid, and VA benefits do and do not cover for long-term care of an aging parent, and how to qualify.
Dementia Stages Chart (7-Stage GDS Scale)
The 7 stages of dementia on the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) in a quick reference table: symptoms, typical duration, and care needs at each stage.
Elder Care Glossary (A to Z)
Plain-English definitions of caregiving, legal, and care terms.
Elder Care Starter Kits (Ready-to-Shop Lists)
Three complete shopping lists with prices and totals: home safety, new caregiver, and dementia comfort.

The equipment that changes the most

Most of what caregiving costs is time. These four are the purchases that reliably buy some of it back, and they are the ones families tell us they wish they had bought sooner.

Drive Medical Hydraulic Patient Lift Drive Medical Hydraulic Patient Lift

A full lift is what makes one person able to manage a transfer alone. It is the single purchase that most often delays a move into residential care.

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EZ-ACCESS Suitcase Singlefold Wheelchair Ramp EZ-ACCESS Singlefold Wheelchair Ramp, 6 ft

Folds like a suitcase and carries in a car boot, so the same ramp handles the front step at home and the kerb at an appointment.

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Drive Medical Nitro Sprint Rollator Walker Drive Medical Nitro Rollator with Seat

The seat matters more than the wheels. Being able to stop and rest is what decides whether someone still goes out at all.

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Vive Stand Assist Mobility Rail Vive Stand Assist Rail for Couch or Chair

Getting out of a low sofa is where most falls at home start. This is the cheapest thing on the list and often the first one needed.

Check price on Amazon →

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