The Money Maze

How to evaluate care facility costs — what's included and what's extra

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. You call a facility and ask what they charge. They tell you a number. You write it down.

The Money Maze

Hidden costs in elder care — the expenses nobody warns you about

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. The Sticker Shock Nobody Expects You've finally done it. You found a care option that works,

The Money Maze

What does home care actually cost? — hourly, daily, and live-in rates

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. When people first start thinking about whether their parent can stay at home instead of going to a

The Money Maze

What does memory care actually cost? — the premium for specialized dementia care

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Memory care is not a separate category that exists because someone thought it would be nice to have.

The Money Maze

What does assisted living actually cost? — the national picture

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. The conversation usually goes like this: Your parent mentions something's getting hard, or you notice they&

The Money Maze

What does a nursing home actually cost? — the number that scares everyone

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. There's a particular kind of silence that happens when someone tells you what a nursing home

The Money Maze

Debt after death — what happens to their financial obligations

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Debt After Death—What Happens to Their Financial Obligations Your parent dies. You're in shock and

The Money Maze

Long-term care cost projections — planning for three, five, ten years

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Long-Term Care Cost Projections—Planning for Three, Five, Ten Years You're looking at your parent'

The Money Maze

The family meeting about money — how to have it without destroying relationships

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. The Family Meeting About Money—How to Have It Without Destroying Relationships You know this conversation needs to

The Money Maze

Inheritance and caregiving — the sibling conversation nobody wants to have

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Inheritance and Caregiving—The Sibling Conversation Nobody Wants to Have You're the one who's

The Money Maze

Funeral and burial costs — planning ahead while there's still time

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Funeral and Burial Costs—Planning Ahead While There's Still Time When your parent is still here,

The Money Maze

Trusts and asset protection — a plain-English overview

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Trusts sound complicated because people who know about trusts seem to talk about them in a kind of