Senior care resources
Beyond choosing a provider, a real public safety net exists for older adults and caregivers — much of it free and local, and much of it underused because people don't know it's there. These are the authoritative, official starting points. Care Considered is independent and isn't affiliated with any of them; we point you to the real source.
The federal front door to local aging services — run by the Administration for Community Living (ACL).
Enter a ZIP or city to find your local Area Agency on Aging and nearby help with meals, transportation, caregiver support, and benefits.
Find local help ↗ or call 1-800-677-1116
~600 local agencies that coordinate aging services in every part of the country.
Your AAA connects older adults and caregivers to meals, in-home help, transportation, adult day care, caregiver education, and respite — often free or low-cost. Find yours through the Eldercare Locator above.
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling — one program in every state.
Talk to a trained counselor about Medicare coverage, Advantage vs. Original Medicare, drug plans, and help paying costs — with no sales pitch.
An advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living, in every state.
If you have a concern about a facility's care, the ombudsman investigates and advocates for residents' rights — confidentially and at no cost.
The official CMS tool behind the ratings on this site.
Verify a provider's current CMS ratings, inspection results, and details before you make a decision — the authoritative source we build from.
Open Care Compare ↗ or call 1-800-MEDICARE
Help paying for care, food, and medicine.
NCOA's BenefitsCheckUp screens for programs that help with costs; Meals on Wheels delivers meals to homebound older adults through local programs.
Home health vs. home care — a note that saves families money
These sound alike and are constantly confused. Home health care is skilled medical care (nursing, physical therapy) ordered by a doctor and usually covered by Medicare — the agencies rated on this site. Home care (also called personal or custodial care) is non-medical help with bathing, meals, and companionship; it's licensed by states and usually not covered by Original Medicare. Many families need both, and they're paid for differently — see our FAQ for the full explanation.
A complete, searchable directory of every Area Agency on Aging and State Unit on Aging is on our roadmap. Until then, the Eldercare Locator above is the fastest way to reach your local agency.