Care Conversations

An initiative led by the American Health Care Association, the National Center for Assisted Living, and America’s Skilled Nursing Caregivers, Care Conversations (http://www.careconversations.org) “provides insight into the care planning process…understanding that each person’s situation is unique, multifaceted, and deeply personal.”

The Care Needs section provides visitors a foundation for understanding the necessities of care, including recognizing early signs that care is needed, emergency care decisions, and understanding Alzheimer disease. The Planning and Preparing section offers advice and tips on working through the decision-making process of placing a loved one into care, such as when is in-home care not enough and step-by-step expectations for a care transition.

Users may explore what is involved in choosing care, including locating the appropriate provider or facility and understanding costs and payment options. Care Options are brief overviews of the types of care available, the types of therapy available, and titles and descriptions of professionals one might interact with in care or during therapy.

Additional resources explore facts and myths of skilled nursing care, a glossary of care-related terminology, a blog, a web-based forum for open discussions, and an inspirational video library. If the site feels too cumbersome to navigate, homepage Quick Links direct users to expanded answers to questions, such as “Is care needed?” and “What are my options?”