Caregiving

Many older adults and people with disabilities struggle to afford dental care. Medicare doesn’t cover routine dental services, leaving millions with high costs—or no care at all. Oral health is essential to overall well-being, especially for seniors. Poor dental health can lead to serious medical problems. But this gap in coverage puts vulnerable people at risk.

In this section, you’ll find short issue briefs about Medicare’s dental care limits. There are links to free dental programs in each state and tools to help push for change in Congress. We also offer comparisons of dental insurance plans, updates on new rules, and why oral health is about more than just a smile.

Let’s work together to make dental care a basic part of healthcare—for older Americans.

Eldercare Locator Caregiver Corner

Caregivers play a critical role in the health and well-being of their loved ones. The Caregiver Corner is here to help with useful links and resources. Everyone’s caregiver story is different, but below are some common questions received at the Eldercare Locator.

Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family Caregivers

Caring for yourself is one of the most important—and one of the most often forgotten—things you can do as a caregiver. When your needs are taken care of, the person you care for will benefit, too.

4 Steps for Caregivers

As a caregiver, it may be tempting to leave your full-time job or to work part time, however, there are consequences.

Caring for Others: Tips for Medicines and Devices

Do you help care for a loved one at home or check on them out of town? You want to help your loved ones stay as healthy as they can be. But it can be hard to manage their medicines and medical devices. Changes in their treatment can also be a challenge.

Respite Care: How to Find It, Pay for It, and More

Respite care helps provide a break for live-in caregivers including family members or professionals. Caregivers may need respite care for just long enough to run important errands, or they might need help to care for their loved ones while they’re out of town for several days or weeks.

Emergency Housing Guide for Seniors