Which Place Is Right? Assisted Living vs Memory Care vs Personal Care Home vs Independent Living

Which place is actually which — The six places a person can actually live are stay at home with help, independent living, assisted living, memory care, personal care / residential care / board and care, and skilled nursing.  And which one is right for your circumstance.

The money math without shame — Monthly income that will still be there next year vs. monthly ALL-IN cost at her level — not the teaser rate. Your gap and months of runway. Why the house doesn't count until under contract and Medicare does not pay assisted living rent.

How to see her clearly and vet a building — The ADLs and yesterday test buildings use to admit, red flags that mean memory care or nursing not AL, and how to read the last state survey. What to ask the nurse — what care you decline, how many awake overnight, and the 30-day discharge language.

The benefits and traps families miss — Why VA Aid & Attendance is often the benefit that actually helps pay for assisted living, why Medicaid in many states doesn't pay room and board like families think, and what rate lock and bed-hold really mean.