Approved Senior Network Expands Senior Care Online Resources

SAINT CHARLES, Missouri—Approved Senior Network (ASN) announced the expansion of Care Across America, a national online resource helping older adults, family caregivers and senior care professionals explore care options and find support close to home. Available at CareAcrossAmerica.info, the platform combines a searchable provider directory with interviews, educational articles, care cost information and state-specific resources.

The website gives families a place to research services, learn about the people behind care organizations and prepare for conversations with local providers.

“Families often begin looking for care when something has changed at home, and they are trying to make important decisions quickly,” said Valerie VanBooven, founder and co-owner of Approved Senior Network. “We created Care Across America to help them understand their options, learn who serves their community and hear directly from the people behind the care.”

Care Across America offers:

• A searchable homecare provider directory where families can search by company name, city or state, review provider profiles and contact agencies directly. Profiles identify services, locations and communities served, with educational resources and podcast appearances where available.
• Podcast interviews and conversations where homecare owners, senior care professionals and other guests share their experiences, explain their approach to care and discuss issues affecting older adults and families.
• Homecare cost education. Articles and guides help families understand care expenses, how schedules and support needs affect budgets and questions to ask when comparing rates.
• Ways to pay for care in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. State guides identify Medicaid programs, waivers and other potential sources of assistance. Additional education addresses private payment, Medicare, veterans benefits, long-term care insurance, PACE, the Medicare GUIDE dementia care model and family caregiver payment programs, with program requirements explained.
• State and local senior resources. Resource pages connect readers with aging services, caregiver support, senior centers, transportation, meal programs, benefits counseling and other community assistance. Entries provide program descriptions and contact information to help families take the next step.
• Explanations of care services. Topics include companion and personal care, memory support, respite, live-in and 24-hour care, hospital-to-home assistance, veterans home care, transportation and concierge support. The library also explains home health, skilled nursing, therapy, hospice, senior living and placement options, pediatric care and services for people with disabilities.
• Practical articles for family caregivers. Readers can explore aging in place, recognizing when help is needed, caregiver exhaustion, safety concerns, memory changes and conversations with a parent who resists assistance.

Visitors can explore the directory without signing up and choose which agencies to contact. ASN said Care Across America serves as an educational resource and connection point, and care is provided by the independently operated organizations featured on the site.