Choose the question that sounds closest to your next step

  • Would a dependable person helping at home make the current arrangement workable?
  • Is housing, meals, social connection and on-site support part of the need?
  • Does a family caregiver need predictable relief or overnight coverage?
  • Is a hospital or rehabilitation discharge creating a short timeline?
  • Are memory-related routines changing enough that specialized providers should be consulted?

What we can and cannot do

We do not determine a clinical level of care, diagnose memory loss, guarantee that a provider is suitable, or promise a room, caregiver, schedule or price.

Use a two-column decision test

Gather real schedules and written estimates for both columns.

The goal is not to prove one path better; it is to reveal assumptions, missing information and the few questions that materially change the decision.

Know when to bring in another professional

Questions about symptoms, falls, medication, decision-making capacity, benefits, contracts or asset planning require the appropriate clinical, legal, benefits or financial professional.

A care-navigation conversation can organize those questions but should not answer outside its role.

A way to sort the question using Vermont's own categories

Vermont sorts long-term care needs into three Choices for Care groups.

The Highest and High needs groups are for people who need nursing-home level care and can be served at home, in an enhanced residential care setting or in a nursing home.

The Moderate needs group is for people who need help but not that level of care, and it covers homemaker services, adult day and flexible funding.

That structure gives a useful first question: does the person need hands-on help with bathing, dressing or transfers every day (High), or help with housekeeping, meals and errands (Moderate)?

The Area Agency on Aging, reached through 1-800-642-5119, does the assessment.