Gen X Caregiving Roadmaps
Practical step-by-step guides written specifically to navigate Illinois probate court formatting and suburban Medicaid spend-downs.
Step-by-step guides for the decisions that come up first
Each guide covers one situation from start to finish: what to do, in what order, what it costs, and where Illinois rules change the answer.
- Healthcare and insurance: Medicare Open Enrollment, Medicare vs. Medicaid, In-home care vs. home health care, Hospice vs. palliative care.
- Legal and financial: Estate planning checklist, Power of attorney for aging parents.
- Caregiving: Choosing home care, Caregiver burnout, Caregiver burnout self-assessment, Sandwich generation stress.
- Housing and safety: Aging in place, Downsizing room by room, Medical alert systems.
If you don’t know where to start, read Medicare vs. Medicaid or the Estate planning checklist. Almost every other decision depends on one of them.
Guides are general information. They can’t replace advice from a doctor, elder law attorney, or financial professional who knows your family. Each one names the questions worth bringing to that conversation.
Are the guides free?
Yes, and they’ll stay that way.
How current are the guides?
Guides are reviewed on a regular schedule, and time-sensitive ones like Medicare enrollment are updated before each enrollment period.
Choosing Home Care
A practical guide to evaluating and choosing a home care agency for a parent.
Paying for Assisted Living in Illinois: The Supportive Living Program
How Illinois’ Supportive Living Program lets Medicaid help pay for assisted living, who qualifies, what your parent pays, and how to apply in the NW Suburbs.
Illinois Community Care Program: Free In-Home Help for Seniors
Illinois' Community Care Program pays for in-home help and adult day care for adults 60+. Who qualifies in 2026, what it covers, cost, and how to apply.
Estate Planning Checklist for Gen X
A step-by-step checklist for organizing wills, powers of attorney, and beneficiary details.
Medicare vs. Medicaid: What's the Difference?
A clear breakdown of what each program covers, who qualifies, and how they pay for long-term care.
Downsizing: Room-by-Room Planning
A calm, organized room-by-room plan for downsizing a longtime family home.
Caregiver Burnout: Signs & Resources
Recognize the signs of caregiver burnout and find respite care and support resources.
Sandwich Generation Stress
Managing the pressure of raising kids while caring for aging parents.
Caregiver Burnout Self-Assessment
A short self-assessment to gauge your burnout risk and next steps.
Aging in Place: A Practical Guide
Home modifications, support services, and costs for staying at home safely.
Power of Attorney for Aging Parents
How Illinois powers of attorney work and how to put them in place.
In-Home Care vs. Home Health Care
The difference between non-medical care and skilled home health, and who pays.
Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: What to Do by Dec 7
Open Enrollment runs Oct 15–Dec 7 and sets your parent's 2027 coverage. What can change, 2027 drug costs, and free help in the Chicago suburbs.
After a Hospital Stay: Medicare Rehab & Skilled Nursing Rules
How Medicare's 3-day rule, observation status, and day-21 copays work in 2026, and how to avoid surprise bills after a hospital stay.
Medical Alert Systems for Seniors: How to Choose
How to choose a medical alert system for an aging parent — at-home vs. mobile, fall detection, real costs, and what to ask first.
Hospice vs. Palliative Care: What Families Should Know
Palliative care and hospice both focus on comfort, but they're not the same. Who qualifies, what Medicare covers, where care happens, and how to talk about it.