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Our guides provide you with the skills, checklists and tips for caring for your loved one.
Our content is authored by highly qualified registered nurses with a combined total of 60 years of expertise in various healthcare settings such as acute, community and home care.

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Medicare: Enrollment Periods

Enrollment in Medicare can be an inundating and confusing process, whether it is during initial enrollment or open enrollment.

Medicare: Purchasing a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan

There are many things to consider when purchasing a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. Here is a helpful step-by-step guide.

Medicare: Supplement or "Medigap" Plans Explained

Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap) are additional plans purchased to cover some or all of the costs not covered by Original Medicare (Parts A & B).

Medicare: What's the Difference Between Parts A, B, C, & D?

Even people who already have Medicare may not know the difference between the parts or what services those parts cover.

Alabama Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Alaska Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

An Advance Directive By Any Other Name...

An advance directive, also known by many other names, is a legal document that ensures your loved one's medical preferences are known and honored.

Anticipate COPD Exacerbations (Flare-Ups)

Your loved one with COPD has suddenly worsening symptoms. You both may think it's just a bad day, but it could be COPD exacerbation (a.k.a. flare).

Arizona Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Arkansas Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Avoiding Hospitalization for COPD

Your loved one has been hospitalized for treatment of a COPD exacerbation. What you need to know about decreasing the need for hospitalization.

Breast Cancer Risk Increases as Age Increases

The reason mammograms start at age 40 and go until age 80+ is because those most threatened by breast cancer are older women.

COPD Care and Monitoring Questions

Use this list to help prepare questions for the provider about COPD care and monitoring. This will help you make the most of the appointment.

COPD Lifestyle Questions

Use this list to help prepare questions for the provider about lifestyle modifications for COPD. This will help you make the most of the appointment.

COPD Questions for the Provider

Use this list to help prepare questions for the provider ahead of time. This will help you make the most of your loved one's next appointment.

COPD Requires Energy Conservation Techniques

Like LED lightbulbs, humans can also use energy more efficiently and still power their purpose - even last longer.

COPD Self-Care

Your loved one wants to be independent, in control, and not a burden. They can help you by helping themselves, so guide and support them in self-care.

COPD Treatment and Medication Questions

Use this list to help prepare questions for the provider about COPD treatment. This will help you make the most of the appointment.

California Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Caregiving Challenges, Role Reversal of Parent and Child

When a parent reaches a stage of needing supervision and assistance, for the child caregiver, the roles of parent and child seem to reverse.

Caregiving Challenges: Assistance Living at Home

Your loved one wants to continue living at home, independently, and you have concerns. But you can't be available all the time.

Caregiving Challenges: Care Plan vs. Service Plan

While home health care and home care terminology gets interchanged sometimes, there is a difference between care and service plans.

Caregiving Challenges: Choosing an Assisted Living Facility (ALF)

Now that everyone agrees an assisted living facility is best for your loved one, how do you choose the one that's right for them?

Caregiving Challenges: Chronic Disease Diagnosis

The best first step to help your loved one manage their chronic disease is understanding the disease and its progression.

Caregiving Challenges: Companion & Homemaker vs. Home Health Aide

When it comes to hired help, you will hear several terms used for the kind of support available. Learn about the differences here.

Caregiving Challenges: Deciding What Type of Home Care to Hire

Once you have determined that your loved one needs help, the next step is deciding if a companion, a homemaker, or a home health aide is best.

Caregiving Challenges: Denture Care

Improper denture care can cause several problems for your loved one, including trouble eating and mouth injuries. Here's how to help.

Caregiving Challenges: Different Sources of Home Care

There are several means of receiving in-home care and it can be difficult to tell the difference or determine what's needed.

Caregiving Challenges: Explaining "Aging in Place"

The simplest way to express aging in place is your loved one remaining independent, safe, and well in their own home as they age.

Caregiving Challenges: Future Care and Planning

Your loved is independent but lives alone, so you have concerns. This is an ideal time to talk about what they want for future care and planning.

Caregiving Challenges: Home Safety Measures

Home safety measures that can be implemented immediately, or later when needed, for your loved one aging in place (remaining at home).

Caregiving Challenges: Hospice

Hospice is not a death sentence and it is not giving up. Understanding hospice and its intentions can bring relief to you and your loved one.

Caregiving Challenges: How Seniors Live Alone Safely

Your loved one lives alone and you have concerns about their safety. You worry about how they manage and wonder how best to help.

Caregiving Challenges: ILF & ALF - What is the Difference?

Independent living facilities (ILF) and assisted living facilities (ALF) differ in some important ways, namely around healthcare.

Caregiving Challenges: Moving Your Loved One Into Assisted Living

You have chosen the assisted living facility (ALF) and completed all the paperwork. Now, how do you prepare to actually make the move?

Caregiving Challenges: Palliative Care

Palliative care is NOT hospice, even though the terms are often used together. Understanding how palliative care differs from hospice is reassuring.

Caregiving Challenges: Thinking About Assisted Living?

What is the best way to approach thinking about your loved one moving into an assisted living facility (ALF)?

Caregiving Challenges: What are ADLs and IADLs?

You hear the terms "ADL" and "IADL" among healthcare professionals, but what do they mean and are they relevant to you and your loved one?

Caregiving Challenges: What is Long-Term Care?

Acute care, chronic care, short-term care, long-term care... All these terms! So, what is long-term care and does my loved one need it?

Caregiving Challenges: What is Private Duty Nursing?

Your loved one may need complex medical care at home, including ongoing observation and assessment, and you may prefer a nurse do it.

Caregiving Challenges: What to Do with Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI)

So, you find out that your loved one has long term care insurance (LTCI), what does that mean and what does it do?

Caregiving Challenges: When is it Time to Move?

Your loved one has indicators that it may be appropriate to move them to a safer, more supportive place of residence.

Caregiving Challenges: Who Pays for Long-Term Care?

Most long-term care is paid for by your loved one or you, though there are other sources of coverage to know about.

Caregiving Challenges: Your Loved One is Moving In

You're aging loved one is moving in with you (or you're thinking about it). This is tough. Here are some considerations.

Clear Communication & The Art of Saying No

It's not only acceptable, but important, to speak out about your feelings and to say no. Clear communication is key. Here are the steps.

Colorado Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Connecticut Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Considering Hip Arthroplasty (Replacement)?

What are the signs and symptoms that a hip replacement may be indicated, and is it right for your loved one?

Considering Knee Arthroplasty (Replacement)?

What are the signs and symptoms that a knee replacement may be indicated, and is it right for your loved one?

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Benefits, Risks, and Complications

CABG is a hugely beneficial procedure, though it comes with both common surgical risks and unique complications.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Post-Surgical Complications

There are many signs and symptoms of post-surgical complications to watch for after discharge home from the hospital.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Questions for the Provider

You may already have a lot of questions in mind for your loved one's providers about bypass surgery, but these may help.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), also known as "open heart" and "bypass" surgery, restores blood flow to blocked arteries of the heart.

Definition of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is the most common type of heart surgery in the United States, and worldwide.

Definition of Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)

1 million myocardial infarctions (MI or heart attacks) occur annually in the U.S., and are the most common cause of heart failure worldwide.

Delaware Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Different Types of Power of Attorney (POA)

Although medical and financial are the most common powers of attorney (POAs), there are several subtypes between them, as well as many other kinds of POAs.

Florida Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Georgia Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Getting Paid as a Family Caregiver

Some states and insurance plans have programs that allow family caregivers get paid for providing care to a loved one.

Hawaii Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Home Safety: Gait Belts

Simple- to deluxe-style belts for safely assisting with sit-to-stand transitions and support while transferring and walking.

Home Safety: Grab Bars

The most commonly used and most effective devices for safely promoting independence or assistance in the bathroom and bedroom.

Home Safety: Handrails

Handrails are not just for stairs! They are also useful in hallways, living spaces, and outdoors.

Home Safety: Mechanical Lifts

Manual and electric motor-driven devices that ease physical workload for our loved ones with greater mobility challenges.

Home Safety: Raised Toilet Seats

An elevated toilet seat eases joint strain and reduces workload when lowering onto and raising up from the toilet.

Home Safety: Shower Chairs

Shower chairs promote hygiene by providing comfort, security, and ease while bathing independently or with assistance.

How Do I Prevent a UTI in My Loved One?

Things you can do to keep your loved one from getting a UTI may surprise you. It's more than good care down there!

How to Create a Power of Attorney (POA) Document

In many states, a self-created POA is just as legal as one drafted by a lawyer, though having a lawyer create one is often the better option.

Idaho Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Illinois Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Improving Gait Speed

Faster gait speed is associated with longer life expectancy. There are several ways to help your loved one stay on their feet and moving.

Indiana Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Iowa Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Kansas Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Kentucky Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Louisiana Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Maine Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Maryland Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Massachusetts Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Medicare: Dually Eligible for Medicaid

Is it possible for my loved one to be eligible for Medicare and Medicaid? How do I know and what does it mean?

Medicare: Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)

Medicare Advantage (Part C) are Medicare-approved plans sold by private insurance companies and differ from Original Medicare.

Medicare: Part D - Prescription Drug Plan (PDP)

You hear the term "Part D" a lot, and you know it has something to do with prescription drugs, but what is it exactly?

Michigan Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Minnesota Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Mississippi Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Missouri Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Montana Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Nebraska Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Nevada Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

New Hampshire Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

New Jersey Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

New Mexico Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

New York Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

North Carolina Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

North Dakota Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Ohio Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Oklahoma Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

Oregon Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (POA) Forms

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal tool that enables your loved one to enlist help in protecting their financial, medical, and legal interests.

About us

Helpful is an app to make caregiving easier. We integrate your loved one’s insurance benefits, medical records and caregiving guides into an immediate, accessible and user-friendly experience. Helpful supports your care needs by eliminating administrative tasks and providing technology to support your caregiving experience.

When you sign up with Helpful, our guides will equip you with caregiving content, tips, and checklists that assist with caring for your loved one.

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