Free Senior Living Planning Tools
Three free tools to help you figure out the level of care, the likely cost, and the right questions to ask, before you ever pick up the phone. Built by local advisors, no sign-up and no sales pressure.
Free · 3 minutes
What level of care does your loved one need?
10 questions → personalized care-level recommendation, a budget for your ZIP, and a shortlist of matching communities near you.
Take the AssessmentFree · Real prices
How much does senior care cost?
Compare assisted living, memory care, independent living, nursing homes, and in-home care — calibrated to your zip code, with what's included and how it's paid.
Compare CostsFree · Printable
What should you ask on a senior living tour?
The 10 questions that reveal what brochures hide, plus a printable checklist to compare three communities side by side — staffing, costs, dining, and the contract.
Get the ChecklistHow to Plan Senior Living in 3 Steps
Most families use the tools in this order. You can also jump straight to whichever one answers the question on your mind today.
- 1
Figure out the level of care
Start with the Care Assessment if you are not sure whether it is time, or which type of care fits. Everything else gets easier once you know that.
- 2
Set a realistic budget
Use the Cost Comparison to see what that level of care runs in your area, what is included, and how families cover it. Now you can rule options in or out with confidence.
- 3
Tour like a pro
Bring the Touring Checklist to each visit so you compare communities the same way and notice what a polished tour can hide.
Not Sure Which Tool You Need?
Tell a local advisor what is going on and they will point you to the right starting place, or simply walk through it with you. Free, and no pressure.
What Each Senior Living Tool Does
Care Assessment
Not sure whether a parent needs assisted living, memory care, or just a little help around the house? Ten short questions about daily routines, health, memory, and safety point you to the level of care that actually fits.
What you get
- A care-level recommendation. Independent living, assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing, matched to what you describe.
- A budget for your ZIP code. A realistic monthly range so the number is not a surprise later.
- A shortlist of communities. Communities that match the recommended level of care in your area.
Cost Comparison
The first question most families ask is what it costs, and the honest answer is that it depends on the type of care and where you live. This calculator compares assisted living, memory care, independent living, nursing homes, and in-home care side by side for your zip code.
What you get
- Side-by-side monthly pricing. See how the options stack up instead of guessing from one brochure.
- What's included, what's extra. Base rent versus care add-ons, so you compare the real number, not the sticker.
- How families pay for it. Private pay, Medicaid waivers, VA benefits, and long-term-care insurance, in plain terms.
Touring Checklist
A nice lobby and a friendly tour guide make it hard to compare communities clearly. This checklist gives you the questions that reveal what brochures leave out, plus a printable sheet to score three communities the same way.
What you get
- The 10 questions that matter. Staffing ratios, real costs, dining, and what happens when care needs change.
- A printable comparison sheet. Fill it in on each visit so the third tour does not blur into the first.
- Red flags to watch for. The small signs, during a tour, that tell you more than the marketing does.
Why Families Trust Our Free Senior Living Tools
Always free
Every tool is free to use. We are paid by the communities, never by your family.
No sign-up
Use any tool without creating an account. Your information is never resold.
Local to your area
Pricing and recommendations are calibrated to your zip code, not national averages.
Made by advisors
The questions and pricing come from advisors who place families every week.
Still Have Questions?
Our FAQ answers what families ask most about costs, Medicaid, care types, timing, and what's included.
Rather Talk to a Person?
The tools do a lot, but sometimes you just want to talk it through. Our local advisors give free, unbiased help finding the right senior living community for your family.