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easy some adjustments are, if only the family knows to help. Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.Caregivers recognize the desire to %u2018age in place%u2019 at home for as long as possible. The desire to remain independent and safely at home while aging is a major concern for most. Not surprisingly, research reveals that the top two things that aging adults fear most are losing their independence and being moved to a %u2018nursing home.%u2019 Just as concerning are the fears of running out of money, failing health, and loneliness. All of these concerns are often competing for the highest priority in making appropriate decisions regarding long-term housing decisions. The good news is that creating safety and security for the long-time home can be found in a variety of avenues from in-home care to ultimately transitioning to a skilled care facility. The goal is to help them thrive and options along this spectrum can do just that. Make sure it is collaborative. Be sure to uncover what aging adults want for themselves. Include as many siblings and other care providers as are available, and even an outside coach if necessary so that everyone feels part of all decisions. Even long distance caregivers (living at least an hour away) can provide support. The more that are involved the easier it is for everyone to continue to work toward the same goal and to share the caregiving activities. Find the right opening. As with all topics that are sensitive, it is more effective to have them in-person. Use examples that they can relate to such as situations that are happening with some of their friends or siblings and what they would want to happen in a similar situation for themselves.A record number of Americans are assisting with unpaid daily support to help an aging adult remain living in their long-time home according to 2025 data. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans have chosen to provide support with daily activities like shopping, transportation, and meal preparation; they assist with personal care tasks like bathing and dressing; they help with medical and nursing tasks by giving medications or injections or dressing wounds; and they serve as care coordinators who arrange appointments, monitor the care recipient%u2019s condition, and communicate and advocate with care professionals and service providers. Family caregivers are an integral part of the care recipient%u2019s care team.The caregiver needs to be considered in the long-term plan. Not just because they offer support for a loved one but because they too need to consider their own health in the plan. They need time to maintain their personal health, from visits to their health care providers but also to manage their personal movement, fitness, and nutrition needs. Lets not forget their socialization and mental health needs either. If the primary family caregiver becomes too ill to care for the loved one it creates an even bigger challenge. Boundaries are important for the health of both the caregiver and the care receiver. Oftentimes a family member such as a spouse, adult child, grand child, or extended family provides this unpaid care but so do friends, neighbors, or church volunteers. Of the 63 million Americans who care for older family members or friends, roughly 11 percent receive payment for providing at least some care, while still providing the majority as unpaid care. Less than two percent receive payment for all care provided. Medicaid plays a critical role in supporting family caregivers through self-directed long-term services and supports (LTSS) programs that allow them to be paid for their care. If your caregiving activities are impacting your work then this may be a solution. Payments to family caregivers are often authorized through self-directed care models, which are implemented via various Medicaid waivers. These models allow care recipients to select, train, and manage workers %u2013 including friends and family members under some programs %u2013 offering both autonomy and flexibility in care delivery. Legal requirements for participation as a caregiver differ across programs and can be complicated. Reach out to your area Mi Choice Waiver program to see if you can qualify to provide this type of care. There are steps those needing care as well as the caregivers can take this year to make sure no one becomes a shut-in statistic. It all begins with communicating your concerns and needs with your loved ones. Communication is a necessary two-way street.There is reason to believe that adults who can continue to live safely in their long-time home is good for self-esteem, health, and life satisfaction. Yet this can be a challenge for adult children who cannot be around on a daily basis, which leads to added worry and stress. Some useful, compassionate tips for establishing the right level of care might include:First of all, to the aging adults, you must share any concerns. Rather than %u2018hide%u2019 any new challenges from loved ones for fear of the alternative, share your concerns so you can look for solutions together. You might be surprised how Preparing Boundaries %u2013Developing Caregiving SolutionsSENIOR HOUSING DIRECTORY | 202638