About Assisted LivingAssisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.Complete guide to assisted livingBest of 2024 Assisted Living Winners
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About Memory CareMemory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering. Complete guide to memory careBest of 2024 Memory Care Winners
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About Independent LivingIndependent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to independent livingBest of 2024 Independent Living Winners
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About Senior LivingSenior living is a term used to describe various housing and care options for older adults from maintenance-free, 55+ facilities for active seniors, to secure, fully staffed facilities for seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia. Complete guide to senior livingFind senior living facilities near you
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About Nursing HomesNursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.Complete guide to Nursing Homes
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About Home Care Home care relies on trained aides to provide companionship and non-medical care for seniors living at home. Complete guide to home careBest of 2024 Home Care Winners
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About Senior ApartmentsSenior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to Senior Apartments
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About Care HomesResidential care homes are shared neighborhood homes for seniors who need a live-in caregiver to assist with activities of daily living, like dressing and bathing.Complete guide to care homes
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Veteran ResourcesVA benefits for long-term care, such as Aid and Attendance benefits, can help eligible veterans and their surviving spouses pay for senior care.Guide to VA benefits for long-term care
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EDITORIAL TEAM

Marlena Gates

Senior Editor
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Education
  • B.S. and M.F.A. from the University of California, Davis

About Marlena

Marlena Gates is a senior editor at A Place for Mom, where she's written or edited hundreds of articles covering senior care topics, including memory care, skilled nursing, and mental health. Earlier in her career, she worked as a nursing assistant in a residential care home for children suffering from severe traumatic brain injuries. Marlena holds a master's degree in nonfiction writing, plus a degree from the University of California, Davis, where she studied psychobiology and medical anthropology. While there, she worked as a research assistant in the psychobiology department.

Marlena's picks

Elderly couple comforting each other after learning of a dementia diagnosis.
6 min
Last updated August 5, 2024
What to Do After a Dementia Diagnosis: 10 Steps to Move Forward
Use these steps to help you cope and plan care for your loved one.
A woman sits with her senior mother.
24 min
Last updated April 30, 2024
Siblings Fighting Over Elderly Parents’ Care: 10 Common Problems and Solutions
Siblings may disagree on how to best care for aging parents. Learn how to stop these family disputes with communication tips.
Healthcare students in a memory care training class.
19 min
Last updated April 5, 2022
Memory Care Classes and Staff Training
Understand the kinds of dementia care training and certifications memory care staff typically receieve.

More from Marlena

A senior man wearing a mask talks to a doctor.
8 min
Last updated November 9, 2024
Pneumonia in Elderly Adults: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
Learn how pneumonia affects elderly adults, what symptoms to look for, how it’s treated, and how to prevent it.
An elderly woman in a coat wear a bandage on her arm.
13 min
Last updated October 7, 2024
Elderly Skin Bruising: Causes, Prevention, and When to Be Concerned
Explore the reasons behind elderly skin bruising, find proactive steps for bruise prevention, and learn the potential role of bruising in identifying elder abuse.
A senior woman and a middle-aged woman baking together in a kitchen
4 min
Last updated October 4, 2024
How to Choose a Home Care Agency
Learn about the specific steps you can take to help you and your family choose the right home care agency.
A caregiver and resident walking outside is an example of person centered memory care management.
11 min
Last updated October 4, 2024
Memory Care Management: Patient Care and Needs Management
Learn how memory care management helps inform care plans and improve the quality of life for individuals with dementia.
Elderly woman drinking water to flush out a urinary tract infection
7 min
Last updated October 3, 2024
UTIs in the Elderly: Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention
Learn the risks involved with UTIs in the elderly and how to identify symptoms, as well as how to prevent these risky infections.
What You Need to Know About Colonoscopies in the Elderly
5 min
Last updated October 3, 2024
Colonoscopies in the Elderly: Guidelines, Risks, and Alternatives
Learn about current medical guidelines for colonoscopy screenings and alternatives to a colonoscopy for seniors 76+.
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