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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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Photo of expert panelist Letha Sgritta McDowell
Expert Panelist

Letha McDowell, CELA, CAP

Managing Member at McDowell Law Group
Apfm Logo2024 Expert Panel Member
Expertise
Certified Elder Law Attorney Letha Sgritta McDowell is a past president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

About Letha

Letha Sgritta McDowell is an attorney practicing in both Virginia and North Carolina. Her practice spans estate planning, estate and trust administration, Medicaid asset protection, and special needs planning, as well as related tax law. She is a fellow of the American College of Trusts and Estates Council, a Certified Elder Law Attorney, and a past president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. As a passionate advocate for elder law, Letha also frequently teaches continuing education programs and is an adjunct professor of Tax and Estate Law at Stetson Law University.

More from Letha

Seniors looking at computer and paperwork together
Familiarize yourself with eligibility requirements for memory care-related tax deductions.
A senior man sits with a young man in a suit while signing a piece of paper.
Learn how elder law attorneys help with long-term care and estate planning as well as how they advocate for their client's rights.
Medicaid and Home Health Care: Your Questions, Answered
Learn about Medicaid-covered home health care, and get tips for finding in-home care options for your loved one.
Senior and caregiver sharing an embrace
Does Medicare cover nursing home expenses? Depending on your loved one's care needs and the length of their stay, some or all aspects may be covered.
An in-home caregiver leaning in to conversation with a senior man
Learn about the home care and home health care services Medicare pays for, and explore how to qualify for home health care coverage.
A senior man sits with a woman while looking at papers.
Medicaid can help cover the costs of assisted living through a waiver program. Many families use multiple payment options, though.