Who to call
The professionals worth knowing — and what each one actually does.
Medical
Primary care physician
First-line medical evaluation, medication review, referrals to specialists, cognitive screening (MoCA/MMSE), care coordination across providers.
When to call
Almost always start here. Any new symptom, behavior change, fall, medication confusion, or before any specialist visit.
How to find one
Their existing doctor's office. If no current PCP, your insurance directory or Medicare.gov 'find a provider'.
Typical cost: Covered by Medicare Part B with copay. $100-300 cash if uninsured.
Medical
Geriatric care manager
Assesses your parent's whole situation — medical, cognitive, home safety, finances — and writes a care plan. Acts as your project manager when you can't be there.
When to call
Long-distance caregiving. Multiple specialists with no coordination. After a fall or hospitalization. When you don't know what you don't know.
How to find one
Aging Life Care Association (aginglifecare.org). Many states require licensure.
Typical cost: $150-250/hour. Initial assessment usually 4-6 hours.
Medical
Geriatric neurologist or memory clinic
Formal dementia diagnosis, distinguishing types (Alzheimer's vs vascular vs Lewy body vs frontotemporal). Manages medication. Connects to research and trials.
When to call
Cognitive screening showed something. Personality change. Memory loss interfering with daily life. Suspected medication-induced confusion.
How to find one
Referral from primary care. Major hospital systems usually have a memory clinic.
Typical cost: Medicare-covered with referral. Initial consult 60-90 minutes.
Medical
Hospice (intake nurse)
End-of-life care at home or in a facility. Pain management, family support, 24/7 nurse line, chaplaincy, bereavement counseling for survivors.
When to call
Doctor mentioned it. Six-month prognosis or less. Patient is choosing comfort over treatment. Don't wait for the last week — hospice is most useful with weeks of runway.
How to find one
Ask the discharging hospital, your parent's PCP, or search local non-profit hospice agencies. Free informational visits common.
Typical cost: Fully covered by Medicare Hospice Benefit. No copay.
Practical
Hospital or community social worker
Discharge planning, finding skilled-nursing or rehab placement, connecting to benefits, navigating Medicaid, family meeting facilitation.
When to call
Hospital discharge. Looking for benefits help. Family conflict over care decisions. Don't know what resources exist.
How to find one
Hospital social work department (free during inpatient stay). Aging council in your county.
Typical cost: Free during hospitalization. Community social workers often free or sliding-scale.
Practical
Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
County-level navigator. Free benefits screening, meals on wheels, in-home services, caregiver respite grants, ombudsman for facility complaints.
When to call
Anytime. The first call you should make and most caregivers don't know exists.
How to find one
eldercare.acl.gov or call 1-800-677-1116 (Eldercare Locator).
Typical cost: Free. Many programs free or income-based.
Legal
Elder law attorney
Power of attorney (POA), advance directive, healthcare proxy, will updates, revocable and irrevocable trusts, Medicaid planning, guardianship if capacity is in question.
When to call
Before any cognitive decline diagnosis. After a diagnosis (window is closing for them to sign anything). Any significant assets at stake. Considering Medicaid for long-term care.
How to find one
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (naela.org). Local bar association referral. Avoid generalists for this.
Typical cost: Initial consult often $300-500 or free. Full POA + advance directive package $500-1,500. Trust $2,000-5,000+.
Legal
Estate planning attorney
Wills, trusts, estate tax planning, probate after death.
When to call
Significant assets, blended families, business ownership, real estate in multiple states, charitable goals.
How to find one
State bar referral. Ask your CPA or financial advisor.
Typical cost: Simple will $500-1,500. Trust package $2,500-7,500. Probate fees usually a percentage of estate.
Financial
Fee-only fiduciary financial planner
Long-term care funding strategy, retirement income, beneficiary checks, insurance audit, tax planning. Fiduciaries are legally required to act in your parent's interest, not sell products.
When to call
Approaching long-term care costs. Selling a home. Inheritance arriving. Confusion about Medicare vs Medicaid vs Medigap. Suspected financial exploitation.
How to find one
NAPFA (napfa.org) — fee-only fiduciaries. Avoid commission-based 'advisors' for this work.
Typical cost: $200-400/hour. Or flat $2,500-5,000 for a comprehensive plan.
Financial
Daily money manager
Pays bills, balances accounts, organizes paperwork, watches for fraud, coordinates with the elder law attorney and financial planner. Bonded and background-checked.
When to call
Parent is missing bills. Late fees stacking up. Long-distance caregiving. Mild cognitive impairment. You don't have time to do this on top of everything else.
How to find one
American Association of Daily Money Managers (aadmm.com).
Typical cost: $60-100/hour. Usually 2-8 hours per month is plenty.
Support
Alzheimer's Association Helpline
24/7 free phone support. Master's-level clinicians. Walks you through any dementia situation, including 3 a.m. crises. Will refer to local resources.
When to call
Anytime. You don't need a diagnosis. You don't need to be the legal caregiver. Free.
How to find one
1-800-272-3900. Available in 200+ languages.
Typical cost: Free.
Support
Caregiver support group
A room of people who get it. In-person, online, or hybrid. Disease-specific groups are usually most useful (dementia, Parkinson's, cancer caregivers).
When to call
When you feel alone. When you feel crazy. When the rage scares you. When you can't tell anyone in your real life.
How to find one
Ask the relevant disease association (Alzheimer's Association, American Heart, etc.). AARP and local hospitals also run them.
Typical cost: Free.
Practical
Long-term care ombudsman
Advocates inside nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Investigates complaints, mediates disputes, knows the regulations cold.
When to call
Concerned about quality of care, neglect, billing irregularities, retaliation for complaints, sudden discharge notice.
How to find one
Through your state's Long-Term Care Ombudsman office. Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) will route you.
Typical cost: Free.
Practical
Adult Protective Services (APS)
Investigates suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect of vulnerable adults. Can intervene legally if needed.
When to call
You suspect abuse — physical, financial, emotional, or neglect — including self-neglect (parent refusing all help while clearly unsafe). Including by family members.
How to find one
Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) or your state's APS hotline. Most states have a 24/7 number.
Typical cost: Free.
Every professional listed is a type of person to find — not a specific endorsement. Vet anyone you hire. Ask for credentials, references, and (for legal/financial) fee structure in writing.