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The Columbus Senior Advisor Blog

Practical, Ohio-specific guidance for families navigating assisted living, memory care, hospital discharge, costs, and the everyday decisions that come with caring for an aging parent in central Ohio.

Hiring In-Home Help in Central Ohio: Licensed Agency vs. Privately Hired Caregiver

August 28, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

Ohio licenses non-medical home care, unlike many states. What that changes when a central Ohio family chooses between an ODH-licensed agency and hiring a caregiver directly.

Protecting a Parent From Financial Scams and Fraud in Central Ohio

August 26, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

Grandparent scams, tech-support fraud, and Medicare cons target central Ohio seniors every day. Here's how to recognize the warning signs and who to call in Franklin County and beyond.

Downsizing Before the Move: How Central Ohio Families Clear a Lifetime of Belongings

August 24, 2026 · Priya Anand, RN

A room-by-room guide to clearing a parent's home before a move to senior living — realistic timelines, central Ohio donation options, senior move managers, and what to do when a parent isn't ready to let go.

Fall Prevention and Home Safety Modifications for Aging in Place in Central Ohio

August 21, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

Most falls happen at home in rooms walked through thousands of times — practical, room-by-room safety modifications central Ohio families can make today.

Caregiver Burnout in Central Ohio: Recognizing the Signs and Finding Real Support

August 19, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

Chronic exhaustion, guilt, and isolation are common among central Ohio family caregivers — here's how to spot burnout early and find real support before it becomes a crisis.

Respite Care in Central Ohio: How Family Caregivers Actually Get a Break

August 17, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

COAAA's Lifespan Respite services, the state's dementia respite line item, volunteer respite, and PASSPORT's respite benefit — a practical guide for exhausted central Ohio caregivers.

Entrance-Fee Contracts at Central Ohio Life Plan Communities

August 14, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

Ohio has exactly one CCRC statute, written in 1987 — no disclosure statement, no cooling-off period, no entrance-fee escrow. What central Ohio families have to ask for themselves before signing.

When a Central Ohio Facility Says Your Parent Has to Leave

August 12, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

Ohio law lists exactly eight lawful reasons for discharge, requires a 30-day certified-mail notice, and gives families an impartial hearing — but the protection that stops the move expires on day ten.

Help at Home Before Medicaid: What Central Ohio's County Senior Levies Actually Pay For

August 11, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

PASSPORT requires long-term care Medicaid eligibility — but Franklin County Senior Options, SourcePoint, and the other county levy programs don't. What each of the seven counties funds, and how to vet a licensed home care agency in Ohio.

What Happens to the House When a Parent Moves Into Care in Central Ohio

August 7, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

Ohio's homestead exemption is tied to occupancy, not ownership alone — what the January 1 rule means for a family whose parent has just moved, and the three honest options for the house.

The Paperwork Central Ohio Families Wish They'd Done Before the Crisis

August 5, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

Ohio's health care power of attorney witness rules, the DNR Comfort Care form nobody tells you is separate, and what Franklin County Probate Court guardianship actually involves.

Hospice and Palliative Care in Central Ohio: What Families Actually Need to Know

July 31, 2026 · Priya Anand, RN

Two words families use interchangeably mean very different things — plus Ohio's separate hospice licensing, the four Medicare levels of care, and the room-and-board surprise.

Getting Around After the Keys: Senior Transportation Options in Central Ohio

July 29, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

COTA Plus, COTA Mainstream, COAAA-coordinated rides, and rideshare — a practical guide to getting around once driving is off the table.

Rural, Suburban, or Urban: How Geography Shapes Senior Care Choices Across Central Ohio

July 26, 2026 · Darlene Matthews

Our seven-county service area isn't one senior care market — it's really three, and the right choice often depends on which one your family is starting from.

A Season-by-Season Guide to Senior Wellness in Central Ohio

July 22, 2026 · Priya Anand, RN

Ohio's four real seasons each bring a distinct set of risks for older adults — here's what to watch for as the calendar turns.

When Siblings Disagree About a Parent's Care: A Central Ohio Family's Roadmap

July 8, 2026 · Priya Anand, RN

The disagreement is rarely really about the nursing home — here's what's usually underneath it, and a practical path through.

The First 30 Days After a Parent Moves Into Assisted Living or Memory Care

June 27, 2026 · Priya Anand, RN

The move-in date isn't the finish line — here's what's actually normal in the first month, and what deserves a second look.

The Real Cost of Care in Ohio (and Why "Average" Numbers Can Mislead You)

June 17, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

A published statewide median is useful — but only if you understand exactly what it does and doesn't tell you about your own family's cost.

What Central Ohio's Growth Boom Means for Senior Housing and Care Availability

June 6, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

Central Ohio is growing faster than almost anywhere else in the Midwest — a locally grounded look at what that means for families searching for senior care.

German Village, Clintonville, or the Suburbs? Where Columbus-Area Seniors Are Choosing to Age

May 27, 2026 · Darlene Matthews

The Columbus metro offers real variety in how — and where — people age in place. Here's how the choices actually compare.

Evaluating an Assisted Living Community When You Only Get One Visit

May 16, 2026 · Darlene Matthews

For the sibling who lives out of state and can only fly in once — how to make that single visit count.

Moving Mom or Dad to Columbus: A Guide for Out-of-State Families

May 6, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

Relocating a parent across state lines adds a layer of logistics on top of an already emotional decision — here's how to approach it in order.

Veterans and Senior Care in Central Ohio: Benefits, Clinics, and Where to Start

April 25, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

A deeper look at where Central Ohio veterans turn for care, the benefits worth knowing about, and how the pieces fit together.

Understanding PASSPORT and Medicaid Waivers for Central Ohio Seniors

April 15, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

The rules matter, but so does knowing what the application process actually feels like from the inside — here's the part nobody explains upfront.

A Family Guide to Adult Day Programs in the Columbus Area

April 4, 2026 · Priya Anand, RN

One of the least understood — and often most useful — categories of senior care, explained for families trying to decide if it's the right fit.

Touring Senior Living Communities in the Columbus Suburbs: A Practical Guide

March 25, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

A step-by-step approach to touring that catches what a glossy brochure won't show you — from Dublin to Delaware County to Powell.

How to Have "The Conversation" About Giving Up the Car Keys

March 14, 2026 · Ray Kessler, Certified Senior Advisor

Few conversations feel as loaded as this one — here's how Central Ohio families are approaching it with less conflict and more planning.

What a Hospital Discharge Planner Won't Always Tell You

March 4, 2026 · Priya Anand, RN

A working nurse's view of how hospital discharge really moves in Columbus — and the questions that get families better outcomes.

Preparing an Aging Parent's Home for a Central Ohio Winter

February 21, 2026 · Darlene Matthews

Central Ohio winters bring specific risks for aging in place — here's how families are getting a parent's home ready before the first hard freeze, not after a fall.

How Franklin County Families Are Navigating a Loved One's Memory Care Decision

February 11, 2026 · Darlene Matthews

When forgetfulness turns into something that changes daily safety, the questions families face shift — here's how that decision tends to unfold.

The First 48 Hours After a Dementia Diagnosis: What Central Ohio Families Should Actually Do

January 28, 2026 · Priya Anand, RN

A diagnosis rarely comes with a checklist — here's a grounded, non-clinical guide to the first two days, written for the family, not the patient chart.

Signs It Might Be Time for Assisted Living in Columbus

January 14, 2026 · Darlene Matthews

A practical, judgment-free look at the everyday signals Columbus-area families notice first — and what to actually do once you've noticed them.

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Darlene, Columbus Senior Living Advisor
Darlene
Columbus Senior Living Advisor

Hi, I'm Darlene — I can help you find the right senior care option in the Columbus area, free of charge.

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