With a variety of senior living options available, understanding the benefits of each is critical for Baby Boomers caring for a loved one. National estimates suggest more than 43 million adults are caring for someone over the age of 50 and 14.5 million are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. This can be particularly challenging for adult caregivers who are working, raising children, or both.

In this episode of Baby Boomers in America, Kari Schmidt, president of Brookdale’s continuing care retirement communities division, discusses the many senior living options and services available to help adult caregivers. She also provides insight as to how and when to start the conversation with a loved one about those options when living at home is becoming more and more difficult.

“Having a meaningful conversation with a parent about planning the future isn’t always easy to do,” Schmidt emphasized. “Careful planning before a health event occurs is critical to helping a parent age well,” she said. “Our associates work every day to find personalized solutions for seniors no matter the type and amount of day to day care they may need.”

Brookdale is the first-ever national senior living company with 1,160 communities in 46 states. Chances are you have a Brookdale community near you. “Senior living isn’t just about real estate or a place to live,” says Schmidt. “It’s about providing emotional, social and physical healthcare needs so aging seniors can live life to the fullest every day.”