It might be your spouse, your father or mother, or your friend. Whoever it is, you’ve noticed problems with some of life’s daily tasks, like bathing, dressing, and preparing meals.

You're wise to explore services that can help, instead of falling prey to the common misconception that you can do everything on your own. It's better to focus on finding the best solution for your loved one's needs, and then take advantage of those resources.

That’s why, if time permits, it makes sense to evaluate your loved one's needs and then look for services to answer those needs. In our Becoming More Aware and Finding the Right Help sections, you’ll find checklists to help you evaluate your loved one’s needs and advice on how to bring about a discussion.

If you are already aware of your loved one's needs and the types of services available to help, then it's time to take action. Even if you think you have months before your loved one will need help, you should begin immediately. The next section, Making an Action Plan, will guide you in the necessary steps.