About Senior Facts Guide
Helping Seniors and Families Find Clear Answers to Life’s Most Important Questions
When someone you love is aging — or when you are planning for your own future — the questions come fast and they matter deeply.
What is a power of attorney, and do I need one? How does Medicare actually work? What happens to my home if I need a nursing home? What benefits is my veteran spouse entitled to?
These are not small questions. They affect your family’s finances, your loved one’s care, and your peace of mind. Yet the information available online is often buried in legal jargon, government language, or written by people trying to sell you something.
Senior Facts Guide was created to fix that.
Why This Site Exists
Senior Facts Guide was founded by Dean Tielbur, a researcher and writer with a deep personal interest in helping everyday families navigate the complex world of elder care and estate planning. Dean has spent years researching elder care and estate planning topics, drawing on personal experience navigating these systems with family members and consulting primary government sources including Medicare.gov, the Social Security Administration, state Medicaid agencies across all 50 states, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and other authoritative federal and state agencies. Every resource on this site reflects that research — written in plain English so that anyone, regardless of their background, can understand their options and make informed decisions for themselves and the people they love.
Like many people, I watched family members struggle to find simple, trustworthy answers during some of the most stressful moments of their lives. I saw how confusing Medicare paperwork could be. I saw how few people understood what a power of attorney actually does — until it was too late. I saw veterans and their families leave significant benefits unclaimed simply because no one had explained them clearly.
I built this site because I believe everyone deserves access to plain-English information on these topics — regardless of their education, income, or background.
What You Will Find Here
Senior Facts Guide covers five core topic areas:
Wills and Trusts Plain-English guides explaining what a will is, how trusts work, what probate means, and how to protect your assets and your family’s future.
Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives Clear explanations of what these documents do, why you need them, and how to make sure the right person can act on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself.
Elder Care Honest, practical guides covering nursing homes, assisted living, memory care, home care, and how to choose the right option for your situation.
Medicare and Benefits Step-by-step explanations of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and other senior benefits programs — broken down so you can understand what you are entitled to and how to access it.
Veterans Benefits Guides explaining VA pension, Aid and Attendance, survivor benefits, and how to file a claim — so veterans and their families can access every benefit they have earned.
Our Editorial Standards
Every article on Senior Facts Guide is:
- Researched from authoritative sources including government agencies such as Medicare.gov, the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and organizations such as AARP and the Alzheimer’s Association
- Written in plain English — we avoid legal and medical jargon wherever possible, and explain it clearly when we must use it
- Reviewed for accuracy — we update our content regularly to reflect changes in laws, regulations, and benefit programs
- Free from sales pressure — we do not represent lawyers, insurance companies, care facilities, or any other commercial interests. Our only goal is to give you accurate, trustworthy information.
A Note on Professional Advice
The guides on this site are for general informational purposes only. Laws and benefit programs vary by state and change over time.
For decisions that affect your family’s finances, health, or legal situation, we always recommend consulting a licensed attorney, financial advisor, or healthcare professional in your area.
Think of Senior Facts Guide as your starting point — a place to understand your options before you sit down with the professionals who can help you act on them.
Start Exploring
Use the menu above to browse guides by topic, explore resources for your state, or download one of our free checklists.
If you have a question, a suggestion, or just want to say hello, you can reach us through our Contact page.
Thank you for trusting Senior Facts Guide. We take that trust seriously.
Senior Facts Guide is an independent informational website. Please read our full Disclaimer before using this site.