# Senior and Living Today (S.A.L.T.)

> Senior and Living Today (S.A.L.T.) is Courtney Jones, the caregiver’s caregiver. Practical guidance, planners, free videos and one-on-one help for seniors and family caregivers across the U.S.

Founded by Courtney Jones, a senior care advocate with 30+ years of experience and author of The Living Legacy Planner. Based in Dayton, Ohio; serves seniors and family caregivers nationwide by phone, video and online. S.A.L.T. is a consulting and support resource, not a senior living facility or medical provider.

Contact: (888) 416-4264 · info@seniorandlivingtoday.com

## Services
- [Senior Care Consulting](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/services/senior-care-consulting/): A one-on-one conversation about what’s going on: care at home, a move, a hospital stay, money worries, or a family that can’t agree. You leave with a plan.
- [Senior Care Virtual Assistant](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/services/senior-care-virtual-assistant/): Appointments, reminders, paperwork, online orders and a friendly check-in call, with updates for family if you want them.
- [Caregiver Support](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/services/caregiver-support/): You’re looking after everyone else. Private sessions and round-table talks for the person doing the caring.
- [Caregiver Connection](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/caregiver-connection/): curated daily-living products for seniors.
- [Free community & S.A.L.T. Academy](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/community/): discussions, webinars and courses.

## Books and resources
- [The Living Legacy Planner](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/books/living-legacy-planner/): end-of-life and personal records planner.
- [Relics of the Century](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/books/relics-of-the-century/): nostalgic book about everyday items from past decades.
- [Final arrangements 10-point discussion guide](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/resources/final-arrangements-discussion-guide/)
- [Types of senior living explained](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/guides/types-of-senior-living/)
- [What do I do when…? Practical help](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/help/)
- [Courtney’s videos](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/videos/) and YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@seniorandlivingtoday
- [All planners](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/planners/) (printed planners sold on Amazon; fillable e-planners at the SALT Online Store)
- [Find help near me](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/find-help/): doctors, elder law attorneys, Medicare counseling and local senior services by ZIP code
- [Holiday gifts for seniors](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/gifts/) from the SALT Online Store (https://www.saltonlinestore.com)
- [Memory Lane](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/memory-lane/): old newspapers, classic TV and radio
- [Games & online coloring book](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/games/)

## Articles
- [Adult Bibs: How to Choose a Clothing Protector With Dignity](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/adult-bibs-guide/): How to choose an adult bib or clothing protector for a senior: materials, sizes, crumb catchers and how to make mealtime feel dignified, not embarrassing.
- [Twice a Year, Twice the Safety: Check Your Smoke Detectors and Change Your Furnace Filter](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/check-smoke-detectors-change-furnace-filter/): A simple twice-a-year home safety habit for seniors: test smoke detector batteries and change the furnace filter every time the clocks change.
- [If You Fell, How Would Help Get In? The Simple Lockbox Fix](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/emergency-key-lockbox/): Locked doors keep you safe, but they also keep help out. Courtney Jones on using a combination key lockbox so emergency help can get in.
- [Free Online Coloring and Memory Games for Seniors (No Sign-Up, Big Buttons)](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/free-online-coloring-memory-games-for-seniors/): Free online coloring pages and a gentle memory match game for seniors: big buttons, no sign-up, no ads, no clock. Color, print and play with the grandkids.
- [15 Fun Activities for Seniors at Home (Most Are Free)](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/fun-activities-for-seniors-at-home/): Easy, enjoyable activities for seniors at home: coloring, memory games, old radio shows, homemade cards, music, puzzles and ways to stay connected.
- [Gifts for Seniors Who Say They Don’t Need Anything](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/gifts-for-seniors-who-have-everything/): Gift ideas for seniors who “don’t need anything”: comfort, safety and connection gifts, from adult bibs and heated wraps to planners and time together.
- [Going Into the Hospital? Don’t Go Alone. Why You Need an Advocate](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/hospital-advocate/): Nurses are stretched thin and hospital stays are shorter. Courtney Jones explains why every patient needs an advocate and how to set up family shifts.
- [It’s Okay to Ask for Help. You Just Need to Know Who to Call](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/its-okay-to-ask-for-help/): Nobody is an expert at everything. Courtney Jones on why we stop asking for help as we age, and how to build your own list of people to call.
- [The Living Legacy Planner: A Guide to Organizing Your Final Wishes](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/living-legacy-planner-guide/): Why The Living Legacy Planner helps seniors and caregivers record final wishes, finances, medical details and memories in one place, and how to start.
- [Make Your Own Christmas Cards Online (Free, With Your Family Photo)](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/make-christmas-cards-online/): Make your own Christmas cards online for free with a family photo: what to write, how to print a stack or text them to family, and fun ideas with the grandkids.
- [How to Make Your Own Greeting Card Online, Free (Step by Step)](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/make-your-own-greeting-card-online/): Make your own greeting card free online: pick an occasion, add a family photo, write your wishes, then print it, save a PDF or text it to family.
- [Got a Letter About Your Medicare Advantage Plan? Open It Today.](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/medicare-advantage-letter-deadline/): Medicare Advantage plans are being cancelled and changed. Courtney Jones explains what to do with that letter before the December 7 deadline.
- [How to Organize Important Papers for Your Aging Parents](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/organize-important-documents-aging-parents/): A simple checklist for organizing an aging parent’s important papers: IDs, insurance, medications, bank accounts, legal documents and final wishes, in one place.
- [Over-55 Communities: Is 55 the Right Limit for You?](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/over-55-communities-pros-and-cons/): Thinking about a 55+ active adult community? Weigh the pros and cons, from social life and low-maintenance living to HOA fees and resale limits.
- [“Can I Just Stay Until I Get On My Feet?” Protecting Your Home](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/protect-your-home-from-freeloaders/): Soft-hearted, not foolish. Courtney Jones shares ground rules for seniors when a friend, relative or partner asks to stay with you for a while.
- [Signs Your Aging Parent Needs Help (and What to Do Next)](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/signs-aging-parent-needs-help/): The quiet signs an aging parent needs more help at home, from unpaid bills to missed pills, and the gentle next steps Courtney Jones recommends.
- [Winter Is Coming: A Senior’s Get-Ready List](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/winter-is-coming-checklist/): Courtney Jones’s practical winter prep list for seniors: deicer, the snow shovel, a car kit, holiday lights while it’s mild, and booking help early.
- [Workers Coming to Your Home? Have Another Set of Eyes There](https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/workers-in-your-home/): Furnace install, cable repair, a delivery crew? Courtney Jones on why seniors should never be the only one home when several workers come in.

## Frequently asked questions
Full page: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/faq/ . General information only; not medical, legal or financial advice.

### About Senior and Living Today

Q: Who is Courtney Jones?
A: Courtney Jones is the founder of Senior and Living Today (S.A.L.T.), often called “the caregiver’s caregiver.” She has spent more than 30 years around senior care, including time working in a hospital and years in medical billing, and she wrote The Living Legacy Planner. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/about/

Q: Is Senior and Living Today a senior living facility?
A: No. Senior and Living Today is a consulting and support resource for seniors and family caregivers. We don’t run housing, employ caregivers or provide medical care. We help you understand your options and make a plan. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/services/

Q: Do you help families outside of Ohio?
A: Yes. Courtney is based in Dayton, Ohio, and works with seniors and caregivers across the United States by phone and video. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/services/senior-care-consulting/

Q: How do I get started?
A: Book a free first call or phone (888) 416-4264. Tell us what’s going on, and we’ll work out the next step together. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/contact/

### Caring for an aging parent

Q: How do I know when an aging parent needs more help?
A: Common signs include missed medications or appointments, unpaid bills piling up, falls or new bruises, weight loss, an unusually messy home, spoiled food in the fridge, and getting lost or confused. If you notice changes, talk with your parent and their doctor, and start planning before a crisis. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/signs-aging-parent-needs-help/

Q: What is the difference between a senior care consultant and a placement agency?
A: A placement agency mainly helps you choose a senior living community, and many are paid by the communities they refer families to. A senior care consultant looks at the whole situation, including staying at home, family roles, paperwork and hospital stays, and helps you build a plan. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/services/senior-care-consulting/

Q: How can I help a parent who lives far away?
A: Set up a team: a local neighbor or friend who can check in, a written list of doctors and contacts, a spare-key lockbox for emergencies, and regular calls. A senior care virtual assistant can handle appointments, reminders and paperwork from a distance and keep the family updated. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/services/senior-care-virtual-assistant/

Q: Is staying at home (aging in place) a realistic option?
A: Often, yes, with the right support. Aging in place usually means making the home safer, arranging help with errands, meals or personal care as needed, and having a plan for emergencies. It works best when the family reviews the plan as needs change. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/guides/types-of-senior-living/

### Support for caregivers

Q: How can I avoid caregiver burnout?
A: Watch for warning signs like constant exhaustion, poor sleep, irritability, getting sick more often and giving up things you enjoy. Share the load with family, take regular breaks, use respite care, join a support group and talk to your own doctor if you’re struggling. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/services/caregiver-support/

Q: What is respite care?
A: Respite care is short-term help that gives a family caregiver a break. It can be a few hours of in-home help, an adult day program or a short stay in a care community. Your local Area Agency on Aging can tell you what’s available and whether you qualify for help paying for it. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/find-help/?need=local

Q: Why does my parent need someone with them in the hospital?
A: Hospital staff are often stretched thin. A family advocate can speak up when something is missed, remember what the doctor said and notice changes early. Taking turns on a simple schedule makes it manageable. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/hospital-advocate/

### Medicare and paperwork

Q: When is Medicare Open Enrollment?
A: Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Changes you make take effect on January 1. Always confirm dates and options at medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/medicare-advantage-letter-deadline/

Q: What should I do if my Medicare Advantage plan is ending?
A: Read the letter, keep it, and note the date your coverage ends. When a plan leaves Medicare or your area, you usually get extra time (a Special Enrollment Period) to choose new coverage. Confirm your options with 1-800-MEDICARE or free counseling from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/find-help/?need=insurance

Q: Who can help me understand a confusing medical bill?
A: Start by calling the billing office and asking for an itemized bill, then compare it with the Explanation of Benefits from your insurance. Write down who you spoke to and when. Our virtual assistants can help organize the paperwork and make the calls with you. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/services/senior-care-virtual-assistant/

### End-of-life planning

Q: What is end-of-life planning?
A: End-of-life planning means making and writing down decisions ahead of time: your healthcare wishes, who can act for you, your will, where your accounts and papers are, and your funeral or memorial wishes. It saves your family from guessing during a hard time. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/resources/final-arrangements-discussion-guide/

Q: How do I start a conversation about final wishes with my parents?
A: Pick a calm moment, explain that you want to be ready to honor their wishes, and start with one topic rather than everything at once. Our free 10-point guide lists what to cover, from healthcare wishes to people to notify. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/resources/final-arrangements-discussion-guide/

Q: What is the difference between a will and a living will?
A: A will says what happens to your property and who handles your estate after you die. A living will (a type of advance directive) records the medical care you want if you can’t speak for yourself. Talk with a licensed attorney in your state to create either one. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/organize-important-documents-aging-parents/

Q: Where should I write down my wishes and important information?
A: Keep everything in one place your family can find, and tell them where it is. The Living Legacy Planner gives you a guided space for personal details, accounts, contacts and final wishes. It isn’t a legal document, so keep your will and powers of attorney with it. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/books/living-legacy-planner/

### Using this website

Q: How does the Find Help Near Me tool work?
A: Type your ZIP code or city, choose what you need, such as a doctor, an elder law attorney or Medicare help, and we open a Google Maps search for places nearby plus trusted free directories. We don’t endorse any provider, so always check credentials and call ahead. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/find-help/

Q: Do you have free games for seniors?
A: Yes. There’s a free online coloring book with 16 pictures and a memory match game with old-time favorites. Big buttons, no sign-up, no ads and no clock. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/free-online-coloring-memory-games-for-seniors/

Q: Can I make my own greeting card on your site?
A: Yes, for free. Pick an occasion, add a photo and your message, then print it, save a PDF or text it to family. Your photos stay on your device. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/blog/make-your-own-greeting-card-online/

Q: Are your planners available as printable downloads?
A: Yes. The printed planners are sold on Amazon, and fillable PDF e-planners, such as a medication tracker and a daily care log, are instant downloads from the SALT Online Store. More: https://www.seniorandlivingtoday.com/planners/