How we research and verify everything we publish
Family caregivers make consequential decisions based on information they find online. We take that seriously. This page describes exactly how our content is produced, what standards it must meet, and what to do if you find an error.
What we are trying to do
The caregiving information landscape is split between two poles. Clinical and government sources are authoritative but written for professionals. General-audience content is accessible but frequently thin, promotional, or recycled without verification.
FamilyCareWise occupies the middle: authoritative primary sources as the foundation, translated into practical guidance for the family member who is not a professional but needs to understand how things work well enough to make real decisions.
Our test for any piece of content: would a careful, experienced person say this to a family member they care about, in a way that helps them without overstepping into professional advice? If yes, it belongs here.
Source hierarchy
We use a tiered source hierarchy. Higher-tier sources take precedence when sources conflict.
Tier 1 — Primary / Authoritative
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its sub-institutes (NIA, NIMH, NCI, NINDS)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS.gov)
- Social Security Administration (SSA.gov)
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS.gov)
- State government agency official websites (Medicaid, APS)
- Peer-reviewed research published in indexed medical journals
Tier 2 — Major nonprofit / academic medical
- Alzheimer's Association (alz.org)
- AARP Public Policy Institute
- National Council on Aging (ncoa.org)
- Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medicine
- American Geriatrics Society
- National Alliance for Caregiving
Tier 3 — Used for context and framing only
- Caregiver community forums and Reddit threads (r/dementia, r/AgingParents, r/CaregiverSupport) — used to understand real-world experiences and language, never as factual sources
- News reporting — used for context only when it cites primary sources
- Industry association reports — cited with organization name and publication date
When sources at different tiers conflict, we cite the higher-tier source and note the disagreement. We do not present contested information as settled.
Medical, legal, and financial content
These three domains require the most care. Our standards for each:
Medical information
We describe how conditions progress, how symptoms present, what treatment approaches exist, and what family caregivers typically encounter at different stages. We do not diagnose, recommend specific treatments, or advise on medication changes.
Every medical claim is tied to a named Tier 1 or Tier 2 source. When research is evolving, we say so. We do not present uncertain findings as established fact.
Language we do not use: "you should," "you need to," or "you must" in relation to medical decisions. We describe options and their tradeoffs. The decision belongs to the family and their healthcare providers.
Legal and benefits information
We explain how legal instruments work (power of attorney, healthcare directives, guardianship), how government benefit programs are structured, and what eligibility criteria generally apply. We do not give advice specific to any individual's situation.
Benefits rules change. Medicare and Medicaid coverage details, income thresholds, and program structures are verified against current CMS documentation and state agency sources. We note when content covers general principles that may vary by state.
For any legal matter, we direct readers to qualified elder law attorneys. For benefits questions, we point to official program resources (Medicare.gov, benefits.gov) and state SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselors.
Financial information
We explain how caregiving intersects with finances: long-term care costs, what insurance covers, how Medicaid spend-down works, caregiver tax credits, and similar topics. We do not recommend specific financial products or strategies.
Cost estimates are drawn from published research (Genworth Cost of Care Survey, AARP analyses, government data) and are presented with their source and date. We note that costs vary significantly by geography and care type.
For financial planning specific to a caregiving situation, we direct readers to certified financial planners with elder care specialization, or to nonprofit resources like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
How affiliate relationships work here
Some articles on FamilyCareWise contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate articles are marked with a disclosure near the top of the page.
Our editorial decisions are made independently of affiliate relationships. We cover topics because they are relevant to caregivers, not because a product or service pays us to. Affiliate links are added to articles after editorial decisions are made.
For product recommendations (medical alert systems, walk-in tubs, home care services), we evaluate based on published specifications, independent reviews, user feedback, safety records, and suitability for different caregiving situations. We do not recommend a product simply because it offers a higher commission.
If we would not recommend a product to someone in our own family's caregiving situation, we do not recommend it here.
How we use AI tools
FamilyCareWise uses AI tools in the content production process. We are direct about this because we think caregivers deserve to know how the information they rely on is produced.
AI assists with: processing source material, organizing research findings, drafting article structure, and ensuring consistent coverage across complex topics. Every article is reviewed by our editorial team before publication. Every factual claim is verified against a named primary source.
AI does not determine our editorial positions. It does not select which topics we cover. It does not override our verification standards. When AI-generated drafts include claims that cannot be verified against authoritative sources, those claims are removed.
Our commitment: no claim in any article is published without verification against a named, authoritative source. "AI said so" is not a source. If we cannot find a Tier 1 or Tier 2 source for a claim, the claim does not appear.
Correction policy
We correct errors promptly when they are identified. If you find a factual error, an outdated figure, or information that conflicts with a primary source, please contact us at [email protected].
Include the URL of the article, the specific claim you believe is incorrect, and the source that contradicts it. We review every correction request. If the claim is wrong, we correct it and note the correction at the bottom of the article. If the claim is accurate, we will respond with the source we used.
We do not quietly delete or rewrite content when corrections are made. Material corrections are noted on the article with a correction date.
Standard disclaimer
The information on FamilyCareWise is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family's situation is different. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider, licensed attorney, or certified financial planner for guidance specific to your circumstances.
This disclaimer appears on every article. It is not boilerplate. It reflects a genuine limit on what we can responsibly provide without knowing your specific situation.