Nell Bernstein

Caring.com senior editor

About

Nell Bernstein's writings have appeared on Salon.com and in Glamour , Health , Legal Affairs , Marie Claire , Mother Jones , Newsday , O: The Oprah Magazine , Self , Redbook , and the Washington Post . Nell often writes on family issues and the legal system. Her award-winning book All Alone in the World: Children of the Incarcerated was selected as a Pick of the Week by Newsweek , a Best Book of the Year by the San Francisco Chronicle, and a top-ten Book of the Year by the Online Review of Books. Nell graduated magna cum laude with a degree in comparative literature from Yale University and began her career in journalism by helping her freelancer mom edit stories at the kitchen table.

Nell now lives in Albany, California, with her husband, artist Timothy B. Buckwalter, and their young twins. The twins enjoy playing poker for M & M's with their grandfather, and they plan to let him win a hand on his upcoming 88th birthday.

Recently Published on Caring.com

  1. Tuesday October 04, 2011

    1. Caring Checklist: 7 Questions to Ask an Estate Liquidator

      Article - Asking the right questions makes it more likely that you'll choose the right estate liquidator. 1 Comment

  2. Wednesday January 13, 2010

    1. Choosing the Right Assisted Living Facility

      Article - Learn the most important criteria for assessing whether an assisted living facility is right for an aging loved one. 7 Comments

    2. 8 Steps to Make Independent Living Work

      Article - Independent Living: Eight steps to help someone make independent living a reality. 5 Comments

    3. Assisted Living Care Communities: How to Choose the Right One

      Article - Assisted Living: How to choose the right assisted living community for the person in your care 18 Comments

  3. Monday December 21, 2009

    1. High-Tech Solutions to Aging-in-Place Dilemmas

      Checklist - 10 useful gadgets for elderly parents to remain independent in their home. These innovative gadgets for elderly parents are invaluable. 20 Comments

    2. Continuing Care Guide: What Are CCRCs?

      Article - How to decide if a continuing-care community is right for your family 2 Comments

  4. Tuesday October 06, 2009

    1. How to Downsize

      Article - 8 steps for easing a parent's move into a retirement community or assisted living facility. 5 Comments

  5. Wednesday August 19, 2009

    1. Choosing a Nursing Home

      Article - Learn how to select the right nursing home -- and what factors are most important in weighing the decision. 5 Comments

  6. Friday August 14, 2009

    1. Understanding Senior Housing Options

      Article - Senior housing includes aging in place, continuing-care and independent-living communities, and assisted living -- whatever housing an older adult seeks. 2 Comments

    2. What to Do if Things Go Wrong in a Continuing-Care Retirement Community

      Article - Common problems that may arise when an aging friend or relative moves to a continuing-care retirement community, and tips for helping to address them.

  7. Thursday August 13, 2009

    1. How to Choose the Right Continuing-Care Retirement Community

      Article - When choosing a continuing-care retirement community or helping the person you're caring for find one: 1 Comment

    2. Continuing-Care Community Contracts and Fees

      Article - What it costs. Continuing care is an expensive option. Payment systems vary quite a bit from one continuing-care community to another, and these systems can be complex. In most cases, older adults will pay a hefty entrance fee -- or, in some communities, they'll have to purchase the unit they move in to -- and then pay a monthly fee after that... 6 Comments

    3. Who Should Move to a Continuing-care Community?

      Article - A continuing-care retirement community is a good option for people who value security. Knowing that no matter how their health changes down the line, their needs will be met and they won't have to move can bring great peace of mind. If the older adults in your care are becoming socially isolated as they...

    4. Independent Living Communities: Who They're For

      Article - Usually apartment or condominium complexes, these communities generally offer on-site amenities such as beauty salons, banks, fitness programs, and communal meals. They may even have a doctor who makes regular rounds. 1 Comment

    5. Why Senior Housing Is Such an Emotional Issue

      Article - Whether to age in place or move to a nursing home is an emotionally charged issue. Help make an older adult's housing decision easier. 3 Comments

  8. Tuesday August 11, 2009

    1. How to Help an Older Adult Age in Place

      Article - Help older adults remain in their own homes by planning now for their transportation, household safety and maintenance, and financial and healthcare needs. 7 Comments

    2. What to Do if Things Go Wrong in an Assisted-Living Community

      Article - Common problems that may arise when an older adult moves to an assisted-living community, and tips for helping to address them. 2 Comments

  9. Friday August 07, 2009

    1. What to Do if Things Go Wrong in a Nursing Home

      Article - Common problems that may arise when an aging relative moves to nursing home, and tips for helping to address them. 4 Comments

    2. How to Find Daily Calling and Visiting Services for Seniors

      Article - Daily calling services and visiting programs let caregivers, family, and friends check up on the safety of older adults who live alone. 2 Comments

  10. Wednesday July 22, 2009

    1. Aging in Place Communities Offer Independence and Support

      Article - Creative programs offer older adults new ways to get the services of a retirement community while remaining at home. Here are three popular models. 2 Comments

    2. What to Do to Determine if Elderly Family Members Can Live Independently

      To Do List - Can elderly family members still live alone? Know what questions to ask and what signs to watch for to see if your loved ones can remain independent.

  11. Wednesday May 06, 2009

    1. How to Sidestep Moving-Day Minefields

      Article - Guidelines to help you navigate the emotional and practical minefield of moving an older adult out of her home. 4 Comments

    2. A Guide to Eldercare Options in Living Arrangements

      Article - A breakdown of available eldercare options and guidance to help you decide what kind of eldercare is right for your family member. 2 Comments

    3. How to Know If It's Time to Move an Older Relative Out of the Family Home

      Article - Here's how to decide whether it's time for an older family member to move and, if so, what options are best. 3 Comments

  12. Friday May 01, 2009

    1. What Are Nursing Homes?

      Article - Nursing Homes: A free informative guide to help you decide what nursing home is best for the person in your care. 1 Comment