Community FAQs

Getting Started

Q: I’m new here, how can I use AgingCare.com?

A: AgingCare was created for caregivers, because caring for an aging parent can be stressful and overwhelming. Our caregiver community provides caregivers a way to discuss and work through the unique issues involved with elder care. You can ask for advice from other caregivers, lend your caregiving support to others with aging parents and post comments on stories. AgingCare is the place where you will know you aren’t alone. Use this website to find the support you need to care for your elderly and aging parents.

Q: Why should I become a member of AgingCare.com?

A: By becoming a member of AgingCare.com, you can share your stories, your triumphs and your challenges – and see what other caregivers are talking about today. Topics range from dealing with difficult parents to caregiver stress. Connect with other family caregivers in similar situations. You are not alone when you are part of the AgingCare family. The bonds you build can last a lifetime.

My AgingCare

Q: What is My Profile?

A:  Your profile allows you to share your caregiver story, say who you’re caring for and upload your photo. It helps others learn valuable information about your caregiving role, so they can relate to you better. You can read other profiles by clicking on a member's name anywhere on the site.

Q: What type of information can I share in my profile?

A:  You can share basic information like your first name, age and gender.  Tell the community about who you’re caring for, what disease they suffer from, and other facts about you and your caregiving role.  Do not disclose personal information such as your full name, details about where you live, phone numbers, email addresses or websites. Keep any information that you disclose friendly.  Any profile that contains personal information or self promotions are subject to review by the AgingCare.com moderators.

Q: How can I upload a Photo?

A:  Sign in and go to your profile. Click to edit your profile, and then click the Choose Photo button. Finally, select an image file on your computer and save your changes.

Q: How can I change my email address, username or password?

A. Sign in and go to your profile. Click to edit your profile, and then click on the link that says "If you'd like to change your username, password, or email address click here".

Q: What are Notifications?

A:  You will receive a notification when:

• A member of AgingCare writes on your wall.
• Someone comments on a discussion or article that you have asked to receive notifications on.
• Someone answers a question that you have asked to receive notifications on.
• You receive hug from another member.

Q: What is a Care Guide?

A: AgingCare creates a Care Guide personally for you, based on the information that you have provided to us about your caregiving experience. It's a collection of helpful informational articles relevant to your caregiving situation and will provide the information you need to help take care of an elderly loved one. In order to create your Care Guide, make sure you are not logged in, visit the AgingCare.com home page, and fill in the information on the Care Guide form. Then follow the steps for creating a new AgingCare membership or logging in as an existing member.

In order to create your Care Guide, make sure you are not logged in. If you are a member, log out, visit the AgingCare.com home page, and fill in the information on the Care Guide form. Next, non-members can follow the steps for creating a new AgingCare membership or existing members can log back in.

When you sign up for your Care Guide, you will receive an email that includes your AgingCare.com login information, as well as your Care Guide. The articles provided in your Care Guide will also be on your AgingCare.com profile, so you can go back and access them at any time.

Q: What is a Care Report?

A: A Care Report is similar to a report card that you create, to help you quickly and easily communicate your parent's condition to family and friends. You rate your parent's state in areas such as mood, eating, sleeping, mobility, etc. Then, you choose the family members or friends who you want to receive the Care Report via email. The email is instantly sent to everyone on your list. You can send a new, updated report as often as you like. It’s a great way to keep others "in the loop" on your loved one -- and another tool to help make your busy life as a caregiver a little easier.

Community Message Boards

Q: How do I ask a question?

A: You can ask a question by visiting the community home page and typing your question in the "Ask a Question" box. There is a 140 character limit for questions that you ask, so be sure to be short and concise. You do have the opportunity to add more details explaining your question and situation further by clicking the "Provide More Details," link, which is located in the "Ask a Question" box. Choose a topic that your question is related to.

To post your question to the community, click the submit button. You must be logged in to ask a question. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login. After logging in, your question will be posted. When someone answers your question, you will receive notifications in your email inbox letting you know that you have a new answer.

Q: How do I start a new Discussion?

A: You can start a new discussion by visiting the community home page and clicking on the "Start a Discussion" tab, located beside "Ask a Question" at the top of the page. Type in a headline for your discussion; the headline should be a couple of words describing what you want to discuss. Then type your story– what you want to discuss or vent about – in the box below. Choose a topic that your discussion is related to.

You must be logged in to start a discussion. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login. After logging in, your discussion will be posted to the community. When someone makes a comment on your discussion, you will receive notifications in your email inbox letting you know that you have a new comment.

Q: Why do I have to sign in or become a member to Ask a Question, Start a Discussion or comment?

A: To protect our members from solicitors and spam, only AgingCare members are allowed to participate in the community. Therefore, you must sign in with your username (or email address) and password or register as a member before you can comment.

Q: What types of things can and can’t I talk about in the community?

A:  Keep your comments to matters that concern caregiving. Don’t discuss controversial topics – such as religion or politics – that might anger other caregivers. Don’t use personal attacks, profanity, threats or offensive language. Keep it friendly!

Also, do not promote your business, website, email address or other contact information. Posts that include self promotions will be removed.

Q: I made a comment on a discussion and now I can’t find it, what happened?

A: To keep the community organized and easy for members to use, the AgingCare.com staff reviews all comments that are posted in Discussions. Comments that are deemed inappropriate will be removed. You can always check your profile under Recent Activity. There, you will see discussions you have started, questions you’ve asked and discussions you are participating in.

Q: What should I do when I see a comment from another member that is not appropriate?

A: If you feel that a discussion or a member is offensive or breaks any rules, please use the "Flag as Inappropriate" link and our editors will review it.  

Interacting With Other Members

Q: What is a Wall?

A: Each member has his or her own Wall, where others can post messages, comments or insights specifically to that individual. Think of the wall as a public email message. Unlike Discussion Boards, the topics on Walls may be about anything. Posts made on your wall are directed to you, rather than a group of caregivers. Each member's wall is visible to anyone viewing their profile. You can view your own wall from your profile.

Q: What does Wall-to-Wall mean?

A: Wall-to-Wall allows you to see the history of Wall posts between two individuals. If you are reading another member’s wall, and want to see what communication they’ve had with a particular member, click the Wall-to-Wall link.

Q: How do I give another caregiver a Hug?

A: Sending a caregiver a Hug is a great way to appreciate another caregiver for something they’ve, or to support them when they’re having a bad day. There are several ways you can send a hug:

• Click on the link that says "Give a Hug" under My AgingCare on the left side of the screen.
• Visit a member’s profile and click the link at the top of the profile under the member's name that says "Give A Hug".
• You can also send a Hug from a member’s post on a discussion board.

Select the Hug you want to send. Add a personal message and this will be posted on the member’s wall. If they are not a member of AgingCare.com, they will receive your Hug in their email inbox.

Q: What is a Star and how do I use it?

A: A Star is a way that you can say a caregiver’s post was helpful. To give a start, click the link at the end of the post that says, "This was Helpful. Give it a Star!" You can view how many Stars you have received on comments you've made and answers you've provided, by looking at the top of your profile page.

Q: What is a Breath of Fresh Air?

A: A Breath of Fresh Air is a short story written by caregivers in the community. These stories can be funny, inspiring or encouraging. It's a way for caregivers to share their happiest moments and words of encouragement with others. You can see recent stories from caregivers on the Breath of Fresh Air page.

Q: How can I share my Breath of Fresh Air story?

A: Visit the Breath of Fresh Air page and type your story in the box at the top of the page. It's as simple as that!

General Questions

Q: How can I make sure that I am safe while I am using AgingCare.com?

A: We will never share any of your personal information with other members or third parties. To protect yourself, never share personal information – email address, phone numbers, etc. on the Message Boards – or ask for the same from others. Email addresses, phone numbers or other personal information will be removed by the AgingCare editorial staff.

Q: I have a great idea (or complaint) that I want to share with the makers of AgingCare.com. How do I tell you?

A: We're always open to hear your feedback on how we can improve our AgingCare.com community. If you have any feedback, an idea or a complaint, don't hesitate to Submit your feedback.

Your opinions and participation will really make a difference.