Mary Alexander: Hi! I'm Mary Alexander from Home Instead Senior Care and today I'm going to give you some tips for providing in-home care during a recession or other difficult financial times.

Not since the great depression has this country experienced such financial insecurity and uncertainty. One major consequence of the banking crisis is that many seniors lost much of the value of the retirement savings. For some that meant a return to work, for others it required a modification in lifestyle and living arrangements.

Many of those who are family caregivers have also been affected by the recession. A loss of a job or needing to work extra hours may have affected the amount of time and money available to provide the level of care once given. In general, it has been a very stressful situation for all.

If you are caring for a senior loved one and are worried about being able to provide or pay for the level of in-home care your senior needs, this series of video should help. In the first few videos we'll discuss less expensive housing and daycare options, including living with family, affordable senior housing and public housing. We'll also talk about the benefits and services provided by senior centers and adult daycare centers. After that we'll talk about financing options for care that go beyond traditional insurance coverage.

We'll then discuss how you and your senior loved one don't have to go this alone. We'll give you tips on how to create a team approach both with family and through the extended community.

Lastly we'll give you a few options for programs that allow you to get paid for your care giving services, providing a win-win situation for you and your loved one.

Home Instead Senior Care, the national leader in providing in-home care services for seniors is bringing you this video series to help you help your senior loved ones. Helping seniors is something Home Instead has been doing passionately now for more than 15 years. I not only work for Home Instead, but I'm a certified Senior Adviser. More importantly, I am currently a long-distance caregiver for my dad and I spent several months caring for my mom locally.

So let's get started by discussing the housing options available to your senior loved one.