Before the Internet, finding housing for the elderly was often done through word of mouth or the phone book. Now you can do much of the preliminary work online.

Scores of Web sites include information about senior housing, but after taking a look at a few, you might find yourself overloaded with information. Focus your research on three areas: types of facilities, location and financing.

Senior housing does not necessarily mean a nursing home. There are retirement communities for those 55 and older who lead active lifestyles. Seniors who need some help with shopping, dressing and bathing should look into assisted-living facilities, and you'll want to check into nursing homes for elderly loved ones that need round-the-clock medical care.

The Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Aging provides an excellent overview on independent, assisted-living and nursing facilities. Web sites run by the AARP and Senior Resource have more detailed information, including how to choose a facility. These sites can be found at, respectively:

Housing

Housing Choices

Senior Resources/Housing

Location is also important. Some regions, states and municipalities have more programs and benefits for seniors than others. The Retirement Living web site provides tax information, a guide to state aging agencies and resource materials for free. Additional information and resources are available for a lifetime membership fee of $20.

When searching for facilities, you can use an online Yellow Pages directory, such as Yahoo!, but it will only provide cursory information. Medicare's nursing home locator lists facilities, number of beds and ownership information. You can search by ZIP code, city or state, but this kind of statistical information does not indicate the type of care you will receive.

When your life is in someone else's hands, you'll obviously want the best care possible. The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body. It assigns four levels of accreditation to adult day services as well as assisted, independent and nursing facilities.

Any kind of care is expensive. Assisted-living facilities can run $10,000 per year for day services, or $60,000 for round-the-clock care.

Federal and state governments provide assistance for long-term care. Medicare will cover nursing or home health care in some cases, but the majority of people who can't afford long-term care fall under the Medicaid program.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program. Each state has different eligibility requirements. Understanding how to qualify can be confusing. The Web site run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provides local contacts to help you cut through the red tape at Medicaid Consumer.

Once you have narrowed your choices, it's time to visit the different facilities. This is often an emotional experience, and it's easy to forget pertinent questions. Elder Web has an extensive checklist that compares up to three facilities on first impressions, services, safety, costs and other criteria. Print it out and take it with you.

The Internet is a great resource of information, but it should be coupled with personal sources. Talk to doctors, nurses and volunteers at your local senior center. Each state has an ombudsman program that acts as an advocate for long-term care. (National Website.) Your local (click on your state) ombudsman can provide personal assistance and information in a way the Internet cannot.

With reporting by Ted Rybka.