Few people want to turn over a loved one to institutional care. No matter how good the nursing home, it may seem cold and impersonal 鈥� and very expensive. But making the choice to provide care yourself is fraught with financial risks and personal sacrifices.

Nearly 10 million adult children are caring for aging parents today, according to a study by the MetLife Mature Market Institute. But, while aging is inevitable, planning for the costs associated with dependency in the latter phase of life doesn't come easily to most Americans.

Starting Aug. 8, Colorado hospitals will no longer be allowed to charge their highest prices to the poorest, uninsured patients.A bill banning the鈥�

Under some state laws, a patient's positive test for alcohol can mean that insurers won't pay hospitals and doctors for care after an accident. To sidestep the potential problem, hospitals often don't screen patients for alcohol use.