Privacy Policy | The Dependency Series

Effective / last updated: September 22, 2026

Who we are

The Dependency Series is an educational resource published by the Health Education Resource Center, written by George A. Mellendorf. It explains the twelve medical conditions most often associated with a loss of independence in aging adults. It is not a law firm, insurance agency, or financial institution, and nothing on this site is legal, financial, or medical advice. This policy explains how information is handled when you visit thedependencyseries.com.

Information we collect

We collect information in a few ways, depending on how you use the site:

Browser storage on your device. This site uses your browser's localStorage to remember your light/dark theme preference, and sessionStorage to keep the on-site chat assistant's conversation and the Read Aloud widget's dismissed state for the current browsing session. See "Cookies and browser storage" below for detail.
The on-site chat assistant. Questions you type into the chat widget are sent to our server to generate an answer grounded in this site's own content. If you ask to speak with a Dependency & Elder Care Professional through the chat, the name, email, phone number, and any message you provide are transmitted to us so a person can follow up.
The Caregiver Load Check-In. Your answers are used in your browser to generate your results. If you choose to email yourself a copy of your report, the information you enter (such as your name and email address) is transmitted to us to deliver that email.
Information you provide directly. If you use the contact form or otherwise reach out (email, phone, or a scheduled call), we receive whatever you choose to share, typically your name, email address, phone number, and the message or questions you write.

How we use this information

To respond to messages sent through the contact form, the chat assistant, or by email/phone.
To deliver a requested copy of your Caregiver Load Check-In results by email.
To remember your display preferences (such as dark mode) and keep the chat assistant working correctly during your visit.
To maintain the security and normal technical operation of the site.

We do not sell personal information, and we do not use information submitted through the contact form, chat assistant, or Caregiver Load Check-In for marketing to third parties.

Cookies and browser storage

We use a small amount of first-party browser storage plus two third-party services. We do not sell personal information and we do not run advertising or ad-retargeting cookies on this site.

First-party storage (no cookies). localStorage holds your theme preference and whether you've dismissed the storage notice, so those persist across visits. sessionStorage holds your current chat conversation, a one-time prompt flag, and whether you've closed the Read Aloud widget; it clears when you close the tab. This stays on your device.
Google Analytics 4. We use Google Analytics (measurement ID G-8GYHBP1KKS) to understand which pages people read and how they arrive. It sets first-party analytics cookies (_ga, _ga_*) and reports aggregate usage — pages viewed, approximate location, device and browser type, and referring source. We have not enabled Google Analytics advertising features or audience sharing.
HubSpot. We use HubSpot (portal 247420366) for visit analytics and to manage the messages and requests people send us. Its script sets cookies such as __hstc, hubspotutk, __hssc, and __hssrc, which record page visits and tie a later form submission to the pages that preceded it.

How to limit or refuse this. You can clear or block cookies and site data in your browser settings at any time, use your browser's private/incognito mode, install the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on, or enable a tracking-protection or content-blocking extension — the site is fully readable with all of it blocked, and blocking it costs you no functionality beyond the chat assistant's memory of your current conversation. Where your browser sends a Global Privacy Control or Do Not Track signal, we do not use this site's data to build advertising profiles regardless.

To stop email from us, use the email opt-out form — no email link required. To ask us to delete information we hold about you, use the contact page. Our Terms of Use covers our sourcing policy, AI disclosure, and liability disclaimers.

Data retention

Messages submitted through the contact form, the chat assistant's consult request, or the Caregiver Load Check-In email feature are kept only as long as needed to respond to your inquiry and for a reasonable period afterward for recordkeeping, unless you ask us to delete them sooner.

Your choices

You can browse every page on this site, including the Caregiver Load Check-In, without providing any personal information.
You can clear or block browser storage using your browser's privacy controls at any time.
You can ask us to tell you what information we hold about you, correct it, or delete it, by reaching out through the contact page. We will respond within a reasonable time.

Children's privacy

This site is intended for adults researching long-term care conditions for themselves or a family member. It is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Security

The site is served over HTTPS, and we take reasonable technical measures to protect any information submitted to us. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Changes to this policy

If this policy changes, we will update this page and the "last updated" date above. Continued use of the site after a change means you accept the updated policy.

Contact us

Questions about this policy or a request about your information can be sent through the contact page.