Can’t I just do the assisted living research on my own? Absolutely!  But why would you, when there’s a free service to help you make the most informed decision?  For example, most people (like me when I went through this process) are unaware that there are so many options available, the wide range of prices and facilities, the requirements to become licensed, and even what differentiates a residential care facility from a skilled nursing facility or in-home services. There are also unlicensed facilities out there which are not monitored unless a complaint is filed (and then they run the risk of being closed down).  When it comes to assisted living, people need to be able to make informed decisions about either their own care or that of a loved one.  I help them do that, free of charge.

You've pre-screened over 200 licensed RCFEs throughout the North Bay. What did you find out? First, I discovered that residential care facilities come in all shapes and sizes from 3-6 bed private homes up to large assisted living facilities with 50-100+ private apartments. I also confirmed that one size doesn’t fit all!  One person might need very close supervision either because of dementia or frailness. Someone else may need to feel as independent as possible and would do better in an apartment-like setting.  In general, I can also say that I was impressed with the facilities in Sonoma County.  I visited most homes without notice, was almost always greeted warmly by the staff, and found most facilities to be clean and organized.   Available activities tended to vary based on the current residents (level of interest and cognitive functioning), facility size, and staffing.  Higher end facilities which charge over $4k/month generally offer more services and visual appeal, but I also found facilities at a much lower price that were warm and inviting.  As with real estate in general, location also influences price.

Do you help locate a facility for a client who’s out of state? Yes!  Based on my own experience with family members in other states, I recognize that families are increasingly being faced with geographic location choices and challenges when placing loved ones in assisted living.   I’m helping families by developing a network of elder care placement professionals in various housing markets who offer similar client-oriented services, and am learning more about different states and their licensing guidelines every day.  For placement in other locations, I act as a resource guide—helping families access the services they need, when they need them, while retaining expertise regarding the choices closer to home in the North Bay.  That is the way I feel I can best serve families both locally and nationally.

If you’re paid by the facilities, don’t you really work for them? That’s a great question, and the answer is no.  I develop good working relationships with facilities, but my client is the elder first and foremost, and my job is to identify the best facilities available given the needs, desires and constraints of the elder and his/her family.  Because most facilities will pay me a placement fee, the service is free to families.  Even if I don’t have a contract with a particular facility, I will share information about the facility if it has an opening and appears to be a good match for a client.  To me, it’s a matter of integrity. In doing my own research in Tucson, I discovered this service works much like the real estate business, including the payment method and fee which have become standardized.  I do not accept ‘bonuses’ or other incentives to fill facility openings.  Because people understandably prefer to stay in their own homes as long as possible, most clients don’t contact me until they have an imminent placement need, in which case I’m almost always paid by the facility.  With that said, I can also work on a fee for service basis or net of commissions depending on the particular situation and level of advice a family needs, or if a family prefers to pay me directly.   Over time, I envision working with more families on a consulting basis before a placement is imminent, which will allow us more time to explore the fullest range of options possible.