
Finding nearby senior housing for a loved one can be a daunting task. Local senior living advisors help make your search easy.
And yes, there is a difference between local advisors and national listing companies. Local advisors make your job easy, give personalized service, and shield you from sales pitch overwhelm.
Do you have aging parents or elderly loved ones? If so, you have some tough decision-making ahead. Decisions about senior housing, care, and finances. It can be a daunting task.
Not only that, but emotions can run high. Family members often feel guilt, anger, stress, and fear when making decisions for their loved one.
They wonder what type of care they should look for? What facilities are nearby? What will it cost? And, how can I find a good place?
The good news is, there’s help. Senior living advisor help you find nearby, local services.
Local advisors are your boots-on-the-ground guides for making smart decisions. They streamline the process of finding nearby senior housing, care, and elder resources. These professionals are also called Elder Care Advisors, Consultants, or Senior Housing Referral Agents.
How do senior advisors help?
Advisors ask the right questions.
Smart decisions are made when the right questions are asked. And advisors ask the right questions. They uncover all the ‘puzzle pieces’ that make up your loved one’s situations:
- family involvement,
- care needs,
- personal preferences,
- social disposition,
- finances,
- and more.
Advsiors give you personalized service.
Advisors are connected. They’ve built relationships with industry professionals, services, and housing and care providers. That means they have expert insider-knowledge about local senior living.
Also, advisors know about government programs, related resources, and other professionals who can help with most every situation.
Advisors give you choices.
After an advisor does a thorough discovery and intake, they’ll provide a list of possible options. Then they’ll review the pros and cons with you. During the consultation they’ll narrow the list to top choices.
This process saves you a lot of time, hassle, and frustration!
Your advisor makes inquiry phone calls on your behalf. They verify vacancies, care level, finances, and preferences match up. Then they set up tours of senior communities.
When working with a local advisor, they’ll often tour with you. That way, they can help you ask the right - and sometimes difficult - questions of providers. They’ll help you look past the glitz and glamour to discover what really matters – a great match for your loved one.
Advisors shield you from pushy sales pitches.
Working with an advisor protects you from getting bombarded with sales calls and emails. Your advisor doesn’t share your contact information until you select an option or say it’s ok.
An ethical senior living advisor won’t promote a specific community either. (Unless your situation is so unique that you have very limited options). They’ll always advocate for what’s best for your loved one.
An advisor gives you a list of referrals but remains neutral. While they help you weigh pros and cons, the decision is ultimately yours and your family’s.
Advisors help you navigate turbulent emotions.
Anxiety, guilt, and anger can rear up when family members are making joint decisions. Sometimes people just can’t seem to agree on what’s right for mom and dad.
An advisor can meet with the group and answer everyone’s questions. In the end, if a consensus can’t be reached or there’s a lot of discord, the advisor can provide referrals to attorney’s, councilors, or mediators.
When should you call an advisor?
Sometimes an elder is in crises and a quick decision must be made. Most advisors can respond in urgent situations but...
...the real value of an advisor’s service is found in their personalized touch as discussed above. When they can take the time to intimately work with you through the process, the greater your peace of mind and confidence in your decision.
So, call an advisor sooner rather than later. Don’t wait for a crisis so everyone has to rush.
Even if you’re just beginning to think about retirement and senior housing, call. They’ll help you start gathering information and give you planning tips for the future.
How to find a local senior housing advisor.
The best way to find an advisor is to ask others for a referral. Ask your friends, doctor's office, attorney, hospital case managers, and local senior centers. Most likely they've worked with senior advisors and can make a recommendation.
However, no matter who gives you a referral, it’s important to check the qualifications and background of a senior advisor. Make sure you verify they're a registered referral agent (in state of Oregon). Click here to find out more about senior advisor and referral agent regulations.
All OSRAA members are registered, licensed, and bonded. Check our directory for an advisor in your area.
In Summary
The aging journey includes tough decisions. Decisions about where to live, what kind of care, how to pay for it, and more. It can be confusing and stressful. Senior living advisors relieve the overwhelm. You can save time, ease your stress, and make smart decisions.
Have a story tor testimony to share? Be sure to leave a comment.