A senior care adviser is a senior living and elder care expert who works with seniors and their families in locating senior care and senior care options to meet specific needs of their clients. A placement and advisor company is connected to a number of services in the senior care industry. Depending on the services offered, the company may connect you to caregivers, recommend long-term senior housing options and even help you plan a care routine customized to your needs.

How can you be sure of receiving reliable advice from a senior care advisor?

A Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) is a professional who has demonstrated competence and knowledge in working with older adults. To earn the CSA certification, the individual will have also passed a criminal background check and an ethics exam.

What are the different ways in which a senior care adviser can help you?

A senior care advisor may be qualified to assist you with a number of elderly care and living topics. Virtually all senior care advisers guide older adults on their choices in elder living facilities, including referring them to senior homes near their location. Some advisors provide support and advice to family caregivers and phone numbers of organizations that provide medical equipment.

Be sure to get the advisor on the line or schedule an in-person appointment to understand the types of services available to you. Also inquire about their qualifications and professional working experience in the senior care industry.

Common questions senior care advisors get from clients

The most common reason for older Americans to engage a CSA is to make the right decisions when transitioning from their primary residence to a senior living facility. The common questions that come up include:

• What are my options? Your CSA will help you decide whether you need an independent living community, assisted living facility, memory care home or a skilled nursing home.
• What options are close to my location? Understandably, seniors want to live close to their adult children. However, this may not always be possible. CSAs show you communities that may not be close to your home but are otherwise located conveniently for you and your children.
• How much does senior living cost? In calculating the cost of senior care, you will need to consider the base rental rate, the specific services you will be requesting, and one-time fees for admission and apartment preparation. If you’re unable to have a flexible budget, it may make sense to work backwards, determining how much you can afford and find options that match permissible costs.
• What financing solutions are available? Medicare does not pay for assisted living costs. You can sell a life insurance policy you don’t require, qualify for Veterans Aid and Attendance benefit, purchase long-term care insurance or take out a short-term bridge loan.

Safety is also a concern for most families, although it does not outweigh other factors like location and cost. You may not always find a senior living community that ticks all the right boxes but a senior care advisor can help ensure you zero in on the next best option.