Quick answer
Some senior living advisors are free to families because the communities they refer to pay them a fee when a resident moves in. A care manager is usually paid by the family. Neither arrangement is automatically good or bad, but it changes whose interests the advice serves. Before you act on a recommendation, ask one question: "How are you paid?"
Why this matters when the decision is big
Choosing senior living is one of the largest decisions a family makes, financially and emotionally. Families often begin with an online search or a call to a service that promises free help finding a community. Many of those services are paid by the communities, and the better ones say so openly. That does not make the people dishonest, and many advisors care about families. But if an advisor is paid only when someone moves in, there is a built-in incentive to recommend a move. A service that earns nothing from home care may also be less likely to suggest that staying home with the right help is the better answer.
The common models
- Referral or placement services, free to the family: the community or agency pays a fee when a resident moves in or a caregiver is placed. Strengths: no cost to you, and they know many communities. What to watch: they may only show options that pay them, and a move is how they get paid.
- Care managers and care navigators, paid by the family: the family pays an hourly or monthly fee. Strengths: advice is not tied to a placement and the work often covers the whole picture. What to watch: it costs money, rates vary, and rules about fees differ, so ask.
- Hospital discharge planners and social workers: employed by the hospital or health system. Strengths: they know the system and can arrange a safe discharge. What to watch: their time is short and their job is a safe discharge, not long-term planning.
Some providers combine these models. If a provider charges you a fee and is also paid by others, that is not necessarily wrong, but it should be disclosed.
Five questions that tell you who an advisor works for
- How are you paid? Ask directly; a good answer is short and clear.
- Do you receive money from any community, agency or caregiver you recommend?
- Will you show me options that do not pay you, including staying home?
- What is your professional background and license?
- If I decide not to move my parent, do you still help?
If an advisor hesitates on the first two questions, that is useful information.
How Masterpiece Care is paid
We believe you should know how we are paid. Families may pay Masterpiece Care a fee for care navigation; we are finalizing those fees and will share them on our Care Navigation page. Separately, some home care agencies and some senior living communities may pay Masterpiece Care a referral fee when a family we have helped chooses them. You are always free to choose any agency, caregiver, or community, and to ask us about fees at any time.
Read about Care Navigation and how we're paid.
When a free service is still a good place to start
Free placement services can be helpful for finding communities and arranging tours, especially once you know a move is right. Use them knowingly: ask how they are paid and compare more than one. Get a second opinion before a major decision, particularly one that involves a large deposit or a long-term contract.
If you are weighing assisted living, memory care or staying home in Palm Beach County and want to think it through with a nurse, we are glad to talk. Even if we are not the right fit, we will tell you what we would ask next.
Talk it through with Tina. Free 15-minute conversation
This article is educational and does not replace a medical assessment or legal or financial advice. In an emergency, call 911.
Sources
- AARP: Geriatric care managers
- Caring.com: Caregiver's guide to geriatric care managers
- Care.com: Care management overview
Related reading: What Does a Care Manager Do? (And When Should Your Family Call One?)