7 Questions to Ask a Senior Living Advisor

Finding the right assisted or senior living community for a senior loved one can be an emotionally draining and lengthy process.

Whether you’re just starting your senior care search or narrowing down your top choices, when you reach out to A Place for Mom, our Senior Living Advisors dedicate themselves to helping you gain confidence and peace of mind in your senior care plan.

7 Questions to Ask Your Senior Living Advisor

Our Senior Living Advisors speak with a lot of families who say they’re not sure how to start their senior living search and what questions to ask, or contrarily, have so many questions that they’re overwhelmed.

We compiled a list of the essential questions families should consider asking a Senior Living Advisor to help them make a well-informed decision for their parent or senior loved one:

1. Are there cost-effective housing options just outside my zip code?

Certainly, tell your Advisor your location preference(s), but keep in mind that you may be able to find more cost-effective options by slightly expanding your search area.

2. Can I find a senior living community that allows us to tie in volunteer services like Meals On Wheels?

Most senior living communities have relationships with local community services and volunteer organizations. If you are currently using a service that you’d like to continue with, or you feel you may have a need in the future, let your Advisor know.

3. Can you tell me about your background and experience?

Start the conversation by getting to know your Advisor in terms of their personal and professional experiences. This casual discussion helps you build a relationship with your Advisor by finding common ground and gaining confidence in their professional demeanor and skill set. Many Advisors are or have been, caregivers for their own aging parents or senior loved ones. Others have helped thousands of families through the search process and will gain your trust as someone who understands what you’re going through and what you during each step along the way.

4. Do you know of any financial programs that are city or state-specific?

If you expect you’ll need financial assistance to cover the costs of senior care, such as Medicaid or Veterans Benefits, it’s best to identify and understand your options as soon as possible. Many government-funded programs have a lengthy application and approval process; however, you can apply and continue your search for care and housing options while that piece is in works.

5. Do you know of any moving companies that specialize in moving seniors?

Although identifying senior care and housing options for your parent or senior loved one is the primary focus at hand, remember that eventually you will likely be faced with physically moving them and any desired belongings. For some, this may involve the sale and pack up of the family home, which can be another overwhelming task. As needed, your Advisor can help connect you with local resources to help, including moving companies and related services. Just let them know what you may need.

6. How long do you estimate each step of my senior care search process will take?

Time frames can vary depending on a number of factors, including benefits, finances, geographic area, required care type, etc. After learning about your unique situation, your Advisor should be able to provide an estimated timeline for the key milestones of your search and preparing for a move.

7. What can I expect from you after this conversation?

Ask your Advisor to outline the immediate next steps for your search and their role along the way. Ask about any other services they may provide, such as help identifying: