Assisted living placement agencies assist free of charge, but there may be a catch…

Finding an assisted living facility for yourself or your loved one can be a daunting task. There are over 7,500 facilities in California, and besides the obvious factors like location and cost, the average person may find it difficult to determine how to choose the right one. With the growing senior population needing assistance to navigate through the placement process, it is no wonder the placement agency industry is booming. In most cases, these companies help match people to facilities at no charge. 

Unsuspecting clients may not be aware of the following:

Some agencies are passing the cost to the facility as a finder’s fee, and facilities that do not agree to pay a finders fee are left off the list. 

Monthly rates posted on the agency’s website may be inaccurate because an assessment of the prospective resident is required to determine the rate, which is a combination of base rent plus individual care needs. 

Many agencies claim their staff has personally visited each facility but in many cases this is simply untrue. Often times, agencies rely solely on facility marketing materials for information.

Placement agencies are not regulated; there are no quality controls or systems in place to protect the seniors.

Placement agencies are not all bad. However, it is your responsibility to make sure the placement is appropriate since you or your loved one will end up staying there. Before you agree to any placement at a facility make sure you visit the facility several times, check the regulatory agency’s website for violation information, and review a copy of the admission agreement to make sure you understand and agree to the terms before you sign.