North Star Senior Advisors Senior Placement vs Senior Advisors

As the marketing director for an assisted living facility, I had the opportunity to partner with several senior placement companies both locally and nationally. I learned that lead generated websites that sent me an email alert with a potential lead and their contact information was also sent to dozens of my competitors. I am about to tell you about my experience with senior placement companies vs. senior advisors for senior housing in Orlando, FL. Half the time families felt overwhelmed and bombarded with multiple phone calls and had no clarity of where to begin in their search for senior living. I never spoke to anyone who worked at these lead generated placement companies unless they were calling to confirm a move-in as well as to collect payment. Although I was grateful for their lead, I definitely felt that they did absolutely nothing to assist with the transition into my community. I also wondered how these national web based senior placement advisors knew where to send their client considering they have never set foot in my facility. The majority of leads from web based senior placement firms were poorly assessed via the phone by representatives who are non-clinical and client data was sent as an e-blast to every assisted living community as a place holder to ensure payment for their lead.

The local senior placement agencies were a little different as they actually toured with families and knew which facility was the right choice based on their personal assessments. What I also appreciated about the local placement agencies was their relationships and connections within the local community. Their partnerships were beneficial for families who need additional services such as aid and attendance for veterans and money management advice. What I didn’t like about the local senior placement services is post tour, I never received a follow up, the families and I were left without any assistance with transitioning new resident’s into our community and again, only I heard from them when it was time to send us their invoice. Not one local placement agency contacted me or the families post move-in for a follow up and there was absolutely no guidance between the tour and move-in.

When we decided to start our own senior placement firm, we knew that we wanted to be an advocate and advise families about the entire process. Our goal is to partner with assisted living communities that provide quality care and are in compliance with the State of Florida. We tour each community ahead of time so we know exactly where to guide you along your journey. Our nurse conducts a thorough assessment for your loved one and connects you to communities that meet your criteria. Our advisors are experienced, Assisted Living CORE trained, and clinical. We don’t send your information to multiple facilities! We send your basic information to those communities that we plan on touring with you and your loved one.

Some negative articles about senior placement agencies mention that placement companies are biased with the communities that they send families to due to only referring them to assisted living facilities and memory care communities that they contract with. Honestly, North Star Senior Advisors is biased as we only partner with those that we trust to care for your loved one based on our assessment, AHCA verification, and Senior Living Community Standards. North Star Senior Advisors partners with several communities within the Central Florida area. If there is a community that you would like for us to contact on your behalf, we will gladly do so!

Not only do we accompany you on tours, we also ensure that we guide you through your entire transition to include obtaining the proper documentation for your move into an assisted living community. We partner with different physicians groups that can help with completing the necessary 1823 form. Post move in, we will contact you periodically to make sure your loved one is satisfied and happy in their home.

Another negative that we read about senior placement companies is them not relaying information about how they are paid for their services. It’s simple, they provide a complimentary service to families and are paid a marketing referral fee of up to one month’s rent by the assisted living facility. North Star Senior Advisor’s commitment and mission is to assist families in offering the best options that meet your loved one’s care, criteria, and needs. We believe that when a proper and appropriate transition takes place into an assisted living or memory care facility, it not only benefits the resident but also gives families peace of mind. Contact us with any other questions that you may have about assisted living and memory care. Our advisors are here to guide you along the way!