Assisted Living Frequently Asked Questions » Getting started
What can a Referral Agent do to help our family?
Referral Agents are individuals or professionals who work as part of an agency. They are people who know the senior housing & care options in our community. They may have had a prior career in either senior housing or health care, and they can either be people who have industry work experience, or they may be professional individuals with designations such as Registered Nurse or Masters of Social Work. These individuals ask you questions to get a sense of what it is that you need and what it is that you are seeking. They then outline options which meet your specific criteria. They are, in a sense, the Real Estate agents of the senior housing and senior care world.
In addition to being able to help target your search, they are also able to help you consider your long-term, future care needs. Referral agents save you time by helping you view options that meet your specific needs and preferences. They also give clarity to the process of transition, as the likely have helped hundreds, if not thousands of people takes the same steps you are taking.
Buyer beware! There are no licensing requirements for agencies in the states of Washington and Oregon, and regulations in California are also lax regarding the qualifications of a person promoting themselves as an expert in the senior housing and care industries. Before you select a Referral Agent, be certain to:
1) Know how long the Referral Agent has been helping people. And know how long the agency has been serving people. It takes many years of knowledge and experience before a Referral Agency has sufficient data to be of help to you. It is the feedback from seniors and family members the agency has helped that make the agent of value to you.
2) Know the reputation of the Agent serving you by asking for references.
3) Be certain the Agent represents the majority of providers in our area. Some people claim to be Referral Agents, but actually they only represent one or a handful of providers. These people are self-serving and are not being honest with you.
For assistance with arranging for in-home care or for help choosing a senior housing or care community call CHOICE at 800-361-0138.
Last update: 2007-03-23 15:26
Author: Support
Revision: 1.2
