Thursday, January 6, 2011

Why use a senior care and housing referral service?

Senior referral agencies assist seniors in making the best possible choice when the need for assisted living, nursing home, or independent retirement living becomes a necessity.  However, as with all important decisions, choosing the right referral agency can make a world of difference.  Here are some things to look for…
The referral agent you choose should:
o   be very experienced in all types of senior care and housing
o   provide one-on-one personal service throughout your decision making process
o   be a locally based company providing specific, first-hand information about the local market and individual communities
o   understand how to find a facility which meets your individual needs
o   educate you about the costs of living in a community and negotiate the best possible move-in deal  
o   not charge you any type of fee, it should be free of charge as the community you ultimately choose pays the agent a fee
The referral agent you choose should NOT:
o   pressure you into choosing one facility over another
o   hurry you in the decision making process
o   simply gather your information and forward it via mass email or fax to communities who then contact you directly (the agent provides very little service)
o   be nationally or regionally based and not familiar with the local market and individual facilities

Learning about the choices in senior care and housing can be a complicated, overwhelming process.  Choosing the best senior referral agency can help in your decision by saving you time, money and most of all, piece of mind. 

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