My name is Sarah Ordover. I own Assisted Living Locators, one of the top free senior living advisory companies in Los Angeles with a ten-year proven track record of thoughtfully helping families transition a loved one to senior living.

I am compelled to write this blog because of the ever-increasing number of people in Los Angeles professing to be senior living experts, often without the portfolio of requisites to make them effective family partners.

What Makes a Good Senior Living Advisor?

1. Facility Agreements: First and foremost, a respectable senior living placement company will have agreements in their local market with a significant portfolio of independent living, assisted living, memory care communities and board and care homes. They will have vetted these facilities and be committed to proposing only those places that are licensed and have a solid track record. This is super important because you, as a family, want to feel confident that you can rely on the information being provided to you by your advisor. Some “senior living experts” in Los Angeles may prioritize facilities they have contracts with, potentially overlooking better options simply because they won’t receive compensation.

2. Geography: This leads to the subject of geography. Be wary of advisors who claim to handle all of SoCal or large swaths of the Los Angeles region. There are thousands of licensed assisted living facilities in SoCal, from large assisted living chains to small board and care homes. You want to work with someone local, embedded in the community, who has a deep knowledge of the players in your proposed geographic area. We are fortunate in California to have respected, high-caliber placement professionals throughout the state. Be sure to work with someone who has boots on the ground in your area.

3. Experience: Transitioning a loved one to an assisted living or memory care community can be tricky, stressful and confusing. That’s where experience counts. A good placement expert will, not just provide you with a list, but help you through the process, talking through options, elucidating conditions, providing insights on navigating the medical system, and strategizing with you about how to make the transition. They’ve probably seen something like your situation and can be a trusted guide to you.

4. Likeability: This is basic. Often, our clients entrust us with the most intimate details about their family’s challenges and dynamics. We become more than just advisors; we are compassionate companions on this difficult journey. You want to work with people you like, you can talk to candidly, and who gets you. When you make your initial outreach to a placement expert, feel free to move on to someone else if you are not getting a good “vibe” from them.

Likeability is also a factor in the interaction between you, your advisor and the facilities. A respected and liked senior living advisor has strong relationships within the various communities you will be touring and can often help smooth the way. An advisor who can run interference for you, assist you in negotiating pricing, and provide insights into a particular building’s workings is invaluable.

List of Best Senior Living Advisors in Los Angeles

Of course, we would like you to call us at Assisted Living Locators Los Angeles, www.assistedlivinglosangeles.com, for help finding the best fit independent living, assisted living, or memory care facility in the Los Angeles area. But, if we do not meet your needs, please use one of the companies listed below, which excel at providing ethical, knowledgeable and compassionate care. Here is our list of the best senior living advisors in the westside of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley:

1. The Passaro Group – Ron Passaro, https://www.thepassarogroup.com/

2. Brightside Referrals – Andrea Daniels, https://brightsidereferrals.com/

3. Compassionate Senior Solutions – Sandra Heller, https://compassionateseniorsolutions.com/

4. Concepts for Living – Sue Pomerantz, https://conceptsforliving.com/

5. Assisted Living Connections – Jan Bearss, https://www.assistedlivingconnections.com/

Assisted Living Locators Los Angeles owner Sarah Ordover and her team are among LA’s top senior living advisors. Certified in dementia care, Sarah is a trained aging specialist with an RCFE assisted living administrator license. The Assisted Living Locators team thoughtfully guides families through the senior living decision-making process, helping them find the best solution for their loved ones. Call Assisted Living Locators at 310-853-8282 for a consultation. Assisted Living Locators is free to clients.