The Senior Community Everyone Recommends Isn’t Always the Right One

As families begin searching for senior living in Los Angeles, they often rely on recommendations from trusted sources to help narrow their options.. A friend, neighbor, coworker, physician, or financial advisor may say, “My mom lives there and loves it,” and suddenly that community jumps to the top of the list.

Personal recommendations are valuable because they’re real. They’re coming from someone who has gone through the process and found a place where their loved one is happy. But, we often see clients over rely on suggestions from friends. Just because a community was perfect for someone else’s family doesn’t mean it will be the right fit for your loved one. 

Board & Care vs Community Living

Recently, we helped  a family who wanted to tour a particular board and care home because it came highly recommended by a close friend. They couldn’t say enough wonderful things about it. The caregivers were incredibly kind, the home was beautiful, it was only a few blocks from their house, and the monthly rate was very reasonable. By all accounts, it sounded like an excellent fit.

However, as we spent more time talking about their loved one, it became clear that their needs were completely different than their friends.

Their loved one had only recently required assistance with medications and showering. She was still very social, enjoyed staying active, and looked forward to having things to do each day. While a six-bed residential board and care home provides wonderful, personalized care, it wasn’t going to give her the lifestyle she was looking for. 

An assisted living community where she could attend fitness classes, lectures, outings, happy hours, live entertainment, enjoy meals with many  other residents, and even find a regular Mahjong group would  be a much better fit.

The board and care facility wasn’t a bad recommendation. In fact, it was exactly the right place for their friend’s loved one. It just wasn’t the right place for our client..

Where We Can Help

Finding senior living in Los Angeles is overwhelming because of the sheer number of options available. Families naturally want to stay close to home, whether that’s the Westside, Beverly Hills or the San Fernando Valley. But the closest community, or the one everyone seems to recommend  isn’t always the one that’s best equipped to meet someone’s medical, cognitive, social, or lifestyle needs.

After touring hundreds of senior living communities throughout Los Angeles, one thing we’ve learned is that there isn’t one “best” community. Some communities excel in memory care, they are exceptional with high physical care needs. Some offer luxury amenities and resort-style living,, others are known for their educational programming, lifelong learning opportunities, or intimate, family-like atmosphere. Every community has its own strengths, and the best recommendation is always the one that matches the individual, not the diagnosis or someone else’s experience.

This is exactly where Assisted Living Locators can help. With hundreds of licensed senior living communities across Los Angeles County, this process can  feel overwhelming. One phone call to our team can replace hours of online research, countless phone calls, and tours of communities that may not even be the right fit.

It surprises families  that  we rarely recommend the community they expected us to recommend. We take the time to understand your loved one’s unique situation, care needs, personality, hobbies, mobility, medical conditions, social preferences, budget, and long-term goals. Only then do we begin recommending communities.Sometimes that’s a luxury assisted living community with exceptional programming. Sometimes it’s a six-bed residential board and care home that offers highly personalized care. Other times, it’s a value-driven community that provides excellent care, engaging activities, and the best overall value for the budget. Every recommendation is personalized because every senior is different.

A recommendation from a friend is a wonderful place to start, but it shouldn’t be where your search ends. The right community isn’t necessarily the one that worked best for someone else.. It’s the one where your loved one will feel safe, supported, engaged, and truly at home.

About Assisted Living Locators

Since 2003, thousands of families have been helped by Assisted Living Locators, one of the nation’s leading free senior living placement services. The Los Angeles team services clients from Glendale to Santa Monica, including West Hollywood, Century City, Westwood, and everything in between. The office also represents clients looking for seniors living south of Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley in neighborhoods such as Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Studio City. The Los Angeles office can be reached at assistedlivinglocatorsla.com