Select from the following list of senior living placement FAQ’s. Browse through these FAQ’s to find answers to commonly asked questions. We invite you to review our Blog posts for more senior living resources.
Why do I need a Placement Advisor?
There are so many options and so many variables in Senior Living and care that most families come to us after they’ve searched and not found what they were looking for. Some families are also overwhelmed with their loved one’s medical situation and don’t have time to research options. We can help save time, money and help advocate for you or your loved one.
How are you paid for your services?
There are two ways we are paid:
1.We are a free service for clients moving to an adult family home or community and paying privately because we are paid directly from the community or adult family home you choose. That fee varies from place to place and is a percentage of the first month’s fee. However, there are times we are not paid by the communities or adult family homes.
2. We’re paid a fee for our consultation services. The State does not allow us to collect a fee from anyone who is paying for their rent and care using state funds or from the community or adult family home of that person. They do allow us to collect a fee from the friend or family member of that person.
Our personal consultation services are billed as a flat fee, to help you budget. Every situation is different and takes a different amount of time. Our fee is $50 per hour and if you prefer, we can bill you hourly.
Our initial phone call is free.
How long will our first phone call take?
Depending on your situation or questions, our first call may be 30-60 minutes long.
Do we have to meet in person?
Depending on your needs and wishes, we may meet in person and/or we can provide all paperwork and research electronically.
How many options will you give me?
We work hard to find the best option for you or your loved one. Our longest client took 6 months to find the best fit for their loved one. Many of our clients choose the very first option.
How will you know the best option for us?
One of our required forms is called an Intake form. There are many questions including medical questions, likes and dislikes and financial questions. All of the information you can give us about your loved one will help us make a good recommendation but you have the final say.
Can I still be involved with the process?
Absolutely! Some of our clients will drive by a community or a friend will make a recommendation and they’ll let us know so we can check availability or see if it would be a good fit.
Why do I have to fill out paperwork in order to work with you?
The State of Washington was one of the first states in the U.S. to highly regulate senior placement agencies. We have a long list of requirements we must abide by in order to do business in WA. One of those requirements is the paperwork that we’ll provide including a release of information and a disclosure of services. Our system is fully automated to make it even easier for you.
Will you only recommend places that you have contracts with?
We will make referrals even if we don’t have a contract with the community or adult family home. Many places have found it too difficult to keep up with different agencies’ contracts and don’t sign contracts. We find the best fit for you regardless of wether we have a contract with that location. Sometimes this means we won’t get paid directly for the work we do but we find that it’s always worked out in the end through future referrals or some families will pay our consultation fee.
How quickly can a move happen?
We have made moves happen in 48 hours. Every situation is different but we will do our best to meet each family’s needs.
What does CSA stand for?
CSA stands for Certified Senior Advisor. It’s a nationally accredited program educating professionals who work with seniors on the issues facing older adults. A CSA is also held to very high ethical standards and our founder and CSA, Valerie holds all Clear Path staff members to these same standards. Visit csa.us to learn more.
What does CPRS stand for?
CPRS stands for Certified Placement and Referral Specialist. Clear Path founder, Valerie Borgman was one of the first professionals from across the US to take and pass the exam for this nationally accredited certification. This is something that she could lose and is an additional layer of accountability when it comes to ethical practices. The entire Clear Path team is held to these same ethics and best practices. You can find more information at: www.npralliance.org
Why Clear Path?
More from our families...
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the time and expertise you have brought to bear on our situation! Given the time constraints we were under, I don’t see how we could’ve made this decision with nearly as much confidence as we now have because of the ways you have helped us!
Larry K, Federal Way
What you do is such an important part of the puzzle! Thank you thank you! You pretty much hand-carried me through the process and so quickly! I am thankful that I realized I couldn’t do it myself. Mom will take awhile to adjust, but she is in the perfect place.