Image of male nurse pushing senior woman in a wheelchair in nursing facility

Choosing a senior care facility for a loved one is a highly stressful and difficult process. Whether the decision is one of immediate need or plans are being made ahead of time, the enormity of the task is daunting. The information that community seekers need to make an informed decision is scattered. Every individual seeking a home is faced with hours of research, phone calls, and slogging through piles of data. In the age of the Internet and data availability, how can this market be so difficult to traverse?

It is relatively easy to obtain a list of communities near a given area. An Internet search will provide the nearby locations, often with a baseline price and some general services offered. The website for each community may give some specific details, but more often just have general information about the chain. However, prospective clients then have to hunt down the places that meet their specific needs and budget. Often prices will not be discussed until after a tour and an in-person sales pitch. It takes a lot of time to visit communities and find out exactly what services are available and what they will cost. Those looking for a detailed picture will also want to view state inspection reports, which can take months to receive.

Silver Living is changing that. We collect the data from multiple sources, take photos, obtain state inspection reports, visit each site, and then compile everything we find for families to see. Our price calculator allows families to choose exactly the services they need and know what the monthly cost will be, as well as what up-front fees they will be charged. Hundreds of photographs, interviews with residents, and expert reviews give families a true picture of communities before going in person. Detailed lists of amenities let consumers know if the services they need are available, without spending hours on the phone. All of this will help to narrow down the possibilities and save a great deal of time and stress on research. It is still important to visit prospective communities, but once Silver Living has helped to narrow down the list of potentials, families can book a tour or call directly from the website.

Silver Living was founded with the goal of making it easier for families to find the right senior living community for loved ones. The research is independent and the information is free. We have spent months reviewing communities in the New York area, and are working to expand our database nationwide. Senior care is one of the most expensive and stressful decisions of a lifetime, and Silver Living aims to help families find the right community for their needs.

Amanda Wyckoff reviews senior living facilities and writes for Silver Living.