Ask most little kids what they want to be when they grow up and it’s unlikely “senior care consultant” makes the list. Firefighter, doctor, and vet seem like straightforward bets — but there’s another type of grown-up whose job can be just as life-saving, especially when you’re helping the (older) adults in your life.
If this holiday season found you posted up in a hospital with mom or flying home wondering where she’s heading next…we got you.
A young Neil wondering what he’ll be when he grows up
ICYMI (in case you missed it)
🎥 30 Rock star Jack McBrayer talks about his superpower while caring for his aunt living with Alzheimer's disease.
🎤 Michael Bolton’s daughters, who have been caring for their dad since his glioblastoma diagnosis, share an update on his health.
🛞 Designed for people, not patients, Scandinavian firm byACRE is giving mobility aids the makeover they deserve.
🏠 U.S. News & World Report explains when long-term care insurance covers home health care — and why the fine print matters.
You Don’t Have To Go Home But You Can’t Stay Here
Mom’s in the hospital. After you’ve called your sister and alerted your aunt, the discharge nurse says she needs to go somewhere but can’t go home alone. So, who do you call? (The Ghostbusters are NOT it.)
You Google “placement help” but it’s a sketchy sea of ads and 1-800 numbers. The hospital suggests a senior care consultant and it sounds good but WTF do they even do? Deep breath, we’re here to explain.
A senior care consultant (also called a placement advisor or care navigator) helps families figure out what to do when a parent can’t live alone and the path forward isn’t clear. They help you figure out what kind of support mom actually needs, whether that’s help at home, assisted living, or memory care, and guide you through the options without the overwhelm.
We spoke with Neil Nagraj, NY-based area owner of Senior Care Authority, who’s helped hundreds of families in the middle of both fast-moving crises (like next-day hospital discharges) and slow-motion ones (think holiday visits that confirm something is definitely not right). According to Neil, “Most families don’t know what they’re looking for, they just know something has to change.”
Here’s what a great care consultant does:
Helps you understand if safely staying home with help is possible or if assisted living or memory care makes more sense
Walks you through how to decide, not just what to choose
Coordinates tours and goes with you (or debriefs after if you go solo)
Translates the jargon, breaks down real costs (spoiler: Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care), and helps you understand how long the money will last
Stays involved after move-in to help smooth the bumps and answer, “Wait, who do I call about this?”
And they know people, the kind of people that can really help and are local to where Mom lives
How are they paid?
Most placement consultants are free to the family — they’re paid a referral fee by the assisted living or memory care community your mom moves into. Red flag: if someone won’t explain how they’re paid or only shows you places that cut them a check, probably not the kind of “help” you need.
If you need more hands-on care planning, Medicaid navigation, or help with hospital-to-home transitions, some consultants (like Neil) also offer hourly support and the going rate is usually around $150 - $200/hour.
So, how do you find a good one?
Look for someone who:
Tours with you or follows up thoroughly
Asks about Mom’s real life — interests, habits, history — not just her meds list
Walks you through lease terms, care levels, and the emotional side of the move
Is upfront about compensation
Doesn’t disappear after the contract is signed
Bonus points if they’re a member of a professional group like the National Placement & Referral Alliance (NPRA), which advocates for transparency and ethical practices in a largely unregulated industry.
Wondering why Neil chose this path? He didn’t — at first. It was during his own experience helping care for his father-in-law, diagnosed with dementia, that the work found him. While raising young kids, Neil, the son of a geriatrician, and his wife were also navigating the complexities of elder care. “Everyone has opinions when you’re having a baby,” he said. “But when it came to aging parents, no one talked about it.”
What’s Good
Helpful care-focused finds we’ve identified and researched so you don’t have to.
The Alzheimer’s Association is a go-to free resource for families — offering a 24/7 helpline, practical caregiving guidance, local and inclusive support groups, and the latest research updates.
Whether you’re just starting to ask questions or already deep in care, it’s reliable help you don’t have to hunt for.
Parenting Parents
You said it. This week’s submissions.
“We had a fabulous Christmas with Mom. So happy!!”
“Trying to help my grieving mom be okay, but also feeling so guilty for feeling fed up with it.”
“My dad started hospice this past week…a year after my mum passed on. It is all so heavy.”
“Yesterday my dad ran a red light and then stopped at a green light, so that was fun.”
“No story, just a feeling. Why does it feel like no one else is going through this?”
“I wish I’d see my mom experience joy, even for a little while. Holidays are tough.”
“Christmas morning my dog ate my grandpa’s aspirin. Pets + Grandpa = stress.”
“Got mom to chemotherapy and a blood transfusion right before we got hit with a foot of snow.”
