Vetting Your Senior Care Partners
A growing professional field
The largest generation of older people continues to age and require more outside help to stay safe either at home or in the care of a loved one. That also means services that assist seniors and their caregivers are growing quickly. When a caregiver begins to seek out some much-needed help, the next challenge is navigating the myriad options available in the growing field of elder assistance.
Family caregivers often know about the kind of help they need in the home. Laundry services, housekeeping, meal preparation, or in-home care can all play important roles in the caregiver’s paid or unpaid support network. But they may have less knowledge about what kind of help is available. Consultants, therapists, coaches, lawyers, social workers, geriatric care managers, membership clubs—the options and varieties of help for the financial, legal, and emotional aspects of caregiving can be overwhelming.
The consequences of picking the wrong person to advise on these issues could be devastating. A poorly structured Medicaid plan can cost families hundreds of thousands in lost benefits, while outdated or improperly executed legal documents can lead to court battles, family rifts, and results that don’t reflect your loved one’s true wishes. At best, picking the wrong senior care partner is a waste of time and money—valuable and finite assets in the caregiver’s toolkit.
Here are some things that family caregivers should consider when vetting a potential senior care advisor.
Verify their credentials
Your friend Sheila from the pickleball league cared for her mother with Alzheimer’s for almost a decade. That doesn’t necessarily make her someone you should pay for advice on dementia caregiving. No two elder caregiving journeys are the same. What works for one person may not help another. That’s why professional certification really matters.
Certified advisors are professionals who seek additional education to tailor their services for the unique needs of older adults. For attorneys, the CELA (Certified Elder Law Attorney) certification from the National Elder Law Foundation reflects their specialized knowledge. The National Academy of Certified Care Managers, Commission for Case Manager Certification, and the National Association of Social Workers all offer professional certification for care managers. Financial advisors should hold relevant certifications and demonstrate specific experience with long-term care planning, not just retirement planning.
Confirm they understand your state’s rules and regulations
An elder care attorney in Massachusetts may not be up to date on the laws that apply to Utah. Elder care regulations, Medicaid eligibility, estate laws, and available benefits vary dramatically by state and sometimes even by county. Your advisor must be deeply familiar with the specific rules where your loved one lives—not just general principles. Ask directly: “How many clients have you helped in [your state/county] in the past year?”
Be wary of red flags
No one can guarantee specific outcomes. Be very wary of anyone who pressures you into making a decision or asks that you transfer assets to them personally. A trustworthy senior advisor would not discourage you from seeking second opinions, nor would they make the whole process seem suspiciously simple. Elder care planning is complex—anyone who says otherwise isn’t being honest.
Get everything in writing
Before engaging any advisor, get a clear written agreement that outlines services, fees, timeline, and deliverables. Review it carefully and don’t hesitate to negotiate or ask questions. Legitimate professionals expect this and welcome clarity.
Take your time with this decision. Meet with multiple advisors before choosing one. Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is. And remember: The right advisor should empower you with knowledge and options, not create dependency or confusion. Your family’s financial security and your loved one’s quality of care depend on making an informed choice.