In 2000, the first senior placement service started as an online web site that helped to match seniors with the best care communities for their needs. Since then, senior referral and placement services have evolved to include local, in-person guidance provided by knowledgeable professionals. These professionals have an in-depth knowledge of senior care issues and local options in independent, assisted and memory care. They help families find the best environment and location for their loved one, with an eye to long-term budgeting for care. Placement professionals provide their services at no cost to the resident or their families. Instead, they’re compensated by the communities providing care to the resident. Although there are many ethical, compassionate and competent professionals in the industry, the industry has been unregulated, with no established rules. With no barrier to entry into the field, anyone could call themselves and expert or start a placement agency with no training.
Senior placement consultants care about protecting vulnerable seniors and their families in their time of need. From this passion, the Greater Denver Placement and Referral Alliance (GDPRA) was created. Formed in November 2018, Denver is the first chapter in a national alliance of placement and referral agents and care providers aligned to protect the best interests of older adults and their families.
GDPRA is working with care communities to create best practices for placement professionals. They will be focusing on establishing a certification process that insures set guidelines, educational requirements and ethical standards. GDPRA will provide members education on local and state regulations, and legislative advocacy for seniors and the care industry, as well as function as a community partner and consumer resource. They will set professional standards such as fee disclosure, placements in the best interests of the family, and interactions with other senior care professionals such as discharge planners and case managers.
GDPRA meetings are bi-monthly, on the third Thursday of every other month. Meetings are hosted by care communities throughout the Denver area from 11:30 – 1:00 and include lunch. Please contact Brandy Randolph at 720.408.4700 for more information or by email at brandy@seniorcareauthority.com.
For more information on the National Placement and Referral Alliance, visit https://npalliance.org.
For more information on the Denver Chapter, visit https://npalliance.org/gdpra.