In her latest Warner Medicaid Moments vlog, attorney Catherine Jacobs explains how placement specialists help patients and their loved ones navigate the overwhelming process of choosing an assisted living or adult foster care home.
Much like Realtors, placement specialists act as buyer’s agents: They learn a patient’s needs, preferences and budget, then match them with facilities that truly fit. For families unsure where to start – or confused by the differences between assisted living, adult foster care and skilled nursing – these specialists offer clear guidance, arrange and attend tours, and help ask the right questions.
They also work at no cost to families. Like real estate agents, they are paid by the communities they partner with, even though their commitment is to the patient and their loved ones.
Catherine also underscores the importance of planning for long-term affordability. With assisted living costs often reaching $8,000 or more per month, placement specialists help families evaluate financial sustainability and navigate programs like Michigan’s MI Choice Waiver. Understanding whether a community participates in the waiver and how any remaining payment gap will be handled can prevent unnecessary and traumatic moves later on.
Watch the video to learn more about placement specialists and stay tuned for future Warner Medicaid Moments vlogs.
