November 1, 2021
7 minutes

What you can – and should – expect from your senior living advisor

how a senior living advisor can save you time and money in your retirement living search
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As a professional who operates a business for seniors and their families, this is what I’ve come to know.

  • The assisted living journey is difficult, both physically and mentally.
  • By the time a family reaches out for help, they are often burned out, overwhelmed, and stressed.
  • The best way to protect the best interests of seniors and their families is by educating, supporting, and guiding them along the way.

Did you know that there is a small network of senior living experts spread across Canada? These individuals have a passion for seniors and a desire to make their lives – and those of their families – more hopeful and less stressful.

Our industry is small but mighty! Each year, Canadian advisors help thousands of families navigate the difficult landscape of assisted living. Most of us are smaller, local businesses, so you may hear about us only by word of mouth.

Sometimes, experiences get blended and different advisory services are often looked at as being one and the same. However, there are differences in the way these services operate.

work with the best senior living advisor
Work with the best!

Work with the best

If you’re looking for assisted living options for seniors, how do you know you are working with the best one?  A great senior living advisory service will:

  • Have liability insurance
  • Use a service agreement that lays out the services being offered, explains how your information will be used, and outlines any costs associated with the search
  • Explain the retirement home process, required information, and leasing agreement
  • Share your private information only with the retirement homes matching your criteria
  • Offer you a “plain language” explanation of the industry and its terms, and the liaison between the hospital and retirement home
  • Ensure you have freedom of choice
  • Give you a list of the top 3 – 5 choices for retirement living options, based on your needs
  • Tour the homes with you (in person or virtually) and accompany you on all tours
  • Help you compare options and answer your questions

In addition to what’s listed above, Tea & Toast – the senior living advisory service I operate – goes above and beyond for families. We are always striving to learn and be better.  

Here are some of the bonus time-savers and stress reducers we offer.

  • The Tea & Toast team is designated as a dementia-friendly business.
  • Complimentary consultation is always available to make sure you are on the right page!
  • Many free downloads are available at www.teaandtoast.ca/download.
  • Education is a priority.

Blogs: we publish weekly, highlighting current issues. We also produce many specialized blogs www.teaandtoast.ca/blog-posts.

Our online course: Roadmap to Long Term Care in Ontario is now available www.teaandtoast.ca/course.

Our best-selling book is available to families www.teaandtoast.ca/ebook.

Tea & Toast offers free speaking and webinars to the community.

And there’s more!

  • Tea & Toast takes pride in our clients’ reviews, which are plentiful and posted often. These reviews give families who are on the fence a great idea of the quality of our service, in real time.
  • We have a network of advisors across Canada to share best practices with, and we can support families who require assistance in another province.
  • All team members have a valid vulnerable sector police check.
  • Tea & Toast has been recognized by Ottawa’s Good Companions Seniors’ Centre with a community engagement award.
  • On a personal level, I have also been named Businesswoman of the Year and am a recipient of a Forty Under 40 award.

Final thoughts

I hope this information helps you choose the best senior living advisor for your needs!

Remember: retirement homes are not all the same. Working with a knowledgeable, unbiased professional will significantly change your overall experience and reduce your stress levels, not to mention saving you what could end up being hundreds of hours of your time.

For more information on Tea & Toast, visit our website: www.teaandtoast.ca

If you are a Senior Living Advisor or any other senior living expert, I’d love to collaborate and share ideas with you. You can reach me at amy@teaandtoast.ca

“The older you get, the better you get. Unless you’re a banana.” - Betty White

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