Precious Cargo™ - We Believe It's the Right Thing to Do

By Pamela D. Wilson, The Care Navigator, CSA, CG, MS, BS/BA

Relative to older adult and aging services, the placement industry has grown into a large number of providers. What older adults and families don't realize is that the FREE placement services really aren't free. After all, who can really work for FREE? Many service providers in the
industry recommend FREE services, which makes one wonder if they too are receiving a kickback or payment? How far does this really extend?

States are beginning to look at legislation to require that FREE placement services disclose to clients how, how much and by whom they're paid which is exactly the information they prefer consumers not to know. Michael Berens, a Seattle Times Reporter, did an expose called "Selling Seniors" that supports current legislation in the state of Washington. Click here to read Michael's article called "State Gets Tough on Referrals for Elder Care".

FREE services open up the question of representation and payment. If the FREE service is swayed by financial interest are they representing the client or the community? And what's the role of the retirement community who pays the FREE referral service for clients? Are retirement
communities supporting non-disclosure of fees? What's their ethical duty? Should retirement communities be required to disclose to all clients moving in if there's a financial relationship between they and the referring or another party?

For consumers here's why FREE is attractive. You don't have to pay the FREE service. But how else do you really pay?

Here's the cost of FREE:

• Retirement communities have added entry, community and other fees to pay FREE referral sources -- many up to 50% of the first month's rent for the referral, burdening the consumer with additional fees and costs.
• If your FREE service can get paid $2,000 from one community and only $1,000 from another, which will they recommend?
• Not all communities contract with FREE services so you might not be shown a community that is perfect for you.
• Many FREE services don't look at the big picture. They don't ask about your health or your finances which results in not only one move but several when the community they've sold you on can't manage your health or the health of your loved one -- or you run out of money quickly and have to find a community that accepts Medicaid. The cost is a life disrupted and additional community and moving fees.

I credit Jim Lockard of JLT The Caring Movers for inspiring me to move forward and join forces to formalize the idea of Precious Cargo. As a 30 year Air Force veteran and casualty officer he is particularly sensitive to the needs of our older adult population. He has stories of clients he's
moved not once but several times because of poor recommendations. Jim Lockard has a desire to change what he believes to be a disservice to our older adult population.

For several years, the staff of the Care Navigator has been assisting adult children and older adults transition from home into care communities by providing thorough assessments and looking at the long term. It's only been recently that we've formalized the name of our work in
helping older adults transition -- our program is called Precious Cargo - transition specialists for your life, your treasures and your home. Not only can we help locate and recommend appropriate communities, we have a team to complete the move and sell homes when needed.

And the best -- or the most unusual part -- we're never paid by the communities or services we recommend. We are not a referral agency. We prefer to work in the best interest of our clients. Our rates are openly disclosed on our website. Click here to learn more about Precious Cargo
and to listen to our podcast of older adults describing their moving experiences. For more information call 303-810-1816.

Copyright 2011 Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

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