If you're searching for an adult family home for a parent or loved one, you've probably seen the phrase "free placement service" and wondered: how is it free? Who pays for it? It's the most common question families ask us — and the answer is simple: the care homes pay us, not you. This guide explains exactly how free placement works and what you get when you work with a specialized service like Seattle Assisted Living Network. If your loved one is facing a hospital discharge, our guide to adult family home placement after a hospital stay walks you through the process and timeline.
How Can a Placement Service Be Free?
Think of a placement service the way you'd think of a real estate agent. When you buy a home, the seller pays the commission — the buyer never writes that check. It works the same way in senior care: adult family homes pay a referral fee when they accept a new resident, and that fee covers the work of matching you to the right home.
You pay nothing. Ever. There is no consultation fee, no matchmaking fee, and no hidden charge buried in a monthly bill. The home you choose pays us for bringing a great resident to them.
What You Actually Get From a Free Placement Service
Free doesn't mean bare-bones. A good placement service walks you through the entire transition:
- Free 30-minute consultation — we learn your loved one's care needs, budget, and location preferences
- 3–5 matched homes in 48–72 hours — not a list of 50 names, but a shortlist of homes that can genuinely handle the care required
- Tour coordination — we set up visits and tell you exactly what to look for
- Decision support — we answer questions, compare options, and help you negotiate
- Move-in coordination — we handle the logistics so the transition is smooth
- 30-day and 90-day follow-up — we check in to make sure the placement is working
Why Work With a Specialized Service Instead of a Directory
National directories list anyone who pays to be listed. A specialized placement service does something different: it vets the homes it works with. We personally check licenses, visit homes, verify clinical capabilities, and maintain a network of RN-operated and PDN-contracted homes that can handle complex medical needs.
If your loved one needs ventilator, tracheostomy, bariatric, or dialysis care — the kind of care general agencies routinely say no to — a specialized service is often the only realistic path. We built our network around exactly those cases — and our services page lists the full range of care we arrange for families.
Red Flags to Avoid
- A service that charges families a fee — reputable placement is free to the family
- Pressure to decide immediately — a good advisor presents options and lets you decide
- No on-site verification of homes — anyone can list a phone number; not everyone checks the care
- Same 20 homes for everyone — matching should reflect your loved one's specific needs
Getting Started
Our process is simple: call or fill out the form, talk to a placement specialist for 30 minutes, and receive your matched homes within 48–72 hours. It's free, it's fast, and there's no obligation. Not sure whether it's time to make a move yet? Our guide to the signs it's time for adult family home care can help — and for more family-focused guidance, browse our Family Support & Caregiving articles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a free placement service afford to work at no cost to my family?
Adult family homes pay us a referral fee when they accept a new resident, and that fee covers the work of matching you to the right home. You pay nothing — no consultation fee, no matchmaking fee, and no hidden charge buried in a monthly bill.
Will I be pressured to pick a specific home?
No. We present a shortlist of homes that can genuinely meet your loved one's care needs and let your family decide. A good advisor presents options, answers your questions, and never pressures you to decide immediately.
What if my loved one needs high-acuity care like a ventilator or tracheostomy?
We maintain a network of RN-operated and PDN-contracted homes that can handle complex medical needs — including ventilator, tracheostomy, bariatric, and dialysis care. We personally verify licenses and clinical capabilities so the home is genuinely equipped for the acuity level required.
How fast can I get matched with homes?
After a free 30-minute consultation, we typically present 3–5 matched homes within 48–72 hours — not a long directory list, but a shortlist of homes that can handle your loved one's specific care needs.
Do I need a referral or insurance to use the placement service?
No referral is needed. The service is free to families no matter how the care is funded, so you pay nothing for the matching, coordination, or paperwork help. Funding and budget questions are discussed in detail during your free consultation.