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Kinhaven, free placement services, and care managers: who pays whom
Families have several ways to get help. Knowing who pays whom helps you decide which fits, and many families use more than one.
Short answer
Free placement services are usually paid by senior living communities or home care agencies, care managers are paid by the family by the hour, and Kinhaven is paid by the family for a plan. Each fits a different need, and many families use more than one.
| Topic | Free placement services | Care managers | Kinhaven |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who pays | Generally the senior living communities or home care agencies they refer families to. Free to families. | The family, usually by the hour, often with an initial assessment fee. | The family, for a one-time plan or a monthly plan, at prices shown on the plans page. |
| What they do | Help families find and tour senior living communities or home care agencies. | Assess needs, make a care plan, and coordinate care, often in person. | AI-guided, done-for-you organizing: a personalized plan, checklists, drafted letters, reminders, and weekly family updates across every stage, including the home and after a loss. |
| Is a person assigned? | Usually an advisor who contacts you by phone, text, or email after you share your details. | Yes, a professional you hire. | No. You use your plan online. Kinhaven lists which licensed professionals to contact. |
| Contact after signing up | Sharing your details usually authorizes calls, texts, or emails. | As you arrange with the professional. | Email about your plan. No calls unless you request an agent introduction and agree to be contacted. |
| Best fit | Choosing a community or home care agency. | Complex medical or family situations that need a professional on the ground. | Getting organized across stages at a set price, with family kept in the loop. |
Who pays whom, in their own words
Major placement services explain their business model on their own sites. Read their disclosures directly: A Place for Mom, Caring.com, and Seniorly each describe being paid by providers, and each says its service is free to families. Links are below.
Where Kinhaven fits
Kinhaven is paid by families. It does not accept referral fees or sponsorship from providers that bill Medicare or Medicaid, such as nursing homes, home health agencies, or hospices. Getting matched with a real estate agent is free to your family. If you request a referral, we'll review your request and follow up, and we introduce you to a licensed agent only with your consent. Kinhaven may receive a referral fee from the agent's brokerage, and it never changes your price. You are never required to use any agent we suggest. Kinhaven does not provide legal, medical, tax, or financial advice, and it is not a care management service. For complex needs, an Aging Life Care professional may be the right choice, and Kinhaven can help you prepare questions for them.
Common questions
Why are senior placement services free?
They are generally paid by the senior living communities or home care agencies they refer families to. Each major service explains this on its own website.
What does a care manager do?
An Aging Life Care professional, often a nurse or social worker, assesses needs, makes a care plan, and can coordinate care in person. Families usually pay by the hour.
How is Kinhaven paid?
Families pay Kinhaven for a plan. Kinhaven does not accept referral fees or sponsorship from providers that bill Medicare or Medicaid. An optional real estate agent introduction may involve a referral fee, which is disclosed before you agree to anything.
Can we use more than one?
Yes. Many families use a placement service to see facility options, a care manager for complex needs, and Kinhaven to keep the whole family plan organized.
Official resources and further reading
- A Place for Mom: How our service works (states how it is paid)
- Caring.com: How we make money
- Seniorly: How we make money
- Aging Life Care Association: find an Aging Life Care professional
Links go to public resources. Kinhaven is not affiliated with them.
See if a plan fits
Choose a plan, complete a short intake, and receive a personalized plan, organized checklists, drafted letters and forms, deadline reminders, and weekly family update emails.