THE SHORT ANSWER
Cardinal Care Advisors is free to families. Some senior living communities — assisted living, memory care, and independent living — pay us a referral fee when a family we helped chooses to move in. Families never pay us anything. We don't accept fees from nursing homes or real estate agents, we don't charge for Medicaid help, and we never sell your contact information.
We think you should know exactly how a free service makes money before you trust it with a decision this big. Here it is, in plain terms.
Who pays us
Some senior living communities in Erie and Niagara counties — assisted living, memory care, and independent living — have written agreements with Cardinal Care Advisors. When a family we've helped chooses one of those communities and moves in, the community pays us a referral fee. The fee is typically a portion of the first month's rent, and we may have to refund it if the resident leaves within a short period.
Who does not pay for placement guidance
- Families. Cardinal Care Advisors does not charge families for senior living placement guidance.
- Nursing homes. We don't accept referral fees from skilled nursing facilities.
- Real estate agents. We don't accept referral fees from agents, and nothing on this site recommends a specific one.
- Anyone, for Medicaid help. We don't charge families for Medicaid help.
Homeward and other Cardinal businesses
Homeward is a separate paid service for aging-at-home support and coordination. The free placement-guidance statement above does not mean all Cardinal services are free. Homeward scope, availability, and pricing are confirmed before enrollment. CarePair and the Medicaid application workflow project are in development.
How we keep the fee from shaping advice
- Your parent's needs come first: care level, budget, location, and what they want. We start there, not with a list of partners.
- We tell you when a community isn't a partner.
- Using us doesn't change the rent. A community's rate should be the same whether or not you come through us. Ask them directly, and get it in writing.
- You can walk away at any point. You're never obligated to choose a community we suggest, or to keep working with us.
What this site is
Pay for Senior Care NY is published by Cardinal Care Advisors. It's free to read, it doesn't sell ads, and its articles explain rules — they're education, not legal, financial, or medical advice. Every figure on the site is dated and sourced. How we check facts.
Your information
When you contact us, we use your information only to help your family. We never sell it, and we don't share it with a community without telling you first. Privacy.
A person to help you make sense of it.
Cardinal Care Advisors helps families explore senior living options in Western New York. Ask about fit, availability, next steps, and partner relationships.
Request a conversationCardinal Care Advisors placement guidance is free to families. Some senior living communities pay Cardinal a referral fee when a family moves in. Homeward is a separate paid service. How Cardinal is paid.