How Ethical Senior Placement Protects Your Family
Choosing senior living or care is one of the most important decisions a family makes. You deserve guidance that is steady, transparent, and grounded in your needs.
The Association of Senior Referral Professionals of Washington (ASRP) was created to raise the standard of senior placement in our state. Our members follow a shared Code of Ethics that puts older adults and their families at the center of every recommendation.
This page explains what those standards mean in everyday terms and how they protect you throughout the placement process.
Why Ethical Standards Matter
Not all placement agencies operate the same way. Differences in training, compensation models, and industry relationships can influence the recommendations families receive.
Ethical placement means your advisor bases their guidance on your situation, not on convenience or incentives. It ensures that every step of the process is respectful, transparent, and focused on what will serve you best.
What Ethical Placement Looks Like
Below are the core principles ASRP members follow, written in simple terms for families.
How Ethical Placement Protects Your Family
Following these standards results in a safer, clearer, and more trustworthy experience. Families benefit from:
Clearer choices that truly fit the situation
Fewer unnecessary tours or mismatched recommendations
Honest guidance that avoids common pitfalls
Support during a time when stress, urgency, or confusion can make decisions harder
Many families share that the real relief comes from knowing every option has been thoughtfully vetted, and that their advisor stays involved throughout the process and after the move.
What You Should Expect From Any Advisor
Use this checklist when evaluating any senior placement professional.
An ethical advisor should:
Clearly explain how they are paid at the very beginning and ask you to confirm in writing that you understand how their compensation works
Ask you to sign a release of confidential information so they have your permission to speak with communities on your behalf, rather than doing this without your knowledge
Be transparent about their experience in your area, including where they have deep knowledge and where they may be less familiar
Ask detailed questions about care needs, safety concerns, social preferences, and budget before recommending any communities
Provide several well-matched options rather than a generic or contract-driven list
Help prepare you for tours or accompany you when appropriate
Stay involved throughout the process and after the move to ensure the transition is going smoothly
If these elements are missing, families may not be receiving full or unbiased guidance.
How ASRP Supports These Standards
ASRP brings together senior placement professionals across Washington who voluntarily commit to:
A shared Code of Ethics
Transparent, client-centered practices
Continuous education
Collaboration that strengthens outcomes for families
Our goal is to make it easier for families to find trusted, ethical guidance during an important and often stressful time.
Find an Advisor Who Follows These Standards
Visit our member directory to identify advisors and placement companies that have committed to ethical placement practices across Washington.