Frequently Asked Questions

Compass Place is built for adult children who are helping a parent or loved one explore senior living.

Many of our users are managing this decision for the first time, feeling overwhelmed by options, unsure what level of care is actually needed, concerned about making the wrong choice, or cautious of sales pressure.

Compass Place exists to reduce confusion, not add to it.

Most large national services are referral marketplaces. Their primary function is to connect families with communities and facilitate placement.

Compass Place is different in three important ways.

First, we are fit first, not placement first. Our goal is to help families eliminate poor matches and understand tradeoffs before choosing.

Second, communities cannot pay for better placement, higher scores, or greater visibility. Rankings are based on care needs, safety, quality indicators, and practical fit. Payment does not influence results.

Third, we do not share your contact information broadly. Nothing is shared unless you explicitly request a tour or introduction.

Many families are surprised to learn that submitting their information on some sites can trigger outreach from multiple communities or sales representatives.

That approach works for fast placement. It does not work well for thoughtful decision making.

Compass Place is designed for families who want guidance without pressure. Nothing happens until you decide it should.

No.

Compass Place does not share your contact information with senior living communities unless you explicitly request a tour or introduction.

You stay in control of when and how contact happens.

Compass Place is free for families.

If a family chooses a community and a resident moves in, that community may pay Compass Place a Placement Support Fee. This fee is paid only after a contract or lease is signed and the move-in occurs.

The fee does not affect rankings, scores, or visibility. It does not influence recommendations, and it varies by community.

Our guidance is never for sale.

Rankings are based on how well each community fits a specific family's needs.

We evaluate communities using a wide range of factors, including care level alignment, safety and inspection history, quality indicators, practical considerations such as location and budget, and observed strengths and limitations.

All communities we have identified in a market are included in our database. We curate based on minimum care needs derived from user input, then rank based on overall fit.

There is no pay for placement.

Compass Place includes all communities we have identified in the market.

We do not exclude communities based on payment. We do apply minimum constraints based on a family's stated needs. For example, if a parent requires memory care, communities that do not offer memory care will not be presented.

The goal is relevance, not volume.

That is normal.

Many families use Compass Place to rule out poor fits, understand care options, or clarify priorities before making any decisions.

Eliminating bad fits is progress. You do not need to decide quickly to be moving forward.

No.

Compass Place combines structured decision support with local human insight. The goal is to help families think more clearly, not to automate an emotional decision.

Guidance should feel grounded and contextual, not transactional.

Compass Place is launching in Hamilton County, Indiana in March.

We plan to expand into select markets beyond Indiana in 2026.

No.

Compass Place is independent. Communities cannot influence rankings, scores, or recommendations.

Our responsibility is to families first.

If a family chooses a community and moves in, Compass Place checks in periodically to understand how things are going.

These check-ins help us learn, improve guidance, and support families over time.

Compass Place is designed to support families in the way that feels most comfortable to them.

While many families use the app to think through options on their own, others prefer a more personal approach. If you would rather talk things through, Compass Place offers access to a local Trail Guide in each market or geographic area.

Trail Guides are experienced senior care professionals who understand the local landscape. They can speak with you by phone or meet in person to discuss care needs, priorities, and questions in more detail.

Using Compass Place does not require you to navigate everything on your own. Guidance can be digital, human, or a combination of both.