In this episode of 60 Plus Uncensored, host Seb Frey welcomes Scott Fischer, founder of Options for Senior Living and an expert with more than 20 years in the placement industry. At 62, Scott has built a career helping families make one of the toughest decisions they’ll ever face: finding the right long-term care environment for aging loved ones.
What began as a career in nursing led Scott into senior living during the early 2000s, when the placement industry was still in its infancy. Since then, he has become a leader in building standards, advocating for families, and shaping best practices nationwide.
From Nursing to Placement
- Scott grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, before moving to Phoenix in 1979.
- He trained as a nurse at Arizona State University, spending nearly 20 years working with people facing mental illness.
- A hand injury in 1997 forced him to rethink his career. After a short detour, he began working with dementia patients and seniors in long-term care.
- By 2003, he launched Options for Senior Living, turning his clinical background into a placement service that guides families through the overwhelming world of senior housing.
The Rise of Placement Services
Before the early 2000s, families had very few resources to help them navigate care. Discharge planners at hospitals often scrambled to place patients, and the industry was sometimes marred by shady practices, earning agents the nickname “body brokers.”
Scott and others worked to change that by:
- Bringing clinical expertise into placement.
- Advocating for transparency in referral fees.
- Helping families match needs to the right setting, instead of just pushing for a commission.
Today, placement services are standard in hospitals, senior living communities, and families across the U.S.
If you want to understand how to spot trustworthy professionals and avoid crisis-driven decisions, The Family Meeting Guide to Emergency Planning: Essential Paperwork for Aging Parents is a great companion resource for preparing early and keeping families organized.
Understanding Senior Living Options
Scott explains that senior living today is far more than “old-school nursing homes.” Options include:
- Independent Living: Apartment-style living with meals, social programs, and light support.
- Assisted Living: For those needing more help with daily activities, often with nursing oversight.
- Memory Care: Specialized communities for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients.
- Residential Assisted Living Homes: Small, licensed homes (5–10 residents) offering a homelike environment and often more personalized care.
Each option depends on care needs, budget, and lifestyle preferences.
If you want to explore the differences between care types and choose confidently, Senior Living 101: Everything Families Need to Know About Senior Living Options is a great companion resource for breaking down the full spectrum of senior care.
Costs and Financial Realities
Senior living is expensive:
- Residential homes: $3,500–$12,000+ per month, depending on amenities.
- Corporate assisted living: Studios from ~$3,900 base rent, plus care charges that can push costs to $6,000–$10,000 per month.
- CCRCs (Continuing Care Retirement Communities): Large entry fees ($250k–$2M) plus monthly costs.
Rising costs (7% annual increases post-COVID) and growing care needs mean families must plan 3–5 years ahead, not just for the short term.
How families pay:
- Home equity (selling or reverse mortgages).
- Long-term care insurance (if purchased years earlier).
- VA Aid & Attendance benefits for veterans/spouses.
- Medicaid/ALTCS (for those who spend down resources).
If you want to understand how to plan financially for long-term care, Everything You Need To Know About Long-Term Care Insurance is a great companion resource for comparing coverage, costs, and benefits.
Why Local Expertise Matters
Scott warns against relying solely on national senior living websites that advertise on TV:
- They often sell leads to multiple facilities, overwhelming families with calls.
- Their advisors are remote and lack on-the-ground knowledge of local facilities.
- Families risk being treated as a number rather than receiving personalized, trusted guidance.
By contrast, Scott and his team personally visit facilities, maintain relationships with operators, and cross-check state health surveys.
If you want to learn how to evaluate communities safely and avoid misleading online listings, The Right Way to Find Assisted Living for Your Parents Online is a great companion resource for navigating digital searches without getting overwhelmed.
National Standards and Best Practices
In response to industry abuses, Scott helped found the National Placement & Referral Alliance (NPRA), which now has:
- 1,000+ members across 33 chapters.
- A code of best practices and accountability measures.
- The CPRS certification (Certified Placement & Referral Specialist), distinguishing professionals who meet higher standards.
This movement has helped bring integrity and oversight to what was once the “Wild West” of senior placement.
Scott’s Advice for Families
- Ask hard questions. How long has the advisor been in business? What’s their clinical background? How many families have they helped?
- Do your research. Look for NPRA-certified advisors and check online reviews.
- Plan for the long term. Consider not just today’s needs, but what care may look like in 3–5 years.
- Beware of lead generators. Work with trusted, local professionals who know the facilities personally.
- Remember the bigger picture. “It’s our turn now,” Scott says, to love and care for those who cared for us.
If you want practical steps to know when care is needed and how to act quickly but smartly, How to Know When Your Parents Need to Move Into Assisted Living is a great companion resource to guide your decision-making.
How to Reach Scott Fischer
- Website: optionsforseniorliving.com
- Email: scott@optionsfsl.com
- Service Area: Greater Phoenix and surrounding counties, with national connections through NPRA.
Conclusion
Scott Fischer’s story demonstrates how one person’s life-altering injury and unexpected career pivot can evolve into a mission-driven enterprise that touches thousands of families. What began as a personal challenge grew into a calling: to bring integrity, compassion, and genuine advocacy to an industry that once suffered from “body broker” practices and a lack of transparency. Through years of hands-on experience, clinical understanding, and a deep commitment to doing right by others, Scott has helped raise the standard for what senior placement should look like.
Today, the impact of his work is felt not only in the lives of the families he serves but also throughout the broader senior care community, where his example has helped redefine expectations for professionalism and ethical care. His journey serves as a reminder that meaningful change often starts with a single determined individual who refuses to accept the status quo.
For anyone facing the overwhelming and emotional decision of finding the right senior care solution, Scott’s message is clear and empowering: you don’t have to navigate this alone. Seek out a trusted guide, someone who understands the landscape, listens without judgment, and is willing to advocate fiercely for your loved one’s best interests. With the right support, families can move forward with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.