Be sure that a thorough needs analysis is completed before making recommendations (NAOSA Gold Standard of Professional Practice™)*

All NAOSA members are required to perform a thorough needs analysis. This is important for a number of different reasons:

1: Personalization: Each senior has unique needs, preferences, and circumstances. A thorough needs analysis enables the senior living consultant to gather information about the client's health, lifestyle, social support, finances, and other factors that may impact their housing and care decisions. With this information, the consultant can tailor their recommendations to the client's specific needs and goals, rather than providing a one-size-fits-all solution.

2: Accuracy: Without a thorough needs analysis, a senior living consultant may not have all the information needed to make accurate recommendations. For example, they may recommend a community that is not appropriate for the client's care needs, or suggest a facility that is outside of the client's budget. By conducting a thorough needs analysis, the consultant can ensure that their recommendations are based on accurate and complete information.

3: Trust and Confidence: Senior living decisions can be emotionally charged and stressful for seniors and their families. A senior living consultant who takes the time to conduct a thorough needs analysis demonstrates that they are committed to understanding the client's situation and providing personalized recommendations. This can build trust and confidence in the consultant's expertise and recommendations.

4: Legal and Ethical Requirements: In some cases, senior living consultants may be required by law or professional ethics to perform a thorough needs analysis before making recommendations. For example, in some states, senior living consultants are required to conduct an assessment of a client's health status and care needs before recommending a long-term care facility.