Founded in 2007, Caring.com is one of the most significant online resources for families researching senior living and caregiving options. Unlike A Place for Mom, which emphasizes advisor-driven placements, Caring.com places a strong emphasis on consumer reviews, ratings, and educational content to guide families. It connects users to assisted living, memory care, independent living, and home care providers through a nationwide directory.
Pros and Cons
Strengths
- Extensive database of consumer reviews and ratings
- Easy-to-use online search with cost and amenity filters
- Free to families, funded by partner providers
- Strong reputation for educational articles and caregiving resources
Weaknesses
- Limited advisor involvement compared to competitors
- Listings are limited mainly to partner communities
- Some reviews may be inconsistent in detail or quality
Process
Families can start their search directly on Caring.com’s website by entering a location and filtering by care type, amenities, or budget. Listings feature reviews, photos, and basic pricing details where available. Care advisors are available by phone, but the platform leans toward a self-service model rather than hand-holding. Many caregivers on Reddit note that they appreciated being able to browse options at their own pace without immediate sales pressure.
Costs and Fees
Like other referral platforms, Caring.com is free to families. The company generates revenue through referral fees from communities and care providers when a placement is made. Because it relies on partners, not all local communities may appear in search results.
Customer Experience
Caring.com holds an A+ BBB rating and has generally positive feedback for its wealth of reviews and resources. Many families say the reviews gave them confidence to compare communities before reaching out. However, some report aggressive follow-up calls after submitting their contact information, which detracts from the otherwise user-friendly experience.
Comparison to Competitors
Compared to A Place for Mom, Caring.com focuses less on advisor relationships and more on empowering families to self-navigate. Families who want more control and transparency often prefer Caring.com, while those needing more personal hand-holding may lean toward A Place for Mom.
In comparison to Seniorly, Caring.com appears more established in terms of user reviews and community credibility. Seniorly, however, emphasizes cost-transparency tools and data-driven comparisons, which some families find more modern.
When compared to FamilyAssets, Caring.com is broader in scope and has stronger brand recognition. FamilyAssets is smaller and newer but offers detailed content and direct support that may feel more personal.
Our Rating
We compared Caring.com to the best assisted living services, and here’s how it ranked:
- Customer Experience (30%): 8 / 10
- Fees & Costs (25%): 9.5 / 10
- Service Options (20%): 8.5 / 10
- Speed of Process (15%): 8 / 10
- Overall Score: 8.5 / 10
AssistedKin’s Top 5 Assisted Living Locator Services
| Recommended For | Company | Starting Cost | Advisor Support | Editor's Rating (Out of 10) | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for Modern Tools and Transparency | Seniorly | Free | Optional | 8.8 | Find Senior Care |
| Best for Large Referral Network | A Place for Mom | Free | Yes | 8.4 | Find Senior Care |
| Best for Certified Advisors and Local Help | Assisted Living Locators | Free | Yes | 8.8 | Find Senior Care |
| Best for In-Home Caregiver Marketplace | Care.com | $12–$39/mo | None | 8.0 | Find Senior Care |
| Best for Reviews & Caregiver Resources | Caring.com | Free | Limited | 8.5 | Find Senior Care |
Final Thoughts
Caring.com is a strong choice for families who want to research senior living options at their own pace. Its wealth of consumer reviews and caregiver resources makes it a trusted hub for information, though it lacks the personalized advisor model offered by some competitors. Families who value independence and transparency in the search process will find Caring.com especially useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Caring.com.
Yes, it is free for families. The company is compensated by providers when a placement occurs.
Yes, but they play a minor role. Most families use Caring.com primarily as a self-service review and search tool.
Reviews are generally trustworthy, although the level of detail and thoroughness varies from listing to listing.
Families who want to browse communities independently with access to consumer reviews and educational content.
