Caring Stars of 2013

Caring.com’s "Caring Stars of 2013" recognizes service excellence in assisted living and Alzheimer's care communities based upon consumer ratings and reviews in the Caring.com Senior Care Directory. Caring Stars providers are top rated by families, senior residents, and eldercare experts. The program is designed to help consumers make the best senior care choices and provide direct feedback to providers about their preferences.

In an annual recognition program 383 assisted living and Alzheimer's care communities in 40 states have been named "Caring Stars of 2013."

According to research conducted by Caring.com in May-June 2012, half of family caregivers search online for senior care service providers and two-thirds of caregivers say they looked on the Internet after noticing signs of Alzheimer's disease in a loved one. A combined 94% percent say online reviews are trustworthy information (45%) and helpful to their search for a senior care provider (49%) -- only a small minority (6%) tend not to believe them.

The Caring Stars of 2013 award is based on consumer ratings and reviews that were posted on Caring.com between December 15, 2011, and December 1, 2012. To qualify, the community had to receive: three or more reviews during this timeframe, at least one of which being a 5-star rating; an overall average rating (across all reviews on their listing) equaling greater than 4 stars; and no unresolved negative reviews.

More here: Caring.com/BestSeniorCare.

Of course you need to weigh more than just online reviews when choosing care for yourself or a loved one. This is one reference point. Friends, family, pastors, discharge planners, geriatric care managers - all of these and more can serve as guideposts in your decision making.