FAQ

Our team includes CDP's(Certified Dementia Practitioners), CNA's (Certified Nursing Assistants), Licensed Insurance Specialists, and more. We are professionals with backgrounds in healthcare, senior living, senior care planning, and patient advocacy. Many of us have also been caregivers ourselves, so we truly get it. We combine personal experience with industry knowledge to guide families through emotional and financial decisions with compassion, not pressure.

We’re proud to be upfront about this: some services are client-paid (like our Financial Healthcare Plan™ or Premier Care Concierge Plan), and in some cases, we receive referral fees as payment from licensed senior living communities. In fact, almost all placement agencies receive these fees as payment when referring new residents to communities. But here’s the difference—we don’t let referral fees drive our advice. We prioritize your needs, goals, and budget first, not kickbacks.

We recommend communities based on your care needs, personal preferences, and budget—not on who pays us. If a community doesn't meet our quality standards, we won’t include it. We’re selective, and we disclose when a referral fee might apply to the chosen community. Our goal is a good fit—not a fast referral.

Yes! Whenever possible, we tour communities ourselves to assess the environment, staff culture, cleanliness, and overall vibe—because photos and pamphlets only tell part of the story. If we haven’t visited it, we’ll let you know.

Absolutely not. We consider all options, not just those who contract with us. We often help families consider aging in place, hybrid solutions, or lesser-known resources others overlook. We work for you, not for a directory.

We treat your information like we would our own—with care, confidentiality, and compliance. We share your data only with consent and when it benefits your care services. We never sell data and contact information. Period.

Only if you ask us to do that. Unlike some services that blast your info to every facility in the region, we believe in respecting your privacy. If you prefer to contact communities yourself, we’ll equip you with the tools to do so.

Yes—and they warm our hearts every time. You can read testimonials right on our website here, and we’re happy to share more feedback from families who’ve worked with us. Their stories speak louder than any marketing ever could.

Most placement agencies just focus on getting you into a facility, often prioritizing the communities that pay them the most. We flipped that model on its head. At Open Arms, we focus on planning first, not pushing placement. Our goal isn’t just to find “a spot”—it’s to find the right solution for your family’s long-term health, finances, and peace of mind. We created Open Arms to educate and empower our aging population to prepare and plan for the transition to senior life, so you can focus on enjoying it instead of stressing it.

Yes—absolutely. Aging at home is a valid and sometimes ideal option. We help you weigh the pros and cons, estimate costs, connect with vetted in-home care providers, and explore what support systems would be needed. We're here to support your vision for care, not force a one-size-fits-all answer.

No generic copy-paste lists here. Every client gets a custom plan based on health, lifestyle, location, finances, and personal preferences. Whether you’re a nature-lover, foodie, pet parent, or need specialized memory care—we take it all into account.

Our Premier Care Concierge Plan is for families who want full-service support—from assessments and tours to care coordination, advocacy, and more. Our Self-Guided Plan is our free service that gives you a customized shortlist and tools to take the lead on outreach and visits yourself. Same expertise, different levels of hands-on help depending on what works best for you.

Some services, like the Financial Healthcare Plan™ or the Premier Care Concierge Plan, do have a flat fee of $250 that must be paid before we begin. These services are non-refundable once we begin the custom planning process—but we make sure you understand exactly what you’re getting upfront so there are no surprises.

The Financial Healthcare Plan™ is a custom roadmap designed to help you afford long-term care without draining your life savings. It includes 3 one-on-one consultations to complete a full review of your current financial picture, care needs, benefit eligibility (VA and LTC insurance), an Ebook, and annual check-ins.

Yes, and you’re not alone. Many families come to us unsure of what’s needed. We start with a guided conversation to assess your situation—no pressure, just clarity. From there, we help you understand your options and build a plan forward.

While we’re proudly rooted in the Charlotte and Huntersville region, we can assist clients throughout North and South Carolina, and often support families coordinating care across state lines. If we can’t help directly, we’ll point you to trusted professionals who can.

Never. We’re not here to push—we’re here to empower. Every recommendation we make is designed to help you make an informed, confident decision. No arm-twisting. No sales pitch. Just support.

Because we’ve walked in your shoes. We’re not just consultants—we’re caregivers, advocates, and real people who care deeply about protecting what matters most to families like yours: dignity, security, and peace of mind. We built Open Arms to be the kind of help we wish we had when our own loved ones needed care.