Guide

What happens after you request a free match

Requesting a free memory care match can feel like a big step. This guide walks you through what happens next, what we’ll ask (and what we won’t), and how to move at a calm pace.

Get matched, free All guides

Step 1: We confirm your request (no pressure)

After you submit your request, Guiding Hearth will review it so we can understand what you’re looking for in a memory care community. We’ll also confirm we have the basics needed to start a search.

You can take a breath here. There’s no rush, and you don’t have to decide anything right away. We’re here to help you gather options and feel more confident—not to push you into a fast choice.

Guiding Hearth is a free matching service, not a care provider. We don’t provide care ourselves, and we don’t make medical decisions.

Step 2: A quick, general conversation to learn your needs

Next, we’ll reach out to ask general questions to guide the match. For example: who needs care, the city/state you’re considering, the type of memory-focused care you want to explore, and the best way to contact you.

We won’t ask you to share medical records, a diagnosis, or medication lists. We also won’t ask for detailed health history. If you’re new to memory care research, that’s okay—many families start with just a few simple details.

If you’re more comfortable in another language, we’ll do our best to support you. Many families find it easier to ask questions and compare options when the process is in their language and culture.

Step 3: We build your short list of communities that may fit

Once we have what we need, we’ll help identify memory care communities that match your preferences and location. This is meant to save you time, since memory care can involve a lot of calls, forms, and comparisons.

You’ll get a short list—enough to feel like you have real options, without overwhelming you with dozens. We’ll also help you understand what each option might be good for, based on your stated needs.

If costs or eligibility come up, we’ll share general information to help you ask the right questions. Costs and programs can vary by state and by community, so we won’t guess. /care/ and /get-matched/ can help you learn what to expect before you start touring.

Step 4: We help you compare questions to ask during tours or calls

When you’re ready to contact communities, we can guide you on what to look for and what questions to bring. This can make tours feel more focused and less stressful.

Common topics include: safety and supervision practices, how activities are structured for memory needs, how families communicate with staff, and what support looks like for daily life. You can also ask about visiting rules, care planning processes, and how changes in needs are handled over time.

For a gentle overview of the bigger picture, you can explore /how-it-works/ or browse more guides at /guides/.

Step 5: You decide what’s next—visits, waitlists, and next steps

After you review your options, you’re in control. Some families schedule tours right away. Others spend time comparing carefully. Some take a pause if the timing isn’t right yet.

If a community has a waitlist or limits, that doesn’t mean “no”—it can simply change the plan. We’ll help you think through next steps at a pace that feels manageable for your family.

And just to be clear: we can guide you through the process, but we’re not a government agency and we’re not a care provider. Any medical and eligibility questions should be handled by the appropriate professionals or the community itself.

What we don’t do (so you know what to expect)

Guiding Hearth is designed to be supportive, simple, and respectful. That means we don’t collect medical records, and we don’t try to diagnose or treat anyone.

We also don’t charge families a fee, and we don’t use fee percentages or “hidden” payment logic to influence suggestions. Participating communities work with us on a flat-fee arrangement.

Our role is matching + guidance: helping you find memory care options and understand what to ask, so you can make the best decision for your parent and your family.

In plain English After you request a free match, we’ll confirm your details, ask only general questions, help you compare a short list of memory care options, and support you through tours and next steps—without medical records or pressure.

Common questions

Do I need a diagnosis or medical records to request a free match?

No. You can request a match with general information about your parent’s needs and your preferred location. Guiding Hearth is not a medical service and we don’t collect medical records.

How long does it take to get a match?

Timing can vary based on location and availability, but we’ll move as quickly as we can while still keeping the process calm and helpful. If you have a specific timeframe, you can mention it during your conversation.

Will you tell me which community is best?

We can’t promise outcomes or name a single “best” choice. What we can do is help you compare options that may fit your preferences, so you can decide based on what feels right for your parent.

Is Guiding Hearth a care provider?

No. Guiding Hearth is a free matching and guidance service. Communities still provide the actual care, and they’ll be the ones to discuss services, availability, and eligibility details.

What kinds of questions should I ask when I contact communities?

You’ll typically want to ask about memory-care approach, safety practices, daily activities, family communication, and how needs are supported over time. If you’d like, we can help you shape a question list based on your priorities.

Keep reading

Guide

Let us help you find warm, trusted care

Tell us a little about who needs care and where. We'll help you find and compare memory care communities near you — free, with no pressure. We never ask for medical records.

Get matched, free See how it works

Guiding Hearth is a free matching service, not a care provider. Always free for families.