Not many families or seniors know of (PASRS), the Professional Association of Senior Referral Specialists. In this article, we will explain its existence and why it’s crucial to choose senior living operators who form part of this network.

Did you know that the senior referral industry at large is an unregulated one? That means countless fly-by-night agencies or unlicensed operators constantly prowl for vulnerable seniors and their families. We want to spread awareness about how your family can avoid falling victim to substandard senior living facilities or referral agents so you can have total peace of mind that your senior is in the best hands.

WHO is PASRS?

The Professional Association of Senior Referral Specialists (PASRS) is a non-profit trade association co-founded by Scott Fischer in 2010.  Scott served as the co-founder and president of PASRS for five years before embarking on his next journey. PASRS is also the central Phoenix chapter of the National Placement and Referral Alliance (NPRA). Learn more about the NPRA here. The reason for creating PASRS was to satisfy a need within the local community to “do something about those darn placement people.” This may sound strange in hindsight, but it’s important to remember that an unregulated industry gives rise to scammers, spammers and frauds. Considering seniors are some of the most vulnerable citizens in our midst, Scott decided to get proactive and to help create a framework of voluntary memberships of senior placement experts who believe in honest, fair and fit-for-purpose placement.

WHAT does PASRS do?

This association was established to ensure that a framework of best practices and a code of professional ethics are adhered to in the unregulated senior care referral industry. This unique, non-profit trade association was created in response to a more significant concern by a core group of referral and placement agencies.

WHY does PASRS matter?

PSARS was founded to unite the senior industries through a commitment to best practices and a code of ethics. PASRS exists today with a sizeable voluntary membership of numerous agencies who have pledged their allegiance to operate their businesses with the mission of educating, advocating, and vetting the resources of the senior referral industry under the agreed-upon best practices of PASRS. Scott’s ongoing involvement with PSARS is a testament to his dedication and passion for assisting those who are most vulnerable within our society. Currently, our entire Certified Placement Expert team carries the distinguished certification of Certified Placement and Referral Specialist (CPRS).

As of 2021, only 100 agents nationwide carried the CPRS certification. In 2022, Veronica Guzman was nominated to serve on the board of directors. This ongoing involvement speaks to our commitment to eradicating the senior referral industry of unregulated and unlicensed operators and agents. Our efforts are to ensure that we continue offering our clients and families the best service from trusted and reputable industry partners. By joining PASRS, agents, and operators become change agents in the senior placement and referral industry.

To join PASRS, learn more here.