Our Role & Transparency

At A Course in Aging, we believe that trust begins with clarity.
Our work is built on thoughtful guidance, transparent relationships, and respect for everyone involved.

While we help families connect with carefully vetted professionals and supportive communities, we do not act as an employer or home care agency. Our role is to provide independent guidance — ensuring that every connection made benefits our clients with confidence and transparency.

The information below explains our structure and how it protects both clients and professionals.

Licensing & Regulatory Position

A Course in Aging acts solely as a matching, sourcing, and advisory service.
We are not a home care agency, employer, or direct provider of care. We do not supervise, manage, or schedule independent contractors’ work, nor do we process their payroll.

All service agreements, payments, and schedules are arranged directly between the client and the independent contractor.

Because we operate exclusively in a matching and advisory capacity:

• Our services are not subject to the California Home Care Organization licensing requirements under the Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act.

• Nor is there a state license required for placement or advisory services related to community-based senior living.

This distinction allows us to remain fully focused on guidance, transparency, and client-centered decision-making without the obligations or limitations of direct care management.

Compensation

We are compensated in one or more of the following ways, depending on the services you request:

In-Home Support Services

If you request sourcing and advisory services for in-home personal assistants or care providers, we charge a one-time consulting retainer, payable at the start of the engagement.

Community Placement Services

If you begin your engagement with us for placement guidance into a senior living or assisted living community, you will not pay a retainer. We are instead compensated by the community through a standard industry commission paid after your move-in.

Sequential Services & Full Disclosure

If you initially hire us for in-home support under a paid retainer, and at a later date choose to move into a senior living or assisted living community, we may also receive a commission from that community for placement services.

These two forms of compensation — retainer and commission — apply to separate and distinct services and are disclosed here in advance so you understand how we are compensated at each stage. Our recommendations are always based on your needs and preferences, not on any single source of payment.