One decision can change the rhythm of a whole family: when and where to move a parent into assisted living or memory care. We sit down with Jay Minor of Assisted Living Locators in South Orange County to turn a messy, high-stakes search into a calm, step-by-step plan—grounded in local knowledge, transparent costs, and real human care. Jay works every day inside the South Orange County senior living ecosystem, visiting board-and-care homes and larger communities, tracking availability, and building relationships that shorten the path from confusion to clarity.

Jay explains exactly how his free-to-families model works, why local advisors are different from big lead websites, and how to avoid the dreaded flood of sales calls. We dive into the questions that matter: staffing and night coverage, medication management, fall prevention, memory care programming, rate increases, and the subtle culture cues that tell you how a place really treats residents. He also addresses the biggest myths—like “memory care is always $20k/month”—and shows how a thoughtful budget range can still land a safe, warm home with the right clinical support.

You’ll hear Jay’s personal path from 25 years in ministry to senior living advising, shaped by his father’s Alzheimer’s journey and a calling to serve families at their most vulnerable moments. We talk about who usually makes the first call (often adult daughters), how to prepare for tours, and what to prioritize when comparing communities: outcomes, engagement, and fit over glossy lobbies. If you’re in South Orange County and staring down a tough choice, this conversation offers a map—clear next steps, local options, and a neighbor who will walk with you.

For more information about Assisted Living Locators in South Orange County go to assistedlivinglocators.com/SOC or call 949-444-9055.