Company Profile...

Consulting & Placement Services

• Discuss care needs, budget, location and lifestyle preferences.
• Preview senior living communities for you.
• Provide you with a detailed portfolio of communities best suited for you.
• Negotiate the best rate for you.
• Coordinate with the facility's staff to ensure a smooth and expedient move-in.
• Follow up with you within the first 30 days of move-in to ensure you or your loved one is settling in comfortably and are being well taken care of in the "new" home.
• Give referrals (including but not limited) to real estate services and moving companies.
• Conduct additional follow-up visits and provide designated family member with updates on the client-resident's well-being.
• Attend scheduled service assessment meetings.
• Other services requested by client-resident or designated family member.

• I specialize in Dallas and the surround areas (Richardson, Plano, Frisco, Allen, McKinney, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Irving/Las Colinas/Valley Ranch, Coppell, Garland, Mesquite, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Fort Worth, Hurst-Euless-Bedford) which allows me to focus on finding the best communities to add to my database.
• I have personal experience in placing some of my own family members in senior living communities.
• I maintain a "hands-on" approach throughout the entire placement process - you don't have to do it alone.
• I am a local Dallas business committed to helping seniors and families in my community.
• I make you my priority and keep your best interest at heart - I represent you, not the senior living communities.
• With my experience and compassionate "hands-on" approach, you can rest assured that you made the right decision in choosing Vel Gidcomb,Senior Living Locators of Dallas to assist you.

Senior Living Options

• Senior Apartments (Active Adult Living)
  Age restricted to 55 and over; some provide: social activities and events geared toward active seniors; scheduled transportation; door-to-door trash pickup; disability accessible (grab bars in bathroom, wider door openings; elevators); some are affordable (tax credit) housing based on income; private pay.
• Independent Living (Retirement) Communities
  Similar to senior apartments, but also includes 2 -3 meals daily; weekly housekeeping; scheduled transportation; some have:  fitness center, indoor swimming pool, beauty salon, some have shared suites (shared bath) available; some have non-medical personal care services available; private pay.
• Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) 
  A residential campus consisting of Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing facilities where the residents can "age in place."  Typically, requires an entrance fee (usually 90-100% refundable) and monthly rental/care fees; private pay.
• Assisted Living Communities
  Apartment type residences usually housed within a 2-story or midrise building; basics provided:  3 meals daily; weekly laundry and housekeeping service; scheduled transportation; personal care assistance (for additional fees) e.g. dressing, grooming/ bathing, standby/full assist with transfers; medication reminders, night-time checks, and specialized meal plans; main dining room; organized social activities and outings; wheelchair accessible; some have beauty salon, fitness center; on-site nurse; facilities are regulated and licensed by the state; private pay; some may accept long-term care insurance.
• Residential Care Homes
  Same basic services as in Assisted Living, however, the setting is in a residential home with 5 to 10 residents.  It's a great alternative for those who want a small community family setting; semi or private rooms; private pay.
• Alzheimer's/Memory Care Facilities
  Includes all the services provided in Assisted Living in addition to dispensing of medications; assistance with all personal care needs; secured facilities ("locked-down") to prevent residents from wandering off property; hands-on/specialized care is provided for residents who have memory problems related to dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's; 24-hour on-site nurse; semi or private rooms; private pay; some may accept long-term care insurance.

Senior Living Locators of Dallas was founded as the result of my personal experience and growing desire to have a more meaningful job and purpose in life - that of helping seniors and their families through one of life's most challenging phases.

"After going through the personal experience of having to find an Alzheimer's facility for my father in 2000 and then subsequently finding an assisted living facility for my mother who suffers from severe rheumatoid arthritis, I realized that I had a "gift" for this nature of work and I have always had a big "soft spot" in my heart for seniors.   During visits with my father and mother, I would inevitably end up talking to the various senior residents and family members whom I would run into - I truly enjoy talking with seniors, part of it is selfishness on my part -who doesn't enjoy putting a smile on someone's face or making their day by just having a little chat with them!"  - Vel

Prior to starting my consulting business, I worked in the legal profession as a paralegal specializing in commercial real estate and land use for over 18 years.  Prior to that, I was in the hotel business.   I enjoy spending quality time with my family, friends and pets; play tennis and love to cook.

I am also an active member of the Northaven  Park Neighborhood Association (Crime Watch Block Captain; City Services Liaison); the National Association of Professional Women and I am a parishioner of St. Monica's Catholic Church and a volunteer at St. Monica Catholic School. 

Testimonials

“When I first contacted Senior Living Locators of Dallas, I was in a panic because I had just given notice to my landlord and had 30 days to move out. Vel took the time to get to know me and had a good idea of what I was looking for in a senior apartment. Within 30 days I moved into a charming apartment and Vel helped me every step of the way - I don't know what I would have done without her help. Grace B.

“We had finally convinced mom and dad that it would be a good idea to downsize. Within days of contacting Senior Living Locators of Dallas we had detailed documentation on several independent living communities. Thanks to Vel, we got our parents moved into a lovely community within 45 days. Vel even followed up with me to make sure that mom and dad were settled in their new place." Susan A.

“Mom had been living alone for several years since dad had passed away. She enjoyed being in her own home, however, she had fallen several times in the past 6 months and her doctor suggested that it would probably be a good idea if she was not living alone any more. I offered to have her move in with me and my family, but she insisted that she didn't want to be a burden to us. I had mentioned this to a friend of mine and she told me to give Senior Living Locators of Dallas a call.  Vel took the time to visit with mom and me and helped us figure out that an assisted living community would be the best place for mom. Vel helped us narrow down our choices and we were able to find a place for mom not to far from our home. Mom seems to be enjoying not having to take care of a house, has made some new friends and I feel more at ease knowing that she has help within reach if she needs it.  Brian P.

“When I called Senior Living Locators of Dallas I told Vel that my father-in-law had dementia and it was becoming increasingly difficult for my mother-in-law to take care of him. He was constantly wandering out of the house and we were afraid that he may eventually get lost or hurt himself. Vel was very understanding and empathetic to our situation.  I thought we would have to put him in a nursing home, but Vel  provided us with information on some Alzheimer's memory care facilities that were specially equipped and trained to take care of people with dementia. It took 4 months before we were able to get my father-in-law moved into an Alzheimer's facility and during that period Vel kept in touch with us. It was nice to know that someone cared about our situation.  Kathy S.

For more information, please call Vel at (214) 707-8882 or Toll Free (800) 917-7210, or complete the Request for Information Form below.

DISCLAIMER: Links to other websites or references to products, services or publications do not imply the endorsement or approval of such websites, products, services or publications by Elder Options of Texas. The determination of the need for senior care services and the choice of a facility is an extremely important decision. Please make your own independent investigation.