Welcome to Exceptional Senior Placement Services

An extremely disappointing experience with ESP co-owner, Rachel Cohen. At the end of February 2025, I had a very good first meeting with Rachel Cohen about finding a place for my 89-year-old mom with moderate dementia. She seemed knowledgeable and genuine. After telling me she had some places in mind and would make calls, I never heard from her again. After nearly three weeks, I sent her an email asking for an update on her search. That was on a Monday. No response. On Friday I called ESP and spoke to Erica who said Rachel was touring another client at that moment but would call her directly. No word back from Rachel. A few days later I called Rachel’s cell phone. She didn’t pick up and her mailbox was full, so I called Erica again. Erica was apologetic and said she would text her immediately. Still no response from Rachel. ESP is a six-person operation. I didn’t get lost in the shuffle. Rachel received my messages and ignored them. If she was unable to help me, all she had to do was tell me. Or have Erica tell me. Or have another colleague in her office handle my search. Instead I lost a month in an already overwhelming search process because I believed her when she said she would help. A really poor performance by a company that calls itself “Exceptional.”

David Cohen and his business associates have been extraordinarily helpful to my husband and me over the months that it has taken us, with David's sensitive and insightful input, to decide whether to age in place or move into a retirement community (CCRC). David helped us consider the pluses and minuses of staying in our home and researched and made available for our consideration various alternative options. He accompanied us to the retirement places we considered and helped to guide our information gathering. He was very supportive when we made our decision. David is patient, flexible, and generous with his time and resources and was a delight to have at our side as we negotiated this important life decision. We highly recommend him to others in our situation who need to make this critical life choice and can use a helping hand, mind,heart to guide them. Nancy Hollander and Steve Portuges

I highly recommend Rachel and her team. Finding the right placement is a complex decision and having experienced advisors makes a difference.

I manage home care services for seniors who want to remain in their homes as they age. Sometimes, this is no longer feasible and they must consider assisted living communities. When I refer a client to Devon Kessler, I know they are in the best hands possible. She has an extensive history of working with seniors in a variety of settings. And, she has an authentic desire to help our clients find a new home which reflects their own values and preferences. I highly recommend her!

We wanted to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for all the help and support David provided to us for our parents as they transitioned from their home to a senior community. David's expertise, communication and professionalism throughout the entire process was instrumental in building trust and confidence in our collaboration. We couldn't have done it with Exceptional Senior Placement's help!

Finding the perfect care facility for my 96-year-old mother, who has dementia and is blind, seemed daunting until I partnered with Exceptional Senior Placement. Their team exhibited unparalleled expertise and empathy, making the process surprisingly smooth. From the beginning, they understood my mother's unique needs, considering both her medical conditions and personal preferences. Their extensive knowledge of various facilities and networks helped streamline our search, presenting us with carefully vetted options that met high standards of care and comfort. Their personalized approach, coupled with a deep sense of understanding and respect towards my mother, made a significant difference. They were a comforting presence, addressing my myriad questions and concerns with empathy and professionalism. Thanks to their efforts, we quickly found a nurturing and well-equipped facility where my mother can enjoy her golden years with dignity and happiness. I wholeheartedly recommend Exceptional Senior Placement to anyone navigating the complex process of finding a senior care facility. Their dedication and heartfelt service are not just reassuring but truly exceptional.

I can't thank Devon Kessler enough for her help on this painful, yet must needed, journey of looking for the right memory care facility for my husband. Based on my criteria, Devon compiled a list of facilities that matched my request and accompanied us on the tours. Her invaluable advice/feedback throughout this vetting process helped me come to a sound decision. As it turned out, the one I decided on was a facility we had toured at the onset. It just goes to show that Devon knew what I wanted. I highly recommend Devon if you ever need to find the right placement for your loved one.

Susan Thaxton, the person who helped me from Exceptional Senior Placement (ESP), was great. She was responsive and helpful in identifying which care homes out of many would be most appropriate for my husband and most likely to "accept" him with his dementia and occasional (but triggered) outbursts. Susan knew about the care homes she was suggesting, or if I asked for suggestions in other parts of the Bay Area that she was less familiar with, she consulted with her colleagues at ESP and got me the info I needed, and in the time I needed it. Susan is very familiar with the care home industry. She seemed genuinely interested in helping. I am very satisfied and recommend ESP.

Excellent help from Susan Thaxton--super prompt and responsive and very informative. It was a real pleasure to work with her. I felt like she went above and beyond in helping me,

I found Susan Thaxton to be a wonderful support for us while we searched for an appropriate home for our loved one. She was there for every visit and asked important questions we didn't think about. I've given her name and number to several of our friends in the caregiver community, knowing they would have a good experience.

David did an outstanding job of listening and understanding the needs of my elder parent. Without his services, I would not have been able to find a suitable place for my Father. He's a no rush, super patient and very understanding partner in dealing with complicated family situations. His approach relieved a lot of my anxiety about finding a place that would really work.

An attentive team that was very conscientious through the many challenges we faced. An excellent partner to help out with difficult decisions.

Susan is incredible here. She took hours to educate us on local facilities and options, scheduled and accompanied us on five tours. I highly recommend Susan as she has great local knowledge and relationships. We are moving my grandmother from out of state and Susan had great perspective and ideas. We highly recommend!

While making the difficult decision to move our elderly parents from their home to a facility that could better serve their needs, my sister and I quickly realized we had very little knowledge how to navigate this process. What kind of care home would best suit them? Can they afford to make the move? How will we help them understand that what we are doing is in their best interest? How do we deal with their difficult behavior as we navigate this transition? How will we downsize their belongings? We were extremely fortunate to be lead to Exceptional Senior Placement (ESP) and had no idea their vast knowledge and expertise would get us through many confusing and complicated days. All of our questions were thoughtfully and expertly addressed by David Cohen and Susan Thaxton. From day one we were cared for with gentle understanding and authentic kindness. We felt completely supported by David and Susan throughout this entire process. David and Susan always replied to our email and phone calls very promptly. Their reassuring thoughts and positive attitudes provided a bounty of insight that helped us achieve our ultimate goal of moving Mom and Dad to a facility where they would be safe, comfortable, and well cared for. Thank you David and Susan for holding our hands and our hearts from beginning end.

David and his team were instrumental in finding the right home for my mom who was recently diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimer’s. This process can be overwhelming and emotional, and I’m beyond thankful we found ESP. David assessed our specific needs and found a great home for my mom, guiding us every step of the way. He was kind, thoughtful, and extremely professional. I would highly recommend ESP to anyone looking for senior care.

I was shocked when I found out that my sister had a major stroke and she was in the hospital. What was more devastating was that she would need 100% care. I did not know what I would do. I prayed to my Lord every night. I received a call from Exceptional Senior Placement Services. After just one phone call, they were able to find my sister a Care Home that fix her budget and her personality. Plus, it was close to me so I can visit my sister often. I have to say that my Lord sent me an Angel when they sent me Susan at Exceptional Senior Placement Services. Thank you so much. If you are looking for care for a loved one, please call Exceptional Senior Placement Services! They were sent from Heaven!

We chose Exceptional Senior Placement Services for their depth of knowledge of all senior care facilities in the Bay Area. Our friend needed a memory care at a beautiful nearby facility for an affordable cost, and Johnell came up with the best fit unique for his financial, social, and medical needs! We literally could NOT have found this perfect and safe facility without Johnell! And she was always there for us, answering our urgent and complicated questions and cheering us on especially during this difficult period of COVID 19. Now our friend is happily living still his best life in a memory care facility nearby where we can see him at a cost that is affordable for years to come. THANK YOU ESP!!!

Exceptional Senior Placement is EXCEPTIONAL in their service! True to their name, ESP has provided great placement options for my aging parents. David has been attentive, extremely diligent and personally understands how to navigate the challenging task of find senior care options. Seeking care may seem easy, but it truly is a challenge without professional assistance. He assesses your needs, finds locations that will fit your budget and proactively works to provide you with options and alternatives. Having his guidance and knowledge, will save you time and frustration... especially in difficult emotional times. I would highly recommend anyone who is in need of senior care to engage with Exceptional Senior Placement.

If I could give a million stars, I would in a heartbeat. I’ve worked with Exceptional Senior Placement twice, once in 2018 and again in early 2020. Both times I contacted them in a COMPLETE AND UTTER PANIC. And both times David Cohen has come to the rescue and helped me find a home for my father, who is now living with dementia. After a bad experience at a memory care center whose managerial staff proved ill-equipped to address the normal behaviors of people living with dementia, we knew we had to move him. But how on earth to do this in the midst of a global pandemic and a statewide shelter-in-place order that continues to limit movements of the elderly and contact with their families??!? Working exclusively by phone, email, text, and FaceTime to move a parent was daunting to say the least, because how can you really get the feel of a place and the people who live and work there when you can’t visit? Because of our experiences in moving my father from one end of the state to another in 2018, I knew we were in the most capable hands, and I trusted David to guide us through any and all conversations with potential residences and, importantly, to ask the questions that we didn’t (or couldn’t) think to ask. Not only did he carefully shepherd us to the perfect memory care center where my father is now thriving, but David also arranged the movers, helped us get necessary testing, and has called several times since the move to ensure we are all doing well and settling in. Figuring out how best to care for an aging parent presents its own challenges, and dementia adds another layer. BUT David and the ESP team know what they are doing! The calm, confident, caring, and conscientious guidance and advocacy we received made the process less stressful and, in the final analysis, has improved all our lives. I kid you not. I cannot sing the praises of Exceptional Senior Placement enough, and I continue to be so grateful that I stumbled upon them during a late-night random Google search.

I can't sing the praises enough of Daid Cohen and his senior placement services. I have been working with David for several years, reaching out to him for help whenever I get to the end of my rope with caring for my parents and feeling their needs are beyond what I have the resources to do. David always comes through. It's not just a business with him, it's truly a desire to help his clients ease their anguish and find the appropriate place for their parents. I would never go to any other service. David is a God send!!!!

I second the reviewer who said they would give Exceptional Senior Placement Services 100 stars! Johnell expertly guided me through care options for a parent. She was extremely professional, knowledgable, and generous with her advice - across physician, in-home, and residential options. She took me to see several places, ultimately helping us find a wonderful option. This is a special organization filled with special people, and I'm forever grateful.

This is our second go around w/David. The first time, the process of finding a senior care community for my parents was a daunting task to say the least. However, our experience w/David was nothing short of 'exceptional' from beginning to end. So, fast forward, almost 3 years later due to my parents changing health care needs it was time to move to another community which would fit/meet their care giving needs better. Again, gave David a call. We met. Discussed/review options and took tours. And the results, the same. Highly recommend ESP. Very knowledgeable, caring and personal attention to details. Thank you David!

I would like to give them 100 stars! David has been a lifesaver for me and my family. My ailing father was living with me in San Carlos for about 6 mos with dual diagnosis of Mild Dementia and Stage IV Lymphoma. I could no longer care for him at home and David found me a perfect place for Dad in assisted living in Novato which was more reasonably priced than the Penninsula. Dad was happy there for about 2 mos before his health started a serious decline. We got to a point where we needed him moved to skilled nursing asap and within 3 days we had Dad moved to a place in Daly City that was perfect for him. Home Sweet Home provided the best care for Dad in his final month. I will be forever grateful to David and his team at Exceptional Senior Placement. Rush to call them - they can help you quickly and with expert care and guidance.

I've never written a review before but David more than deserves the first one. Caring for a loved one with dementia is so taxing that you hardly have time to think, eat, or breathe. You lose sleep, hair, and probably years of your life just trying to get through the day. The last thing you have time for is planning for the long-term future of your loved one, let alone putting any plans into action. David compassionately and carefully listened to our circumstances and helped find an AMAZING care home for my mother. When I say AMAZING, I mean it. It's truly a home and she is safe and comfortable in a facility that I'm confident I never would have found on my own. It was a dream come true, and it was all due to his efforts and the tremendous outfit he has put together here. Have no doubts. Call David. He is the man.

I've worked cooperatively with David and his wife Rachel of Exceptional Senior Placement with several of our clients, and in each case my expectations were surpassed in terms of their attention to detail and high level of client service. They demonstrate their empathy and commitment to excellence with each and every senior they work with. I can honestly refer them with confidence to any family seeking support/guidance with the selection of senior residential living options in the Bay Area. They are superb!