Navigating senior care can be one of the most emotionally complex and logistically overwhelming experiences a family faces—especially in the fast-paced, high-cost San Francisco Bay Area. For LGBTQ+ older adults and their loved ones, those challenges are often compounded by a lifetime of marginalization, nontraditional family structures, and valid concerns about acceptance in aging communities. That’s where Assisted Living Locators of San Francisco steps in.
Led by local owner Brent Hensley, Assisted Living Locators of San Francisco offers no-cost guidance to individuals and families who are exploring options for home care, assisted living, and memory care. It is a gay-owned business with deep roots in the local LGBTQ+ community, and Hensley and his team bring not only professional expertise but also compassion and advocacy to every client.
“We often meet families and seniors at one of the most vulnerable and stressful points in their lives,” Hensley told the San Francisco Bay Times. “Our goal is to make sure no one has to face important senior care and living decisions alone, especially our LGBTQ+ elders, who deserve safety, dignity, and joy in their later years.”
Now, Assisted Living Locators of San Francisco is proud to welcome Judith Dancer to the team. She is a seasoned professional in the field of senior living who brings both a wealth of experience and a deeply empathetic approach to her work. Dancer’s arrival marks an exciting new chapter for the business as it expands its reach and deepens its commitment to inclusive, relationship-centered guidance.
A Lifelong Calling
Judith Dancer’s journey into senior care began, not with a job, but with a relationship—with her beloved grandmother, known for her warmth, generosity, and legendary Christmas cookies.
“She was just so nurturing and caring when we visited her,” Dancer recalled. “I always knew she had my back and felt so at home with her.”
That early sense of comfort and connection planted the seed for what would become a calling. As a young woman working in the office of a church, Dancer found herself naturally drawn to the older members of the congregation, particularly the ones who showed up early to fold bulletins or help set up for services.
“I was always drawn to them, wanting to sit down and hear their stories,” she said. “Seniors have such a wealth of lived experience and insight that is often forgotten.”
Her curiosity eventually led her to a new career path in senior living. She started out in HUD housing and over the years moved into roles in assisted living and memory care communities. Along the way, she gathered countless stories—from a real-life Rosie the Riveter who helped build airplanes during World War II, to a passionate activist who had marched through the streets of San Francisco in the days following the assassinations of Harvey Milk and George Moscone.
These stories, Dancer said, have shaped not only her understanding of history, but also her unwavering belief in the humanity of every elder she serves.
“I think the biggest challenge when a senior’s abilities decline is to continue to see them as a whole person in this moment, not just who they were before,” she said. “It’s about meeting them where they are.”
LGBTQ+ Seniors and the Power of Belonging
Now working alongside owner Hensley, Dancer brings that same philosophy to each family, friend, or senior she supports. Whether she’s guiding someone through the logistics of home care or helping a family identify the right memory care community, her goal is to make the process as clear, empowering, and respectful as possible.
This mission is especially vital for LGBTQ+ older adults, many of whom have experienced discrimination in care settings, are estranged from family, or feel anxious about being open about their identities in senior communities.
Their work is as much about supporting families as it is about supporting elders. Many of their clients are adult children, longtime partners, or close friends stepping into caregiving roles—often for the first time. In a community where chosen family has long been central, that kind of support is invaluable.
“We understand that LGBTQ+ seniors face unique challenges,” explained Hensley. “That’s why it matters so much that our clients know they’re working with people who ‘get it’—who share their values and advocate for environments where they can be fully themselves.”
Dancer echoed that sentiment, recalling one particularly moving experience helping a formerly outgoing gay man with memory loss who had become socially withdrawn.
“He had been so vibrant, but his cognitive changes left him isolated and anxious,” she said. “Once we helped his family find a memory care community with the right kind of environment—supportive staff, engaging programs, and inclusive culture—he really blossomed again.”
That transformation, she said, is at the heart of what makes this work so meaningful.
“It’s not just about medical care or housing,” Dancer said. “It’s about giving people a place where they can feel safe, connected, and seen for who they are.”
A Shared Vision
Together, Hensley and Dancer represent a powerful blend of lived experience, professional know-how, and heartfelt dedication. Both believe that good senior care is not just about checking boxes; it’s about relationships, cultural understanding, and helping people maintain dignity through every stage of aging.
As Assisted Living Locators of San Francisco continues to grow, both Hensley and Dancer are excited to deepen their impact, especially within the Bay Area’s LGBTQ+ communities.
“We want people to know we’re here,” said Hensley. “Whether you’re just starting to wonder if it’s time to get educated about senior living, or you’re in crisis and need immediate support, we’re ready to walk that journey with you.”
In a city known for its resilience, diversity, and compassion, Assisted Living Locators of San Francisco is a reminder that aging with dignity—and with pride—is possible, especially when you have the right support.
For more information about Assisted Living Locators of San Francisco and their services, call them directly at 415-766-0361 or visit www.assistedlivinglocators.com/sanfrancisco
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