Our methodology
The SCP Confidence Score
The SCP Confidence Score is our 100-point rating for every senior care provider on Senior Care Path. It answers one question: can you trust this community? We build it from 12 signals across two groups, so the strongest, most complete, most verified listings rise to the top.
How is the Confidence Score calculated?
Every provider starts at zero and earns points as they meet each signal. The first group (60 points) is the public profile and reputation, which we can confirm from Google and public records, so a strong community can score well before it ever claims its listing. The second group (40 points) is what we confirm ourselves once an operator claims the listing and we review it. The two add up to 100.
Reputation and public profile
60 ptsConfirmable from Google and public sources.
- Has a Google Business Profile12
- Rating of 4.5 or higher12
- 20 or more verified reviews12
- Website published12
- Phone number listed12
Independent verification
40 ptsWhat we confirm once a listing is claimed and reviewed.
- Listing claimed6
- Main contact verified6
- Licenses & registration verified6
- Accreditations verified5
- Pricing verified6
- SCP listing updated in last 30 days5
- Independent site visit completed6
Some signals do not apply to every provider (an independent site visit is impossible for home care, which has no premises). A signal that does not apply is dropped from that listing entirely, so a provider is never penalized for something it cannot have.
What do the trust tiers mean?
We group scores into four tiers so you can read trust at a glance. The scale runs from a complete, verified profile down to a thin one. The lowest tier means incomplete and fixable, not unsafe, it is where an unclaimed listing starts.
| Tier | Score | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| High | 85 to 100 | A complete, well-reviewed, and verified listing you can trust with confidence. |
| Good | 65 to 84 | A strong listing with solid reputation and most verifications in place. |
| Developing | 45 to 64 | A real provider with a partial profile; some details are still unverified. |
| Limited | 0 | An incomplete listing, often unclaimed. Confirm details directly before deciding. |
Why the score exists, and how to use it
Choosing senior care is an emotional, high-stakes decision, usually made quickly and with imperfect information. The Confidence Score gives you a consistent, transparent way to compare communities on the things that signal trust, rather than guessing from a glossy brochure.
Use it to shortlist, not to decide. A high score means a community has earned trust on the measurable signals; it is not a substitute for a tour, a conversation, and your own read of whether the place fits your parent. The score is recomputed as listings are claimed, verified, and kept up to date, so it reflects the current state, not a one-time audit.
Compare communities by Confidence Score
Every community on Senior Care Path is scored, so you can shortlist with clarity. Take our free assessment or browse the directory to see the scores in action.
Are you a provider? Add your Confidence Score badge to your website.
Last reviewed July 2026.