Not sure where to start? How a free Pearl navigator helps your family

The short answer: a Pearl navigator is a real person on our team who listens to what’s going on, helps your family see the options and works out a next step with you. It’s free, you don’t need an account, and we reply within 2 business days. Tell us what’s happening.

Most families don’t plan for the day things change. A fall. A hospital stay. A new diagnosis. A parent who’s driving less, or a sibling who’s suddenly doing everything. You search, you open 20 tabs, and the question only gets bigger: who do I even call?

That’s the moment we built navigators for. Here’s what they do, when families reach out and what happens after you send a request.

What a navigator does

Every family is different, so every conversation is too. Here’s what a navigator helps with:

• Listening first. What’s happening, what your parent wants and who’s already pitching in.
• Seeing the options. From a little more help at home to rides, appointments, paperwork or a move.
• Knowing who to call. Public programs in your parent’s province, community services and local providers, and what to ask each one.
• Agreeing on one next step. Something real you can do this week, not a 40-page plan.
• Keeping your parent in charge. It’s their life and their call. We help the family back the choices they make.

What a navigator isn’t

A navigator conversation isn’t medical, legal or financial advice, and it doesn’t replace your parent’s health team or the public programs already there for them. What we do is help you get to the right people with the right questions. For the full lay of the land, read our guide to family navigators in Canada.

It isn’t a sales call either. There’s no obligation, and you don’t have to sign up for anything.

When families reach out

Some families come to us in the middle of a big change. Others just have a feeling that things are shifting. Both are good reasons to talk. Here are a few of the moments we built Pearl around:

• A parent is coming home from the hospital, and the discharge date came fast
• Mom or Dad had a fall and needs a hand for a while
• A new diagnosis has everyone asking questions
• You’re helping from another city and can’t see what’s happening day to day
• It’s time to think about bringing in help at home
• The will, powers of attorney and accounts need getting in order
• A parent is driving less or thinking about a move

Not sure which one fits? That’s fine. “Not sure yet” is one of the choices on our form.

What happens when you send a request

1. You tell us a little. Your first name, the best way to reach you and, if you like, a line about what’s going on. It takes about a minute. Rather give us the full picture up front? Use the longer form.
2. A person on our team reads it. We match every request by hand.
3. We reply within 2 business days, by email or phone, to introduce your navigator.
4. You talk it through by phone or video, or in person where we can.
5. You leave with a next step and a clearer picture of who can help.

What it costs

Nothing. Talking to a navigator is free. There’s no account to create and no obligation to be matched. Sending a request doesn’t sign you up for Pearl, and we use your details only to reply to you.

Bring your parent into it

The best conversations include the person at the centre. If your parent wants to join, wonderful. If you’d rather start on your own, that’s fine too. Either way, we keep the focus on what they want. Not sure how to raise it? Try one simple question first.

Start with one conversation

You don’t need a plan to reach out. That’s what the conversation is for. Talk to a navigator, free, and we’ll get back to you within 2 business days.

And when you’re ready to share the jobs with family and friends, a Pearl Circle keeps everyone on the same page, with your parent leading. It’s free to start.