About Us

A father and son smiling happily together against a transparent background.

Connect with an Advisor

Meet with a certified senior care advisor based in your area, familiar with local options.

Home & Care Selection

You can be confident that any provider we recommend meets our highest standards.

Eldercare Support

We’ll schedule tours and accompany you on visits, so you can get real-time feedback.

Senior Care Authority

If you are looking for senior placement services in Greater New Haven, Hartford & Middlesex Counties and the Surrounding Areas, then call our local owners to set up your consultation.

Meet the Owner

Melanie DiNicola CSA, CDP Area Owner

Melanie DiNicola CSA, CDP

Area Owner

Senior Care Advisor

Melanie DiNicola is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) who provides trusted, unbiased guidance to older adults and their families navigating senior living and dementia care in Connecticut. As a local owner and advisor with Senior Care Authority, Melanie helps families understand their options and make informed decisions during some of life’s most challenging transitions.

A lifelong Connecticut resident, Melanie’s work is deeply personal. After caring for aging parents with dementia, she saw firsthand how confusing and overwhelming senior care decisions can be without expert support. That experience drives her commitment to advocacy, education, and compassionate guidance.

Before entering senior care, Melanie built a successful career in nonprofit leadership and advocacy, including work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and serving as Executive Director of a medical research nonprofit. She continues to give back through community education, advisory councils, and senior-focused programs across the region.

Named Senior Care Authority Rookie of the Year (2024), Melanie is known for helping families move forward with clarity, dignity, and peace of mind.

Senior Care Advisor visiting and going over information with senior clients

Your Advisor will meet with you in person to discuss your options and then accompany you on visits to places that meet your criteria. We ensure that all your questions are answered, and assist with paperwork and negotiations. The hallmark of our service commitment is that we are by your side every step of the way.

We are paid a referral fee by the communities and care homes so there is no cost to you for our placement services. In the rare case where we are not contracted with a community, your Advisor will let you know at the outset and explain any fees that might be incurred, should you choose that location. You can expect total transparency from us and we respect your right to choose.

Company History

Senior Care Authority

Senior Care Authority® was founded in 2009 by Frank and Michele Samson of Sonoma, California. They opened a local placement agency and learned everything there was to know about finding the right care situation for an older adult needing help with activities of daily living. They came to the Senior Care space with successful business development skills in their past as well as personal family experience finding care solutions. The business took off, primarily due to their diligence, compassion, and commitment to helping families.

Headshot of Frank M. Samson, CSA, Founder & CEO

Get in Touch

Ready to Get Started?

Have questions or need guidance on senior care? We’re here to help. Fill out the form below, and one of our trusted advisors will reach out to support you and your loved ones.

Smiling adult daughter hugging her elderly father, ready to start their assisted living placement journey