Holiday Visits Nudge Many Towards Senior Housing Decision

Online navigational tool available to help simplify and refine search

SEATTLE, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The holidays are over, but after a visit
with an aging parent some adult children may be asking themselves whether it's
time to explore senior housing options with their loved ones.
"That question often arises after a face-to-face visit with an aging
parent or even grandparents," said Eve Stern, RN, MS, president of
SNAPforSeniors, which has developed the nation's most current and
comprehensive, online nationwide database and search tool of the 65,000+ U.S.
senior housing facilities across all license types. "Maybe Mom is showing
signs of physical deterioration -- like weight loss or difficulty getting
around the house. Or maybe Dad isn't making the best decisions these days --
or isn't safe behind the wheel any more. Senior housing is a question you
should explore together."
Stern emphasized that the search for senior housing shouldn't be dreaded,
but rather researched to find the best fit. For many Americans, the concept
of senior housing is limited to just nursing homes.
"There are a wide range of options to explore," she said. "Depending on
the level and type of care needed each day, an older person can benefit from
home health providers who come into the home to impressive assisted living
communities that facilitate greater supervision, social stimulation and
services all under one roof. If 24-hour care is needed, then nursing homes may
be an appropriate solution. For seniors who don't need routine care but want
to enjoy an active lifestyle with peers, there are a number of very attractive
retirement communities with full amenity packages or Continuing Care
Retirement Communities (CCRCs) where individuals can age in place as physical
needs change over time."
The need for senior housing is on the rise. It is estimated that one
million Americans move into senior housing each year(1) and the demand is
growing as baby boomers enter retirement. Between now and 2015, the U.S.
Census Bureau projects the over-65 population to increase by almost 28
percent, while the total U.S. population increases by just 9 percent.(2)
The search for senior housing is no longer a "neighborhood search" of
local, well-known facilities, and new options spring up all the time. Seniors
often need housing in locations far away from the caregiver or adult child who
has assumed responsibility for the senior's well being.
And adult children of aging parents frequently find themselves assisting
in the senior housing search-even from a distance. There are an estimated 5.1
to 7 million long-distance caregivers in the United States.(3,4)
The search for senior housing has recently become easier. In November,
the Alzheimer's Association launched its Senior Housing Finder(SM), powered by
SNAPforSeniors. The interactive online tool allows consumers to search a
current list of licensed assisted living residences, nursing homes and other
types of senior housing facilities nationwide.
The free resource, which is akin to the real estate industry's Multiple
Listing Service, allows users to select from search categories such as
geographic location, facility name or license type and then receive a list of
qualified options. Senior Housing Finder can also screen facilities by the
level of care provided consistent with the seven stages of Alzheimer's disease
progression. The navigational tool helps consumers narrow the search, and then
coordinate with family members to make further decisions.
Stern offered five tips for making the search for senior housing less
overwhelming: (1) assess care needs and personal preferences; (2) be
objective-visit http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_caresource.asp for a list of
all senior housing providers; (3) visit and inspect facilities on your short
list whenever possible; (4) verify quality by reviewing facility surveys and
inspection reports at www.medicare.gov as well as references of current and
past residents and their families; and (5) confirm your choice with frequent
contact and visits.
"The choice to move to senior housing should be well-informed and
carefully planned," Stern said. "Caregivers who find themselves assisting an
aging relative in the planning process should remember that the right senior
living setting can lead to better health and safety for their loved ones, and
often an improvement in their social and emotional well being."
For expanded tips or to see a live demonstration, visit
www.snapforseniors.com.
About SNAPforSeniors(R)
SNAPforSeniors(R), Inc. is a Seattle-based information company and
developer of the most current and comprehensive web-based senior housing
resource and listing service in the United States. This resource puts
objective information about the nation's 65,000+ licensed senior housing
facilities at the fingertips of consumers and their advocates. SNAPforSeniors
combines advanced search tools with detailed information to connect seniors
with the right housing options the first time. Through the Alliance Network
Program, SNAPforSeniors licenses and private-labels its database and search
tools to the websites of leading trusted sources, including the Alzheimer's
Association and the Case Management Society of America. For more information,
e-mail info@snapforseniors.com or call 1-206-575-0728.
Background for reporters:
Expansion of tips for making senior housing search less overwhelming:

1. Assess needs and preferences. What is most important to your loved
one and the family? There are two main categories to consider:
a. Care needs: Is she diabetic? Does she need help with simple
activities of daily living? Does she have dementia, or does she
wander?
b. Personal preferences: What is most important to him? Does he have
a pet that he will want to bring with him? Does he need
TV/Internet access? Does he have special dietary requirements?
2. Be Objective: Get an objective and complete list of the senior housing
options in your desired area. Visit the Alzheimer's Association's
Senior Housing Finder(SM) at www.alz.org to get a comprehensive list
of all senior housing providers. This navigation tool lists ALL
licensed facilities by location, so you'll be able to browse all the
options online.
3. Inspect: Narrow your search to a short list of potential options, and
then visit each place at least once to get a feel for its environment,
management and staff.
4. Trust but verify: Visit www.medicare.gov to review facility surveys
and inspection reports. Secure references from current and past
residents and their families. Then go to www.ltcombudsman.org to find
your local long term care ombudsman, and call to ask for insights
about local facilities.
5. Confirm your choice: Once your loved one has transitioned to a new
environment, visit or make contact with them frequently to help them
stay connected.

(1) American Seniors Housing Association as printed in the July 2004
edition of UNITS magazine
(2) US Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging. A
statistical profile of older Americans aged 65+. US Department of Health and
Human Services
(3) National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Caregiving in the U.S.
Bethesda: National Alliance for Caregiving, and Washington, DC: AARP, 2004.
(4) Wagner, D.L., Long-Distance Caregiving for Older Adults. Healthcare
and Aging. Washington, DC: National Council on the Aging, 1997.
SOURCE SNAPforSeniors

Karla Hurter for SNAPforSeniors, +1-703-319-0957,
khurter@health2resources.com