Human Resources: Online navigational tool will help simplify searches for appropriate senior housing

(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) January 15, 2008— In an effort to meet the rapidly growing need for appropriate senior housing, the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) today announced the launch of the CMSA Senior Housing Locator, an online senior housing navigational tool developed by SNAPforSeniors.

It is estimated that a million Americans move into senior housing each year , 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 . Many family members with loved ones in need of senior housing use case management services to assess needs, arrange placement, and monitor a family member’s care.

CMSA members can search Senior Housing Locator listings for a client according to type of housing, clinical needs, financial needs and personal preferences—even whether pets are allowed. Listings may include photo galleries and virtual tours as well.

“The Senior Housing Locator is a valuable decision support tool that will help case managers navigate the senior housing market for clients with a wide range of needs,” said Peter Moran, RN,C, BSN, MS, CCM, CMSA President. “Because the tool is a central source of information, appropriate housing can be found quickly and transitions to care can be managed more effectively, benefiting both the client and their caregivers.”

CMSA’s Senior Housing Locator is an online, member-only resource which offers case managers a comprehensive nationwide search engine of the 65,000+ U.S. licensed senior housing facilities—all at the click of a mouse. The resource is akin to the real estate industry’s Multiple Listing Service. Users select from search categories such as geographic location, facility name or license type and then receive a list of qualified options.
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“The search for senior housing is no longer a ‘neighborhood search’ of local, well-known facilities,” said Eve M. Stern, RN, MS, president of SNAPforSeniors. “Seniors often need housing in a far away location, close to extended family.”

There are an estimated 5.1 to 7 million long-distance caregivers in the United States. , Senior Housing Locator allows case managers to narrow the search, and then coordinate with patients and family members to make decisions about appropriate facility placement.

“The Senior Housing Locator enables case managers to use a single source to search and screen assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, residential care homes and nursing homes while matching a client’s clinical, social and financial needs to the right facility,” said Stern. “It allows them to spend less time gathering information and more time focusing on their clients.”

About Case Management Society of America

Established in 1990, the Case Management Society of America is an international non-profit 501(c)(6) multi-disciplinary professional association dedicated to the support and advancement of the case management profession through educational forums, networking opportunities, legislative advocacy, and establishing standards to advance the profession. It is based in Little Rock, AR, and serves more than 20,000 members/subscribers and 70 affiliate and pending chapters. Since its inception, CMSA has been at the forefront of setting professional standards for the industry, which allows for the highest level of efficiency and integrity, as well as developing national and local leaders who are recognized for their practice and professional excellence. For more information on CMSA, call CMSA at (501) 225-2229 or go to www.cmsa.org.

About SNAPforSeniors®

SNAPforSeniors®, 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[at]snapforseniors.com or call 1-206-575-0728.