NASHVILLE, TENN. JULY 21, 2008 — For more than 50 million family caregivers across the country, the Internet is becoming a first-line resource for needed support. This week during its annual meeting, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) is introducing an online navigational tool designed to simplify the search for senior housing for seniors and caregivers, no matter where they live. Powered by SNAPforSeniors®, the Senior Housing Locator makes objective, nationwide information available 24-hours a day, seven days a week through the convenience of the Internet.
Consumers and professionals alike will now have access to the n4a Senior Housing Locator through a link on n4a.org. The tool allows users to search a database of more than 60,000 senior housing listings, including all licensed senior housing in the nation. Member Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and Title VI Native American Aging Programs will be invited to add a link to the tool or use a version co-branded for their own website.
“The n4a Senior Housing Locator provides all of our member AAAs, Title VI programs and the seniors they serve with access to the most current and comprehensive database of senior housing, creating a consistent standard of information across the country,” says n4a CEO, Sandy Markwood.
The Senior Housing Locator is similar to the real estate industry’s Multiple Listing Service, and functions much like a traditional search engine. Users can search a database of assisted living communities, nursing homes, residential care facilities, continuing care retirement communities and a growing list of independent living communities, all at the click of a mouse.
Many listings provide information about care services, lifestyle amenities, payment options and more, with some including photo galleries and virtual tours. The free resource was developed by SNAPforSeniors, representing another example of cooperative relationships among the aging network and private sector organizations.
“AAAs and Title VI programs generally have a strong knowledge of the senior housing options in the area, but it can be more difficult when they are called upon to help a senior find housing in a different county or state,” says Eve Stern, RN, MS, president of SNAPforSeniors. “The Senior Housing Locator allows them to perform searches anywhere in the nation, and the fact that all licensed communities are included eliminates the bias that referral services and advertising-based listing services exhibit.”
There are 247 different senior housing license types in the United States. According to SNAPforSeniors, the inconsistency from state-to-state is a common source of confusion when it comes to finding housing in another area. To help remedy this, the n4a Senior Housing Locator provides definitions for all 247 license types. Medicare certified facility listings also include a link directly to that facility’s quality report on Nursing Home Compare.
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About n4a
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) is the leading voice on aging issues for Area Agencies on Aging across the country and a champion for the Title VI Native American aging programs in our nation’s capital. Through its presence in Washington D.C., n4a advocates on behalf of the local aging agencies to ensure that needed resources and support services are available to older Americans and their caregivers. The fundamental mission of the AAA and Title VI programs is to provide services that make it possible for older individuals to remain in their home, thereby preserving their independence and dignity.
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 60,000+ 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.