The Alzheimer's Association, in collaboration with SNAPforSeniors (which stand for Search New Available Places), is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the Senior Housing Finder, the first national online dementia-specific senior housing database. The Alzheimer's Association and SNAPforSeniors have invited all senior housing and residential care providers to complete a free SNAP-Profile so that their detailed information will be included in search results when the search engine goes live in November 2007. Completing the profile is free of charge.
The Senior Housing Finder is an extension of the Alzheimer's Association CareFinder experience. People who are living with dementia, family members, and healthcare professionals currently use CareFinder to identify care options based on a person's needs and preferences. The addition of the Senior Housing Finder powered by SNAPforSeniors will provide innovative search tools that allow users to locate professional and residential care options that match the level of care an individual requires. The housing finder functions much like a regular search engine, allowing users to search by various geographic criteria, name of residence, housing type, availability status, and license type. An advanced search option also will be available to allow users to screen for desired lifestyle amenities and care services, including the specific level of dementia care offered. Consumers will have access to Senior Housing Finder directly through the Alzheimer's Association's Web site. Callers to the Alzheimer's Association's 24/7 national Helpline who seek information about care options also will be directed to the Senior Housing Finder. The Alzheimer's Association hopes that the Senior Housing Finder will lead to better resident matches and translate into increased retention and better patient outcomes.
The photo gallery includes a picture array with 12 high-quality photographs and three 360-degree virtual tours. Availability postings allow providers to show whether they are currently accepting residents; those with available space move to the top of all qualified searches. Listings that include photos are seven times more likely to be viewed, and those with availability postings are 120 times more likely to be viewed. According to Kellie Murray of SNAPforSeniors, "We also believe it is important to include family members who may live far away in the decision making process, and these features allow them an opportunity to 'visit' without leaving their homes."
Skilled nursing, assisted living, and residential care providers are invited to visit http://www.SNAPforSeniors.com to fill out a profile or visit http://www.alz.org and click on "Professionals & Researchers" tab and then click on "Professional Care Providers." The Alzheimer's Association is a voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support, and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research, provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. For more information, visit http://www.alz.org.
SNAPforSeniors, Inc. (http://www.snapforseniors.com) is a Seattle-based corporation that offers a free online resource intended to empower users by providing them with the information and tools necessary to make informed decisions about senior housing. Founded in 2005, SNAPforSeniors provides the most current database of all licensed senior housing in the United States and a growing number of independent living communities. SNAPforSeniors licenses its data and search tools to leading third party Web sites, such as hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and various commercial entities that serve seniors and their families. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call 1-206-575-0728.