(CLARENDON HILLS, Ill.) Feb. 8, 2008 -- The nation's deadliest rash of tornadoes in more than 20 years destroyed some 1,000 homes and killed at least 31 people in Tennessee Tuesday night.
Emergency warnings gave most residents time to head for shelter. But for residents in senior housing, natural disasters bring extra fears. Lack of mobility, limited transportation resources and the need for specialized care are challenges. According to SNAPforSeniors, more than 10,000 seniors live in 97 different senior housing communities in the Memphis and Nashville metropolitan areas—in licensed assisted living, skilled nursing and independent living settings. When disaster strikes and seniors need to move, it takes expertise to give them a soft landing.
A new resource is available through a partnership with SNAPforSeniors and the professionals on the ground who help seniors navigate the relocation process. Members of the National Association of Move Managers (NASMM) assist tens of thousands of seniors and their families with the physical and emotional aspects of moving each year. They are specialists who work with seniors and their caregivers to pack, move, reorganize and settle seniors and their belongings.
This week, NASMM made its Senior Housing Locator available to its membership through its web site, www.nasmm.org. The Senior Housing Locator is a navigation tool that allows move managers and their clients to search a current national database of 60,000-plus senior housing facilities by categories such as geographic location, facility name or license type. Using a new mapping tool enabled by SNAPforSeniors through the NASMM Senior Housing Locator, NASMM members can quickly map every facility by distance and license type to speed the search for appropriate placement in a senior housing community.
“The tornadoes this week really drove home the need to get critical information on a vulnerable senior population to people on the ground working to ensure their safety.” said Derek Preston, CEO of SNAPforSeniors. “Because we’re the only source for complete listings on all licensed senior care facilities in the United States, we were able to work with NASMM to quickly produce reports on where these communities are and how to reach them. Senior move managers have dedicated training and are certified to assist this unique population in the transition to alternative housing and we were happy to assist them.”
“Senior move managers have a profound connection to the clients they serve,” said Mary Kay Buysse, executive director of NASMM. “A disaster that displaces a senior and destroys their belongings is especially disquieting for this vulnerable population. Our members are ready to offer their expertise and assistance to help seniors affected by the tornadoes.”
For more information about NASMM go to www.nasmm.org. Click on the “Find a Senior Move Manager” button to view a list of insured service providers by geographic location.
To see a map of senior housing facilities affected by the tornadoes, go to http://www.snapforseniors.com/CorporateLinks/News/SuperTuesdayStormImpact.aspx.
To learn more about the role of the senior move manager: http://www.nasmm.org/faqs/faqs.html
About NASMM
The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) is a not-for-profit, professional association of organizations dedicated to assisting older adults and families with the physical and emotional demands of downsizing, relocating, or modifying their homes. The senior move industry is relatively new, but the challenge of transitioning an older adult is not. As the only professional association in the country devoted to helping the rapidly increasing 55+ population with middle and later life transition issues, NASMM members are committed to maximizing the dignity and autonomy of all older adults. NASMM is nationally recognized for its innovative programs, leadership and expertise on issues related to senior move management, transition and relocation issues affecting older adults. For more information, go to www.nasmm.org or call 1-877-606-2766.
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.