UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 3, Page 4
September 19, 1991
Agency resulted from personal frustration

     Several years ago, when Barbara Greenfield's mother-in-law
could no longer live on her own, Greenfield spent hours making
telephone calls and trips to find the right accommodations.
     "The process was mentally, physically and emotionally
exhausting," recalled Greenfield, a former personnel and housing
professional.
     "When my mother-in-law was finally settled in a new home, I
realized the need for an impartial referral service to match the
exact needs of senior citizens with available facilities that could
meet those needs," she said.
     That contributed to the creation of Senior Housing Connection
Inc.
     "Planning housing accommodations for yourself or an elderly
loved one is not an overnight activity," Greenfield said. "It
usually happens suddenly and you find yourself in a crisis
situation. Senior Housing Connection was designed to provide
immediate help in such situations, as well as aid to those who are
wise enough to plan ahead."
     Greenfield warns that some elder housing facilities have
waiting lists of anywhere from two to five years.
     Professionals who work with the elderly suggest that there are
critical age points when it is pertinent to discuss housing with
elderly relatives. Seventy years old is one point, 75 is another.
     "At these ages, health and financial limitations often catch
up with people and impel them toward lower-cost, convenient housing
that provides increased services and security," Greenfield said.
     One of Greenfield's clients, for example, called the service
to find referrals for her parents in their mid-70s who lived in
Florida but wanted to move north to be closer to their children.
     The client completed and returned an assessment of her
parents' condition, age, physical limitations and specific medical
and insurance requirements. She also completed a wish list in terms
of their ideal geographic location, living arrangements and
amenities desired and exactly how much they could spend and a
timetable for the move.
     Senior Housing Connection took the exact needs and desires and
fed that information into the computer. Its unique computer program
surveyed all state-certified facilities and provided of 12
suggested locations.
     The print-out included many specifics, as well as the
facilities' management philosophies, environmental surroundings,
social activities, religious services and a list of openings.
     Together, the family chose a facility and made arrangements
for a move within six months.
     Another woman who contacted Senior Housing Connection for her
parents had specific needs, such as a handicapped-accessible,
semi-private room and provisions for three meals a day prepared
with special diet guidelines. This particular couple also had
specific medical and pharmaceutical needs.
     A search by Senior Housing Connection revealed 15 facilities
to meet those needs. Although this client's father died before any
move could be made, her mother has selected a facility from the
list and happily found a new home.
     Senior Housing Connection makes it a point to treat each
client like a friend, according to Greenfield.
     "We take pride in offering a service that helps provide peace
of mind to families in transitional times," she said.
     Other partners in the firm are Alice Svendsen, who has worked
in hospitals, nursing homes and libraries, and Shirley Miller, who
created the data base, along with Shwu H. Leung
     For more information, contact Greenfield at 366-0782 or
Svendsen at 368-9380.