Assisted Living Federation of America Launches New Consumer Web Resource to Research and Locate Senior Living Communities

Caring.com Platform Selected To Power Enhanced Web Services for ALFA and Improve Consumer Experience in Senior Living Search

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Increasingly, the Internet is becoming a crucial tool for Americans seeking independent living, assisted living and Alzheimer’s care communities in their area. In fact, more referrals to senior living communities are coming from the Internet than ever before.

“Together we’ve created a suite of senior living services and website features focused on positive, impactful outcomes for prospective residents, their families and ALFA member communities.”

The Assisted Living Federation of America, the largest national association exclusively dedicated to professionally managed senior living communities, today announced the launch of a new ALFA Senior Living Community Directory powered by Caring.com to simplify the search experience for consumers who come to ALFA seeking to connect with high quality senior living communities. Caring.com operates the leading website for family caregivers seeking information about senior care options with nearly two million monthly visitors, and has grown to become the Web’s number one source of senior care reviews.

“ALFA and its hundreds of member companies are committed to simplifying how consumers research and locate senior living communities,” said Richard P. Grimes, president and CEO of ALFA. “We sought to improve the online experience thousands of seniors and their families enjoy when they come to ALFA for information, while also adding significant online marketing value for ALFA members. Caring.com and its feature-rich web platform offer a high quality user experience along with a solid reputation for connecting people with quality care and services provided by ALFA member senior living communities.”

“We’re honored to work with the nation’s leading association for providers of senior living to better help those seeking a senior living community and assist ALFA members in effectively marketing their services,” said Andy Cohen, co-founder and CEO of Caring.com. “Together we’ve created a suite of senior living services and website features focused on positive, impactful outcomes for prospective residents, their families and ALFA member communities.”

The new ALFA Senior Living Community Directory powered by Caring.com will significantly improve the visibility of ALFA member community listings and offer more robust profiles that include photos, descriptions, and reviews from residents and their families -- a feature that Caring.com has found can increase prospective customer inquiries by more than five times the number of inquiries for listings without reviews.

Seniors and their families may easily search the ALFA Senior Living Community Directory for the types of services they seek and pinpoint senior living communities based on zip code or city and state. What’s more, they can reach helpful family advisors at Caring.com seven days a week by calling [phone]. Caring.com family advisors explain different types of senior living options, locate and share information about local senior communities, schedule tours, share and encourage consumer reviews, and answer a range of questions from seniors and their families. The search process is optimized from the moment prospective residents and their families begin seeking assistance, during the research and decision-making phases, all the way through to community selection and move-in.

“Researching senior living communities online is only scratching the surface when it comes to finding the right senior living community,” Grimes added. “There are many types of communities available to fit the many needs and preferences of individual seniors and their families. ALFA encourages consumers to tour several senior living communities before there is a critical need. Talk with the residents and staff, and interview the community executives to ensure there is a good fit.”

A wealth of information about senior care and related topics is also available free of charge to seniors and their families through the ALFA Senior Living Community Directory. Both ALFA and Caring.com are committed to offering relevant, helpful and educational resources about senior care to seniors and their families. To explore the ALFA Senior Living Community Directory, please visit www.alfa.org/seniorliving.

About ALFA

The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) is the largest national association exclusively dedicated to professionally-managed, resident-centered, consumer-driven senior living communities and the seniors and families they serve. Since 1990, ALFA has advocated for choice, accessibility, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all seniors. ALFA’s programs promote business and operational excellence through education, research, publications, professional networking and online tools designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurism in the field of senior living. Visit ALFA’s Web site at www.alfa.org.

About Caring.com

Caring.com is the leading website for family caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. Caring.com provides helpful caregiving content, online support groups, and the most comprehensive Senior Care Directory in the United States, with 35,000 consumer ratings and reviews, and a toll-free senior living referral line (1-866-824-8174). In January 2012, Caring.com launched the Caring Stars award program recognizing America’s best assisted living communities based on consumer reviews. This year, 383 communities in 40 states were named the Caring Stars of 2013. Based in San Mateo, California, Caring.com is a private company funded by DCM, Intel Capital, Shasta Ventures, and Split Rock Partners.