Benchmark’s ‘Open Conversations’ Series Sheds New Light on Senior Care
September 14, 2018
WALTHAM, MA–How to ensure the best care for loved ones as they age is one of the most difficult decisions a family can make. To help families navigate the emotionally charged process of when to consider a care transition and more, Benchmark, a leading provider of senior living and aging-well services in the Northeast, is now sharing its more than 20 years of experience online in Benchmark Open Conversations.
‘Open Conversations’ is an original, comprehensive resource for everyone in need of transparent, practical information on important topics covered by industry experts, residents, families and Benchmark specialists—all in one place.
“Transparency is happening everywhere, and it’s a good thing for consumers, especially those who are making the huge, complicated and emotional decision to transition an older adult to senior living,” said Tom Grape, Benchmark’s chairman and CEO. “For the more than 34 million caregivers of older adults across America, we’re connecting the dots so they can have less stress and more awareness about senior living decisions and transitions.”
Starting with a blog format, ‘Open Conversations’ currently covers topics such as how to talk with parents about senior care and what to look for when touring a community. It also provides an overview of care options, including defining the difference between independent and assisted living. Upcoming blog topics will include why regulation makes a difference, how to pay for planned and unplanned long-term care and why human connection in a community matters.
“This initiative has been a long time in the making,” Grape added. “I’m excited to launch it during National Assisted Living Week in the hope that these conversations will open doors to a greater awareness and understanding of a complex process that can also be filled with unexpected opportunities and life-affirming connections.”
The ‘Benchmark Open Conversations’ initiative is led by Linda Amir, Benchmark’s director of senior care financial solutions. “Spearheading this initiative is very meaningful and personal to me,” Amir said. “Having cared for my own aging parents over the last few years, I have experienced and can relate to the challenges ‘Open Conversations’ addresses. It isn’t an easy journey. Our mission is to zero in on the ‘what I wish I knew’ about senior living before a crisis happens.”
Based in Waltham, Benchmark is a leading provider of senior living services in the Northeast. Founded in 1997 by Grape, Benchmark operates 57 senior living communities offering independent living, assisted living, Alzheimer’s care and continuing care in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
In 2018, Benchmark was certified as a Great Place to Work by the Great Place to Work Institute and became the first senior living organization and only the fifth Massachusetts-based company to receive Certified Age Friendly Employer (CAFE) designation from RetirementJobs.com.
It also has been recognized as a top workplace by The Boston Globe for 10 consecutive years as well as by the Boston Business Journal, Connecticut Post, Hartford Courant and Hartford Business Journal.