ARIZONA SENIOR HOUSING INSTITUTE

Welcome to the Arizona Senior Housing Institute (ASHI)

EDUCATION

Many senior service providers charge the senior for their services or access to their knowledge base which is very limited. There is no one that provides all the choices and issues for senior housing in one location. The Institute will accomplish this goal through a variety of ways including, but not limited to:

	Answering inquiries via phone, email, mail and senior forums. The Institute will provide free forums and workshops throughout the state to educate and inform Arizona seniors and their families about senior housing.
	The Institute will assist in the search, and will develop a guide, for various options & services available to them.
	Develop a robust internet portal that will contain all the information, including but not limited to, the consumer and their families.

RESEARCH

The Institute will work to develop research for the senior housing community in Arizona. There currently is no research on this important demographic. Arizona is one of the top 5 states with a large senior and aging population and their needs must be researched and then provided for. The various groups that service the senior consumer need to develop a clear understanding of their needs and wants. The research will be developed with the 65+ age cohort living in Arizona. The Institute will accomplish this goal through a variety of ways including, but not limited to:

	Working with various community partners to develop research to study the senior consumer in Arizona.
	To study the various living options for senior housing.
	To study seniors' likes and dislikes in relationship to senior housing options.
	To study the people and employees who service the senior living communities.

ALL HAZARDS PREPAREDNESS

The Institute will develop various resources for disaster planning for senior housing providers and senior consumers including providers ranging from independent living communities, assisted living, and nursing homes. There is a grave risk for the potential of forest fires, power outages, plus senior consumers from other states sent to shelter in Arizona. The Institute will accomplish this goal through a variety of ways, including, but not limited to:

	The Institute will work with various community partners including the different offices of Homeland Security and the US Air Force to ensure that all senior housing options and consumers in Arizona are considered and potential plans developed.
	Currently no one entity in the state provides resources for disaster preparedness to the senior housing community. The Institute will work to develop plans to assist the communities in both evacuating to another location, to shelter in place, and help newcomers navigate the systems.
	The Institute will also develop a manual for providers to use to educate themselves and their staff to what is needed and necessary before and during a disaster.
	The Institute will educate providers on how to deal safely and effectively with residents, their families and staff during disasters and other emergencies.
	The Institute will work with consumer groups and post evacuation plans and issues so consumers can evaluate what their potential plans could be.

	Copyright 2010 Arizona Senior Housing Institute
2345 E. Thomas Rd. Suite 290 Phoenix, AZ 85016 Office 602-354-4330 \| Fax 602-354-5225