Public Invited to Talk Live with COO of Nation's Largest Assisted Living Provider

SEATTLE, May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Individuals across America are invited to speak directly to top executives of the nation's largest assisted living and memory care provider on one of the most pressing issues facing families today: how to pay for care for a senior loved one. Emeritus Senior Living Chief Operating Officer Chris Hyatt and Executive Vice President Jayne Sallerson will hold a live Internet chat to answer questions on the subject at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT, Wednesday, May 23.

To participate, visit www.Emeritus.com and click on the event link to access the video and chat components, and call (877) 708-2775, and then key in the conference ID: 82028260 for the event audio. Those wishing to simply listen to the event can also dial (877) 708-2775, and then key in the conference ID: 82028260. In addition, questions can be submitted ahead of time by posting them on the Emeritus Facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Emeritus-Senior-Living/82009373317) or e-mailing them to [email protected] anytime prior to the chat.

This first-of-its-kind event in the senior living industry comes as aging baby boomers are increasing America's older population.  By 2020, more than 15% of Americans will be 65 years of age or above; by 2030, the rate will be 20%.  Nearly three in four people in that age group require long-term care services at some point.

"Our organization talks with hundreds of thousands of families every year and we know the financial aspect of senior care can seem overwhelming," said Hyatt.  "For many, it's hard to know how to even start to figure it out.  The purpose of the live chat is to provide information and answers on a crucial subject facing more families and individuals every day."

Likely topics to be discussed include:

• The different kinds of senior care and the range of costs associated with them.
• What Medicare and other public programs do and do not cover.
• The impact of the housing market.
• New strategies available to help fund senior care.
• How to help your loved one make the transition to senior living

The live chat takes place as 24 Emeritus senior living communities are participating in a three-month national educational tour by eldercare expert Dr. Marion Somers and the non-profit 3in4 Association aimed at raising awareness of the need to plan for long-term care funding.

"In addition to sharing information at those two dozen communities as part of the educational tour, we would like to offer families and seniors everywhere the opportunity to ask questions on this vital topic and that's why we are holding the live chat," Sallerson said.  "We invite everyone interested in this subject to participate with us."

About Emeritus Senior Living

Emeritus Senior Living is the nation's largest assisted living and memory care provider, with the ability to serve approximately 49,700 residents. More than 28,000 employees support 478 communities throughout 44 states coast to coast. Emeritus offers the spectrum of senior residential choices, care options and life enrichment programs that fulfill individual needs and promote purposeful living throughout the aging process. Its experts provide insights on senior living, care, wellness, brain health, caregiving and family topics at www.Emeritus.com, which also offers details on the organization's services. Emeritus is based in Seattle, Wash.; its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ESC.

CONTACT: Scott McCaskey / Audrey Knoth (757) 625-2518
[email protected]

SOURCE Emeritus Senior Living