Marketplace Chaplains, America’s original, largest and leading workplace chaplaincy organization since 1984, has recently launched a new division of its unique strategic service to include Senior Living Chaplains; chaplains dedicated to providing help and support for the growing needs of America’s aging population and their families.

Senior Living Chaplains, www.seniorlivingchaplains.com, was formed to address the enlarging needs of seniors, their family members, and the often overwhelmed caregivers who attend to them.

“The chaplain team has a real concern for our residents and family members; they have exceptional listening skills. Chaplains give residents and staff an opportunity to vent and relieve some of their problems and stress,” said Carol Rigsby, Director of Bickford House of Raytown, in Raytown, Missouri. “This saves the director time and energy and keeps some of the problems separate from work duties.”

The senior living needs served by Senior Living Chaplains are rapidly expanding, as is the necessity for these specially trained chaplain caregivers. The requisite for senior care crosses geographical boundaries and socioeconomic levels as well. Caregivers, families and companies alike are striving to help meet the demands of an ever-increasing older population.

According to the U.S. government organization, Administration on Aging, www.aoa.gov, people age 65 and older represented 12.9% of the American population in the year 2000, and is expected to grow to be 19% by 2030.

The latest U.S. Census Bureau survey rated Missouri as 20th in the nation with 16.1% of its residents being 65 years old and older.  Bickford Senior Living, based in Missouri, is the longest tenured senior living company using Senior Living Chaplains.

“We need local people to help with local needs, and involved with local citizens living in our homes. Senior Living Chaplains really helps with that in a special way. This just adds to our culture of caring for our entire company to help meet individual needs and care for the whole person, of whom a vital part is spiritual,” said Andy Eby, Vice President Bickford Senior Living, whose family business has used Marketplace Chaplains, and now Senior Living Chaplains, for more than a decade.

Texas has more than 5 million people living in the state who are 65 years of age or older. Innovative Texas-based client companies, Touchstone Communities and TRISUN Healthcare, LLC, provide Senior Living Chaplains to their clients, families and employees.

Among the other companies utilizing Senior Living Chaplains are Louisiana-based Central Management Company, and Diversicare Management Services, with locations throughout the South and Southeast regions of the U.S.

“The chaplain is a very important part of our care team,” said one Diversicare administrator of Rich Mountain Nursing and Rehab in Mena, Arkansas. “He is connecting very well with both residents and staff, and has stepped in to minister in difficult situations. He keeps things confidential and doesn’t overstay his welcome when people are busy.”

Senior Living Chaplains provide dedicated support and help on a comprehensive basis to employees, residents, patients and their families through Senior Living Chaplain Care Teams.  The Teams:

• Proactively      build personal and confidential relationships
• Respond      to crises
• Perform      weekly ceremonies and services
• Understand      local nuances and connections to other support entities

“As we all continue to age, it’s good to know that these forward-thinking CEOs are caring for their valued residents, staff and families by using Senior Living Chaplains in their companies and organizations,” said Richard S. De Witt, President and COO of Marketplace Chaplains.

Together, Senior Living Chaplains and Marketplace Chaplains provide chaplain care in 44 states, 4 countries, and 1 commonwealth, with more than 2,700 chaplains serving in 972 cities and 2,976 worksite locations.