The controversial $700 billion bailout plan signed by the president last week is likely to have a positive effect on long-term care housing, according to an expert from the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

The amount of financing placed in seniors housing dropped by a precipitous 60% in the first quarter of 2008, according to data released this month from the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry. That could lead to an easing up on new development.

Half of all seniors cited deteriorating health as the number one reason they would leave their homes, while nearly one in four said they would move due to a desire to live in seniors housing, according to a newly released Special Issue Brief from the American Seniors Housing Association.

A long-term care reference tool released Tuesday takes into account new market forces that are shaping the future of long-term care.

Loan volume in the seniors housing and care sector rose by $20.5 billion in the third quarter of 2007, according to a recent report by the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry. That is a positive sign for the sector as growth has stalled across the housing spectrum.

The nation's top lawmakers are learning more about new monitoring, personal health record and brain fitness technologies for seniors during a special briefing and demonstration today.Senators from the Special Committee on Aging; the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee; and the Medical Technology Caucus are hosting the event to discuss and explore what type of support is needed to promote technological advances that can help our nation's aging population.

Tanita's PW-630U wheelchair scale is designed to make it easy for residents to get on the scale and be stable. The durable, portable unit is equipped with wheels, allowing caregivers to bring the scale wherever elderly or wheelchair-bound residents are. Other features include body mass index, an integrated thermal printer, memory, recall and RS-232 output so data can be captured electronically.

Birchwood Laboratories has introduced two new products that provide a sanitary solution for incontinence cleansing and management. B-SURE Perineal Wash and B-SURE Odor Eliminator are products help operators help communities look and smell fresh.

Staying on top of the latest products, services and industry trends can be a time-devouring pursuit. But the job just became less time consuming, thanks to our new Web site. Eldercare pros can find many time-saving options. These include a substantially enhanced Directory that makes it easier to locate needed services, plus videos of important suppliers. The latest job openings are also available, as well as immediate access to our Career Guide. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our new site. We think you'll find it's time well spent.

An Ohio CCRC uses rooftop gardens and open green spaces both to be environmentally conscious and to bring a sense of nature to residents.