A Place for Mom Helps Families Start the ‚ÄúTough Conversation”
This past month A Place for Mom spearheaded a consumer PR campaign to educate baby boomers with aging loved ones on the value of early planning and discussions related to senior living.
The program targeted major broadcast media in top metros across the country and featured a topic we call ‚ÄúHaving The Tough Conversation Is Easier Than You Think‚Äù. Charlie Severn, APFM’s VP of Brand Marketing says,
With over 90 million families going home for the holiday’s it is one of the best times to check in on aging loved ones and start having conversations about the future.
The APFM sponsored campaign featured Joan Lunden and helped baby boomers understand four main points related to the senior living industry:
1. Start The Conversation  
It’s important to start talking with your parents so you can put a plan in place that helps them realize a higher quality of life vs. reacting when a crisis hits.
2. Timing is Everything
Choose the right time and plan to have an open and honest conversation including other family members.
3. The Industry Has Evolved  
Many seniors still think of senior living as being limited to nursing homes.  The opportunity exists to talk about the range of robust options that exist today and start doing research together.
4. You Are Their Advocate  
By helping aging loved ones understand that you are their advocate for the future you can begin the journey together.
Here is a sampling of the TV and radio interviews that we conducted in NYC on December 11 through a satellite media interview.  In total, Ms. Lunden and APFM did 20 live and taped interviews across the country including NYC, Southern Florida, Portland, Dallas as well as a couple of nationally syndicated radio shows.
Interview with Joan on channel abc 7 WVZN in Fort Meyers, Florida.
Live interview with Joan on KAKE news in Wichita, Kansas. 
Radio interview with Joan on The Kristen Hagopian Show
In addition, to the PR campaign, APFM also put together a complete resource section on its website featuring five industry experts in helping families start conversations around care, financial planning, legal affairs and cognitive wellbeing. Read APFM’s interviews with the experts and download their guides for How to Start the Tough Conversation.
“If we are able to help families start the conversation, and thereby begin the journey to eventual move-in to our partner communities, this effort will be a success,” said Severn.  “Our desire is to bring the tremendous benefits of Senior Living to more families.”