http://www.seniorcommunityconnections.net/

Senior Community Connections, St. Louis, MO (2025)

09/26/2025

Excited to share that I will be a guest tomorrow morning on the Randy Tobler Show. My good friend Chris Cooper is the guest host tomorrow and asked me to come chat about Senior Placement In Long Term Care. I go live around 7:30am. If you know someone struggling with the thought of placement in a senior community please share! more Information below. 🥰

📻🎙️ Live on NewsTalkSTL this Saturday Morning 🎙️📻

Tune into NewsTalk STL this Saturday, Sept 27 from 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM for The Randy Tobler Show featuring special guest host Chris Cooper of Serenity Wealth, filling in for Dr. Randy Tobler.

We’ll talk current events. We’ll talk perspective. We’ll talk strategy. All from a financial lens. And of course we’ll have some fun too.

Just like our weekly show , we’ll have a few special guests joining in the conversation. Special call out to Shona McIntyre of Senior Community Connections and Joe Schiermann of Groundwork Mortgage - NMLS 1211416 for accepting the challenge!

📡 Listen on 101.9 FM, 94.1 FM, or 99.1 HD3
🌐 Stream at newstalkstl.com or on the NewsTalkSTL app

💬 Have a question for us to tackle on-air? Drop it in the comments.

And of course, if you need some personal guidance...

👉 Let’s continue the conversation:
📅 https://calendly.com/chris-t-cooper/conversation
📞 (636) 333-9819
🌐 www.SerenityWealthNow.com

09/18/2025

Helping an Estranged Loved One Transition Into Senior Living

When Reconnection Meets Responsibility

More and more adult children are finding themselves in a position they never expected: helping an estranged parent or relative transition into senior housing. Estrangement can happen for many reasons, such as past conflicts, trauma, abuse, or simply growing apart. And while distance may have provided peace for years, the realities of aging can bring adult children back into the role of caregiver or decision-maker.

Why This Happens
Often, when a senior has no spouse or close support system, the responsibility of care falls back to family members—even those who’ve been disconnected. Sometimes, an adult child is the only one left to advocate for their parent, even if the relationship has been strained or nonexistent.

The Emotional Complexity
This situation is rarely straightforward. There’s a mix of emotions—resentment, guilt, compassion, frustration, and obligation. Families may wrestle with questions like:

Do I have to do this?

Can I help them while still protecting myself emotionally?

How do I honor my boundaries while making sure they’re safe?

It’s important to acknowledge that these feelings are normal. Stepping back into someone’s life after years of distance is challenging, especially when big decisions like senior housing are involved.

Practical Steps to Take

Clarify your role- determine the level of involvement you can realistically provide. It’s okay if your role is more logistical than emotional.

Seek Professional Guidance – Senior care advisors (like myself) can help navigate options, coordinate tours, and provide objective support so you’re not carrying the burden alone.

Communicate Clearly – If there are siblings or other relatives, clarify responsibilities to avoid conflict.

Set Boundaries – Your well-being matters too. It’s possible to assist without re-engaging in unhealthy patterns.

Focus on Safety & Quality of Life – Even if the relationship is complicated, helping them find a safe, supportive environment ensures they’re not alone or at risk.

Finding Peace in the Process
Supporting an estranged loved one in this way does not erase the past, but it can provide peace of mind knowing you did what you could. It’s not about rewriting history, it’s about ensuring dignity and safety in the present moment.

If you’re facing this situation, know that you are not alone. Many families walk this same path, and resources exist to support you both practically and emotionally. Reach out to Senior Community Connections and we will guide you through this delicate process.

09/04/2025

Senior Communtiy Connections now has a professional office space!

We’re so excited to have a more private, welcoming space to meet with families as we support them in their senior care journey!

We’re also excited to share that we are opening our conference room for other professionals who work in the senior space.

Whether you’re in home care, hospice, or related services and if you need a place to meet your clients or hold a networking meeting, our door is open.

Reach out to me directly if you’d like details or to schedule time in the space, we’d love to connect!

We’re so grateful to have a home base and can’t wait to share it with our community

07/30/2025

Celebrating 3 Years of Senior Community Connections

This week marks our 3-year business anniversary!
Three years ago, I took a deep breath and stepped into the unknown, launching Senior Community Connections with one clear goal: to support seniors and their families during one of life’s most overwhelming transitions.

But behind that leap was something way deeper: I walked away from what many in the senior housing world know too well, a corporate environment that can sometimes feel more stifling than supportive. I loved the work, but I needed to love how I did it, too. So, I took a giant leap and decided to do things differently on my own terms.

And now? I get to do what I love to do, work directly with seniors, create realistic placement plans with families, and build genuine relationships with the best senior communities in the area. No bureaucracy. No politics. No corporate nonsense. Just heart and purpose.

It hasn’t all been daisies and roses; this journey has had its late nights, long weekends, calls during dinner, and my kids riding in the backseat on the way to a placement. It’s been hard. It’s been uncertain. But it’s also been beautiful.

Through all of it, this business has allowed me to be a mother and a founder. My family has watched me stretch, grow, and build something from the ground up. They’ve seen me fail forward, stand back up, and stay rooted in something real.
Here’s what I’ve learned:

• How to build a brand rooted in trust, compassion, and integrity, one family and one referral at a time.
• How to lead a team that believes in the mission and wants to grow alongside it.
• How to keep showing up, especially when it’s hard.
• That growth doesn’t come from comfort; it comes from courage, community, and commitment.

To my incredible husband Brian and our amazing kids, thank you for your patience, support, and belief in this dream. You've helped me make it real.

To every professional, friend, and family member who has referred to us, believed in us, or asked how it’s going, your support has carried this mission.

And to every family we’ve served, THANK YOU! You are why we do what we do. Your stories, your trust, and your courage mean everything.

Here’s to continuing the work with gratitude, grit, and grace, and doing it my way.
With deep appreciation,
Shona McIntyre

Founder | Senior Community Connections

07/21/2025

I’m excited to finally share something close to my heart…

I've been working on a very special book project, and I'm excited to announce that this fall, I’ll be part of “The Caregiver’s Advocate, Vol. 2,” a compassionate resource designed to support, guide, and uplift caregivers on their journey.

In my chapter, “When Home is No Longer the Safest Place,” I talk about the emotional weight families carry when making the decision to seek outside care and how peace, not guilt, can guide that choice. It reflects why I do what I do through Senior Community Connections, and the countless families who’ve trusted me during some of life’s most tender moments.

This book is part of a beautiful series; the first was a bestseller, and this volume includes stories from international authors with shared passion and experience. We hope it reaches the hands of those who truly need it.

📘 Coming soon on Amazon, and I can’t wait for you to read it.

07/02/2025

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new website, a fresh, modern space that reflects the heart and mission of Senior Community Connections.

As our company continues to grow and support more families across the St. Louis area, we knew it was time for a digital upgrade. And thanks to David Berger and his talented team at Envision by Design, our vision came to life beautifully.

Take a look around, learn more about our services, and see how we’re making a difference in the lives of seniors and their families every day. 💙

🔗 Visit us at: www.seniorcommunityconnections.net

We’d love to hear what you think, and if you know someone who could use expert help navigating senior care, send them our way. 🙌

06/27/2025

🚨 From Hospital Bedside to Approved Move-in in Just under 4 Hours!

Today at 2 PM, we got the call.

By 6 PM, thanks to our incredible network of trusted community partners, we had:

✅ Found a safe, appropriate senior living community
✅ Completed an on-site assessment right at the hospital bedside
✅ Secured community approval
✅ Scheduled a trusted furniture mover all within 4 hours

This is the power of working with experienced local Senior Care Advisors who have real, local relationships, not just a 1-800 number or an online form.

⚡ When time is critical and a quick, compassionate transition is needed, you need a team that can ACT FAST and DELIVER.

If you're a hospital social worker, case manager, or discharge planner, keep us in mind when a senior needs a safe discharge plan today, not next week.

📞 We’re just one call away and ready to move mountains for your patients.

06/09/2025

🌟 Looking for a 5-Star Assisted Living Community in St. Charles County? 🌟

If you’ve been considering a search for an exceptional care community that truly feels like home, one of my partnered communities, a highly rated senior living community in St. Charles County, is offering something new and beneficial for families who need a seamless transition.

✨ What makes this place special?

✅ ZERO nursing deficiencies in state surveys
✅ Recognized for outstanding memory care (4 years in a row!)
✅ Known for an amazing reputation in our senior care network
✅ Now offering fully furnished studio apartments, available for immediate move-in

This option is perfect for someone who:
✔️ Wants to avoid the hassle of moving furniture
✔️ Needs to move quickly due to changing care needs
✔️ Wants to feel at home right away without the stress

Plus, there are summer savings available right now!

As a trusted local Senior Care Advisor, I can provide the inside scoop on this community and others like it, based on reputation, care quality, and honest feedback from families who currently live there. Don’t go it alone, give me a call at 314-401-0399

📩 Send me a message if you'd like to learn more or schedule a private tour.

Helping families find the proper care, the first time.
Shona McIntyre, MSW, CDP

05/14/2025

🧠 Did you know there are many different types of dementia, not just Alzheimer’s?

Understanding the type of dementia a loved one is experiencing can help families know what to expect and how to provide the best care possible. Here are some of the most common types:

🔹 Alzheimer’s Disease – The most common type. Memory loss, confusion, and gradual cognitive decline.
🔹 Vascular Dementia – Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often after strokes. Symptoms may develop suddenly, impairing judgment, coordination, and thinking.
🔹 Lewy Body Dementia – Includes visual hallucinations, movement issues, and fluctuating confusion.
🔹 Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) – Often diagnosed at a younger age. Affects personality, behavior, and language.
🔹 Mixed Dementia – A combination of two or more types (often Alzheimer’s + Vascular).
🔹 Parkinson’s Disease Dementia – Develops in some people with Parkinson’s. Includes memory, mood, and thinking issues.
🔹 Huntington’s Disease – A genetic disorder that affects movement and cognition.
🔹 Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) – Rare and fast-progressing.
🔹 Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) – Can mimic dementia but may be treatable with a shunt.
🔹 Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome – Often alcohol-related, tied to vitamin B1 deficiency.
🔹 Alcohol-Induced Dementia – Caused by long-term alcohol misuse. Symptoms may improve with early treatment and stopping alcohol use.
🔹 Early-Onset Dementia (Young-Onset Dementia) – Occurs before age 65, sometimes as early as 40s or 50s. Often caused by Alzheimer’s, FTD, or other types. It’s frequently misdiagnosed as stress, depression, or menopause. Early diagnosis is crucial for planning and support.

Each type has its own symptoms, timeline, and care needs. 🧓👵

💬 If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure what type of dementia your loved one might be facing, you’re not alone. As a Senior Care Advisor, I’m here to help you navigate these difficult decisions with compassion and clarity. 314-401-0399

📩 Message me anytime if you'd like more information or support. Together, we can find the right care and resources for your family.

04/25/2025

Exciting News!

Senior Community Connections is featured in West News Magazine!

With more than 50 years of combined experience in senior housing and advocacy, our team Shona McIntyre, Abby Mahon, and Jamie Soell goes beyond the brochure to help families find the right senior living community.

Our personalized guidance is always 100% free to families.
📞 Ready to explore senior care options with an expert by your side?

Call us at (314) 401-0399 today.

04/16/2025

New senior living communities are opening across St. Louis, and while they may look beautiful, the reality behind the scenes can be more complicated.

Before you start touring, let’s talk.

We know which communities are truly ready to support your loved one and which ones are still finding their footing. Our insider knowledge can help you avoid disappointment and make a confident, informed decision from the start.

📞 Call or text us at 314-401-0399
💙 We’re here to guide you every step of the way.

04/09/2025

We’re so grateful for the referrals we receive — thank you for thinking of us when it comes to senior care!

We’re often asked who we help and how we help — so here’s a quick breakdown:

👉 Our ideal client is usually the adult daughter (or adult child) who is watching a parent decline at home — maybe after a fall, hospital stay, or simply noticing they’re no longer safe or thriving on their own.

👩‍⚕️ She’s overwhelmed, unsure where to start, and looking for guidance from someone she can trust.

🏡 We work with seniors who are ready to move into independent living, assisted living, or memory care, and ideally have a budget of $3,000–$7,000+/month from retirement savings, home sale, Social Security, etc.

✅ If that sounds like someone you know — send them our way! We’ll walk with them every step of the way and make the process easy, compassionate, and informed.

📲 Referrals: – Message us here or “Call us at 314-401-0399

Senior Community Connections

09/26/2025

09/18/2025

09/04/2025

07/30/2025

07/21/2025

07/02/2025

06/27/2025

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05/14/2025

04/25/2025

04/16/2025

04/09/2025

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