Franciscan Ministries executive urges earlier senior living planning

Lindsey Lavery, chief sales and marketing officer at Franciscan Ministries, was featured in the Chicago Tribune Opinion section for arguing that families should plan senior living decisions before a crisis forces them. The message comes as the organization expands communities and promotes lifestyle-focused aging through its Living Joyfully philosophy.

Why it matters: - Planning ahead can give older adults and families more time to compare options, align care decisions with personal goals, and reduce pressure during a health crisis. - Franciscan Ministries is using the feature to reinforce a broader shift in senior living: communities are increasingly being marketed as lifestyle choices, not just care settings.

What happened: - Lindsey Lavery, chief sales and marketing officer at Franciscan Ministries, was featured in the Chicago Tribune Opinion section. - Lavery’s article, "The Transition to Senior Living Is Best Done with Deliberateness, Not in a Panic," argues that older adults and families should rethink how they approach senior living decisions. - The feature appeared July 17, 2026.

The details: - Lavery said families who begin exploring senior living early are better positioned to make informed decisions that match their values, goals and lifestyle preferences. - Lavery encouraged families to learn about today’s senior living communities before an unexpected health event forces a rushed choice. - Lavery said modern communities can offer connection, wellness and purposeful living. - Lavery said senior living has changed over the past decade and can provide greater freedom, meaningful relationships and future care when needed. - Regina Umanskiy, president and CEO of Franciscan Ministries, said the company is proud to see Lavery’s expertise recognized by a major regional publication. - Franciscan Ministries said the feature reflects its Living Joyfully philosophy and Joy Lives Here brand promise. - The company said those initiatives are meant to encourage new experiences, meaningful connections and a lifestyle centered on wellness, purpose and peace of mind. - Franciscan Ministries said it is expanding communities and introducing new living options. - The organization cited independent living expansions, memory care developments and The Providence Life Plan Community in New York’s Capital Region. - Franciscan Ministries said those projects are designed around hospitality, wellness, meaningful experiences and lifelong peace of mind. - The organization said the Chicago Tribune article is part of its ongoing effort to educate older adults and families. - Franciscan Ministries has served older adults for more than 130 years. - The nonprofit owns, develops and manages senior living communities. - Franciscan Advisory Services provides third-party management services, consulting and real estate development for senior housing. - Franciscan Ministries also operates charitable programs that include a domestic violence prevention center and shelter, plus a Scholars Program for students at all-girls Catholic high schools in Chicagoland. - Franciscan Ministries directs readers to more information and lists a phone number, 331.318.5200. - The company also shared a LinkedIn page: Franciscan Ministries on LinkedIn.

Between the lines: - The Tribune placement gives Franciscan Ministries a mainstream platform to influence how families think about senior housing decisions. - The timing suggests the organization is linking thought leadership with expansion efforts, using public messaging to support growth in its communities. - The focus on deliberation before crisis reflects a sales strategy as much as a care philosophy, aimed at moving planning earlier in the decision cycle.

What's next: - Franciscan Ministries is expected to keep promoting its senior living model as it adds new communities and living options. - The organization will likely continue using public education and media coverage to reach families before immediate care needs emerge.

The bottom line: - Franciscan Ministries wants families to treat senior living as a planned life decision, not an emergency response.