The 13th edition of a locally produced resource guide called The Directory for Seniors now is available at select businesses, social service agencies, and organizations throughout the community at no charge, says Editor Shannon Wood.

Locations where the directory is available include Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Providence Holy Family Hospital, Aging and Long-Term Care of Eastern Washington, and Banner Bank branches, says Wood.

Published by Spokane-based Lawton Printing Inc., The Directory for Seniors is laid out in five chapters that address issues such as answering housing questions, finding help to solve problems, and exploring health issues. Each chapter of the 162-page directory contains articles as well as contact information for businesses and agencies that serve the elderly. Wood says Lawton has printed about 20,000 copies of the booklet.

"It's a useful tool for anyone that deals with elderly people," including caregivers, the adult children of the elderly, and seniors themselves, Wood says.

In addition to the directory, Lawton Printing also has published an updated version of the Spokane Retirement Housing Guide, which is a map that shows the locations of senior-living facilities in the Spokane area. The housing guide lists 66 different residential-care homes for seniors, and contains information about some of the amenities that each facility offers.

The Directory for Seniors has been published by Lawton Printing since 1999, when it bought the rights from Spokane residents John and Gail Goeller. The Goellers founded the directory in 1994 after they unexpectedly became the caregivers and decision makers for five aging relatives and realized they were unprepared for the responsibility.

Lawton says that sponsors such as Banner Bank, Providence Health Care, Tiller Care Strategies LLC, and Independent Services Corp. help to alleviate the cost of producing its directory and ensure that the directory is free for those who find it useful.

Lawton Printing also publishes similar directories under the name Senior Living Strategies in Arizona, Idaho, and Central and Western Washington state.