Since many of today’s seniors live longer and spend more time in retirement than their parents or grandparents, they need comprehensive knowledge about the decisions they face as they age.

Information is critical, and it is important for seniors and their families to understand important topics like veterans benefits for long-term care, senior living options and medication safety.

To help educate area families, Country Place Senior Living of Greenville will host “Everyone Needs a Plan. What’s Yours?” — a senior living seminar.

The interactive event will inform seniors and their spouses, adult children and caretakers about their options for senior VA benefits, how to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle in later years and signs to be on the lookout for that might suggest you or your loved one might benefit from assisted living.

“We take pride in educating area seniors and their families in every way possible,” said Cecile Godfrey, Country Place Senior Living regional manager.

“There are many decisions seniors and their families must make as they get older, and we want to make sure they have every tool necessary to make the right choices. Offering this free seminar will help answer any questions families may have and provide them with information they need and can use.”

Speakers include Leah Skipper, registered dietician; Jackie Stanford, veteran benefits expert and founder of Assisted Senior Benefits; and Ashley Phelps, social worker.

Skipper, a Greenville native, has spent the past 12 years as a nutrition consultant for area hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Stanford has spent more than 20 years assisting seniors and their families in securing veteran benefits. His discussion is intended to help seniors learn how to obtain those long-term care benefits and apply them to assisted living expenses. During the seminar, Stanford will walk attendees through the criteria of qualifying for veteran benefits, which can exceed $2,000 a month.

“More than anything, I want everyone at the event to realize that this benefit is out there for veterans who enlisted in the armed forces during wartime and their spouses,” said Stanford. “So many seniors don’t know they qualify or had never heard of this benefit before, and it can be life-changing to many.”

Phelps, a licensed social worker and bereavement coordinator, will address some of the challenges of aging and some signs that might mean it is time to consider the possibility of assisted living.

The free seminar will be held Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Country Place Senior Living of Greenville, located 1035 Fort Dale Rd.

Reservations are not mandatory, but can be made by calling (334) 382-0515.