About Argentum

Argentum member companies operate senior living communities offering assisted living, independent living, and memory care services to older adults and their families. Argentum is the largest national association exclusively dedicated to supporting companies operating professionally managed, resident-centered senior living communities and the older adults and families they serve. Since 1990, Argentum has advocated for choice, accessibility, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all older adults.

Argentum expands senior living through industry-leading events, publications, education, and research.

Mission & Vision

A Mission to Promote Senior Living

Argentum’s mission is to promote choice, dignity, independence, and quality of life for seniors. To support this mission, Argentum influences public policy, promotes business excellence, and ensures an informed public.

A Vision for the Future of Senior Living

Americans are living longer. About 70% of Americans will need some kind of long-term care after they turn 65. When the last of the baby boomers reach age 65 in 2029, they will represent more than 20% of the total U.S. population. Senior living services and products will see unprecedented demand in the coming decades.

Key Imperatives

In 2015, Argentum led a listening tour across the country with senior living stakeholders to explore national senior living goals and concerns. As part of a ten-year outlook, Senior Living 2025, Argentum has identified five critical imperatives to address these issues:

Workforce Development

The industry will compete with the broader service sector to find qualified employees. Senior living needs to be innovative in attracting top quality candidates in order to maintain an essential, strong workforce.

Opportunities:

  • Ensure meaningful public policy and legislation
  • Expand job creation and invest in training and development
  • Research drivers of employment and engagement
  • Partner with academic institutions
  • Develop and track baseline metrics
  • Develop professional credentials

Quality Improvement

Marked growth in resident acuity and state regulatory measures will significantly impact the senior living industry over the next 10 years. The industry needs standards and professional certification programs to show its commitment to quality care.

Opportunities:

  • Support licensing and enforcement
  • Advocate for state regulatory reform
  • Participate in the healthcare continuum
  • Encourage innovation
  • Develop standards

Operational Excellence

Senior living providers must be poised to embrace new business relationships and offer their services in new ways. Senior living leaders must advocate for state regulatory models allowing innovation.

Opportunities:

  • Develop benchmarks and share financial and operational performance metrics
  • Identify and enhance the use of technology
  • Innovate by cultivating leaders, embracing new ideas, and recognizing disruptors
  • Implement electronic health records
  • Share best practices

Consumer Choice

Senior living is a great and affordable opportunity for older adults to experience an optimal quality of life in a social setting. However, as average life expectancy increases, so does the strain on retirement savings. Americans are saving less, living longer, and unfortunately unprepared for the cost of long-term care.

Opportunities:

  • Support public education
  • Promote tax incentives and financing options
  • Champion long-term care insurance
  • Encourage state-based savings initiatives
  • Support public policy options to provide widespread affordable senior housing
  • Create innovative financing models
  • Work to eliminate elder abuse
  • Develop and track baseline metrics

Memory Care

Senior living communities and services are increasingly the primary caregivers for people with dementias. Senior living must advance technology, services, and research to promote a treatment, cure, and greater quality of life for those affected by dementia. Senior living providers and their partners must build environments which support compassionate, purposeful living.

Opportunities:

  • Boost public understanding of Alzheimer’s and other dementias
  • Promote disease management
  • Encourage participation in scientific studies
  • Support and expand dementia friendly communities
  • Develop and share best practices

Argentum research focuses on issues related to each imperative.

“Getting to 2025: A Senior Living Roadmap”