ALEXANDRIA, Va. — April 6, 2011 – About 2,000 senior living professionals gathered today at day two of the ALFA 2011 Conference & Expo for candid discussions about public policy and regulations shaping the future of senior living in the United States. Morning news personalities, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski headlined the day with a discussion about the politics of aging in America.
“Future growth of resident-centered senior living and care relies on a regulatory framework that embraces choice, dignity, independence and quality of life for seniors, and encourages innovation, investment and entrepreneurialism in our field,” said Richard P. Grimes, president and CEO of the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA). “The focus on public policy helps senior living professionals to better understand the roles, concerns and priorities of regulators and policymakers.”
The Politics of Aging in America
The aging baby boomer population and the increase in life expectancy are creating national questions about how to ensure frail seniors have access to long-term services and support that provide quality of life. Meanwhile, public policy and the nation’s fiscal situation may or may not improve quickly enough to meet their needs. Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski pondered these issues out loud during their general session discussion entitled the Politics of Aging in America. In an engaging back and forth discussion, between themselves and the audience they also reflected on the 2012 elections and bringing civility back to political discussion.
Insights From State Regulators
Regulators from three states joined ALFA 2011 attendees for a candid conversation about assisted living in their states. Barbara Ryan from North Carolina, Veronda Durden from Texas and Shaddrick Haston from Florida spoke about how assisted living is evolving in each of their states and shared some best practices that could help providers develop more productive relationships with state regulators and surveyors.
Partnering With Hospitals in the Accountable Care Era
Many hospitals, physician groups and others are seeking ways to collaborate with one another in order to improve the quality of continuum of care while finding ways to reduce costs. This cooperate is being spurred as part of the new health care law outlining accountable care organizations (ACOs). Sarah Katz, a consultant with the Advisory Board Company, discussed the growing interest in ACOs and aspects of the draft rules released last week. Katz highlighted what the law requires, issues arising, and how long-term care and service providers could potentially be part of an ACO.
Horace D’Angelo Award
The ALFA Horace D’Angelo, Junior Memorial Award honors ALFA state affiliates and chapters that initiated and produced significant regulatory outcomes during the previous year through effective grassroots advocacy. This year ALFA recognized the work of the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association. The ALFA state affiliate, in conjunction with ALFA, spearheaded an initiative to overturn a statement of policy that would have required unnecessary changes in building code requirements, and as a result would have both forced frail seniors from their assisted living homes and eliminated assisted living as an option for frail Pennsylvania seniors and their families.
ALFA 2011 Statesman Award
ALFA honored Representative Susan Westrom of the Kentucky state legislature with the ALFA 2011 Statesman Award. Last year, the Kentucky Assisted Living Association contacted Westrom to ask for her support in updating the assisted living regulations to include resident access to hospice and medication assistance. The Representative was passionate about these issues and determined to help seniors remain in the comfort of their assisted living residence as their needs changed and through end-of-life care. She worked hard to push the legislation through the legislature, and encouraged Governor Steve Beshear to sign it into law.
“While all 50 states regulate assisted living, there is a need to revisit the regulations from time to time in order to ensure each framework addresses the evolving nature of what local consumers are asking senior living communities to offer” said Grimes. “ALFA and its state affiliates and chapters are actively engaged in both protecting and promoting senior living as an option for seniors who cannot or do not wish to live home alone and prefer a community-style residence.”
About the Assisted Living Federation of America
The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) is the largest national association exclusively dedicated to professionally-managed, resident-centered senior living communities and the seniors and families they serve. Since 1990, ALFA has advocated for choice, accessibility, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all seniors. ALFA’s programs promote business and operational excellence through education, research, publications, professional networking and online tools designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurialism in the field of senior living. Visit ALFA’s Web site at www.alfa.org.
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