Argentum members are invited to participate in the stakeholder review of the proposed Emergency Preparedness Guidelines for Assisted Living Communities, developed by the Quality in Assisted Living Collaborative (QALC). The QALC is a collaborative effort involving Argentum, the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), LeadingAge, the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), and the National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA). Since its launch in 2023, the Collaborative has focused on development of guidelines for assisted living providers, starting with IPC Guidelines released in November 2024. In June 2024, QALC formed the Emergency Preparedness Workgroup, comprised of subject matter experts and others having diverse perspectives to draft and build consensus around proposed guidelines.
Over the past year, QALC’s Emergency Preparedness Workgroup—comprised of industry experts—has worked diligently to craft these guidelines. Now, we’re seeking your feedback to ensure the final version reflects best practices and meets the needs of our communities.
Here’s what you need to know:
- We encourage you and your staff to review the Guidelines and provide written feedback using the comment form.
- The current deadline to submit comments is August 31, 2025.
Like the Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines released in November 2024, this document recommends appointing an Emergency Preparedness Leader and establishing a clear Emergency Preparedness Plan. It includes detailed considerations to help community leaders develop or enhance their plans while aligning with effective, real-world practices already in use.
Why This matters:
QALC’s goal is to build consensus around existing, effective practices—minimizing the need for additional regulatory requirements while supporting the safety and well-being of residents and staff. These guidelines are also being shared with the National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA), which is engaging with state regulators to help inform future policy discussions.
Your feedback is essential to shaping guidelines that work for providers, residents, families, and the public.
How to Participate:
- Download the proposed Guidelines here.
- Submit your feedback using the comment form.
- Share this opportunity with your team—especially those responsible for emergency planning.
If you have any questions about the process or the document, please reach out to John Schulte, VP of Quality Improvement, at [email protected] or call (703) 298-4567.
Thank you for helping strengthen emergency preparedness across senior living.
