Standing with Seniors l Argentum

Our nation is rapidly aging, and our seniors need our help.

The U.S. population age 65 and older will grow from 55 million in 2020 to 80+ million by 2040.

More than two-thirds of people will need some form of long-term care in their lifetime, and two-in-five will need care for two or more years.

Medicare and Medicaid generally do not cover long-term care costs, which may exceed $100,000 per year.

There are not nearly enough caregivers to meet the growing needs of our seniors, more than 20 million workers are needed by 2040.

Explore Senior Living's Impact

Senior living professionals know the many benefits a community brings to those near it. Now, we can offer data that quantifies the widespread impact of senior living at the state and federal levels. Using this map, you can review the impact in your state and the states in which your company operates, and compare it to the impact at a national level.

Who We Are

Standing with Seniors is led by Argentum, the nation’s largest non-profit association representing senior living communities and their residents and caregivers. Senior living—comprised of assisted living, memory care, independent living, and continuing care communities—is a cost-effective long-term care (LTC) model, providing 24-hour care to nearly two million older Americans.

Senior living communities are not nursing homes. Senior living is a home and community-based option for seniors who no longer choose to live alone and require assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, eating, toileting, as well as personal and health care services. The residents who live in senior living communities average 85 years of age, with the majority having chronic health conditions.

What We Need

Workforce Development

Increase investments in workforce development to recruit, train and retain a diverse workforce.

Access & Affordability

Increase access and affordability of senior living so more Americans can plan and meet their caregiving needs.

Action Alert!

The U.S. Senate Aging Committee has asked for senior living residents and families to share their experiences. Tell your Senators why you love assisted living and what makes it so special.

Federal Legislative Solutions

H.R. 7605 | Safeguarding Elderly Needs for Innovation and Occupational Resources (SENIOR Act)
Bipartisan legislation to increase access and affordability of assisted living and address the industry’s workforce development needs, by helping lower-income seniors receive affordable care in assisted living through cost-reduction program, saving Medicaid money; and re-targeting existing HHS and DOL workforce training programs like Job Corps, American Job Centers and others to offer specializations in senior care.
Take action: Send a Letter of Support!
H.R. 6835 | Care Across Generations Act
Bipartisan legislation to help foster intergenerational connections through the establishment of a grant program for assisted living and all long-term care settings to: operate a qualified child care facility or contract with a qualified child care facility; coordinate multigenerational activities between the integrated qualified child care facility and long-term care facility; and build a new, or expand an existing long-term care facility operated by the eligible entity for any of these purposes.
Take action: Send a Letter of Support!
H.R. 1815 / S. 495 | Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act
Bipartisan legislation to create a three-year pilot program for eligible veterans to receive assisted living care paid for by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Current limitations on paying for assisted living room and board fees means many low-income veterans who participate in federal assistance programs have to pay for almost all assisted living costs out of pocket. This legislation would help more veterans access essential care and support through assisted living communities and provide an important alternative to skilled nursing facilities. A study by the VA finds that assisted living is less than half the cost of a skilled nursing facility ($51,600 vs $120,701), potentially saving the VA $69,101 per veteran each year.
Take action: Send a Letter of Support!

Help Us Tell Our Story

Decision makers in Washington, D.C. and in state capitals across the country want to hear from YOU because ONLY YOU can provide the best perspective about how issues impact your business, your employees and your residents. Telling our story about the value of assisted living, the impact on the lives of the seniors you serve and their families, is an opportunity for policymakers to hear directly from you, your employees and your residents, so they can better understand the challenges you face and see, firsthand, why strengthening the senior living model is so important to our nation’s aging population.

The Community Visits with Lawmakers Toolkit provides you with the tools you need to set up effective conversations with legislators at one of your communities. Learn valuable tips to host an effective visit.