Developed by Argentum, ASHA, LeadingAge, NCAL and NARA, Resource Provides IPC Recommendations for Assisted Living Sector
November 19, 2024 – Washington, DC The Quality in Assisted Living Collaborative (QALC) today releases Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for Assisted Living Communities, a new resource documenting recommended approaches on this important area for use by assisted living providers.
Created through the collaborative efforts of QALC members, including Argentum, the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), LeadingAge, the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), and the National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA), the IPC Guidelines offer users a comprehensive approach to follow in IPC planning and execution. Widespread adoption throughout the assisted living sector will ensure a consistent approach to IPC at communities nationwide.
Reviewed by a broad spectrum of experts, including state regulatory officials, physicians, consumer representatives and providers, the guidelines cover essential elements of IPC, such as establishing an IPC leader, creating an IPC plan that addresses key elements including staff training, standard precautions, transmission-based precautions, and more. Rather than take a
one-size-fits-all approach, this is a flexible resource that is intended to be adapted by users to meet the needs of the specific characteristics, needs, and challenges of their organizations.
All stakeholders, including assisted living providers, regulators, policymakers, and advocacy organizations, are encouraged to use the IPC Guidelines as a preferred resource. The guidelines are available for download from the following websites:
ASHA will be distributing the IPC Guidelines to members via email. Some NCAL state affiliates will also be making the IPC Guidelines available for download from their websites.
“As policymakers consider revising state infection protection and control regulations, it is critical that they have the best information available and the collective knowledge and experience of the senior living sector,” said Argentum President and CEO James Balda. “The
release of the guidelines is an important step in this process and I am very pleased and grateful to a diverse group of stakeholders that included senior living providers, subject matter experts, clinicians, resident advocates and regulators whose contributions were invaluable in producing this valuable resource.”
As noted by Dave Schless of ASHA, “Assisted living emerged as a viable option for older adults and their families who were looking for alternatives to institutional settings. These communities allow residents to receive help as needed, maintain their independence and live with dignity.
The QALC is working to ensure states and operators are equipped with best practices to ensure assisted living quality lives up to the high standards of those organizations who pioneered the assisted living movement over 30 years ago.”
“Comprehensive planning and execution of infection prevention and control policies is a critical component of quality care and safety in assisted living settings. Our involvement in this guide is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that our nonprofit and mission-driven members have the resources necessary to achieve high healthcare standards and protect the well-being of all older adults in senior living communities.”
Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO, LeadingAge, the association of nonprofit and mission- driven providers of aging services, including assisted living.
“The development of peer reviewed and evidence-based infection prevention and control best practices designed by assisted living regulators, providers, infection prevention and control experts, physicians, trade association and other stakeholders is a critical step in ensuring our sector continues to be positioned to provide the care, treatment and services to our citizens who choose assisted living,” said Alfred C. Johnson, Past President and Assisted Living Lead of NARA. “Furthermore, the development of these best practices demonstrates a commitment from regulators and providers to work collaboratively on efforts to improve the quality of carein assisted living.”
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ABOUT QALC
Launched in 2023, the Quality in Assisted Living Collaborative identifies, defines and develops model guidance for assisted living. Members include senior living associations Argentum, the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), LeadingAge, and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), as well as the National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA). The Collaborative’s resources will be available to aid and educate providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
ABOUT ARGENTUM
Argentum is the leading 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, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all older adults.
Argentum member companies operate senior living communities offering assisted living, independent living, continuing care, and memory care services. Along with its state partners,
Argentum’s membership represents approximately 75 percent of the senior living industry—an industry with a national economic impact of nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars and responsible for providing over 1.6 million jobs. For more information, visit www.argentum.org.
ABOUT ASHA
Based in Washington, DC, the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) advances the interests of organizations engaged in the development, ownership, operations, and financing of seniors housing. As part of this role, ASHA works to educate policymakers about the industry and protect the interests of seniors housing owners and operators, as well as advocating for policies that benefit its residents and their families. ASHA is also engaged in national consumer education initiatives designed to help older adults, families and other influencers understand their senior living options and make empowered decisions. For more information, visit www.ashaliving.org.
ABOUT LEADINGAGE
We represent more than 5,000 nonprofit aging services providers and other mission-minded organizations that touch millions of lives every day. Alongside our members and 38 state partners, we use applied research, advocacy, education, and community-building to make America a better place to grow old. Our membership encompasses the entire continuum of aging services, including skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, affordable housing, retirement communities, adult day programs, community-based services, hospice, home-based care. We bring together the most inventive minds in the field to lead and innovate solutions that support older adults wherever they call home. For more information visit www.leadingage.org.
ABOUT AHCA/NCAL
The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) is the assisted living voice of the American Health Care Association (AHCA). AHCA/NCAL represents more than 14,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers, and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit www.ahcancal.org or www.ncal.org.
ABOUT NARA
NARA is an international non-profit professional association founded in 1976 representing all human care licensing, including adult residential and assisted living, adult day care, childcare, child welfare and program licensing for services related to mental illness, developmental disabilities and abuse of drugs or alcohol. Among our partners are providers, consumers and their families, regulators, advocates, concerned citizens, business and religious communities, policymakers, universities, researchers, and allied professionals from the academic, technical and treatment disciplines. For additional information about NARA please visit www.naralicensing.org.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Argentum –Stephanie Robert, (571) 527-2624, [email protected]
ASHA – Sheff Richey, 202-885-5563, [email protected] LeadingAge – Lisa Sanders, (202) 508-9407, [email protected]
NCAL – Abigail Barreto, (202) 898-2802, [email protected]
NARA – Ivoire Foreman, (888) 674-7052, [email protected]
