ALFA 2010 Leadership Forum Promotes Excellence in Senior Living

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA), representing senior living providers and the seniors and families they serve, today welcomed 125 senior living executives and leaders of allied companies serving the senior living industry to discuss topics defining the future of senior living in America.

“Senior living remains a dynamic, entrepreneurial field”

“Senior living remains a dynamic, entrepreneurial field,” said Rick Grimes, president and CEO of ALFA. “There is a lot of interest by senior living executives to find ways to better serve seniors and their families and collaborate with their staff to promote excellence at their companies. The ALFA 2010 Forum provided executives with an opportunity to share ideas, resolve complex issues and advance quality of life for seniors.”

The ALFA 2010 Senior Living Leadership Forum featured an intensive day of knowledge sharing, discussions and presentations in Alexandria, Virginia. The one day event included executives from leading ALFA member companies who each participated in topical executive roundtables and discussion groups to uncover new solutions to issues such as:

• Attracting and retaining more skilled employees to care for a growing number of seniors.
• Discussing the impact of economic conditions and what impact new government involvement in the economy could have on senior living
• Better serving seniors living longer and needing more diverse types of assistance
• Forming collaborative relationships with third party service providers such as hospices, rehab centers and pharmacies.
• Preparations for changes to employee benefits due to health care reform

Additionally, the ALFA President’s Council, a dedicated group of companies serving senior living providers, met to receive an update on the state of senior living, and discussed ways to assist ALFA in advancing a future for senior living that includes accessibility, choice, dignity and independence for all seniors.

At a luncheon, Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, spoke to the assembled ALFA members about the potential for a changed political landscape and how it could impact broad national issues, and as a result, senior living. Donohue went on to share some thoughts about the upcoming elections, and how important it is that government policies recognize the critical role business plays in driving the economy.

About The Assisted Living Federation of America

The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) is the largest national association exclusively dedicated to professionally managed assisted living communities and the seniors and families they serve. For more than 20 years, ALFA has worked to educate policymakers and consumers by advocating for choice, independence, dignity and quality of life for seniors--wherever they may choose to live. ALFA’s member-driven programs promote business and operational excellence through education, research, publications, professional networking and online tools designed to foster collaboration and innovation in the field of senior living. Visit ALFA’s Web site at www.alfa.org.