Standards for Senior Living
The challenge: More people are living longer, needing more care, and expecting and deserving the best possible quality in senior living. As senior living grows, so do the risks of not meeting these needs. What action can both reduce these risks and advance quality?
Argentum’s solution: Voluntary industry standards. Our vision for the industry calls for taking prudent, positive steps to address operational issues that can directly impact the resident experience and quality of life as well as industry reputation, long-term growth, and profitability.
“Standards development activities are among the most common and most beneficial activities carried on by nonprofit organizations and associations.”
-Jerald Jacobs, Author, The Association Law Handbook
Argentum’s Approach
Since 2015, Argentum has pursued a path toward industry standards. Our pilot program showed the industry support for independent standards called for moving forward. In 2018, Argentum established the Senior Living Standards Commission. That same year, the group made the decision to pursue status as an accredited developer with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Using this approach ensures:
- Participation is open to all interested stakeholders;
- A balance of interests is sought;
- Consensus must be reached by representatives from materially affected and interested parties in an environment that is free from dominance by any party;
- Standards are required to undergo public reviews, during which any member of the public may comment; and
- There is an appeals process through the standards developer to address procedural concerns.
Additional Resources
A Collective Voice on Quality: Voluntary Industry Standards
This white paper provides information on the need for standards and definition of performance standards; and an enumeration of standards’ uses and benefits.
The Case for Industry-Led Standards Development
In this recorded webinar, learn how the senior living industry and its stakeholders are collaborating to address business issues through the development of industry standards.
“A standard is a documented agreement, established by a consensus of subject matter experts and approved by a recognized body, which provides rules, guidelines, or characteristics to ensure that materials, processes, and services are fit for their purpose.”
Uses and Benefits of Standards
Benefits of developing voluntary, consensus-based standards are many, but they include:
- Self-empowerment and avoiding inappropriate government regulation
- Senior living personnel, not outsiders, will be the subject matter experts developing standards
- We can address standards that will have the greatest beneficial impact first
- As the industry evolves, it is far easier to change a standard than a regulation
- Standards can effectively reduce insurance burdens
- The development process itself can bring the industry and stakeholders together with a collective voice
Using Accreditation to Evaluate Quality: A Primer on Senior Living Accreditation
Accreditation is a tool used by organizations to promote quality. As there are a number of accreditation options available, Argentum compiled a primer on senior living accreditation as a tool to help Argentum members sort through the options. Included is an overview on the uses of accreditation by organizations, consumers, and the public, as well as a set of criteria for those that may be considering accreditation for their communities.
Work Groups
Sign up using the form below to receive news and updates on the standards development process. For more information or to participate in Argentum’s quality initiatives, contact John Schulte at 571-527-2623 or jschulte@argentum.org.
