Thought leaders and key stakeholders convened May 27th and 28th, 2020, to chart a path forward for North America’s senior living industry.
(VANCOUVER, BC) June 8, 2020 – Kristin Kutac Ward of Solvere Living and Solutions Advisors Group joined more than 160 industry thought leaders to provide guidance for communities throughout North America as they prepare to emerge from a period of quarantine and plan for a new post-COVID era.
Participants in the ICAA COVID-19 Senior Living Task Force included representatives of for-profit, not-for-profit, and affordable housing – organizations providing active-adult and independent living, continuing care retirement communities/life plan, assisted living, long-term care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation. Participating industry associations included, among others, LeadingAge, American Senior Housing Association (ASHA), Argentum, American Medical Directors Association (AMDA), Pioneer Network, National Council on Aging (NCOA), The National Association Directors of Nursing Administration in Long-Term Care (NADONA), and the American Society on Aging (ASA).
“As consultants and operators for all types of senior housing communities nationwide, I am excited to be working alongside thought-leaders in the industry to focus on the wellness of both residents and team members as we navigate community life post-COVID,” says Ward.
“The health, wellness and quality of life of our residents and staff are paramount as we chart a path forward in the midst of uncertainty,” said ICAA founder and CEO Colin Milner, who conceived the initiative. “The Task Force will generate and provide ideas, tactics, strategies and messaging suggestions that organizations can consider as they begin to plan for a new post-COVID era.”
Milner co-chaired the task force with Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, 17th US Surgeon General, Chief of Health Innovations, Canyon Ranch, and psychologist/gerontologist Ken Dychtwald, PhD, best-selling author, founder and CEO of Age Wave.
“Organizations need to make their way through the pandemic and have a game plan to come out of it,” Milner said. “Importantly, all key stakeholders are coming together as a group to address COVID-19’s impact on the industry and help ensure that organizations will continue to be viable and meet residents’ expectations and desires while also ensuring their safety now and into the future.”
Task force members and panelists at the May 27th and 28th launch sessions addressed fundamental issues such as social distancing and its impact on the built environment, infrastructure needs and engagement.
About the ICAA COVID-19 Senior Living Industry Task Force
ICAA COVID-19 Senior Living Industry Task Force will generate and provide ideas, tactics, strategies and messaging suggestions that organizations can consider as they begin to emerge from a period of quarantine and plan for a new post-COVID era. This includes, but is not limited to, the impact of the built and virtual environments, social activities and food/beverage services, technology, education and security that impacts the health and well-being of staff and residents; challenges to current and future business models; and approaches to build confidence in living in and visiting senior living properties.
About the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA)
www.icaa.cc
ICAA is a professional association that leads, connects and defines the active-aging industry and supports professionals who aspire to develop wellness cultures for adults over 50. This support includes creating wellness environments, programs and services. The association is focused on active aging-an approach to aging that helps older adults live life as fully as possible within all dimensions of wellness-and provides its members with education, information, resources and tools. As an active-aging educator and advocate, ICAA has advised numerous organizations and governmental bodies.
About Solvere Living and Solutions Advisors Group
www.solutionsadvisorsgroup.com
Solutions Advisors Group provides innovative solutions to the increasingly complex mature market. Melding the expertise and perspectives of Solutions Advisors, SA Digital and Solvere Living, Solutions Advisors Group is complete consulting and operations provider delivering marketing, branding, digital strategy and management results to senior living organizations nationwide.
Solvere Living combines all of our expertise – operations, marketing, finance, clinical – to bring both quality and profitability to senior living projects. Solvere offers solutions to owners and investors for both interim and long-term management, creative responses to all challenges and a disciplined approach to managing communities for solutions that increase efficiency and generate bottom-line results.
