3:45 – 5:15 p.m.

After the Staffing Mandate: The Future of the Nursing Workforce

Nursing home operators nationwide worry about how they will comply with the new staffing standard recently proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. If the mandate is approved, providers will have trouble paying an estimated $40.6 billion to hire additional nurses over the next 10 years. The daunting task of finding enough nurses to fill the required slots will be equally challenging. How will the new requirement impact our ongoing workforce crisis? Two LeadingAge workforce experts will answer that question as they examine how our sector can meet the challenges associated with growing the next generation of nurses in aging services. Take advantage of this opportunity to shape the solutions LeadingAge will bring to lawmakers as we strive for sustainable workforce solutions.

1:45 – 3:15 p.m.

How Technology Can Drive Change and Innovation in Your Organization

Technology is fast becoming a powerful catalyst for change and innovation across the field of aging services. Let presenters at this session introduce you to cutting-edge, emerging technologies that can help your organization increase quality of life and quality of care while transforming its digital processes and workflows. Technology experts will explore the transformational impact of artificial intelligence, robotics, and resident-facing devices and describe how these technologies can influence business models, operations, and resident interactions. Participants will learn how to harness technological advancements to drive efficiency, enhance the resident experience, and improve care. The session will also address critical factors you should consider when adopting these technologies.

3:45 – 5:15 p.m.

Embrace Change: Exploring New Approaches to Our Work

Professionals in the field of aging services have long anticipated the changing demographics of the older population and the evolving expectations of older consumers. Yet, many of us are still reluctant to embrace change and feel trapped in traditional models of services and supports. How can we expand our thinking and embrace new approaches, while also being mindful of our current operational challenges and financial limitations? This session will explore promising strategies to help you meet evolving consumer expectations. Presenters will help you consider ways you might address the many layers of diversity in your community and how new models could help you better serve residents of senior living communities and recipients of home-based services.

3:45 – 5:15 p.m.

Aligning a DEI Commitment with Faith-Based Values

There is no one-size-fits-all plan to guide aging services organizations as they strive to implement a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) among team members, residents, and clients. Such work isn’t easy for any organization. However, faith-based organizations may find it particularly challenging to undertake a DEI journey when their religious beliefs and values appear to conflict with specific DEI goals, such as the inclusion of LTBTQ team members and residents. During this session, religious leaders from LeadingAge member organizations will describe how they foster communities of inclusion and belonging while remaining true to their religious heritage. They’ll share their challenges and successes along the path to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

1:45 – 3:15 p.m.

Insights from Providers Serving the Middle Market

Many older adults find themselves caught in the middle. Their incomes are too high to qualify for subsidized housing and services but not high enough to afford assisted living or life plan communities. They are often shut out of senior housing options and could have difficulty paying for services and supports as they age. This session will kick off with research findings describing this population, followed by a panel of LeadingAge members trying to address housing and care needs among middle-market consumers. Panelists will offer guidance on defining your local market, educating prospective residents about their options, offering the right amenities, and deciding whether to develop rental or entry-fee products. Bring your questions to this session and prepare to be inspired to expand your mission to this underserved population.

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

15 Easy(ish) Ways to Retain Team Members

Faced with incredibly high turnover, many providers of aging services are focusing on staff retention as a primary solution to the workforce crisis. This session will use a u201cLeaders-in-Residenceu201d model to explore a variety of strategies for retaining team members and building a truly engaged workforce. Participants will be invited to enjoy a u201cspeed-datingu201d experience featuring subject matter experts stationed at 15 tables. Select five tables you’ll visit during the session and then start collecting tips in the areas that interest you. You’ll return home ready to implement a variety of innovative retention strategies, such as adopting new staffing models, establishing apprenticeship programs, helping team members set and meet personal and professional goals, and intentionally recognizing excellence in the workplace.

3:45 – 5:15 p.m.

Embrace Change: Exploring New Approaches to Our Work

Professionals in the field of aging services have long anticipated the changing demographics of the older population and the evolving expectations of older consumers. Yet, many of us are still reluctant to embrace change and feel trapped in traditional models of services and supports. How can we expand our thinking and embrace new approaches, while also being mindful of our current operational challenges and financial limitations? This session will explore promising strategies to help you meet evolving consumer expectations. Presenters will help you consider ways you might address the many layers of diversity in your community and how new models could help you better serve residents of senior living communities and recipients of home-based services.

1:45 – 3:15 p.m.

Policy Update: How States are Regulating Life Plan Communities

Regulatory oversight of life plan communities varies widely across the nation. Many states have adopted statutory language addressing such issues as financial reporting, reserve fund requirements, bankruptcy proceedings, consumer protections, and contract requirements for these communities. Twelve states still have no mechanism to regulate this complex and ever-evolving model. During this session, you’ll gain a high-level understanding of the regulatory language that state statutes share and the distinctive requirements that a few states enforce. Hear from executives at LeadingAge member organizations that are successfully operating life plan communities in a complex regulatory environment, and from leaders who are actively advocating to change their states’ regulatory language. You’ll leave this session with tools and resources to navigate regulatory issues facing your life plan community.

3:45 – 5:15 p.m.

Policy Update: Medicaid Support for Community-Based Services

Many older Americans want to remain in their homes and communities as they age. Home and community-based services (HCBS) play a significant role in meeting this consumer expectation. Medicaid support for HCBS is essential to making these services more widely available to those who need them. This session will explore how the Medicaid program supports HCBS for health-related social needs and how that support positions LeadingAge members to expand their impact in local communities. Hear from policymakers and HCBS experts about trends in service expansion and new opportunities in Medicaid-supported service lines, including home care, adult day, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, and personal care. Don’t miss this opportunity to get the latest information about Medicaid policy innovation across states.

3:45 – 5:15 p.m.

Embrace Change: Exploring New Approaches to Our Work

Professionals in the field of aging services have long anticipated the changing demographics of the older population and the evolving expectations of older consumers. Yet, many of us are still reluctant to embrace change and feel trapped in traditional models of services and supports. How can we expand our thinking and embrace new approaches, while also being mindful of our current operational challenges and financial limitations? This session will explore promising strategies to help you meet evolving consumer expectations. Presenters will help you consider ways you might address the many layers of diversity in your community and how new models could help you better serve residents of senior living communities and recipients of home-based services.

1:45 – 3:15 p.m.

How Technology Can Drive Change and Innovation in Your Organization

Technology is fast becoming a powerful catalyst for change and innovation across the field of aging services. Let presenters at this session introduce you to cutting-edge, emerging technologies that can help your organization increase quality of life and quality of care while transforming its digital processes and workflows. Technology experts will explore the transformational impact of artificial intelligence, robotics, and resident-facing devices and describe how these technologies can influence business models, operations, and resident interactions. Participants will learn how to harness technological advancements to drive efficiency, enhance the resident experience, and improve care. The session will also address critical factors you should consider when adopting these technologies.

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Policy Update: Pressing Issues in Affordable Housing

This wide-ranging session will prepare you for Lobby Day by offering updates on pressing issues facing affordable senior housing providers in 2024. Presenters will explain the housing issues on the minds of members of Congress and how congressional and administrative actions could impact nonprofit housing owners and managers. You’ll also gain an insider’s view of new programs and policy changes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and HUD’s priorities for the operation and overall health of its affordable senior housing portfolio. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about HUD funding opportunities, the agency’s implementation of the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act, and its support for services and service coordination in HUD-assisted housing.