1:45 – 3:00 p.m.

HCBS in Flux: Threats and Opportunities

Home and community-based services (HCBS) play a significant role in meeting the expectations of the large number of older consumers who want to remain in their homes and communities as they age. Medicaid support is essential to making HCBS services accessible to those who need them. However, the reworking of state Medicaid programs following the 2025 passage of H.R. 1 will reshape HCBS for LeadingAge members and their local communities. This session will take a closer look at the evolving HCBS landscape, including state-level HCBS policy innovation. Policymakers and HCBS experts will also discuss trends in service availability and payers for home care, adult day, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, and personal care.

1:45 – 3:00 p.m.

Peer Coaching in Action

By pairing individuals with similar roles or professional backgrounds, peer coaching programs foster trust, empathy, and shared understanding—creating stronger connections and more meaningful support. This collaborative approach not only supports skill development, but can also improve job satisfaction, strengthen retention, and reduce turnover. During this session, two aging services providers will discuss both the benefits and the realities of launching and sustaining these programs, including addressing financial constraints and securing leadership buy-in. They will also share how these programs have helped team members build stronger relationships, enhance their professional skills, and bring invaluable benefits to the communities they serve. You’ll take away insights and best practices for designing and implementing a peer coaching program in your organization.

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Elevating the Nonprofit Narrative in Communications and PR

As nonprofit organizations face growing scrutiny from federal policymakers and influential stakeholders, it’s more important than ever for LeadingAge’s nonprofit and mission-driven members to promote the value of the services and benefits they deliver to communities nationwide. This session can help. Through discussion of a messaging framework from the National Council of Nonprofits and by sharing examples of their own messaging and strategic communications that elevate the nonprofit difference, attendees will learn to effectively reach key audiences, including reporters, policymakers, and prospective residents. They’ll share strategic communications plans, talking points, interviewing techniques, and story development tips to help you illustrate how your nonprofit organization delivers critical services, drives economic growth, and strengthens communities. Learn how to cut through a noisy media landscape to ensure key points and compelling stories about your organization and the people you serve are heard.

1:45 – 3:00 p.m.

How Providers Are Supporting One Another Through Turbulent Times

During these turbulent economic times, some aging services organizations are facing financial strain, declining census, or other pressures that could threaten their sustainability. Fortunately, organizations don’t have to face these challenges alone—their colleagues across the country have their backs. This session will feature a group of senior living leaders who are providing a range of assistance—including strategic advice, financial guidance, and operational support—to help fellow providers navigate challenging circumstances and move their organizations toward long-term health. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear inspiring stories from leaders who are extending a hand to help other organizations preserve their nonprofit missions. You’ll learn how these leaders determine when and how to intervene, how they’ve helped, and what they’ve learned.

3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

What’s Next for Skilled Nursing?

Skilled nursing providers operate in an environment marked by constant change and undeniable pressures. Evolving reimbursement models, intensifying regulatory demands, workforce shortages, new care delivery models, and shifting consumer expectations make it immensely challenging to plan for the future while addressing current challenges. This session will feature a panel of LeadingAge members who are working to secure the future of their skilled nursing operations by leveraging strategic opportunities in the sector. They’ll show you how they responded to market pressures by shifting their priorities and making forward-looking decisions to ensure their skilled nursing operations remain viable, responsive, and positioned for the future.

3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

Micro-Credentialing: An Emerging Workforce Development Model

The aging services sector continually strives to deliver high-quality care despite acute shortages of certified nursing assistants (CNA) and other frontline caregivers. “Micro-credentialing” could help address that challenge. This emerging workforce development model enables direct care professionals to participate in short-term learning experiences, have their knowledge assessed by a trusted third party, and earn micro-credentials in various aspects of geriatrics-informed care. During this session, representatives from a university and a retirement community in Maine will describe their efforts to use micro-credentialing to help CNAs build knowledge and skills, gain recognition, advance in their careers, and potentially increase their wages. They’ll also explain how micro-credentialing can help provider organizations reduce turnover, improve quality metrics, and enhance residents’ quality of care and quality of life.

3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

The Transformative Power of Repositioning

Providers of aging services face a range of challenges as they seek to deliver high-quality services and supports to more older adults. Securing capital for new construction projects and land purchases is becoming increasingly expensive. Suitable land bordering or near existing campuses is increasingly scarce. As a result, most providers invest in repositioning and expanding capacity at existing campuses rather than building new ones. LeadingAge providers and their architects will offer insights to help you update your organization’s aging assets to meet the needs and preferences of new cohorts of older adults. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about transformational repositioning projects, reflect on their successes, and apply the lessons providers have learned along the way.

3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

What’s Next for Skilled Nursing?

Skilled nursing providers operate in an environment marked by constant change and undeniable pressures. Evolving reimbursement models, intensifying regulatory demands, workforce shortages, new care delivery models, and shifting consumer expectations make it immensely challenging to plan for the future while addressing current challenges. This session will feature a panel of LeadingAge members who are working to secure the future of their skilled nursing operations by leveraging strategic opportunities in the sector. They’ll show you how they responded to market pressures by shifting their priorities and making forward-looking decisions to ensure their skilled nursing operations remain viable, responsive, and positioned for the future.

3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

Generative AI: Change Agent in Aging Services

The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is accelerating across the aging services sector, often in unplanned ways through tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. To make the most of this innovation, organizational leaders must be intentional about how they introduce AI in their workplaces and care settings. This session will explore the benefits of AI, including its ability to reduce administrative burden and mental load, support scheduling and staffing analysis, test ideas, rethink workflows, and facilitate personalized care. Equally important, presenters will share essential strategies to help you mitigate risks related to AI-related privacy, data use, bias, and human oversight. Join us to learn how AI can help your organization build capacity, resilience, and sustainable progress—and how you can intentionally guide its adoption.

1:45 – 3:00 p.m.

Peer Coaching in Action

By pairing individuals with similar roles or professional backgrounds, peer coaching programs foster trust, empathy, and shared understanding—creating stronger connections and more meaningful support. This collaborative approach not only supports skill development, but can also improve job satisfaction, strengthen retention, and reduce turnover. During this session, two aging services providers will discuss both the benefits and the realities of launching and sustaining these programs, including addressing financial constraints and securing leadership buy-in. They will also share how these programs have helped team members build stronger relationships, enhance their professional skills, and bring invaluable benefits to the communities they serve. You’ll take away insights and best practices for designing and implementing a peer coaching program in your organization.

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Shaping the Future of Affordable Senior Housing

LeadingAge is working diligently to advance bold policy goals to preserve, expand, and enhance affordable housing for older adults. During this session, staff from congressional offices and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will discuss their goals for affordable senior housing. In addition, LeadingAge’s Policy Team will explore how those goals align with and diverge from LeadingAge’s platform to preserve, expand, and enhance service-enriched affordable housing for older adults. Don’t miss this opportunity to review funding, policy, and operational issues affecting affordable housing, including federal rental assistance programs, service coordination, and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. You’ll also gain tips for participating in advocacy that helps shape the future of affordable senior housing.

1:45 – 3:00 p.m.

How Providers Are Supporting One Another Through Turbulent Times

During these turbulent economic times, some aging services organizations are facing financial strain, declining census, or other pressures that could threaten their sustainability. Fortunately, organizations don’t have to face these challenges alone—their colleagues across the country have their backs. This session will feature a group of senior living leaders who are providing a range of assistance—including strategic advice, financial guidance, and operational support—to help fellow providers navigate challenging circumstances and move their organizations toward long-term health. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear inspiring stories from leaders who are extending a hand to help other organizations preserve their nonprofit missions. You’ll learn how these leaders determine when and how to intervene, how they’ve helped, and what they’ve learned.