Did you know that by 2030 one out of every five people living in Indiana will be a senior citizen?
According to population projections released by the Indiana Business Research Center, this projected increase represents an unprecedented number of elderly individuals in the state.
As the assisted living industry manages the current and future increases in demand, Silver Birch Living President and CEO Jo Ellen Bleavins and her industry colleagues joined the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) during a congressional briefing in Washington.
During the visit, Bleavins met with several Indiana lawmakers and their staff, collaborating with them to support policies that would bolster the quality of care for seniors as they age.
Lawmakers that met with the delegation include:
- U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz
- U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan
- U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin
- U.S. Rep. Greg Pence
- U.S. Sen. Todd Young
Senator Young recognized the visit with a post on Twitter remarking about the challenges facing Indiana’s long-term care facilities as they provide Hoosiers with the help they need.
Bleavins said there were numerous productive conversations had with Indiana’s congressional leaders, and it was refreshing to see the level of knowledge and engagement for senior programs.
Assisted Living Industry Legislation
AHCA/NCAL is seeking support for Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long-Term Care Act. This bipartisan bill proposes a 3-year pilot program to provide eligible veterans with the option to move into an assisted living community and receive needed care and services.
Other important topics were about growing and sustaining assisted living industry’s workforce, including:
- Presenting how nursing home staffing minimum requirements through the Unfunded Staffing Mandate Proposal will not solve the healthcare labor crisis, but exaggerate it.
- Rallying support for Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act, which is a solution to ensure skilled nursing facilities meet quality standards without compromising the training and availability of certified nursing assistants.
- Encouraging support for immigration policies that help address the healthcare labor crisis, as well as advocating for the Building America’s Health Care Workforce Act.
“In healthcare, we all share in the same labor pool. The shortage of healthcare professionals impacts all providers. Most importantly, it impacts our ability to have staff to deliver quality care that our frail seniors need now. That’s important as we prepare for an influx of demand for elderly care in the very near future,” she added.
For Silver Birch Living, it’s imperative to participate in AHCA/NCAL to lead the national conversation about the assisted living industry and provide helpful expertise and perspective to elected officials.
Visit the website to learn more about AHCA/NCAL.