Why Assisted Living Providers Choose Accreditation

Assisted living providers who pursue accreditation often share a range of insights about the process and its impact. Here is a summary of what they commonly report:

1. Improved Quality and Standards

   • Providers say accreditation helps them implement best practices and standardize care.

   • Accreditation is viewed as a roadmap to higher quality operations, not just a stamp of approval.

     
     

2. Credibility and Trust

   • Many providers report that families feel more confident choosing an accredited community.

   • Accreditation differentiates them in a competitive market and builds trust with hospitals and referral sources.

     
     

3. Staff Development and Morale

   • Staff feel proud to work in an accredited setting, which can boost morale and retention.

   • The accreditation process often includes training that helps staff grow professionally.

     
     

4. Risk Management and Compliance

   • Accreditation can uncover areas of risk and help providers stay ahead of regulatory trends.

   • It often leads to improved structures, processes, and outcome measures.

     
     

How do Assisted Living Providers Describe the Journey to Accreditation?

1. Thorough and Time-Intensive

   • Providers often describe the preparation phase as extensive. It involves a deep and wide gap analysis including both a clinical and operational focus.

   • The site survey or review can be intense but is described as collaborative.

     
     

2. Requires a Team Effort

   • Success depends on strong leadership and interdisciplinary involvement.

     
     

3. Highlights Strengths and Weaknesses

   • Accreditation helps providers identify gaps that need attention and validates strengths.

     
     

4. Accreditor Feedback Is Valuable

   • Providers appreciate the consultative approach and improvement focused guidance of the experience.

What Benefits do Assisted Living Providers Attribute to Accreditation?

1. Improved Resident Outcomes

   • Providers report improvements across the board.

     
     

2. Operational Improvements

   • Accreditation prompts revisions to emergency preparedness plans, medication management, and a wide range of resident care and service processes.

     
     

3. Marketing and Referrals

   • Accredited providers use their status in marketing materials and say it helps with educating families during prospecting and with physician and hospital referrals.

     
     

4. Insurance Discounts

   • While not guaranteed, providers report improved access to insurance discounts, especially with liability insurers who value risk mitigation efforts.

     
     

Accredited providers often share while the journey was not easy, the long-term payoff in reputation enhancement justifies the effort. Providers regularly point to a transformed company culture where the tone is set for a deeper and wider quality and safety focus as a permanent way of doing business.