Byron Health Center in Fort Wayne, IN, addresses the needs of individuals with complex medical conditions through a range of Medicaid-funded care and services. This session will highlight how the community has engaged local young people in its volunteer program and enrolled high school students in a work-based learning initiative to help them explore careers in aging services. Two Byron executives will describe how these young volunteers work alongside residents aged 20 to 98 who live with dementia, traumatic brain injuries, severe and chronic mental illnesses, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. They will explain how they train young people, the lessons learned, and their plans for the future.

Older adults living in subsidized housing have a greater risk of hospitalization and costly nursing care utilization compared to their peers in the community. This session will introduce you to three affordable housing communities working to change these outcomes. Presenters will outline their strategies for improving resident health and well-being, which include establishing a multi-physician medical clinic to address the needs of residents and non-residents, aligning housing-based health programs with the eight dimensions of wellness, and using technology to connect healthcare providers and clients of a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). You’ll gain tips for establishing housing-based programs that save healthcare dollars while increasing health equity for older adults wishing to age well and in place.

*Closed to Press* Medicaid has been in the limelight during 2025, a year marked by significant policy debates and changes that will shape the priorities of state programs for years to come. This session will provide updates on federal Medicaid policy and how states are beginning to respond to recent changes. Presenters will also analyze the impact of federal Medicaid policy on providers across the aging services continuum. You’ll gain a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities you can expect to encounter as you work to sustain, expand, and enhance services for older adults.

Immanuel, a multi-site senior living provider based in Omaha, NE, operates independent living, assisted living, and memory support communities, in addition to three Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). This session will focus on how the organization developed a unique approach to managing care transitions in its PACE program and then applied that model to all its locations and campuses. Presenters will describe the service gaps that prompted Immanuel to establish the roles of a Care Transition Nurse Manager in its PACE programs and Care Navigator in its communities. You’ll learn how the care transitions initiative was developed and its impact on costs, staff satisfaction, and quality of life for residents and participants.

Villages are nonprofit, community-based, grassroots organizations created by caring individuals to help older neighbors age in their homes and communities. Villages offer social and educational programs, health and wellness activities, technology coaching, and volunteer assistance with transportation and light home maintenance. This session will explore how villages and life plan communities collaborate and the benefits their affiliation offers both entities. Join representatives from several life plan communities and the 300-member Village to Village Network to learn how partnerships with villages can enhance a life plan community’s mission and growth. You’ll also hear about evidence-based programs that have enriched these partnerships.

Are you looking for proven strategies to boost staff retention? Look no further than this session featuring leaders from Chelsea Jewish Lifecare in Chelsea, MA. Chief Executive Officer Barry Berman and Chief Operating Officer Betsy Mullen will discuss their organization’s impressive retention record: 25% of the employees have been with the organization for at least 10 years, nursing staff turnover is among the lowest in the state, and they haven’t relied on staffing agencies for 30 years. Presenters will share their keys to success, including an innovative onboarding process, ongoing communication, and staff appreciation initiatives. Join this session to learn easy-to-implement strategies for reducing vacancies, lowering turnover, and fostering a high-performing culture.

In 2023, Parker Health Group in Piscataway, NJ, asked family caregivers of clients enrolled in its adult day services program how the organization could better support them. The caregivers asked for solution-based information, available on demand, to help them fulfill their caregiving responsibilities. During this session, representatives from Parker and Trualta, an online platform for family caregivers, will describe how Parker responded by creating an educational learning platform, integrated with Trualta, that offers information, resources, programming, and services for caregivers and clients. Presenters will outline the initiative’s startup and implementation, staffing resources, operational considerations, and cost.

Good governance entails more than simply assembling a diverse group of board members with the skills and background necessary to advance your organization’s mission. It also requires organizational leaders to help board members fully grasp their fiduciary responsibilities. During this session, you’ll discover strategies for enhancing the financial acumen of board members, enabling them to develop a thorough understanding of your organization’s financial and operational health. This understanding will allow all board members to engage in strategic planning, participate in nuanced discussions about the ramifications of financial decisions, and make informed decisions. If your board is seeking ways to promote open, informed discussions that foster effective governance and accountability, this session is for you.

The Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Care Practice Recommendations offer 56 guidelines for professional care providers working with individuals living with dementia. This session will review the report’s recommendations, which are based on a comprehensive review of evidence, best practices, and expert opinions. Presenters will explore several programs across the country that are implementing practices to enhance the quality of care for residents living in residential care settings. You’ll get a close-up look at one coaching program that helps long-term care communities implement system-changing best practices in dementia care. Don’t miss this chance to explore the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from coaching initiatives in both urban and rural communities.

Are you managing multiple service lines across the continuum, or just curious about the broader policy landscape affecting aging services? This session is designed for you. The LeadingAge advocacy team will be on hand to review this year’s federal policy successes and challenges. You’ll gain a clear understanding of key federal legislative and regulatory changes impacting nursing homes, hospice, affordable housing, home health, adult day services, and Medicaid home and community-based services. You’ll also hear the latest updates on legal matters, workforce development, and Medicare Advantage. Don’t miss this opportunity to catch up on 2025’s policy news and prepare for the advocacy initiatives that are expected to emerge in 2026.

Hebrew SeniorLife developed the Right Care, Right Place, Right Time (R3) model to offer enhanced wellness services to older adults living in affordable housing. This session will focus on a partnership between Hebrew SeniorLife and Schochet, a property management company that implemented the R3 model. Presenters will outline the resources, organizational readiness, and leadership commitment necessary to become an R3 provider. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the significant impact your organization could have if it integrated housing and healthcare. Take home practical steps for engaging more frequently with residents about their health and well-being.

A collaborative Quality Incentive Payment program implemented by an Ohio-based aging services provider resulted in a $14 million increase in Medicaid reimbursements and a 70% improvement in quality measure points. Attend this session to learn how the organization achieved this remarkable feat. Presenters will discuss the critical need to align clinical and financial goals, especially now that federal and state programs increasingly tie funding to quality outcomes. They will provide an overview of federal and state quality-based payment programs and show you how improved quality outcomes can drive clinical excellence and financial sustainability. You’ll learn how to navigate quality-based payment programs, implement evidence-based performance improvements, and leverage facility-specific data to create positive changes.