American Seniors Housing Association joins CARF International’s IAC

ASHA and CARF share a commitment to advancing quality in aging services

The American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) is a membership organization advancing the interests of executives engaged in the finance, development, and operations of a full spectrum of services to older adults, including independent living; assisted living; memory care; and continuing care retirements communities (CCRCs), also known as life plan communities. Initially formed in 1991, as the Committee of the National Multifamily Housing Council, ASHA became a fully independent association in 2001 and is a trusted source promoting conferences, research, and advocacy across aging services.

ASHA has a number of initiatives that focus on advancing the senior living industry, including robust legislative efforts. ASHA has established one of the nation’s largest senior housing political action committees, and its legislative team works year-round with members of Congress, ensuring that the industry has a strong voice in policy matters and advocating for policies that will benefit senior housing residents and their families. Another important focus is on consumer education, including its one-of-a-kind retirement living resource, Where You Live Matters. 

ASHA’s involvement on the International Advisory Council (IAC) will bolster an already well-established partnership with CARF. CARF’s Managing Director of Aging Services Jed Johnson said, “CARF has a longstanding relationship with ASHA, having partnered on a number of significant projects, including the soon-to-be released Senior Living Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Toolkit. As a new member of the IAC, we value ASHA’s shared commitment to quality in support of older adults and their families.” 

“The CARF Board of Directors and CARF senior management team welcome ASHA as a participant in CARF’s International Advisory Council,” said Brian J. Boon, Ph.D., CARF President/CEO. “We are pleased to work with ASHA to sustain the quality of resident services provided by ASHA members via efforts of mutual benefit to our respective stakeholders.”

Members of the IAC provide valued input into CARF’s best-practice standards, often participating on an International Standards Advisory Committee (ISAC) convened in the early stages of standards development. Accordingly, a representative from ASHA will participate on CARF’s upcoming ISAC reviewing standards for residential communities in Aging Services to take place in May 2022. CARF looks forward to continuing its partnership with ASHA to advance quality services to seniors and their families.