Jed Johnson, CARF’s Managing Director of Aging Services, joins task force to lead senior living response to COVID-19

Industry thought leaders and key stakeholders convened on May 27 and 28 to chart a path forward for North America’s senior living industry.

CARF International’s Managing Director of Aging Services Jed Johnson, MSW, MBA, joined more than 160 industry thought leaders to provide guidance for communities throughout North America as they prepare to emerge from a period of quarantine and plan for a new post-COVID era.

Regarding his participation on the task force, Johnson said, “It is a privilege to collaborate with fellow industry leaders as we collectively address what will be our ‘new normal’ across senior living. The key areas being addressed in this ongoing dialogue mirror CARF accreditation themes such as a focus on person-centered care and the continuous improvement of both organizational management and service delivery.”

Participants on the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) COVID-19 Senior Living Task Force include representatives of for-profit, not-for-profit, and affordable housing organizations providing active-adult and independent living, continuing care retirement/life plan communities, assisted living, long-term care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation. Participating associations include LeadingAge, American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), Argentum, American Medical Directors Association (AMDA), Pioneer Network, National Council on Aging (NCOA), The National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care (NADONA), and American Society on Aging (ASA).

“The health, wellness, and quality of life of our residents and staff are paramount as we chart a path forward in the midst of uncertainty,” said ICAA Founder and CEO Colin Milner, who conceived the initiative. “The Task Force will generate and provide ideas, tactics, strategies, and messaging suggestions that organizations can consider as they begin to plan for a new post-COVID era.”

Milner is co-chairing the task force with Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, Chief of Health Innovations, Canyon Ranch, who also served as U.S. surgeon general, and psychologist/gerontologist Ken Dychtwald, PhD, Founder and CEO of Age Wave.

“Organizations need to make their way through the pandemic and have a game plan to come out of it,” Milner said. “Importantly, all key stakeholders are coming together as a group to address COVID-19’s impact on the industry, and help ensure that organizations will continue to be viable and meet residents’ expectations and desires while also ensuring their safety now and into the future.”

Task force members and panelists at the May 27 and 28 launch sessions addressed fundamental issues such as social distancing and its impact on the built environment, infrastructure needs, and engagement.

About the ICAA COVID-19 Senior Living Industry Task Force

ICAA COVID-19 Senior Living Industry Task Force will generate and provide ideas, tactics, strategies, and messaging suggestions that organizations can consider as they begin to emerge from a period of quarantine and plan for a new post-COVID era. This includes, but is not limited to, the impact of the built and virtual environments, social activities and food/beverage services, technology, education, and security that impacts the health and well-being of staff and residents; challenges to current and future business models; and approaches to build confidence in living in and visiting senior living properties.

About the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA)

ICAA is a professional association that leads, connects, and defines the active-aging industry and supports professionals who aspire to develop wellness cultures for adults over 50. This support includes creating wellness environments, programs, and services. The association is focused on active aging—an approach to aging that helps older adults live life as fully as possible within all dimensions of wellness—and provides its members with education, information, resources, and tools. As an active-aging educator and advocate, ICAA has advised numerous organizations and governmental bodies. For more information, visit www.icaa.cc.