Heart of the Matter Blog

Embarking on a new year as a member of LeadingAge PA opens the door to a wide range of benefits and a peer network of over 400 mission-driven providers of aging services. So how can you make the most of your membership in 2024? Here are some ways to make sure you, your organization, and your fellow team members are benefiting from all that a membership in LeadingAge PA has to offer.

At LeadingAge PA, our commitment to members goes beyond representation; it extends to empowering and equipping them with invaluable resources to thrive in today’s challenging landscape. Recognizing the importance of cost-saving measures, LeadingAge PA has created strategic partnerships to offer exclusive programs. These collaborations enable members to access unique services tailored to long-term care communities, fostering significant savings in critical operational areas.

There are a lot of big-picture worries keeping aging services providers up at night these days. When there’s not enough money, not enough workers, and more than enough regulations, it can be difficult to push forward some days. But day after day, caring professionals of all disciplines keep coming back to serve the older adults they’ve grown to love. Most of them have a “why” that drives their heartfelt dedication to this field.

This article originally appeared as an Op-Ed by LeadingAge PA member, Beth McMaster. Beth McMaster, NHA, is the president and CEO of United Church of Christ Homes in Camp Hill.

In a world that moves at a fast pace, there is something profoundly beautiful about celebrating the timeless and ageless aspects of life. The LeadingAge PA Ageless Art and Timeless Treasures Gala did just that, creating a heartwarming and inspiring event that brought nearly 200 guests together to view the incredible talents of artists living in member communities across the state.

A lot of people say that they “fell” into senior living. It’s less common for someone to choose this career path outright, and yet, time and time again we hear from individuals who found themselves in this field and never want to leave. They find purpose and community and know that this is a place where they can make a difference.

As aging services providers in pursuit of excellence, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS)’s Five-Star Quality Rating Reports can provide a roadmap toward achieving the highest levels of skilled nursing facility excellence, especially in the eyes of consumers and oversight agencies. The CMS Five-Star Quality Rating System reports for nursing facilities look at three important measures: health inspection, staffing, and quality measures. Let’s take a closer look at this rating system and explore what it means to reach for that fifth star.