What Types of Accreditation Do Senior Living Facilities Pursue?

Getting older is a part of life and those who are seeking housing for elderly individuals often ask what types of accreditation do senior living facilities pursue. Older individuals and their family members want to ensure the best possible senior care is received when moving to assisted living and extended nursing care facilities. Accreditation is a voluntary designation that requires facilities to pass specific standards and qualifications. Accreditation is recognized as an entity that meets the highest standards in the industry.

About Senior Living Facilities

There are different types of senior living facilities depending on the needs of elderly individuals and their families. The options include continuing care retirement communities, skilled nursing centers, and assisted living facilities. Continuing care retirement communities offer a range of care within one campus. They offer a guarantee of housing, activities, and an increasing amount of care as needed for individuals as they progress through their older age. These facilities are divided into independent living options, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities.

Skilled nursing facilities used to be referred to as nursing homes and they provide the highest level of care in an institutional setting. They offer private and semi-private rooms and round the clock care for residents. Assisted living communities offer a structured apartment environment for individuals with varying care needs. The needs ranged from completely independent to needing help with activities of daily living.

Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

When seeking the answer to what types of accreditation do senior living facilities pursue, one of the major accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), which acquired the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission. CARF is a nonprofit organization that accredits continuing care retirement communities and related services that provide home, community, and hospital-based care. It strives to promote and maintain quality in senior living facilities. The CARF accreditation process begins with various steps, including the commitment of a senior living institution to provide optimal care to a diversity of elderly residents. The CARF has standards that have been developed over more than 50 years by international partners of service providers, policy makers, and family members. The standards have been submitted for public review to authenticate relevancy and make sure all interested stakeholders have input. The accreditation process involves self-evaluation that applies the standards against the practices of the entity. Then a rigorous peer review takes place that involves on-site surveys. Facilities must demonstrate ongoing adherence to the standards of the CARF by submitting yearly reports.

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is a nonprofit, independent entity that assesses the nursing center part of continuing care retirement communities. It excludes assisted living facilities. It strives to continuously improve health care facilities by assessing facilities and inspiring them to provide high-quality medical care that is safe and effective. It evaluates senior living facilities based on standards and national patient safety goals. It conducts on-site surveys of facilities to assess adherence to the standards and goals.

When parents and other members transition to senior living, family want to make sure they receive the best care. Finding reputable facilities in a high priority and searching for accredited options is essential for many individuals. To find a high-quality choice that meets the needs of particular individuals, it is essential to understand what types of accreditation do senior living facilities pursue.

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