4 minute read
The Next 10 Years
from ENGAGE Fall 2023
by ENGAGE_FSLA
A Message from our Board Chair
We were so excited to celebrate the association’s 10year anniversary during the ENGAGE 2023 conference in Boca Raton a couple of months ago. It was great seeing everyone and being engaged in the association’s educational sessions, fun events, and networking opportunities. I have been a board member with the Florida Senior Living Association (FSLA) for the past six years, and now, duly nominated to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. I am truly honored and privileged to serve the Best of the Best, FSLA’s members and board.
At our core, we are dedicated to creating a thriving and supportive environment where our residents can enjoy their golden years to the fullest. The well-being and comfort of each resident remains our top priorities, and our board is committed to upholding the highest standards of care and excellence.
As members of FSLA, your input and feedback are invaluable to us. We encourage open lines of communication and welcome your suggestions, ideas, and concerns. Together, we will shape the future of the Senior Living industry and ensure that it remains a place where every resident and employee feel respected, cherished, and empowered. Here’s to a future filled with happiness, health, and shared moments.
Now that FSLA has celebrated its 10th anniversary, it’s time to begin looking forward to the next 10 years and the potential opportunities Florida’s senior living communities will have to enhance residents’ experiences. We’re also already examining how FSLA can continue to lead the nation in advancements for senior living providers while providing the best community opportunities.
Florida’s population has the highest percentage of seniors in the nation. This will continue to increase, and by 2040 more than 25 percent of Florida’s population will be over the age of 65. This will result in a need for more than 230,000 ALF staff members, up more than 170,000 for current numbers.
Predictions for Senior Living in the Next 10 Years
Senior living communities must continue evolving to accommodate the changing preferences, needs, and abilities of the aging population, including more diverse living options, affordability, amenities, and activities to cater to different lifestyles, such as:
• Providing unique, custom, and health-conscious physical fitness programs; holistic well-being, mental well-being, and emotional support care plans;
• Eco-friendly designs;
• Telehealth and technological advances;
• Additional resident social connections with more personalized care and more access to natural settings;
• Flexible communities that cater to seniors who split their time between their homes and an assisted living community; and
• Increased access and affordability of communities to meet varying resident income and caregiving needs.
Continuous Growth and Adaptation for FSLA
Over the next 10 years, FSLA will continue to focus on the following for the industry and members we serve by:
• Elevating FSLA’s advocacy efforts and Political Action Committee to the next level. Through a larger collective voice, we will be able to more effectively influence policy decisions, collaborate with relevant stakeholders and amplify our impact on the issues that currently challenge our stability and future.
• Continuing growth in industrywide membership to deliver an expanded range of highquality services, fight emerging challenges from regulatory agencies and special-interest groups, provide comprehensive solutions, and increase the overall value to the industry.
• Increasing investments in workforce development, including training and retainment programs, and engaging and training foreign-born workers, retirees,
and collegiate/high school apprenticeships and partnerships.
• Increasing opportunities for education programs for all staff levels -further enabling our members to connect and network at the state and local levels.
• Providing ongoing communications to keep members informed about the latest trends, industry developments and regulatory changes that will impact their daily operations.
By implementing these strategies, FSLA will continue to effectively demonstrate value, build member trust and membership opportunities.
Additionally, long term sustainability for the association will create a more robust position, ensuring the longevity of our mission-driven work to continue fighting burdensome regulations and government overreach.
