NCAL: The Voice of Assisted Living
As the assisted living voice of the American Health Care Association (AHCA), the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) plays a critical role in shaping the senior care industry. By representing the assisted living community at the national level, NCAL ensures that the needs and interests of providers are heard by policymakers and regulators. This proactive engagement helps influence legislation, advocate for reasonable public policies, and protect the vitality of the long-term care profession.
Powerful Advocacy and Regulatory Guidance
NCAL's advocacy efforts are a cornerstone of its benefits, providing members with a collective and powerful voice. This includes involvement in grassroots programs and direct input on policy changes. NCAL also supports state affiliates, which offer localized advocacy and support to help providers navigate specific state-level regulations. By tracking and reporting on new regulations, NCAL helps members stay ahead of compliance changes and understand their impact on daily operations.
Advancing Quality Through Education and Initiatives
Another key area where NCAL provides significant value is through its focus on quality improvement and professional development. For any assisted living facility aiming for excellence, NCAL offers the tools and guidance to get there. This is evident in several key areas:
Comprehensive Educational Resources
NCAL provides a vast library of educational resources through its online learning platform, ahcancalED. These resources include:
- Webinars on a variety of industry-specific topics, often offering continuing education credits.
- Specialized training courses, such as the Infection Preventionist program, designed to equip staff with critical skills.
- Programs like Gero Nurse Prep, which improves the clinical knowledge of nurses in geriatric care, leading to higher retention and fewer survey deficiencies.
The National Quality Award Program
One of NCAL's most prestigious offerings is the National Quality Award Program, which provides a structured pathway for providers to achieve performance excellence. Based on the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, it includes three progressive levels:
- Bronze - Commitment to Quality: The first step, focusing on developing a systematic approach to quality improvement.
- Silver - Achievement in Quality: Requires a more detailed demonstration of superior performance and established systems.
- Gold - Excellence in Quality: The highest level, recognizing an organization that has demonstrated sustainable high performance.
Person-Centered Care Focus
NCAL emphasizes person-centered care, promoting a philosophy that respects individual resident preferences and maximizes their independence. Resources and guidance are available to help communities implement and measure person-centered strategies, which improves both resident quality of life and overall facility performance.
Cost Savings and Operational Support
For any business, controlling costs and improving efficiency are paramount. NCAL membership provides several benefits designed to do just that. Through exclusive partnerships and programs, members can realize significant savings.
Member Savings Programs
- Group Purchasing Organization (GPO): A partnership with Incite Strategic Partners offers members access to industry-leading prices on a wide range of products and services, from dining options to medical supplies.
- Insurance Discounts: Exclusive programs with partners like HealthCap provide discounts on professional and general liability insurance, which can lead to substantial savings.
- Training Discounts: Members receive exclusive pricing on numerous training programs and publications available through the
ahcancalEDplatform and AHCA/NCAL Bookstore.
| Benefit Area | NCAL Membership Advantage | Non-Member Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
| Advocacy | Access to influential national and state representation, regulatory input. | Limited ability to influence policy, relying on state-level actions alone. |
| Education | Discounted and exclusive access to ahcancalED courses and certifications. |
Higher costs for training, less access to specialized industry resources. |
| Quality | Structured pathway to performance excellence via Quality Awards Program. | No formal framework or recognition for performance excellence within NCAL's program. |
| Resources | Access to LTC Trend Tracker, exclusive publications, and policy tools. | Manual data collection, less access to benchmark data and regulatory mapping. |
| Cost Savings | Exclusive discounts on insurance, supplies, and services via partnerships. | Lack of group purchasing power, paying full price for many essential services. |
Powerful Networking and Data Tools
Membership also provides vital connections and data resources that strengthen operations. NCAL facilitates numerous conferences and networking events, allowing providers to build alliances and share best practices with peers from across the country. Access to a central hub of government data via the LTC Trend Tracker tool allows members to benchmark their performance against industry peers, identify areas for improvement, and drive strategic decision-making.
Workforce Development
In an industry facing staffing challenges, NCAL supports its members with crucial workforce development tools. This includes the LTC Career Center and specific programs designed to improve staff resiliency and retention. Resources like the How to Be a Nurse Assistant curriculum help cultivate a highly trained and competent workforce.
Conclusion: A Strategic Investment
NCAL membership is more than just a subscription; it is a strategic investment in the future of an assisted living community. By leveraging the organization's powerful advocacy, extensive educational offerings, comprehensive quality initiatives, valuable resources, and exclusive cost-saving programs, providers can significantly enhance their operations. This commitment ultimately leads to improved quality of care, stronger business performance, and a more resilient and prepared workforce. For any provider dedicated to excellence, the benefits of NCAL represent a critical pathway to success in a challenging and rewarding industry. You can learn more about NCAL's mission and benefits directly from the source by visiting the American Health Care Association (AHCA/NCAL).
