Orlando, FL — Today the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) welcomed 2,400 long term and post-acute care providers and 1,500 vendor partners to the Association’s 70th Annual Convention and Expo in Orlando, Florida.
AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson began this annual meeting by talking about his lifelong focus on caring for others.
“There are millions of caregivers across the country taking care of our very frail residents,” said Parkinson. “Many have no one else. Many have been given up on by everyone but us. And every day there are millions of acts of kindness that will never be written about. Data matters, and policy results matter. But our mission is about love.”
“We have been anticipating large growth in the senior population for several years and it’s becoming reality,” said Michael Wylie, AHCA Board Chair. “It is our responsibility to ensure our profession has the resources and the capability to continue improving lives by delivering solutions for quality care.”
The keynote address was delivered by Doris Kearns Goodwin, presidential historian and author of seven New York Times bestsellers, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning No Ordinary Time.
On Tuesday, the Association will honor long term and post-acute care providers who have been changing lives and making a difference in the profession through the National Quality Award Program. This year, more than 800 member centers and communities were recognized with a Quality Award, including 615 Bronze, 184 Silver and an elite group of five at the Gold level.
On Wednesday, convention attendees will hear from Closing General Session keynote speaker, Brad Montgomery. Montgomery is an author, blogger, and expert on the science of resiliency, wellness, leadership, and success. As an award-winning speaker, he has worked with clients in 50 states and on four continents. Montgomery teaches people how to use happiness to boost productivity, creativity, innovation and profits.
The 70th Annual AHCA/NCAL Convention will run through Wednesday, October 16.
ABOUT AHCA/NCAL
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 13,700 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit www.ahca.org or www.ncal.org.