AAHSA FutureAge Sept/Oct 2010 - 35

David Smart: One hope of mine is that there will be closer collaboration between local hospitals, health care and government agencies and our organization. Collaboration can lead to increased knowledge about aging, how to utilize our scarce resources in the most efficient way possible, and most importantly, how we can enable our residents to live a high-quality life where they can reach their fullest potential. Sheila Brown: As an organization, we assimilate sociological knowledge on generational changes; we study the baby boomers, Generation X, Generation Y, etc., and will continue to do so. (Leadership thinking would say we are developing a vision.) It reminds me of a quote by Victor Frankl, who said, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” And if we challenge ourselves, change does not have drama. Jeremy Neely: I believe that ACTS Retirement-Life Communities and organizations like ours will be drastically different in the next decade. As we move into an era where information is instantly available, consumers will shop and select our products and services differently. Social networking and new technologies will be a common part of our business plans. As seniors become more involved with these technologies, consumers will look directly to our residents for information on our products. They will focus less on what we say about our-

selves versus what our current customers say about us. Pattye Sawyer: I believe the leadership in our organization and others like it around the country will be younger, more creative and more willing to take chances in the dismantling of the established medical model of care. I also believe our consumer base will be “younger,” more physically and intellectually active, more technologically savvy and more involved in their care planning, and that my organization’s Elder Care Services division (only three years old now) will be one of the most vital components of our care continuum as we work to engage our elders in the planning, implementation and maintenance of the programs and services they have told us they want. Jennifer Sinnott: I think there will be more of a blending of services offered by organizations. Perhaps larger facilities such as CCRCs will serve as the community hub, outreaching and providing services to the neighborhood. I believe organizations are going to need to offer a menu of services to consumers, whether living in their facility or in the community. I believe there also needs to be a way to meet the needs of middle-income individuals. Those that do not qualify for public assistance or have enough resources for assisted living are truly making those serious decisions between food and medicine.

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futureAge | September/October 2010

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AAHSA FutureAge Sept/Oct 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AAHSA FutureAge Sept/Oct 2010