2020
LeadingAge Accomplishments
In 2020 , the COVID-19 pandemic sparked unexpected challenges , but also brought new clarity and collaboration to our work . LeadingAge redoubled our efforts to help our members face this unprecedented challenge this year .
OUR COLLECTIVE VOICE
» Led the Act for Older Adults Campaign to fight for urgently needed COVID protections , calling on policymakers to take Five Essential Actions for older adults and care workers across the continuum .
» Influenced bipartisan COVID relief packages and other legislation with more than 200 meetings with LeadingAge members and members of Congress ; 2 national days of action , 30 + action alerts , and 51,000 + messages to Congress .
» Assisted and consulted with federal agencies , and implemented robust advocacy to ensure members received funding , support and guidance : $ 20 billion in Provider Relief Funds , $ 250 million in relief for HUD-assisted senior housing , NASEM nursing home quality study , and much more .
» Executed robust media efforts to ensure decision makers and the public had accurate information on COVID ’ s impact on members . Collaborated with members and state partners to field a record number of media inquiries that yielded hundreds of stories in outlets like The New York Times , The Wall Street Journal , CNN , Kaiser Health News , ABC News , NBC News , Politico , McKnight ’ s Long Term Care , and more .
MEMBER SUPPORT & EDUCATION
» Released new educational resources to help members during the pandemic . Thousands of individuals have accessed content on the Learning Hub , including QuickCasts , live virtual sessions , and training , including a basic care aide skill competency tool .
» Successfully transitioned the Leadership Academy ’ s 2020 program year to a virtual experience .
» Hosted regular Online Coronavirus Policy Update calls featuring LeadingAge members and experts in our field .
» Created a new COVID-19 Member Community group for members to share best practices , and a COVID-19 inbox to field member questions .
» Delivered daily editions of LeadingAge Need to Know to provide the latest COVID-19 information and resources .
» Curated offers from trusted businesses wanting to help members get through the coronavirus crisis , including safe , reliable supply channels for PPE .
» Convened a successful Virtual Collaborative Care & Health IT Innovation Summit .
» Delivered funding , PPE , and testing supplies to members through partnerships with FEMA and HHS .
TOOLS AND RESOURCES
» Launched the interactive online Pandemic Playbook of insight , wisdom , and best practices for serving older adults in a catastrophic health crisis .
» Provided extensive resources , articles , and tools on a special web page to help members deal with COVID-19 .
» Released 4 new CAST supporter case studies and updated selection tools for social connected and engagement technologies , electronic health records , health information exchange , and more .
» Curated Member Ideas and Inspiration stories , and launched a podcast series to share innovative members solutions to pandemic challenges .
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
» Launched a new research report , “ Making Care Work Pay ,” that outlines how a living wage for direct care workers can benefit care recipients , workers , and communities . This groundbreaking research captures the substantial benefits that would accrue throughout our economy .
» Launched the development of a Summer Enrichment Program designed to provide opportunities for diverse students to gain exposure to and leadership opportunities in older adult services within LeadingAge member communities .
» Partnered with major national employers to connect displaced workers from dining , retail , and hospitality with available jobs in aging services through the LeadingAge Career Center .
STRONGER TOGETHER
» Partnered with the Global Ageing Network to pay tribute to the elders we have lost worldwide to the coronavirus with a Day of Remembrance that resulted in hundreds of photos and more than 100,000 social media impressions .
» Worked with StoryCorps on toolkits to help aging services providers encourage older people to share their stories .
» Worked with the Urban Institute on a project to inform policy and practice on providing effective support to older adults living in public housing .
» Joined WeCare Connect , an employee engagement and management system designed by Wellspring Lutheran Services , to study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic .
» Completed a 2-year collaboration with TimeSlips to reduce ageist stereotypes and improve the next generation of workforce .
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