Sheryl Zimmerman

3 weeks ago | mcknightsseniorliving.com | Sheryl Zimmerman |Lois Bowers

Across the country, assisted living is regulated by states and categorized within 182 license classifications (45 primary license types, 71 subtypes and 66 designations), combined by regulators in 350 different ways. This heterogeneity and periodic quality of care concerns have at times spurred dialogue about whether it is time for the federal government to “step in” to promote quality and provide oversight in assisted living.

2 months ago | mcknightsseniorliving.com | Sheryl Zimmerman |Lois Bowers

More than 20 years ago, nearly 50 organizations representing providers, consumers, long-term care and healthcare professionals, regulators and accrediting bodies joined forces responsive to a hearing on assisted living convened by the US Senate Special Committee on Aging.

Oct 21, 2024 | mcknightsseniorliving.com | Sheryl Zimmerman |Lois Bowers

A defining characteristic of assisted living is the provision of person-centered services and policies promoting quality of life, privacy, choice, dignity, inclusion and independence. So why is it that those core principles of person-centeredness are not consistently applied to those who work in this setting?

Sep 3, 2024 | mcknightsseniorliving.com | Sheryl Zimmerman |Lois Bowers

The proliferation of differing and sometimes contradictory definitions of “assisted living” is confusing to consumers and leads to unnecessary variability when policy is being made and research is being conducted.

Jul 31, 2023 | caringfortheages.com | Sheryl Zimmerman

Dating back to the inception of Medicare and Medicaid in the United States, older adults who required health and supportive care beyond what could be provided in a private home had little choice other than to move to a nursing home. In the ensuing decades, numerous forces led to an evolution in residential care options.