Roughly 120 assisted living advocates convened in Washington D.C. Tuesday as part of the Assisted Living Federation of America’s annual federal “fly-in” day.

The initiative is part of ALFA’s continuing effort to educate policy makers on the importance of assisted living as a long-term care option, and the differences between assisted and skilled nursing care. Advocates held more than 470 meetings with senators, congressmen and staffers, according to a statement from ALFA. The number of participants in this year’s event was twice that of last year, organizers said.

The skilled nursing community shares many of the issues ALFA advocated for Tuesday. They include opposition to the Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act and the Employee Free Choice Act, as well as support for a national Silver Alert system to help locate wandering dementia residents.