The Senate Special Committee on Aging will host a roundtable discussion on the quality of life for assisted living residents Tuesday afternoon in Washington. It may be the first time in nearly a decade the committee will focus so heavily on the topic, providers said Thursday. The gathering, which is not a hearing proper, could be the biggest for assisted living stakeholders before the committee since The Assisted Living Workgroup presented its findings in 2003.

“Assisted Living at the Dawn of America’s ‘Age Wave’: What Have States Achieved and How is the Federal Role Evolving?” will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hart Senate Office Building. The panel will explore “the expanding role of assisted living and outline how our country can meet the needs of our ever-growing aging population,” according to a committee statement. Eighteen panelists have been invited, including multiple state and federal officials, representatives from the National Center for Assisted Living, AARP, the American Assisted Living Nurses Association, and more.

SNF Open Door Forum

On Thursday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services hosts its regular Skilled Nursing Facility/Long Term Care Open Door Forum conference call. CMS leaders will provide listeners, and attendees in Washington, with the latest regulatory updates, starting at 2 p.m. (Eastern). Sheila Lambowitz and Gregory Price of CMS will lead the hourlong event, which concludes with a Q&A session.

Those wishing to take part should call (800) 837-1935 at least 10 minutes before the start of the session. Refer to conference identification number 39103700 when prompted. To keep up to date with SNF/LTC Open Door Forum issues, visit the agency’s web site here.