Over four days in Chicago, as thousands of LeadingAge members converged on McCormick Place, almost 20 reporters joined the throng, attending keynotes and education sessions, asking questions of our mission-driven members to see and hear in person our sector’s issues, tensions, and community contributions.

Speaking at Annual Meeting 2023’s opening session, president and CEO Katie Smith Sloan reinforced the association’s commitment to supporting our nonprofit, mission-driven members, undaunted by today’s “volatile political environment,” McKnight’s Long Term Care News reported. “The … nonprofit sector matters … because contributing to the greater good matters,” she said. “Being driven by values matters. Aligning with others matters. Meeting unmet needs matters and building deep roots in our communities matters.”

Reporters took note of LeadingAge members’ expertise on a range of topics, from the future of senior living to best practices in employee security training. Also, federal policy issues dominated conversation throughout much of the conference. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) controversial proposed nursing home staffing mandate got center stage time on conference Day 2, which coincided with the Nov. 6 comment deadline. To be sure, policy in other settings also made headlines.

But perhaps the best good news of all: charmed by this year’s Annual Meeting ‘leave-behind,’ the LeadingAge tradition of creating a souvenir from members for each host city to commemorate time spent there, anchors at WLS-TV, Chicago’s leader in household viewing rankings, shared details of the community-crafted intergenerational mosaic seating area unveiled at the event.

“The goal here is to inspire more partnership between different generations,” said one. “And that’s what we like to see, right? What a beautiful partnership that is,” came the response. Created by 25 residents of Mather, a LeadingAge member in Wilmette, IL and seven youth volunteers, including members of Scout Troop 2 and local high school students, the project’s four rocking chairs and drum coffee table are now part of McCormick Place’s Public Art Collection.

Below, more standout coverage of LeadingAge’s 2023 Annual Meeting:

On Nursing Homes:

• Skilled Nursing News: Nursing Home Industry Floods CMS With Staggering 40K-Plus Comments on Staffing Proposal 11/6/2023
• McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Leaders ponder: Will 1-year delay save the day on staffing mandate? 11/7/2023
• McKnight’s Long-Term Care News CMS leader mum on staffing mandate, delivers ‘back to basics’ message 11/8/2023
• McKnight’s Senior Living May we recommend the chicken, or perhaps the fish? 11/9/2023

On Senior Living:

• WLS-TV (Chicago, IL) – ABC 7 Eyewitness News Scouts and Seniors Create Art for McCormick Place  11/8/2023
• McKnight’s Senior Living Future of senior living requires new blueprint: panel 11/8/2023

On Home Health, Hospice, and HCBS:

• Home Health Care News: Despite Increased HCBS Support, Providers In The Space Still Face Significant Obstacles 11/6/2023
• McKnight’s Home Care: Industry still in shock following release of home health final rule 11/7/2023
• Home Health Care News How CMS’ Goal To Enroll All Medicare Beneficiaries In ACOs Could Impact Home-Based Care Providers 11/7/2023
• McKnight’s Home Care  REACH ACOs are a worthwhile opportunity for post-acute providers, experts say 11/8/2023
• McKnight’s Home Care MedPAC to study hospice use among ESRD patients, other hot-button topics  11/102023

On Workforce:

• McKnight’s Long-Term Care News Younger SNF workers more likely to get out than ‘stick it out’ expert says. Here’s how to keep them 11/9/2023
• McKnight’s Senior Living ‘Epic’ workforce challenges can be addressed by short-term, mid-term and long-term solutions 11/10/2023

On Medicare Advantage:

• McKnight’s Long-Term Care News CMS proposal offers long-awaited fix for Medicare Advantage appeals 11/8/2023
• McKnight’s Long-Term Care News Amid cacophony of action, some happy noise on Medicare Advantage 11/8/2023
• Home Health Care News Where Providers Have Leverage In Negotiations With Medicare Advantage Plans 11/9/2023

On Technology:

• HealthTech Magazine: LeadingAge 2023: How Senior Care Organizations Can Reach Their Sustainability Goals 11/6/2023
• HealthTech Magazine LeadingAge23: Why Senior Care Orgs Need to Prioritize Employee Security Training 11/8/2023