FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 6, 2006

MEDIA CONTACTS: Lisa Gelhaus, National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) at (202) 898-2825 or lgelhaus@ncal.org

CEAL Elects Officers For 2006

WASHINGTON, DC - The Center for Excellence in Assisted Living (CEAL), a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering high quality assisted living, announces its new slate of officers for the 2006 term.

The 11-member board unanimously elected the following as officers:

• Chair: Don Redfoot, senior policy advisor, AARP Public Policy Institute.
• Vice Chair: Jane Tilly, director, quality care advocacy, Alzheimer's Association.
• Secretary: Josh Allen, executive director, American Assisted Living Nurses Association.
• Treasurer: David Kyllo, executive director, National Center for Assisted Living.

CEAL seeks to foster access to high quality care in assisted living by bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to bridge and advance research, develop practice and public policy, promote evidence-based, quality practices and establish a national clearinghouse of information.

"Assisted living has had a major role in transforming the landscape of long-term care in America, a role that is likely to become more important in the future," said CEAL Chair Don Redfoot. "Consumers are looking for more choices for services. Policy decision-makers look for cost effective options for care. Providers are looking for models for offering higher quality services that honor privacy, dignity and choice. In such a time of change, the critical role of the Center for Excellence in Assisted Living in bringing all stakeholders together is all the more apparent. I am honored to be assuming the role of chairman during this important time for CEAL and for all those who are engaged with the future of assisted living."

CEAL is a coalition of organizations that include AARP, Alzheimer's Association, American Assisted Living Nurses Association, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, American Seniors Housing Association, Assisted Living Federation of America, Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living, National Center for Assisted Living, NCB Development Corporation, Paralyzed Veterans of America and Pioneer Network.