Our organization is quality. Why should we participate in AAHSA Quality First?
Most aging-services providers are quality organizations. However, many stakeholders in aging services often do not put quality first. Congress and the state governments often put cost first. Federal and state health and housing agencies often put rules first. Some consumers even put punishment first. In the face of a doubting public, a critical media and a skeptical Congress, we need to declare our value as a field and distinguish ourselves as not-for-profit, aging-services providers.

Isn't Quality First "just another thing to do," something that will take more time and more money?
First, to be successful and meet the needs of the people we serve, all aging-services organizations must focus on continuous quality improvement. Quality First is a way to "raise the bar" to improve quality of life and care for residents and clients. Second, many AAHSA members integrate Quality First into what they are already doing. Some have said that Quality First has made it easier for everyone in their organization to understand quality, focus on quality improvement and attain improvements. Members have also said that their Quality First-related work has not cost them any additional time or money.

Why is it important to embrace Quality First now?
AAHSA members serve two million people every day through mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing the services people need, when they need them, in the place they call home. The families served should be certain that we are providing the highest quality of care and quality of life. Furthermore, markets, perceptions and the field of aging services are changing. It is important for all aging-services organizations to embrace a commitment to a public demonstration of quality. We can make a difference with our collective and public support for quality in aging services.

What does AAHSA mean by "quality improvement?"
Quality improvement is both a philosophy and a management method based on the belief that improvement is always possible. It ensures organizations gear their policies and practices at every level to the provision of quality care and services. Aging-services organizations achieve quality improvement by establishing processes that enable them to continually assess what they do and how they do it, whether it be monitoring a resident's or client's needs, training staff, or changing the culture of an organization. Staff at every level must be active in quality improvement; Quality First is not "somebody else's job."

Will participating in Quality First increase exposure to liability claims?
According to AAHSA's legal counsel, "The type of candid self-assessment and quality improvement process required under the Quality First program is a proven - and arguably the best - method for reducing liability on a long-term basis." However, no one can predict how courts and juries would view a particular defendant's participation in Quality First (or, for that matter, lack of participation). However, counsel pointed out that concerns about what courts may or may not do "should not cause AAHSA members not to execute the Quality First Covenant."

What are the tangible benefits of Quality First to my organization and the field of aging services?
Putting quality first is its own reward. For instance, here are some of the tangible benefits of Quality First, based on the 10 Elements of Quality:

1. Commitment - Publicly demonstrate your commitment to the people you serve.
2. Governance and Accountability - Develop a strategy to improve the management of your organization.
3. Leading-Edge Care and Services - Identify and implement better ways to improve quality of life and care for the people you serve.
4. Community Involvement - Solidify relationships with individuals and organizations in your community to increase understanding of and trust in your organization.
5. Continuous Quality Improvement - Create procedures to enhance quality on an ongoing basis.
6. Human Resources Development - Validate the important role of your staff and ensure their professional advancement.
7. Consumer-Friendly Information - Ensure that consumers can clearly understand your information about your organization.
8. Consumer Participation - Fulfill the needs of your residents/clients and their families by involving them in your organization.
9. Research Findings and Education - Reap the rewards of increasing knowledge about aging services and "giving back" to the field.
10. Public Trust and Consumer Confidence - Strengthen the public's trust of aging services and your organization.

How is AAHSA Quality First different from other accreditation, regulations and ratings for aging-services organizations?
Quality First is a self-guided process, based on a commitment to continually assess and improve quality in all aspects of operations, governance, care and services. Accreditation by an independent, third party is a mechanism that provides certification, through an onsite review, that an organization is adhering to specific standards.

Your organization can be involved with both accreditation and AAHSA Quality First. Some AAHSA members are actively involved in Quality First in preparation for accreditation. Some accredited organizations are actively involved in Quality First as a way of further advancing quality in their organizations.
Regulations and ratings are ways that external, often governmental, entities set standards and/or assess performance of aging-services providers.