2023
Wednesday, December 18., 2023
LeadingAge Florida Announces Promotion of Kasey Anderson to Director of Administrative Services & Executive Support
LeadingAge Florida announced today the promotion of Kasey Anderson to the position of Director of Administrative Services & Executive Support. Ms. Anderson most recently served as the association's Executive Assistant.
“Kasey's creativity and persistence led to the development of some of our most successful new member programs in 2023," said Steve Bahmer, LeadingAge Florida President & CEO. “That creativity, coupled with her human resources experience and her mastery of the complexities of our Executive Office are essential as we enter a period of substantial growth. I look forward to the work she'll do in helping strengthen our association in her new role." Read More...
Thursday, December 14, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Promotes Nick Van Der Linden to Senior Director of Operations
LeadingAge Florida announced today the promotion and appointment of Nick Van Der Linden as the organization's Senior Director of Operations. Mr. Van Der Linden most recently served as the association's Director of Communications.
“Nick is a talented, accomplished professional who has substantially elevated our association’s brand over the last five years, and I look forward to the work he’ll do in helping drive our strategic initiatives forward in his new role," said Steve Bahmer, LeadingAge Florida President & CEO. "We are in a period of substantial growth, and Nick’s entrepreneurial attitude, leadership experience, and communications skills are perfectly suited to help guide us through this exciting time.” Read More...
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Urges CMS to Reconsider Proposed Staffing Standards
LeadingAge Florida, the state’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, announced today it submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) strongly urging them to reconsider and refrain from implementing the proposed minimum staffing standards for nursing homes.
LeadingAge Florida recognizes that staffing drives quality long-term care outcomes and has always been supportive of accountability and transparency. The proposed minimum staffing standards recently proposed by CMS however could have unintended consequences that adversely affect the quality of care provided to older adults. Read More...
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Honors Representative Persons-Mulicka as Legislator of the Year
LeadingAge Florida, the state’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, announced today it recognized Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka as Legislator of the Year.
Representative Persons-Mulicka was chosen for her extraordinary leadership and the significant role she played in passing CCRC legislative reform, a new law that will help ensure the future viability and financial strength of the Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) model in Florida. Read More...
Monday, August 7, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Announces Kiki Litchford as Director of Business and Professional Development
LeadingAge Florida, the state’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, announced today the hiring of Kiki Litchford as Director of Business and Professional Development.
In her role Ms. Litchford will be responsible for developing relationships with business members and driving participation in LeadingAge Florida’s exhibiting, sponsorship, and advertising opportunities. She will also be responsible for the creation and execution of professional development opportunities for LeadingAge Florida members. Read More...
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Announces Newly Elected Board of Trustees
LeadingAge Florida, Florida’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, is proud to announce the election of its new Board of Trustees and the installation of its new Board Chair.
Garry Hennis, Chief Operating Officer for Westminster Communities of Florida, took over as the association’s Board Chair during LeadingAge Florida’s 60th Annual Convention and Exposition in Orlando last week. Mr. Hennis succeeds Bruce Jones, CEO of Vicar’s Landing in Ponte Vedra Beach, whose leadership has been instrumental in guiding LeadingAge Florida through a transformative period of growth and advocacy. Read More...
Wednesday, July 19, 2025
LeadingAge Florida Recognizes the Best in Aging Services at Its 60th Annual Convention and Exposition
LeadingAge Florida, the state’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, recognized outstanding senior living communities, employees, and residents during its 60th Annual Convention and Exposition in Orlando. These prestigious awards recognize outstanding organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of aging services in Florida. The winners were honored for their dedication, innovation, and commitment to enhancing the lives of older adults. Read More...
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Applauds Governor for Enacting Continuing Care Provider Legislation
LeadingAge Florida, Florida’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, offered its appreciation today to Governor DeSantis for signing the Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) Legislation (CS/CS/HB 1573) into law. The new law will help ensure the future viability and financial strength of the CCRC model in Florida.
The legislation, championed by LeadingAge Florida, its members, and the Florida Life Care Resident’s Association, includes reforms that will benefit both senior living communities and the residents they serve. Read More...
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Expands Mission Into Alabama
LeadingAge Florida, Florida’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, announced today it has expanded into Alabama. The merger includes a new structure in which members of the LeadingAge Alabama association will now be members of LeadingAge Florida, and will benefit from the association’s 60 years of expertise and resources.
As part of the merger, LeadingAge Florida welcomes nearly 50 new senior living buildings that are home to almost 4,000 seniors. Each state association’s identity and brand recognition are critical to local advocacy and other efforts in their respective states, so both associations will retain their current names. Read More...
Friday, May 5, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Lauds Legislature for Continued Focus on Nursing Home Quality and Funding
LeadingAge Florida, Florida's only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, issued a statement following the release of the approved budget by lawmakers. The final budget includes increases for Medicaid nursing homes totaling $125 million in recurring funds. These funds are earmarked for a one percent across the board rate increase and an increase to the Quality Incentive Program Payment Pool.
LeadingAge Florida applauded the Legislature’s decision to direct funding to recognizing high quality nursing homes and providing inflationary increases that recognize the continuing growth in costs faced by nursing home providers.
The following statement is attributable to President and CEO Steve Bahmer.
“We are grateful to Senate President Passidomo, House Speaker Renner and the entire Legislature for their continued commitment and focus on nursing home funding, particularly with a focus on quality. Florida’s nursing homes offer among the best long-term care in the nation, and that care continues to improve because of our long-term care professionals. The allocation of this funding reinforces that the people caring for our nursing home residents are the most significant factor in the quality of care. We know the legislature is faced with a number of difficult decisions when finalizing the budget and we are grateful for their continued support."
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Members Earn Prestigious Gold Seal Award for Excellence
Four long-term care communities have been awarded the Governor's Gold Seal Award by the Executive Office of the Governor and the Agency for Healthcare Administration - three of which are LeadingAge Florida member communities.
“The Gold Seal honors the best of the best in nursing home care and is one of the most prestigious recognitions Florida’s nursing homes can receive,” said LeadingAge Florida President & CEO Steve Bahmer. “Earning this recognition requires a continuous commitment to excellence and to ensuring the highest quality of life for residents. We are proud to represent so many of the award recipients and congratulate them on their well-deserved recognition.” Read More...
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Applauds House Prioritization of LongTerm Care in Budget Proposal
LeadingAge Florida, Florida’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, issued a statement following the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee release of the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 committee budget proposal.
The following statement is attributable to President and CEO Steve Bahmer.
"We're grateful to the House leadership for their continued investment in long-term care and their recognition of the continually increasing costs in Florida's nursing homes.
We have always advocated for taxpayer dollars spent on Medicaid reimbursement for Florida nursing homes to result in the delivery of the highest possible quality of care for seniors.
Therefore, in conjunction with the new proposed funding for quality, we also support adjustments to the nursing home funding system that prioritize funding for direct care. Read More...
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Applauds Senate Prioritization of Long-Term Care in Budget Proposal
LeadingAge Florida, Florida’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, issued a statement following the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services release of the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 committee budget proposal.
The following statement is attributable to President and CEO Steve Bahmer.
"We're grateful to the Senate leadership for their continued investment in long-term care and their recognition of the continually increasing costs in Florida's nursing homes. Their proposal includes critical funding that will help ensure the highest quality care for Florida seniors.
In conjunction with the new proposed funding for quality, we also support adjustments to the nursing home funding system that prioritize funding for direct care. Read More...
Thursday, February 23, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Announces Kacie McCloud as Director of Accounting and Finance
LeadingAge Florida announced today the hiring of Kacie McCloud, CPA, as their Director of Accounting and Finance. Ms. McCloud will be responsible for maintaining the Association’s financial records, providing financial reporting, regulatory compliance, budgetary and strategic insight and analysis to the Association, assisting in the administration of community membership dues and accounting operations.
Ms. McCloud brings to LeadingAge Florida more than ten years of accounting knowledge and experience, with a specialization in nonprofit entities.
“I am thrilled Kacie has joined the Association,” said Steve Bahmer, LeadingAge Florida President and CEO. “She perfectly complements our already strong performance and service oriented culture, and her record of execution and results will further strengthen our team. Her strong communication, organization, technology and leadership skills make her the right choice to help us re-engineer and navigate existing and future processes and opportunities.” Read More...
Thursday, February 9, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Announces 2023 Legislative Priorities
LeadingAge Florida, Florida’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, announced its 2023 legislative priorities for senior living and long-term care today. Top priorities include modernization of the state’s Continuing Care/Life Plan Community (CCRC) law, Medicaid funding, solutions for the workforce shortage, and ongoing staffing issues.
Florida is consistently viewed as a national leader in the delivery of high-quality senior living, and CCRCs are an important option for Florida seniors. Florida’s CCRCs are also a major economic engine, supporting a workforce of nearly 18,000 employees with an estimated impact on Florida’s economy of $1.8 billion. LeadingAge Florida supports modernizing current law to simplify access to capital, support expansion among CCRCs, and reduce unnecessary reporting to ensure a healthy and vibrant senior living market for Florida’s future. Read More...
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Applauds Governor DeSantis for Continued Prioritization of Florida’s Seniors
LeadingAge Florida, Florida’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, issued a statement following the release of Governor DeSantis’ Framework for Freedom budget proposal.
The following statement is attributable to President and CEO Steve Bahmer.
“We’re appreciative of the Governor’s budget proposal that includes key funding to ensure the state’s most vulnerable population will continue to have access to the highest quality care, resources and services. The need for nurses to help continue providing that quality care is at an all-time high, and the Governor’s proposed investment in nursing education programs will be part of solving this multi-faceted problem. Furthermore, the demand for affordable senior housing dramatically outstrips the supply and older adults can spend as much as five years or more on a waiting list before housing becomes available. Fully funding the Sadowski Trust Fund is an important step in tackling this problem and we look forward to working closely with Senate President Passidomo and the Legislature on identifying solutions.” Read More...
Thursday, January 26, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Launches Women’s Leadership Network
LeadingAge Florida announced today the launch of its Women’s Leadership Network – an initiative aimed at bringing together women at every stage of leadership in senior living for professional development, education, mentoring, and support.
The Network is guided by a Steering Committee comprised of seven leaders at LeadingAge Florida member communities who will shape the Network’s mission and vision.
“We’re proud to establish this network to bring these leaders together for professional development, but also to help recruit and cultivate future female leaders in the workforce,” said Steve Bahmer, LeadingAge Florida President and CEO. Read More...
Friday, January 13, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Announces Magdalen Flynt as Director of Convention and Brand Experience
LeadingAge Florida announced today the promotion of Magdalen Flynt to Director of Convention and Brand Experience. In her new role Mrs. Flynt will be responsible for strategizing, managing and delivering all aspects of member experience at the association’s signature event, the Annual Convention.
“Magdalen has made significant contributions in elevating the LeadingAge Florida brand, from events to our office renovation,” said Steve Bahmer, LeadingAge Florida President and CEO. “She is extremely creative, resourceful and thorough. Her customer service skills and attention to detail are second to none and I’m excited for her to continue enhancing our members’ interactions with LeadingAge Florida.” Read More...
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
LeadingAge Florida Celebrates 60th Anniversary
2023 marks the 60th anniversary of LeadingAge Florida, the state’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for aging services. Originally established in 1963 as the Florida Association of Homes for the Aging, LeadingAge Florida was founded by mission-driven professionals with a commitment to improving care and services for older Floridians.
They recognized that their ability to shape public policy would be greatly enhanced by the creation of a statewide organization for like-minded individuals. The association has been committed to serving high-quality providers and their residents ever since. Read More...
