Florida Senior Living Association

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Last week the Florida Legislature completed its sixth and final interim committee week before the 2022 Legislative Session. Speculation is that the 2022 Legislation Session will likely be a “do no harm” type of session, with the majority of bandwidth focused on the every-ten-years-task of redistricting as well as… Read more

November 4, 2021 — The Florida Senior Living Association (FSLA) has sent a letter to the Florida Legislature, Governor Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis asking for an important update to the Florida law that criminalizes price gouging of essential goods during a declared… Read more

Some of us start looking for the best Independent bookstores as soon as we get to a new town. Just in case you’re a fellow bookworm, we’ve compiled a shortlist of some of Tampa’s best Indie bookstores. Oxford Exchange 420 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday;… Read more

This year’s Conference Fun Night is a party like you’ve never seen before… or at least haven’t seen in more than 30 years! Join us for a totally bodacious night of classic 80s tunes, entertainment, arcade games and more. Costumes are strongly encouraged, but if you find yourself in Tampa… Read more

This year, we’re excited to offer special opportunities for conference attendees to focus on their health and wellness. As additional programs are added, we’ll update everyone! Morning Runs Join us on Thursday and Friday mornings for a group run down iconic Bayshore Blvd. Run groups will meet at 6:30am in… Read more

Apply for the 2022 Scholarship! Justin Paul Brown, a long-serving board member of the Florida Senior Living Association, spent his career serving seniors and fostering growth of those who shared his passion and served alongside him in senior living.  Justin dedicated 16 years to the growth and development of front… Read more

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Senior Living Association (FSLA) and myCNAjobs, the nation’s largest career network for front-line healthcare workers, today announced a partnership to drive senior living career awareness and help Floridians get back to work via a Caregiver Certification and job placement program. Florida has one of the… Read more

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Senior Living Association (FSLA) today thanked Governor DeSantis for prioritizing the health and welfare of residents in long-term care facilities and urged state regulators to further clarify what information is included in the published list of long-term care facilities affected by COVID-19. The list is… Read more

Tallahassee, Fla. — “COVID-19 is coming, and it’s not a matter of if, but when,” is the message Florida Senior Living Association (FSLA) conveyed to its membership during a member-wide conference call earlier today. “Senior living communities are taking the COVID-19 virus very seriously and paying close attention as the… Read more

CS/CS/HB 767 Modernizes, Empowers and Strengthens Senior Living Florida Senior Living Association thanks the Florida Legislature for passing CS/CS/HB 767, Assisted Living Facilities. The bill was sponsored in the Florida House of Representatives by Rep. Michael Grant (R-75) and in the Senate by Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-25). The bill provides… Read more

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Senior Living Association (FSLA) today thanked the Florida Legislature for unanimously passing HB 767, which modernizes regulations for assisted living communities in Florida. The bill allows residents of assisted living and memory care communities to use assistive devices to help keep them mobile and independent.… Read more

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The Florida Senior Living Association (FSLA) Conference wrapped up last Friday and we were lucky enough to be able to attend. As with some of the other conferences we’ve been to, there were elements that were unique, as well as a few things that were consistent from trade show to… Read more

The Florida Senior Living Association (FSLA) presented a special set of awards during the 2019 Annual Senior Living Conference, held the week of July 15 in Ponte Vedra, Fla. at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa. Ali Wiggins, Director of Sales and Marketing for Guardian Pharmacy, was presented with… Read more

Ponte Vedra Beach and the surrounding areas are full of exciting adventures, opportunities to kick back and relax, and much more! Make your visit to St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach even more affordable with these free attractions and events. From admission to national parks (and a FORT!) to free… Read more

We want you to enjoy your time on Florida’s Historic Coast, and that means enjoying amazing food! We asked locals to recommend the best places to eat in the area for your information. Sawgrass Marriott Alice & Pete’s Pub 904.285.7777 1000 PGA TOUR Blvd Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Open… Read more

By Susan E. Anderson, Esq. FSLA Vice President of Public Policy & Legal Affairs Florida’s legislative session is complete for 2019.  By this time, you have heard about some of the big issues that passed such as smokable medical marijuana, felon voting rights restoration, disallowing sanctuary cities, arming teachers in… Read more

VERO BEACH, Fla. – April 25, 2019 – Harbor Retirement Associates (HRA), a senior living development and management company based in Vero Beach, announces that two of its Chefs, Anthony Polito and Ke’o Velasquez, recently received top marks at the first ever culinary competition during the 2019 Argentum Senior Living… Read more

SRI Management Selects Todd Filippone as Vice President of Operations and Finance TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 24, 2019) – SRI Management LLC, a highly personal, results-oriented senior living management company with more than 25 communities throughout the Southeast, announces the selection of Todd Filippone as its vice president of operations and… Read more

By Ellen Belk, CDP, National Director of Community Lifestyle & Memory Support at Milestone Retirement Communities For those who practice Mindfulness, living in the moment is about appreciating the here and now. It takes patience and a bit of training to be able to fully welcome the stillness of mind and… Read more

  Rich DeLong Announced as Executive Director of New Panama City Independent Living Community SRI Management LLC, one of the fastest growing privately held management companies in the Southeast, proudly announces the appointment of Rich DeLong as the new executive director of Seagrass Village Panama City Beach Independent Living. Encompassing 128… Read more

Submitted by Julie Rupenski, President & CEO, MedBest With unemployment at a 30-year low and a job market that is candidate-driven, your Senior Living organization is facing tough competition when hiring new employees. Gone are the days of interviewing and hiring at a snail’s pace. Speed in hiring is now… Read more

Eight HRA communities recognized by Pinnacle Quality Insight VERO BEACH, Fla., – March 28, 2019 – Harbor Retirement Associates (HRA), a regional senior living development and operating company based in Vero Beach, announces that eight of their communities have received Pinnacle Quality Insight’s 2019 Customer Experience Award™ in several categories.… Read more

The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that the Office of the Federal Register has published the Department’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would make more than a million more American workers eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The official publication in the Federal Register marks… Read more

By  STEPHANIE COLOMBINI   March 22, 2019 8:12 am Smokable marijuana is already available for patients at some dispensaries just days after Gov. Ron DeSantis legalized its use. But the new law still requires the state to craft rules about how to obtain it. Under Senate Bill 182, the Florida Board of… Read more

By  DARA KAM NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA  February 27, 2019 -9:00 am (This is part of a series of stories advancing the 2019 legislative session) Baby steps. Florida policymakers readily admit that’s the approach they’ve taken when it comes to dealing with pot, both before and after voters overwhelmingly approved… Read more

By  JIM SAUNDERS NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA  February 26, 2019 NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Former Gov. Rick Scott is pictured addressing the Legislature in this file photo. Gov. Ron DeSantis will deliver his first State of the State address on March 5. Florida lawmakers will gather March 5 in the… Read more

Florida Senior Living Association is proud to recognize three Five Star communities for receiving the J.D. Power Senior Living Certification. The three Florida communities include Five Star Premier Residences of Hollywood; Five Star Premier Residences of Boca Raton; and The Horizon Club in Deerfield Beach. Congratulations to all of the… Read more

By  DARA KAM NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA February 6, 2019  In the first major demonstration of an ideological shift on the revamped Florida Supreme Court, justices Tuesday refused to consider an appeal in a Miami Beach minimum-wage lawsuit that a former liberal-leaning majority of the court had scheduled to hear… Read more

Department of Elder Affairs Approves Process for Additional Extension of Generator Implementation Date Past January 1, 2019 Did you file a petition for variance from rule 58A-5.036, Emergency Environmental Control for Assisted Living Facilities, with the Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) requesting approval of an implementation date past January 1,… Read more

By: Julie Rupenski, President & Founder, MedBest As a Hiring Manager for a senior living organization, if you’re not regularly assessing the strength of your hiring process, 2019 is the year to start. In a candidate-driven market, you need to make a conscious effort to find new ways to attract… Read more

Claire Wentz caringfromafar.com claire@caringfromafar.com Most of us need assistance as we age. It’s quite common for seniors to face a variety of challenges, such as financial problems, medical issues, loneliness, mobility limitations, and mistreatment. Although many seniors function just fine on their own, a little help from supportive loved ones… Read more

What’s in store for 2019 when it comes to the Senior Living Industry and talent? Here are 7 talent trends that will help to shape the workforce in the New Year: -Succession Planning Remains Top of Mind. We’re facing a C-Suite mass exodus.  In fact, a 2018 survey sponsored by LeadingAge … Read more

Tampa, Florida-MedBest, Senior Living Executive Search Firm, is pleased to announce that Ashley Lodi, a former Executive Director at a multi-site senior living organization, has joined the company as a Senior Executive Recruiter.  In her new role, Lodi is a vital link between MedBest clients and job candidates. “Ashley is… Read more

On August 30, 2018, Florida Senior Living Association (FSLA) received the final order from the Division of Administrative Hearings on its challenge to many of the rules for assisted living community operations found in Rule 58A-5, Florida Administrative Code. The administrative law judge determined 13 separate rule provisions were invalid.… Read more

There are several important regulatory deadlines coming up soon for our industry; please make sure you are planning for the following: (1) Quarterly progress reports for implementation of generators At this time, all assisted living providers either should have implemented an approved Emergency Power Plan or have been granted the… Read more

The Florida Senior Living Association (FSLA) today announced a significant win after receiving the ruling from the Division of Administrative Hearings on its challenge to recently enacted rules for assisted living community operations found in Rule 58A-5, Florida Administrative Code. The administrative law judge determined 14 separate rule provisions were… Read more

At its 2018 Senior Living Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, the FSLA hosted its first ever culinary competition, and the participants brought the heat! Out of six chefs, Anthony Polito of Harbor Retirement Associates (HRA) was crowned the winner and took the trophy back to the new HarborChase of Dr. Phillips in… Read more

The FSLA was honored to present Senator Denise Grimsley (R-Lake Placid) with our Legislator of the Year Award at the 2018 Senior Living Conference. For more than a decade, Senator Grimsley has been a dedicated public servant and has brought her expertise in health care to the Florida House and… Read more

The Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) has issued Emergency Rule12AER18-02, F.A.C. to provide a sales tax exemption for equipment used to generate emergency electric energy for nursing homes and assisted living communities. The sales tax exemption must be redeemed before September 23, 2018. If you have already purchased emergency electric energy equipment,… Read more

Florida’s legislative session is complete for 2018 and will not take place again until March 2019. The 2018 session was dominated by the tragic loss of life that occurred in the wake of Hurricane Irma and the shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School. The end of session produced legislation… Read more

From the Florida Department of Health, Division of Disease Control & Health Protection: Influenza activity levels are high across both the state and the nation. Florida is currently experiencing a moderately severe influenza season. Emergency department and urgent care center visits for adults aged 65 years and older for influenza-like illness increased… Read more

January 23, 2018: Governor Rick Scott announced today that the Florida Health Care Association, Florida Senior Living Association, LeadingAge Florida and the Florida Assisted Living Association have agreed to support the Governor’s rule to have emergency generators to power their air conditioning units during emergencies. These associations, which represent thousands… Read more

In September 2017, Florida Governor Rick Scott issued emergency rules requiring all nursing homes and assisted living facilities (ALFs) to install generators capable of powering air conditioning systems for 96 hours within 60 days, and required facilities to maintain sufficient fuel to run the generators for 96 hours onsite. Facilities… Read more

Florida Senior Living Association’s Legislative Advocacy Days is a great opportunity to learn the legislative process as well as to educate legislators about the effect of current proposed legislation on senior living in Florida. You will receive CEs for this event while networking with fellow executive directors, the FSLA Board,… Read more

The 2018 Florida Legislative Session is expected to be challenging and hectic considering the slew of emergency preparedness bills in addition to the normal bills we see that that could have a huge impact on senior living. Since the 2018 session starts on January 9, the Florida Senior Living Association… Read more

We’re excited to announce an important change at FL Argentum. As of today, we will be known as the Florida Senior Living Association. This name change will better reflect what we do and the people we serve throughout the state. Our mission is to serve professionally managed communities that provide choice,… Read more

Yesterday,  the Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) filed rule 58AER17-2 Variances from Emergency Rule 58AER17-1 – Procedures Regarding Emergency Environmental Control for Assisted Living Facilities. In explanation of the rule, DOEA stated, “58AER17-2 is a supplement to the Emergency Rule and outlines the rule variance process where, under extreme circumstances beyond a facility’s control,… Read more

AHCA and DOEA have provided a link to an updated Q&A document with answers to questions received, a Frequently Asked Questions document regarding requests for a waiver or variance of portions of the rule, and a NEW County Emergency Management Agency Q&A document. Links to the licensure web pages, as… Read more

Yesterday evening, we filed a petition with the First District Court of Appeal (DCA) to ask for a temporary injunction against the Governor’s Emergency Rule, 58AER17-1. This action is coordinated with our filing at the Division of Administrative Hearings to challenge the rule itself. Download a copy of the petition… Read more

This evening, AHCA and DOEA provided an updated to the Q&A document originally issued September 21st. They also created an FAQ document regarding Petitions for Variance or Waiver of an Agency Rule. These documents can be found on AHCA’s Assisted Living Facility webpage under Notices/Updates. While we support the Governor’s objective to provide generators for emergency… Read more

On September 16, Governor Rick Scott directed the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) to issue anemergency rule requiring assisted living communities and nursing homes to obtain emergency generator power and fuel to support and sustain operations for at least 96 hours… Read more

Most of you have probably heard about the Governor’s emergency rule requiring emergency generator power at assisted living facilities throughout the state. We understand many of you have questions, and we have reached out to the Governor and his agencies for clarification. We spoke with regulatory staff from the Agency for Health… Read more

We applaud Governor Scott and his staff for their efforts to keep seniors safe during Hurricane Irma. We also thank Justin Senior, Secretary, AHCA, Molly McKinstry, Deputy Secretary and their entire team for their extraordinary service and volunteer efforts. We would also like to congratulate every assisted living provider who worked diligently… Read more

A Notice of Emergency Rule, 58AER17-1 Procedures Regarding Emergency Environmental Control for Assisted Living Facilities, was filed today by the Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) at the direction of Governor Scott. A similar emergency rule was filed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) concerning nursing homes. The emergency… Read more