This week, Alcomy had the privilege of attending the AALHA 2025 Spring Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. This event brought together assisted living community owners, administrators to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and best practices in the industry. The conference’s key themes revolved around compliance, leadership, staffing, and the future of senior care.
From insightful speakers to candid conversations with community leaders, one thing was clear: the assisted living industry is evolving, and staying ahead means being proactive. Here are our top five takeaways from the event.
1. ADLs and Care Plans Must Align—Or You Risk Citations
One of the most common reasons assisted living communities receive citations? A mismatch between a resident’s care plan and their actual Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
During a side conversation, an inspector at the conference emphasized that many communities fail to regularly update care plans, leading to compliance issues and, more importantly, inadequate care for residents. To avoid citations:
✅ Ensure care plans accurately reflect residents’ ADLs.
✅ Regularly review and update documentation.
✅ Train staff to recognize when a resident’s needs change.
By keeping care plans aligned with daily routines, communities can enhance resident well-being and stay in compliance with state regulations.
2. Be an Active Owner and Administrator in Your Community
Christine Ellis, Vice Mayor of Chandler, was the keynote speaker and left a lasting impression with a simple but crucial message: “If you’re going to run a senior living community, you need to be an active owner and administrator.”
What does this mean? It’s not enough to delegate and hope for the best. Successful community leaders:
✔️ Stay engaged in daily operations.
✔️ Build relationships with staff and residents.
✔️ Lead by example to foster a culture of excellence.
An involved leadership team creates a better work environment, higher-quality care, and improved resident satisfaction—all of which contribute to long-term success.These are the ones who have gone through the process of being certified and nobody is going to know more than them.
3. Hire for Compassion, Train for Skill
One of the biggest challenges in assisted living is hiring and retaining great caregivers. When asked, “How do I find good caregivers?” one speaker gave Christine Ellis gave an answer that resonated deeply:
👉 “Hire for compassion and teach skills.”
This means prioritizing:
💙 Empathy and kindness over experience.
📚 Training programs to build technical skills.
👥 A strong workplace culture to retain top talent.
Caregiving is a heart-centered profession, and the best communities understand that while skills can be taught, a caregiver’s genuine desire to help others is irreplaceable.
4. People Are Genuinely Excited About Alcomy—Because We’re Making a Difference
One of the most energizing moments at the conference was seeing real excitement for Alcomy’s platform.
There were countless conversations with assisted living owners and administrators who shared how our tools are:
✔️ Peace of mind
✔️ Less stress
✔️ More time for herself and family
Customers are reinforcing the industry trend : Alcomy isn’t just another software solution—it’s a game-changer for assisted living communities. Seeing this level of enthusiasm motivates us to keep innovating and delivering real value to the industry.
5. Good People Are Doing Hard Things—For the Right Reasons
Perhaps the most inspiring takeaway from the conference was this: The assisted living industry is filled with incredible people doing incredibly hard work—for the right reasons.
Owners, administrators, and caregivers face daily challenges, from staffing shortages to compliance hurdles. But at the heart of it all, they continue to show up because they care deeply about providing quality care.
This industry isn’t just about business—it’s about compassion, service, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Seeing so many dedicated professionals working toward this mission is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do at Alcomy.
Final Thoughts
The AALHA 2025 Spring Conference highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing assisted living communities today. From compliance best practices to hiring strategies and leadership principles, the insights shared at the event were invaluable.
Alcomy is committed to helping community owners and administrators navigate these challenges with confidence. If you attended the conference and want to continue the conversation, we’d love to connect.
Let’s keep working together to support those who care for others—because they deserve the best.
