Quick Guide to AAHSA Quality First

There is no right or wrong way to engage in AAHSA Quality First, as long as you recognize that aging services can always be improved and that our goal is to earn public trust. Here are some tips to use on your journey.

Identify a Leader

• AAHSA members are most successful with Quality First when they designate a staff person, board member, or other person to lead the initiative.

Become Familiar with Quality First

• Review the materials on the AAHSA Quality First Web site, including: the AAHSA Quality First 10 Elements of Quality, the Self-Study, the Providers’ Checklist and the Housing Providers' Checklist.
• Introduce AAHSA Quality First to your staff leadership and governing board.

Make the Commitment to Quality First

• Sign the AAHSA Quality First Covenant. Send it to AAHSA to be listed on our Web site.

Apply Quality First to Your Organization

• Establish your Quality First committee (or use an appropriate existing committee) to conduct the Self-Study or the Checklist. The committee should include all key stakeholders, such as staff, residents, family members, community representatives, management and board of trustees. Identify the committee chair.
• Complete the Self-Study and/or Providers’ Checklist.

Develop a Plan Based on Your Self-Study/Checklist Results

• Review the Self-Study and/or Providers’ Checklist results; consider sharing them with your staff and Board.
• Celebrate what you are doing well! Share the good news with your staff, Board, residents/clients, media.
• Prioritize the Quality First Elements of Quality you want to improve.

Implement Your Plan with Resource Materials from AAHSA and others

• Identify tools and resources to assist your organization on our Web site, at conferences, from colleagues, etc.
• Visit the AAHSA Quality First Web site regularly.
• Nursing homes should consider working with the Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes campaign to help them improve quality of life for both nursing home residents and staff.

Make Quality First an Ongoing and Shared Process

• Each quarter, review your Self-Study/Providers’ Checklist. Determine if there have been any changes in the way your organization meets each Element of Quality.
• On an ongoing basis, provide information about your organization’s AAHSA Quality First progress to the people you serve and their families; your staff; your board; and the media.

Questions?

• See the Frequently Asked Questions on our Web site; ask your colleagues in other aging services organizations; many state associations can provide guidance about AAHSA Quality First.
• The Vice President of AAHSA Quality First is Bruce Rosenthal; contact brosenthal@aahsa.org or 202-508-9499.

NOTE: See the Step-by-Step Guide and Month-by-Month Guide on our Web site for more detailed action plans.