The old era of long-term care is fading, as sure as the alms houses, widows and orphans homes, asylums and sanitariums of 150 years gave way to rest homes, nursing homes, high-rises and meals-on-wheels of the past 40 years.

A new language, reflective of an emerging but unclear new era, is breaking through. Home and community-based services, adult day care, continuing care, assisted living, active adult and other services. Even staff and trustee labels are changing. Years ago, many of our member ancestors were governed by "boards of managers," run by "matrons," and supported by custodians and janitors. We've always had nurses, they are a professional constant in long-term care.

Today, much of what we do sounds so corporate or clinical. Everybody is a "certified" something or other, an "executive" this or that or a "consulting" whatever. We have holding companies and subsidiaries and clinical outcomes and corporate compliance and forms to fill out and computer lingo and therapeutic protocols and formularies. Wow, the widows and orphans home has come a long way, baby!

But is all that transformation? These terms reflect today's business realities or Madison Avenue approaches, and they no doubt symbolize transformation over time, but it is essential that we understand what transformation really sounds like as we create the next badly needed era of aging services.

I visit a lot of members. I see a lot of fat dogs, bird cages and aquariums. But these symbols don't mean that the facility culture is transformed any more than a handicapped accessible ramp means an organization embraces people with physical challenges or an equal opportunity or housing logo means people of color are actually welcome to apply. An old Methodist preacher said once, "Sitting in a church on Sunday doesn't make you a Christian any more than sitting in a chicken house makes you a chicken."

Yet, I see, hear and feel genuine transformation occurring. What does it sound like?

Transformation sounds like this. All of these "sounds" come from member annual reports, newsletters or workshops. Just listen. Then, talk about these with your colleagues. The sounds of transformation.

Creating sanctuaries of well-being... (Trinity Continuing Care, Michigan)

Weaving the presence of children into the fabric of our daily life...When we touch the life of one, we touch the lives of many. (Isabella Geriatric Care Center, New York)

Changing lives and building community... (La Posada at Park Center, Arizona )

Creating services that enhance the entire lifespan... (Asbury Services, Maryland.)

Our mission is life care...Returning to the soul of our organization... (Jewish Home and Hospital Lifecare System, New York.)

...we know we're not just operating a business — we're engaged in ministry. We strive to bring glory to God through the excellence with which we serve... (Crista Senior Ministries, Washington)

Mercy Housing envisions a world where poverty is alleviated, communities are healthy and all people have the opportunity to develop their full potential... (Mercy Housing, Colorado)

Come live with us...We've bloomed! (Presbyterian Villages of Michigan, Michigan)

The Main Street Community Life Program — Elders Pursing Abundant Life... (Passavant, Pennsylvania)

Opening new doors... (Wexner Heritage Village, Ohio)

Unity Health System's primary purpose is to help people who are facing life challenges live with independence and dignity in whatever setting they choose... (Unity Center for Aging, New York)

Caring through the ages where we treat those we care for like we would treat our mother and father and treat our co-workers like we would treat our brothers and sisters, and treat our environment like it is our home... (St Elisabeth Community, Rhode Island)

Circle of Wellness that incorporates fitness, nutrition, spirituality, and health care into the core services and values of our community... (Seabury Lifecare Community, Connecticut)

Our seniors have a voice and it's time to listen... (Elderly Housing Development and Operations Corp., Florida)

Creating a human habitat where life evolves around contact with plants, animals, and children... (Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services, Ohio)

SCAN's mission is to find innovative ways to enhance senior's ability to manage their health and continue to control where and how they live. (Senior Care Action Network (SCAN), California)

Creating vital communities... (Greencroft, Indiana)

We care for the elderly in the spirit of humble service with love and respect until death. (Little Sisters of the Poor, Maryland)

The Little Sisters of the Poor and the Jewish Home and Hospital Lifecare System together summarize the transformational language of a past, present and future — returning to souls of our organizations, offering love and respect until death. Both of those organizations span several generations of transformation in our missions.

Look within your organizations for the emerging sounds of transformation. Remember that mission-driven organizations like ours have a unique, enduring responsibility to alleviate poverty, create healthy communities and create programs where all people can develop their full potential. Mercy Housing is right on target.

My next letter will reflect on what transformation sounds like to the people we serve. The one following that will share from the perspective of employees and volunteers.

Transformation. Our calling. That's what it sounds like.

William L. Minnix, Jr., D.Min.
President and CEO

AAHSA
2519 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington DC 20008