The Not-For-Profit Difference

Not-for-profit providers of care and services are leading the way in innovative and consumer-based options to help seniors stay at home, meet new people, take part in activities, and, most importantly, live an enriching and fulfilling life.

As not-for-profits, they are driven by a higher moral purpose, not by the bottom line on their balance sheets. Their mission-driven approach means that they prioritize quality of life programming to help older persons not only age safely, but do so in the place they call home, with the most innovative care and services, and with the utmost dignity. The main focus of a not-for-profit organization is not to create revenue, but to create better options for the people they serve. The true bottom line is not an annual profit/loss statement, but resident satisfaction.

Innovation

Not-for-profit long term care providers are becoming increasingly innovative
​and turning to advances in technology to help consumers ‘age in place’.

Quality

  • Not-for-profit providers of aging services offer a commitment to quality that stems from a mission of service and a history of compassion.
  • A major study of nursing home quality in the U.S. and Canada found that not-for-profits consistently delivered better outcomes in four key areas relating to quality:
    • More or higher quality of staffing.
    • Lower prevalence of pressure ulcers.
    • Lower prevalence of restraints.
    • Fewer government citations for deficiencies.
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Commitment

  • As part of its mission, a not-for-profit organization recognizes that staff satisfaction and commitment are related to sufficient numbers of staff, fair wages and benefits, work flexibility when needed, continuing education/growth opportunities and an environment of respect.

Compassion

  • Not-for-profit organizations offer residents the assurance of knowing they can have lifelong access to living arrangements and services should they outlive their financial resources through no fault of their own.

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Improvement

  • Not-for-profit organizations are committed to innovation and continuous quality improvement, with a goal of improving the entire field of aging services. They tailor housing, health care and community services to address unmet needs within our communities.
  • Not-for-profit organizations have been at the forefront of improving services for older persons, pioneering the introduction of new options such as “small house” nursing centers. Not-for-profits also have been driving important reforms, including reductions in the use of restraints and psychotropic drugs in nursing centers.