A coalition of senior living and regulatory organizations has released new best practice guidelines for infection prevention and control (IPC) in assisted living communities. The Quality in Assisted Living Collaborative (QALC)—formed in 2023 by Argentum, LeadingAge, the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), the National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA), and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL)—developed the resource to create a more consistent approach nationwide.

The new guidelines were reviewed by regulators, physicians, consumer representatives, and providers, and call for each community to designate an IPC leader, maintain a written plan, provide staff training, use standard and transmission-based precautions, and prepare outbreak response protocols. The document is intended as a flexible resource that can be adapted to different settings.

Although NCAL participated in the collaboration, the group did not endorse the final guidelines. NCAL Executive Director LaShuan Bethea emphasized the importance of balancing infection prevention with individualized resident needs and the home-like environment central to assisted living. Other collaborative members—including Argentum, ASHA, and LeadingAge—underscored the guidelines’ role in strengthening resident safety while avoiding one-size-fits-all federal regulation.

The release marks a continuation of efforts dating back to 2020, when the sector began exploring collaborative standards following the COVID-19 pandemic. The QALC was established in part to prevent fragmented approaches and ensure providers and states have practical tools to guide quality care.

The new infection control and prevention guidelines are available for download on the Argentum, ASHA, LeadingAge, and NARA websites.