Event Registration

Assisted Living Summit 2026

Hybrid Format

This program will be offered in a hybrid format meaning you can attend in-person or virtually. Please use the registration buttons above or below to register for your preferred session.

Note: Registering for this hybrid event grants you live access only.

Program Description

With increasing tenant acuity, heightened regulatory scrutiny and a growing number of medication administration and abuse-related concerns, staying current has never been more important for assisted living leaders. IHCA’s Assisted Living Summit is a must-attend event for administrators, nurses and other key staff who want to stay ahead of Iowa’s latest regulatory and operational challenges.

Through four expert-led sessions on service plans, medication administration safety, level of care decisions and abuse trends, attendees will gain timely insights and practical strategies they can put to work immediately. If you are responsible for compliance, quality or day-to-day operations, this is an invaluable opportunity to learn what Iowa regulators are seeing and how to proactively strengthen your organization.

Location

BCG Education Center
Iowa Health Care Association
1775 90^th St.
West Des Moines, IA

Schedule

June 17, 2026
9:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.

8:45 – 9:15 a.m.                    Registration/Check-In
9:15 – 10:45 a.m.                   Strengthening Service Plans in Assisted Living
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.        Medication Administration Under the Microscope
12:00 – 12:30 p.m.                 Lunch (provided for in-person attendees)
12:30 – 2:00 p.m.                  Navigating Level of Care Decisions in Assisted Living
2:15 – 3:15 p.m.                      Recognizing Risk: Abuse Trends and Emerging Concerns in Assisted Living

Session Descriptions

Strengthening Service Plans in Assisted Living – Speaker: Amy Skelton

A well-developed service plan is essential to delivering person-centered care, supporting resident choice and demonstrating compliance with assisted living regulations. This session goes beyond the basics to explore common service plan gaps, documentation pitfalls and operational challenges facing today’s assisted living providers. Attendees will gain practical strategies to strengthen service planning processes, respond effectively to changes in resident needs and ensure service plans accurately reflect the care and services being provided.

Medication Administration Under the Microscope – Speaker: Julie Johnson

Recent Iowa survey activity has shown an increase in medication administration-related concerns in assisted living settings, making this a critical area of focus for providers. This session will examine common issues identified in recent Iowa assisted living survey reports, emerging risk areas, documentation expectations and practical strategies to help facilities strengthen medication safety practices, reduce errors and support regulatory compliance.

Navigating Level of Care Decisions in Assisted Living – Speaker: Brenda Irlbeck

As tenant needs become more complex, assisted living providers are increasingly challenged to determine when a resident’s needs can be safely and appropriately met within the assisted living setting. This session will review Iowa’s level of care requirements, factors to consider when evaluating tenants for admission and continued stay, and how to navigate through a level of care waiver. Attendees will gain practical guidance to support sound decision-making, regulatory compliance and resident safety while balancing resident choice and independence.

Recognizing Risk: Abuse Trends and Emerging Concerns in Assisted Living – Speaker: Linda Kellen

Abuse allegations and investigations in assisted living settings continue to present significant operational, regulatory and resident safety challenges. This session will explore emerging abuse trends in Iowa assisted living programs, common areas of concern identified through complaints and investigations, and practical strategies to help reduce risk, strengthen reporting processes and support a culture of resident protection and accountability.

Continuing Education Credit

This program is approved for 5.0 contact hours for:

• NF administrators
• Assisted living managers
• Nurses

Registration Fees

Members:     $150 per person
Non-members:         $450 per person

Speakers

Brenda Irlbeck, VP of Regulatory Affairs, Iowa Health Care Association
Julie Johnson, Nurse Consultant
Linda Kellen, Bureau Chief, Health and Safety Division, DIAL
Amy Skelton, Nurse Consultant, HealthCARE of Iowa

Sponsored by: