About Us

Pioneer Network

Pioneer Network was formed in 1997 by a small group of prominent professionals in long-term care to advocate for person-directed care. This group called for a radical change in the culture of aging so that when our grandparents, parents — and ultimately ourselves — go to a nursing home or other community-based setting it is to thrive, not to decline.  This movement, away from institutional provider-driven models to more humane consumer-driven models that embrace flexibility and self-determination, has come to be known as the long-term care culture change movement.  Our partners and audience are primarily engaged in some aspect of long-term care including long-term care CEOs and administrators, consumers and family caregivers, doctors and nurses, direct care providers, and others who care about, and care for, the aging.

Pioneer Network is a center for all stakeholders in the field of aging and long term care whose focus is on providing home and community for elders. We believe that the quality of life and living for America's elders is rooted in a supportive community and cemented by relationships that respect each of us as individuals regardless of age, medical condition or limitations. 

Pioneer Network advocates for elders across the spectrum of living options (which are often dictated by differing levels of the medical care required); and is working towards a culture of aging that supports the care of elders in settings where individual voices are heard and individual choices are respected — whether it is in nursing homes, transitional care settings or wherever home and community may be.  Cultivating and maintaining a community of relationships is important at every phase of life, but especially critical for elders and the aging, many of whom may need a network of partners to live life to its fullest.


Over the past decade, Pioneer Network has achieved the following milestones:

• Coalesced support from individuals and care providers nationwide to change the culture of aging, embrace the values of the "culture change" movement, and to take affirmative steps to put these values into practice.
• Taken the lead nationally in creating, coordinating and sharing information and templates as a resource for organizations and individuals who are interested in promoting a new culture of aging and elder care.
• Provided leading-edge quality care information to policy makers and key actors at the national, state and local level.
• Presented a sound business case, based on scientific research among "early adopter" homes, which demonstrates that the implementation of culture change principles and practices has the potential to improve resident outcomes without inflicting detrimental costs on providers.
• Built a national support network for over 30 state coalitions dedicated to advancing culture change in their respective states.
• Created strategic partnerships with leading organizations including The Commonwealth Fund, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and The American Medical Directors Association to advance the goals of Pioneer Network and embed principles into practice.
• Working with The American Medical Directors Association, to help physicians incorporate principles of consumer-directed care into their medical practice in nursing homes by leading the development of explicit core competencies for resident-centered long-term care.
• Hosts a national conference that is a showcase for innovative thought and transformative practices in the long-term care culture change movement — as well as an opportunity to facilitate communication among people interested in propelling this important work.  The conference attracts participants from across the nation and has sold out the last three years.
  
  Pioneer Network, a 501c (3) not-for-profit organization based in Rochester, New York, is dedicated to making fundamental changes in values and practices to create a culture of aging that is life-affirming, satisfying, humane and meaningful. 
  
  Pioneer Network advocates for culture change in eldercare models from long-term nursing home care
  to short-term transitional care to community-based care to create homes that are consumer-driven and resident-directed. 
  
  To advance these goals, Pioneer Network supports public policy changes; supports research; collects and shares adaptable practices and procedures that put person before task; creates communication, networking and learning opportunities; coordinates with state coalitions; and hosts a national conference. 
  
  Pioneer Network embraces a social entrepreneurial philosophy, generating revenue from conferences, publications, and honoraria to cover operating expenses. Pioneer Network seeks foundation and corporate support for new ventures and specific projects.
  
  Board and Staff
  
  Mission, Vision and Values
  
  Major Funded Initiatives