LeadingAge Florida announced today the completion of its second merger since 2023, this time with LeadingAge Gulf States, bringing the organizations together to serve senior living providers across Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
The new regional association will continue to be headquartered in Tallahassee but operate under a new name and brand – LeadingAge Southeast.
“We are thrilled to welcome our newest members to the association,” said Steve Bahmer, LeadingAge Southeast President and CEO. “A growing population of older adults means a greater need for a robust portfolio of high-quality retirement options. Supporting those options and ensuring these older adults have the services and supports they need has been our legacy in Florida, and it will be our singular focus as LeadingAge Southeast as well.”
The combination of the senior living associations in the southeast will enable providers in all states to capitalize on the scope of LeadingAge Florida’s advocacy, education, communications, networking, group purchasing and other services that have been the staples of LeadingAge Florida’s service to members in the Sunshine State.
“The merger of our two associations represents an important opportunity to continue our strategy of mission amplification and to extend our service to providers and the older adults they serve,” said Garry Hennis, COO of Westminster Communities of Florida, and Chair of the LeadingAge Southeast Board of Trustees. “Senior living providers are pursuing affiliations to help providers continue to serve older adults through greater scale and resources, and associations are pursuing similar strategies for the same reasons. We are excited to welcome our new members from the neighboring states and extending to them the collaboration and support that are at the very heart of our mission.”
The Association is now comprised of nearly 350 mission-driven communities, representing more than 600 facilities across Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. More than 80,000 older adults live in LeadingAge Southeast member communities.
LeadingAge Florida will operate under a new name and brand – LeadingAge Southeast.
Established in 1963, LeadingAge Southeast is the premier association serving high-quality senior living providers across the continuum of care in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. The Association provides up-to-date regulatory information, a wide variety of educational opportunities, representation before state legislatures and government agencies, group purchasing services, and opportunities for networking with peers to help member communities best serve the needs of older adults.
