Be the Change You Want to See in Senior Living Regulation
August 20 | 1-2pm ET | AIA CE credits pending approval
Description
There are MAJOR changes afoot for The Facility Guidelines Institute’s Residential Document! This session will provide you with the information YOU need to influence meaningful change in regulation governing senior living environments. The Residential Guidelines have been adopted in full or in part in 30 different states as baseline requirements for the design and construction of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospice, adult daycare, wellness centers, residential substance abuse treatment facilities and IIDD residences (www.fgiguidelines.org). FGI has posted its draft of the 2026 FGI Code for Residential Care and Support Facilities for public comment. This session provides an opportunity to learn how to impact the final content prior to publication. We will review the nature of the proposed changes to the Residential document, introduce you to the FGI public comment platform, and walk you through the steps to submit your comments and opinions on the FGI website.
Learning Objectives
- Review the importance of public input on the 2026 FGI Code for Residential Care and Support Facilities
- Understand the breadth of changes included in the proposed draft document.
- Determine what information is useful in providing impactful public comment
- Understand how to submit your comments and opinions on the FGI website
Speakers
John Shoesmith, FAIA, NCARB, EDAC
John Shoesmith, a principal at Perkins Eastman, has focused his 30-year career on the planning, programming and architectural design of innovative senior living environments. An invited panelist at regional and national conferences, his senior living design work has been recognized through national design, best practice, and advocacy awards. John is an executive committee and steering committee member of the Facility Guidelines Institute and currently serves as AIA DFA representative and chair of FGI’s Residential Design Guidelines.
Addie Abushousheh, PhD, EDAC
Dr. Abushousheh is an organizational and environmental gerontologist and research associate for The Center for Health Design. With combined expertise in architecture, organizational development, gerontology and applied research, her work revolves around advancing comprehensive and translational agendas related to quality assessment and performance improvement for aging and dementia in the continuum of care. In addition to publishing and presenting regularly, Addie is a tri-chair for FGI’s Residential Design Guidelines, and Advisor to both Abacus Institute and the AIA Design for Aging Knowledge Community, maintains an adjunct faculty appointment at Kent State University, is a board member for the IDEAS Institute, and a member of the Moving Forward Coalition.
Gaius Nelson, RA, EDAC
Gaius Nelson is president of Nelson-Tremain Partnership, an architectural practice focused on serving the design needs of older people. In 1987 he pioneered the first household/neighborhood concept within a skilled nursing setting at Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh, WI. Throughout his professional practice he has worked to promote non-institutional, resident focused environments for living – through design, education, and policy advocacy. He is a frequent speaker at regional and national conferences and has served on numerous civic and industry committees. A 26-year member of the FGI Health Guidelines Revision Committee he currently serves as tri-chair of the Residential Design Guidelines.