ALEXANDRIA, Virginia & WASHINGTON—The Research Institute for Home Care (the Institute) and the National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) announced they have entered into an affiliation agreement. The companies said the agreement is "to strengthen and expand research efforts while further unifying the care at home movement." The agreement is effective immediately.
“We are thrilled to announce our affiliation with the Research Institute for Home Care," said Steve Landers, CEO of the Alliance. "The Institute’s more than decade-long commitment to rigorous research perfectly complements our mission. This affiliation strengthens our ability to further demonstrate that care at home is the preferred choice for patients and families and the highest-value option for our health care system.”
The Institute’s board of directors will continue to independently oversee its research agenda and initiatives. The Alliance will provide management support for the Institute’s operations. At the launch of the affiliation Landers will also serve as the president of the Institute. Jennifer Schiller, the former executive director of the Institute, has joined the Alliance leadership team and will continue to support Institute initiatives along with other Alliance leaders. Jennifer Sheets, founder and CEO of Carezzi, will remain the board chairman of the Institute.
The organizations say that the collaboration and amplification opportunities provided by this affiliation elevate and unify the care at home movement. The companies said the Alliance and Institute leadership will continue to invest in and focus on critical homecare and hospice industry research and data to inform effective policy, clinical practice and underscore the value of home-based care.
“This is an important milestone for the Institute that will amplify our research impact while preserving our integrity and academic rigor," said Sheets. "By joining forces with the Alliance, we ensure that evidence-based findings continue to inform policy and best practices that benefit patients, families, and the entire healthcare system."
“The timing of this affiliation reflects a shared recognition that care at home stands at a critical juncture," said Ken Albert, board chair for the Alliance. "By bringing together the Alliance’s resources with the Institute’s research expertise, we are better positioned to navigate today’s complex health care landscape and drive meaningful policy change. This partnership represents a strategic investment in the future of home-based care that will benefit providers, patients and policymakers alike."