The Joint Commission, formerly the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization, or JCAHO, is a private, non-profit organization. It accredits more than 17,000 health care organizations and programs throughout the United States.

If an organization or program receives accreditation from the Joint Commission or previously received it under JCAHO, they have met the standards that reflect the qualities that the Joint Commission has outlined for its accreditation. For hospitals or other health care service programs to be accredited, they need to subscribe for evaluations and pay a fee to the Commission. A majority of state governments have come to recognize Joint Commission accreditation as a condition of license and the receipt of Medicaid reimbursement. 

Founded in 1951 as the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospitals and later known familiarly as JCAHO, the Joint Commission is governed by 29 members on a board of directors. This committee includes doctors, nurses, administrators, health plan leaders, experts, ethicists and other medical service professionals. The Commission’s office in Washington D.C. directly deals with government agencies and with Congress in seeking and maintaining partnerships with the government that will improve the quality of health care for all Americans.

The Commission also works with Congress on legislation involving the quality and safety of health care. The goal herein is to continuously improve health care for the public, while working with stakeholders by evaluating health care organizations and motivating them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value to their patients. 

The Joint Commission provides accreditation services for the following types of organizations: 

         General, psychiatric, children’s and rehabilitation hospitals

         Critical access hospitals

         Home care organizations, including medical equipment services

         other long-term care

         Behavioral health care organizations, addiction services

         Ambulatory care providers, including group practices and office-based surgery practices

         Independent or freestanding clinical laboratories 

In order for these organizations to be accredited under what some people still know as “JCAHO standards,” they need to meet requirements established by the Commission. These standards address the scrutinized organization’s level of performance in key areas including patient rights, patient treatment, medication safety and infection control. By creating standards for organizations to meet, a higher level of performance in medical care is designed. Some positive aspects of “JCAHO accreditation”:  

         Strengthens community confidence in the quality and safety of care, treatment and services

         Provides organizations competitive edge in the marketplace

         Improves risk management and risk reduction

         Promotes education on good practices to improve business operations

         Promotes professional advice and counsel, enhancing staff education

         Enhances staff recruitment and development

         Is recognized by insurers and other third parties

         May fulfill regulatory requirements in select states

The AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is a
non-profit, non-partisan membership organization for United States citizens
over the age of 50. The organization is dedicated to enhancing the lifestyle
and quality of life for its members and those who wish to join. AARP provides a
wide range of unique benefits to its members, including special products,
programs and services.

The Association also sells insurance, investment funds
and other financial products, along with being one of the most powerful
lobbying groups in the country. There are over 40 million members signed up
with AARP, which makes it one of the largest membership groups in America.

In 1958 Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus founded the American
Association of Retired Persons, which developed from the National
Retired Teachers Association. Dr. Andrus wanted to promote retiree productivity
regardless of age, and the NRTA was established to help retired teachers claim
health insurance.

When the NRTA evolved into the American Association of Retired
Persons, the association was expanded to all Americans over the age of 50. In
1999, the organization changed its name from American Association of Retired
Persons to AARP to promote the idea that its members did not have to be
retired in order to be part of the organization. 

AARP is known for addressing issues dealing with the elderly and retired
persons through a wide range of initiatives, including lobbying efforts in
state and federal governmental meetings. The organization does not support,
oppose or fund any political candidates or parties as part of its non-partisan
mission. The Association also provides special products and packages to its
members including health products, travel and leisure packages, and life
event services.

Specific products can include member discounts on rental cars,
cruises, vacation packages and lodging, special offers on technology and gifts,
pharmacy services, legal services, and long-term health care insurance. The
Association also has a charity, AARP Foundation, which provides protection,
security and empowerment for retired persons. AARP also expressly provides
HMO plans for Medicare recipients as well as PPO coverage and a
high-deductible insurance policy that can be used with a health savings account
for members aged 50 to 64. By 2014, the former American Association of Retired
Persons is projected to be the largest source of health insurance for Medicare
recipients in the country, reaching nearly 14 million members. 

Many non-profit organizations have been established in order to help enhance the standard of living and quality of life for the elderly population in the United States. Each of these organizations is focused on health care issues and making sure that elders can maintain their personal independence for as long as possible without surrendering any of their constitutional rights.

AARP, formerly the American Association for Retired Persons, is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization for United States citizens over the age of 50. It was established to be dedicated to enhancing the lifestyle and quality of life for its members and those who wish to join. AARP provides a wide range of unique benefits, special products and specific programs and services for its members.

The Association also sells insurance, investment funds and other financial products along with being one of the most powerful lobbying groups in the country. There are over 40 million members signed up with AARP, which makes it one of the largest membership groups in America. 

Administration on Aging

The Administration on Aging, or AoA, is an organization whose goal is to serve a growing elderly population in America. The AoA ensures the continuity of servicing networks on state, territory and local levels through funding low-cost, non-medical services and support systems that provide the means for senior citizens to continue autonomous living. Its mission is to develop a coordinated, comprehensive and cost-effective system of services that aids elderly citizens to maintain their individual independence and their health in their homes and communities. 

American Geriatrics Society

The American Geriatrics Society is a non-profit organization which serves over 4,600 health professionals who are devoted to improving health, independence and quality of life for elderly persons. The American Geriatrics Society provides leadership to health care professionals, policymakers and the public by establishing and supporting programs in patient care, research, professional and public education and public policies. ASG was founded in 1942 by a small group of health care professionals to encourage and promote the study and usage of geriatric health care.  

American Health Assistance Foundation

The American Health Assistance Foundation is a non-profit organization that funds research seeking cures for Alzheimer’s disease, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma, and provides the public with information about risk factors, preventative lifestyles, available treatment and coping strategies.

The foundation issues important information to the general public, especially those in the elderly population, through their website, print publications, public service announcements, television and radio broadcasts. The goal of the American Health Assistance Foundation is to educate people about risk factors, the latest research, treatment options, risk reduction through health lifestyles, and ways to deal with degenerative diseases. 

Joint Commission

The Joint Commission, formerly JCAHO, is a private, non-profit organization. They accredit more than 17,000 health care organizations and programs throughout the United States. For hospitals or other health care service programs to be accredited, they need to subscribe for evaluations and pay their dues to the Commission. A majority of state governments have come to recognize Joint Commission accreditation as a condition of license and the receipt of 

National Council on Aging

The National Council on Aging, NCOA, is a non-profit service and advocacy organization whose mission is to improve the living standard of elderly citizens in the United States. It serves as a premier voice for the elder U.S. population, especially those who are disabled or have other disadvantages which restrict their abilities. The National Council on Aging brings together other non-profit organizations, businesses, and government agencies to help create solutions to issues surrounding elders and their health care. 

The American Geriatrics Society is a non-profit organization that serves over 4,600 health professionals devoted to improving health, independence and quality of life for elderly persons. AGS provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policymakers and the public by establishing and supporting programs in patient care, research, professional and public education and public policies.

The American Geriatrics Society was founded in 1942 by a small group of health care professionals to encourage and promote the study of geriatric health care. Geriatric health is the branch of healthcare that concerns medicinal practices dealing especially with the problems of aging and the diseases of the elderly. The most common geriatric diseases are immobility, instability and impaired intellect/memory. Other health care issues that affect the elderly population of America are elderly care, delirium, use of multiple medications, impaired vision and hearing. 

The American Geriatrics Society’s plan for the future is to reach out to all elderly patients in the United States in order for them to receive a higher standard and quality of life. By providing health care services and By augmenting the public’s knowledge of geriatric health through a variety of initiatives that promote clinical, basic and health service research for elderly people, more citizens will be likely to seek medical assistance from health care professionals in the field of geriatrics.

Expanding the teaching of geriatric education in medical schools, in theory, will increase the number of health care professionals who practice geriatric care. Certainly, recruitment of health care professionals to geriatric health practices will help increase the number of elders who can be helped with their health problems and concerns. The American Geriatrics Society has annual meetings and newsletters that include information about geriatric health and the concerns that the organization has about health care practices in America.