For senior living operators looking to integrate wellness into their healthcare efforts, the strategy of partnering with a value-based care organization such as an accountable care organization medical group or Medicare Advantage insurance plan has shown promise, according to a new white paper from the International Council on Active Aging.

Senior living providers must keep five points in mind, however, according to the 28-page publication, titled “Blending wellness with healthcare.”

The document is based on input from a think tank convened by the ICAA that included more than 50 representatives from independent living, assisted living and memory care providers; therapy organizations; and industry suppliers.

The five points to remember, according to the paper:

Think tank participants “emphasized the necessity of a fundamental cultural shift from traditional ‘sick care’ models to proactive ‘well-care’ approaches. This transition requires a change in mindset, operational structures and financial models,” according to the publication. “The group underscored the significance of community leadership as wellness champions, acknowledging that top-down support is essential for driving meaningful change.”

Partnerships between senior living operators and accountable care organizations or Medicare Advantage plans, according to the document, are successful when “goals align, a strategy is established and technology for tracking outcomes is available.”

The white paper is available for download on the ICAA website.