The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) on Thursday announced the recipients of the 2026 Silver – Achievement in Quality Award, the second level of the association’s National Quality Award Program.

In doing so, AHCA/NCAL said a record 255 recipients achieved Silver in 2026.

The program recognizes long-term care organizations that meet progressively rigorous standards of quality to improve the lives of their residents. This year’s Silver recipients include 171 skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), 46 assisted living (AL) communities, 36 combined SNF/AL providers, and 2 intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities across 43 states.

“Earning the Silver Quality Award reflects a skilled nursing or assisted living organization's dedication to turning its commitment to quality into measurable results,” said Clif Porter, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL.

“This achievement requires commitment from every team member in every role, and together they have demonstrated that continuous improvement is embedded in their culture and guides the care they deliver every day. We congratulate our record number of Silver recipients on this significant achievement and thank the entire profession for embracing this nationally recognized program in the pursuit for excellence.”

Next Stop, Gold

AHCA/NCAL said at the Silver level, organizations demonstrate how they systematically improve performance and achieve positive outcomes through effective approaches and processes.

Applications are reviewed by a highly trained team of examiners using the nationally recognized Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework to evaluate how organizations deploy, assess, and refine their systems to drive continuous quality improvement. Recipients of the Silver Award are then eligible to pursue the Gold – Excellence in Quality Award, the program’s highest distinction.

“Assisted living providers continue to raise the bar for person-centered care, and it is inspiring to see so many communities investing in the Quality Awards,” said LaShuan Bethea, executive director of NCAL. “Pursuing the Silver Award requires a tremendous commitment from leaders and staff alike, and I am proud of every assisted living community that has taken this important step in their quality journey.”

A full list of the 2026 Silver recipients is on the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award website at www.ahcancal.org/qualityaward. Last month, AHCA/NCAL announced a record 894 organizations earned the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award. The association will announce the recipients of this year’s Gold Award in August. 

The 2026 National Quality Award recipients will be celebrated at Delivering Solutions 26, the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, Oct. 11-14, 2026, in Boston. 

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