OLD LYME, CONN. December 11, 2025 — Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care™, a nationally recognized dementia care accreditation program, has formed a strategic partnership with the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association (PALA). The partnership was formally announced Thursday, Dec. 4 at the Connecticut Assisted Living Association’s 30th annual meeting, held at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, Connecticut.
PALA is the only state Association exclusively dedicated to the interests of assisted living residences and personal care homes in Pennsylvania. The partnership marks Purple Flag’s expansion into nine states. The two organizations will work together to support and encourage members to seek Purple Flag accreditation.
The collaboration launches with immediate momentum in Pennsylvania, where a PALA member organization has already expressed interest in applying for Purple Flag accreditation for two memory care communities. This early enthusiasm signals meaningful engagement with the program’s quality standards.
The Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association represents approximately 270 personal care homes and assisted living communities across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, providing Purple Flag with a powerful platform to expand its mission of elevating dementia care quality, consistency and accountability throughout the state and the nation.
“This partnership is a major milestone for Purple Flag as we continue our strategic national expansion,” said Christopher Carter, Founder & CEO of Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care™ and President of the Connecticut Assisted Living Association (CALA). “The Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association represents an incredibly strong network of senior living communities with a deep commitment to quality care, and we are honored to work alongside PALA to bring our accreditation standards to their member communities.”
Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care™ currently has 36 accredited providers nationwide, including 35 Assisted Living communities and one Home Care provider, reflecting the program’s growing credibility and national demand. The expansion into Pennsylvania reinforces Purple Flag’s position as one of the most rapidly expanding dementia care accreditation programs in the country.
“We are proud to announce that PALA members will now have access to the Purple Flag accreditation, a gold standard designation for excellence in senior care and dementia services,” said Susan Saxinger, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association (PALA). “In a state like Pennsylvania, where more than 2.5 million residents are age 65 or older and assisted living communities and personal care homes support nearly 40,000 residents, it is critical for providers to have robust tools to demonstrate their commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centered care, especially for those living with dementia or related conditions. With dementia affecting millions of families nationwide and those numbers projected to grow dramatically in the coming decades, consistent standards, well-trained staff, and a culture of continuous improvement can make a profound difference. The Purple Flag designation offers that reassurance, and we are thrilled to bring this opportunity to our members and to support communities across Pennsylvania in strengthening the quality of care they provide.”
More than six million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s disease, and millions more are impacted through caregiving and family support. As the need for trusted, high-quality memory care continues to grow, Purple Flag’s accreditation standards provide a clear, measurable framework for accountability, training excellence and improved quality of life for individuals living with dementia.
“Our expansion into Pennsylvania is not just about growth, it’s about impact,” Carter added. “Every new partnership represents more individuals receiving higher-quality care, stronger staff support, and greater confidence in the services being delivered.”