Governance Practices in Senior Living Organizations

This report presents findings from a survey conducted by Ziegler in February 2026, focusing on governance practices within senior living organizations. The survey included responses from over 150 primarily not-for-profit organizations across 32 states, revealing a governance landscape that is evolving while still rooted in traditional structures. The report outlines how many organizations are integrating resident perspectives into governance, highlighting a shift towards more strategic, skills-based governance practices. It details the representation of residents on boards, indicating that nearly 60% of organizations involve residents in some capacity, though a significant portion still does not include them in formal governance structures. The report also discusses the voting rights of resident board members, with most organizations granting full voting privileges. Additionally, it notes that the majority of organizations allow resident participation in governance discussions, while some have specific recusal policies for certain topics. Overall, the findings suggest a trend towards modernizing governance while balancing established practices.