What is CARF Accreditation & Why Does it Matter?

When choosing a senior living community for yourself or a loved one, you want confidence that the care provided meets the highest standards. One of the most reliable ways to evaluate quality is through CARF accreditation—a rigorous certification process that sets accredited senior living communities apart from the rest.

At SRG Senior Living, we understand the value and peace of mind that accreditation brings. 

Understanding CARF Accreditation

What is CARF? The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is an independent, nonprofit organization that has been setting quality benchmarks in health and human services for more than 50 years. 

Many people ask, “What does CARF accreditation stand for?” However, the acronym itself is less important than what it represents: a commitment to excellence in care, safety, and service delivery.

The meaning of CARF accreditation goes beyond a simple certificate on the wall. It’s a comprehensive validation that a senior living community has voluntarily submitted to extensive evaluation and meets rigorous senior living quality standards. 

Think of it the same way you would select an accredited hospital or university—accreditation assures that proven best practices are in place.

What Makes a Community CARF-Accredited?

CARF requirements are extensive and demanding. To earn this distinction, senior living communities must undergo a thorough review process that examines every aspect of operations, from living spaces and management practices to staff qualifications and resident services. 

The CARF standards checklist includes areas such as:

• Person-centered care and individualized service plans
• Health and safety protocols
• Staff training and qualifications
• Quality improvement processes
• Resident rights and satisfaction
• Emergency preparedness and risk management
• Transparent communication with families

These standards are reviewed and updated annually to ensure CARF-accredited organizations remain current with industry best practices. Communities must demonstrate continuous improvement and reapply for accreditation every three years, providing ongoing commitment to excellence.

CARF Accreditation Across Care Levels

Whether you’re exploring independent living, assisted living, or memory care, CARF accreditation applies across all levels of senior housing. Each type of community faces unique CARF requirements, tailored to the specific care and services provided.

Independent living accreditation focuses on lifestyle enrichment, community engagement, wellness programming, and services that support an active, maintenance-free lifestyle. In contrast, assisted living accreditation emphasizes personalized care plans, medication management, assistance with activities of daily living, and healthcare coordination.

Memory care accreditation requires specialized team training, secure environments, cognitive stimulation programs, and family support resources designed specifically for residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

This comprehensive approach to senior living accreditation ensures that regardless of which care level you need today or may need in the future, an accredited senior living community maintains consistent quality standards.

Why CARF Accreditation Matters for Families

Federal and state guidelines don’t require senior living communities to be accredited, making CARF certification a voluntary choice that showcases a community’s commitment to quality. For families making one of life’s most important decisions, choosing a CARF-accredited community offers several advantages.

• Peace of Mind: You can trust that the community has been thoroughly evaluated by independent experts who verified that quality standards are met across all operations.
• Transparency: CARF-accredited organizations must maintain clear communication with residents and families about care plans, policies, and any changes that may affect residents.
• Continuous Improvement: Accredited communities commit to ongoing quality enhancement, meaning they don’t just meet standards once—they maintain and improve them year after year.
• Person-Centered Care: CARF standards emphasize individualized care that respects each resident’s preferences, dignity, and unique needs.
• Better Outcomes: Research shows that accredited communities tend to have higher resident satisfaction, better health outcomes, and more engaged team members.

SRG’s Commitment to Accreditation

At SRG, we’ve been leading the way in senior living accreditation since 2004. We were among the first nationwide providers to voluntarily pursue CARF accreditation. In 2014, we became the first senior living provider in the nation to achieve the highest level of independent living accreditation. 

Today, every eligible SRG community maintains CARF accreditation—a distinction few providers can claim. We don’t pursue accreditation because it’s required. We pursue it because we believe it’s an important distinction for SRG communities.

Questions to Ask When Touring Communities

As you evaluate senior living options, be sure to ask: “Are you CARF-accredited?” This simple question can reveal a great deal about a community’s commitment to quality. Some other questions to ask include:

• When was your last accreditation survey?
• Which care levels are accredited?
• How do you use CARF standards to improve resident care?
• Can you share examples of recent quality improvements?

Making Your Decision

Choosing a senior living community is about more than beautiful buildings and appealing amenities. It’s about finding a place where you or your loved one will receive consistent, high-quality care in a safe, supportive environment. CARF accreditation provides the independent verification that these standards are met day in and day out.

We invite you to visit your nearest SRG community for a private tour. Experience firsthand what CARF accreditation looks like in action, and discover why choosing an accredited senior living community makes all the difference in quality of life and peace of mind.

To learn more about our CARF-accredited communities or to schedule a tour, contact us today. Your family deserves the assurance that comes with choosing a community that has earned the gold standard in senior living accreditation.