Pioneer Network: Changing the Culture of Aging in America

TLDR: The Pioneer Network as discussed by the authors is a grass-root network of individuals in the field of aging, working for deep systemic change through both evolutionary and revolutionary means, using Pioneer values and principles as the foundations for change.

Abstract: SUMMARY The Pioneer Network is a national grass roots network of individuals in the field of aging, working for deep systemic change through both evolutionary and revolutionary means, using Pioneer values and principles as the foundations for change. Pioneers are individuals who work in residential long-term care settings and community based settings, in government, research, advocacy and education whose goal is to seed and cultivate a new culture of aging. In-depth change in systems requires transformation of individual and societal attitudes toward aging and elders, transformation of elders' attitudes toward themselves and their aging, changes in the attitudes and behavior of caregivers toward those for whom they care and changes in governmental policy and regulation. Pioneers refer to this work as culture change. While maintaining its work to recreate nursing homes, the Pioneer Network has expanded its vision, mission and focus to encourage and facilitate culture change values, principles and person-ce...