At the Acts Center for Applied Research (ACAR), our goal is to use the tools of applied research to explore ways of promoting successful aging and enhancing the services available to the older adult population across the country and around the world.
We focus on research examining the unique social, spiritual, physical, and psychological needs of older adults and on the environmental factors, and lifestyle choices that contribute to their well-being.
Acts Retirement-Life Communities launched ACAR in 2003 as an important means for fulfilling Acts’ mission of social responsibility. Since then, we have worked to contribute to the body of knowledge related to aging—a body of knowledge that is growing, but in many important areas, still far from complete.
We are especially interested in generating insights on the unique experience of today’s retirees, many of whom are living decades longer than prior generations, thereby charting new territory for us all.
ACAR fulfills its purpose through partnerships with a variety of universities, health care providers, government agencies, and other research institutions. We join with other non-profits who are conducting promising studies and connect these organizations with Acts residents interested in taking part as participants.
As part of Acts, ACAR is a not-for-profit entity and does not receive payment for its work. ACAR collaborates only with research partners who are also non-profits.
Bill Tamulonis is the Managing Director of the Acts Center for Applied Research.
Bill has over 40 years of experience in market research, and over 20 years of experience in the senior living industry. Bill joined Acts in 2014. In his role, Bill designs, executes, and disseminates all forms of research to inform strategic decision-making at Acts. He also develops partnerships with universities, health care providers, government agencies, and other non-profits to provide opportunities for Acts staff and residents to participate in national and international studies on healthy and successful aging.
Bill holds a Bachelors degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from Loyola University Maryland.
Jefferson Kaighn is the Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer of Acts Retirement-Life Communities.
Jeff has over 30 years of executive management experience in retirement community and health care organizations, and is a licensed nursing home administrator. Jeff is a member of the LeadingAge Education Committee, and the International Association of Homes & Services for the Aged (IAHSA) Global Ageing Task Force. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences, and co-author of The PIT Crew: A Story of Performance Improvement (Tate Publishing).
Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bucknell University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Eastern University.