Center for Positive Aging Launches its New Website

In this Issue

Inside Your Association -- Aging Services of Georgia

General Notes of Interest

Public Policy Update

Business Connection
Updates from Our Associate Members

Institute News

Center News

Organization/Board Development

News Throughout
the Continuum:

Vacancy Report

Career Opportunities

AAHSA Information

GIA Partners

Occupied
Renovations

Cornerstone
Senior Living

Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A.

GIA Supporters

Ziegler Capital
Markets Group

Mauldin & Jenkins

LW Consulting, Inc.

Guest Services

Dixon Hughes

Pfizer

GIA Friends  

The Law Offices of Williams & Edelstein

GIA Contributors

HVAC Services

Kings Bridge Retirement Center

Canterbury Court

Presbyterian Village

Presbyterian Homes of Georgia

THW Design

AAHSA
http://www.aahsa.org

Keep Up with the Quality First Program

Aging Services of Georgia is the statewide association of over 150 key not-for-profit and other mission-focused organizations dedicated to providing quality housing, health care, community-based and other related services for older Georgians. The mission of Aging Services of Georgia is to represent and promote the common interests of its members through leadership, advocacy, education and other services in order to enhance each member's ability to serve older Georgians

Inside Your Association -- Aging Services of Georgia

A Message from the President

Greetings to each of you!  I want to take a few minutes, invite you to get another cup of coffee, and take a break to focus on what’s happening in your association!  It is an exciting time in field of aging services – there are many opportunities in front us and we want to make the best of each one of them!  The main chance we have as mission-driven, resident/client-focused organizations is to be the providers of QUALITY in our field. 

As you know, this focus on quality is directly connected to the work of the association in three main areas:  1) Professional Networking (tied to shared learning experiences); 2) Professional Development/Education, 3) and Public Policy/Advocacy.  I am asking you to take time to review the monthly coffey-break as well as visit our Web sites (all areas are accessible from www.agingservicesga.org) to make sure you are getting most of your association.  We have many chances for members to experience the value of membership – see the list of important issues to notice below.

Important issues to notice in this issue:

POLICY WORK

• CCRC Reform:  HB 843
• Assisted living levels of care legislation:  HB 850

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT/EDUCATION

Calling ALL Nurses - You Asked for It - so we’ve brought the Nursing Leadership Conference August 26-27

Service Coordinator Conference – excellent annual conference August 26-27

YES – REALLY - CLINT MAUN is coming back for our fall luncheon, October 1st!!

FREE WEBINAR Series:  Watch for details on upcoming webinars.  NOTE:  Webinars are archived in FOR MEMBERS so you, your staff and board can access them at your convenience.  Webinars now saved for you are:

• Marketing Your Community on a Limited Budget: Effective Community Outreach & Public Relation;
• Building Occupancy in Challenging Times
• Financial Statements 101; and
• Bus Compliance and Safety ...the nuts and bolts

Coaching Supervision:  Skills for Supervisors in Aging Services – August 20-21 (only six spaces left for this date), Association office (Sept 24-25 at Carlyle Place in Macon for members in south and coastal GA)  GREAT CURRICULUM – (Healthcare Research grant pays for all but $20.00)

MEMBER SERVICES/Professional Networking

The new FOR MEMBERS section of the web site will connect you with a new software, “SHAREpoint” that will allow you to dialogue AND post documents to share.

Review General Notes of Interest, News Throughout the Continuum, Georgia Institute on Aging (your education arm of the association) and the Center for Positive Aging (your consumer connection arm of the association) below.

Lastly, we have two significant fundraisers coming up – we need your support as well as your assistance by bringing your friends and colleagues!

• Casino Night – September 26th – fundraiser for the Institute
• Golf Event – October 12th – fundraiser for the Center

SHAREpoint is ready to roll out to members

We've developed a social networking solution that's easy to access and provides our members with a new way to collaborate with your peers with the Aging Services of Georgia community and to engage members into the life of the association using new online community technology.  Once again, here’s where membership matters.

SharePoint is an online community that helps members:

1. Become more involved in your organization’s meetings and annual events
2. Network with other members and participate in discussions
3. Recruit new members, volunteers and supporters from other social networks

SharePoint will help our organization members to:

1. Expand their interests
2. Decrease member attrition through significant outreach  and engagement efforts
3. Create fresh, relevant content and gain industry relevant insight

Does your staff have the same Quality Housing as the Residents you serve?  Then Read This….

Aging Services of GA members are committed to offering their residents the best housing and services possible.  You know your residents enjoy quality, safe and affordable housing.  But…do you know if all of your staff enjoy those same quality standards in their own homes?

According to a recent national report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (Out of Reach 2009), rent has increased in Georgia by 25% over the past nine years alone.  The Fair Market Rent in our state is $762 for a 2 BR apartment.  This means a household earning minimum wage would need to work 81 hours per week in order to afford rent and utilities.  In other words, a family would need more than 2 wage earners working full-time to afford a 2 BR apartment.  That number jumps to 3 wage earners for a 3 BR apartment.  Another report reveals that one-third of Certified Nursing Assistants rely on some form of public assistance.

Front Line Staff Could Benefit from Affordable Homeownership through the Habitat for Humanity program

You can be the link by connecting your staff members with the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in your area and providing valuable information.  The benefits to your organization could be many…better staff retention when employees are homeowners, thus adding value to their job, a more financially stable staff, and staff possibly living closer to work, cutting commute time and cost.  You provide the mentoring contact for your staff.  They will know that you care about the quality of their housing, too.

Therefore, if you have an interest--The Atlanta Habitat affiliate will host an information session specifically for Aging Services of Georgia members and partners in the Atlanta area on Wednesday, September 16th at 10:00 am.  Please join the group to find out how Atlanta Habitat can be a resource for you and your employees.  To register for the information session in the Atlanta area, click here.

By the way, there are more than 70 Habitat for Humanity affiliates across Georgia.  Connect your staff with a local affiliate to see if they qualify to buy a home through the program.  Visit the Habitat for Humanity International Web site to find the affiliate in your area: More information

New Business Member

Draper and Associates
(Atlanta Housing Authority Management Co.)

General Notes of Interest

JOIN Your National List Servs Through aahsa
New listserv: Learn About Benevolent Fund Policies and Procedures

Many providers have benevolent funds to meet the needs of their residents. With the help of our Philanthropy Network, AAHSA collected benevolent fund policies, applications and formulas  for individual funding and best practices (click here). They also have additional philanthropy resources available.

Wireless Technology Will Attract Future Residents to Senior Communities

"Smart home" technology and wireless connectivity will become major retirement community selling points over the next five years, according to a new survey by Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging. More than 400 senior
living communities responding to the survey predicted that 39 percent of retirement communities would incorporate "smart home" technology to foster independence, up from the current eight percent. Telehealth technology was also cited as a top trend for the future. Read more.

HHS Develops Incentive "To-Do" List

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a long "to-do" list as it prepares to launch the Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments for meaningful use of electronic health records systems. The incentives were authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and take effect in 2010 for Medicare and 2011 for Medicaid. Between now and then, HHS expects to develop policies for the incentive programs, establish systems and other requirements to support the programs, plan a national outreach effort, and develop systems to monitor and evaluate the incentive payments. Read more.

What Does THAT Mean?

AAHSA has identified two useful glossaries of aging services terms. The Glossary of Frequently Used HUD Management Terms  is excerpted from "An Introduction to HUD Programs for the Elderly." The Glossary of Senior Living Finance Terms,   published by 2009 AAHSA Partner Ziegler Capital Finance, is categorized according to whether the terms are finance or strategy related. The finance section includes a separate area focused entirely on risk management financial terms, like derivatives.

Senior Sleep Studies Reveal Surprises

Two studies presented at the annual American Academy of Sleep Medicine suggest that most seniors do not get the recommended amount of sleep, but sleep deprivation does not affect their cognitive performance. The first study, conducted by researchers at the University of Virginia, found that 55% of seniors do not get the recommended eight hours of sleep per night. At the same time, those who claim to be depressed and in poor mental health often admit to not getting eight hours of sleep. The second study, conducted by the University of California, San Diego, found that seniors outperformed young adults in sleep deprived cognitive tests. It should be noted that only extremely healthy seniors took part in the second survey.
Source: (McKnight’s, 6/11)

Pool Owners Should be Aware of New Federal Law

The Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Pool and Spa Safety Act, which took effect December 2008, requires public pools to implement additional safety measures that minimize suction and entrapment hazards. The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is in charge of implementation and oversight of the law across the country. However, local health departments will monitor compliance of public pools and spas. Click here for complete article.

Increased Oversight for Medicare Part A & D Following Misallocated Payments

According to a recent report published by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG), in 2006, approximately $10 million was misallocated to skilled nursing facilities through Medicare Part A and D. Similarly, $41 million was paid to nursing home residents for prescription coverage under Part D when it should have been covered under Part A. It is estimated that because of this widespread error at least one Part A patient inappropriately receives Part D subsidized prescriptions at every pharmacy in the US. The OIG is calling for more oversight in the payment process.    Source: (McKnight’s 6/8)

Increase in Federal Minimum Wage - July 24, 2009

Legislation passed by the U. S. Congress in 2007 mandated increases in the federal minimum wage in three incremental steps. The current minimum wage is $6.55 per hour. The final authorized increase in the federal minimum wage will become effective July 24, 2009, taking the federal minimum wage to $7.25 per hour. This increase in the federal minimum wage will obviously affect those businesses that compensate workers at or near the previous minimum wage. In addition, this change may impact the internal equity of pay structures of
some organizations.     Source: (Sesco Report)

FACAA Announces Funds Availability to Assist With Cooling Bills:
Funds are Initially Geared Towards Senior Citizens and the Home Bound

(Atlanta, Georgia - July 23, 2009) Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority (FACAA), a local nonprofit that is committed to helping individuals and families achieve economic self-sufficiency, is pleased to announce that its cooling program will start on August 3rd for the elderly and the home bound.  A benefit amount of $350 is available to be applied for by this specific group.  The elderly are defined as those who are 65 and older, and the home bound are defined as those who are not able to leave home.  In order to qualify, everyone in the household must fit into either of these categories, and met the qualifications as defined for elderly or home bound.  There are limited funds, but if funds are still available after August 7th, the program will be open to the general public on August 10th. Click here for entire article.

The Cure: Free Breast Examinations via Piedmont Hospital

Piedmont Hospital has received a grant from Susan G. Komen for the cure. They are now providing free breast imaging services, mammograms, ultrasound, MRI, etc. including biopsy to underserved women in 5 metro-Atlanta counties. Fayette County is included and is the furthest south county they serve. Women need to call 404-605-4427, translation services are provided, to take advantage of this life saving opportunity. Piedmont Fayette Hospital is the service provider for our Fayette County or they can go to the Piedmont-Buckhead location. Please seriously consider passing the word and maybe Save A Life!

Addressing Equity in Congressional Health Reform Legislation July 22, 2009

On July 14 the House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor Committees unveiled their health care reform legislation, “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.” The three panels with jurisdiction over health policy in the House have been working together as one committee to develop a single bill with the goals of reducing health care costs, protecting and increasing consumers' choices, and guaranteeing access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. Click here for entire article.

Public Policy Update

Summer Work Continues

Aging Services of Georgia continues to focus on long-term care issues, including continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), aging in place, and assisted living. 

CCRCs

The Aging Services CCRC members will be meeting the first week of August to begin fine tuning language relating to HB 843, the legislation introduced by Rep. Mike Jacobs at the request of the association.  HB 843 would substantially update regulation of continuing care retirement communities by the Department of Insurance, both by providing further information and protection to consumers and by giving the providers more ways to develop CCRCs in line with current laws across the country.  Much of the work will be completed for review at the October 1 CCRC Symposium in Atlanta.

Assisted Living/Aging in Place

Aging Services’ staff (Walter Coffey, Jacque Thornton, and Tom Bauer) have been working with other long-term care providers to review HB 850, a bill which was introduced the final day of the 2009 General Assembly which would create a new level of long-term care between the medical model of skilled nursing and the social model of personal care homes.  The most recent work group meeting convened by the Georgia chapter of the Assisted Living Federation of America and its national counterpart was held on July 31.  Among the points raised at that meeting were:

• The need for HB 850 to be clear concerning what services could be provided to residents with specific needs to allow them to age in place;
• Assurances that HB 850 contain provisions for sufficient consumer input and protection; and
• Provision of flexibility for CCRCs in providing services to allow residents to transition according to the contract service delivery system and care plan for aging in place;
• The need to coordinate the review of the issue with those under consideration by the Governor’s “Work Group on Higher Activity in the Community” chaired by Mary Eleanor Wickersham of the governor’s office.  Aging Services president Walter Coffey was invited and has been participating with this group.  The group is discussing residential options, levels of care in assisted living, training and certification needs, liability issues and new models of care.  These issues relate to needs not only in the aging community, but developmental disabilities and mental health as well; and
• The need to work in conjunction with the Department of Community Health’s Office of Facility Regulation, which as noted last month has now assumed responsibility for regulating most health care facilities with the reorganization of the former DHR and creation of new departments.  Specifically it was noted that OFR has begun to consider the need for new rules regarding personal care homes with regard to:
• Proliferation of Waivers
• Ambulation Issues
• Residents with Dementia

Hopefully, however, discussion of HB 850 will result in legislation allowing seniors to age in place in the most appropriate high quality environment.

 COAGE

      Tom Bauer and other advocates in Aging Services’ attended the July priority setting meeting of the Coalition of Advocates for Georgia’s Elderly.  In addition to holdover legislative issues (creating a separate Department of Aging and passage of a Parent Protection Act to give employees unpaid leave of up to 24 hours per year to take family members to medical appointments) and increased funding for Home and Community-Based Services, COAGE selected the following new priorities:

• Creation of a Human Services Transportation Coordinating Council (currently proposed in SB 22, pending from the 2009 General Assembly);
•    Legislation providing a specific estate recovery hardship exemption for unrelated caregivers for Medicaid recipients; and
• Funding for the State Triad of Georgia which would provide for collaboration between public safety, criminal justice and senior organizations to develop and implement crime prevention and education programs for older persons. 

Workgroups are developing these issues for aging advocates to use in the upcoming General Assembly.

Business Connection
Updates from our Associate Members

Occupancy Rates: An Update on Critical Operating Measurement

Because the most critical operating element for a senior living provider is its occupancy rate, Ziegler monitors this statistic closely. Occupancy is the key driver of monthly resident revenues, the most significant element of a senior living provider's operating income, regardless of payer type.

Occupancy is monitored closely by both providers and senior living capital markets participants; as a result, Z-News has begun to share resources available for benchmarking this key statistic for each quarter (see Z-News 09/05/08, 04/24/09). Occupancy is a Key Financial Indicator ("KFI"TM) tracked by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care Industry (NIC).

The statistics for the first quarter of 2009 were just released on NIC's Web site, www.nic.org , and the results (illustrated in the chart below) show fairly consistent occupancy levels across the various levels of care tracked. For all but nursing care, occupancy has dropped by 50 bps during the first quarter of 2009. While nursing care took a significant hit in occupancy at the end of the first quarter of 2008, it remained steady through the remainder of the year and into 2009. Not surprisingly, occupancy results have dropped sharply since their highs in mid-2006.

Note that NIC has reported through its MAPTM data service[1] that not-for-profit senior living providers traditionally have reported higher occupancy rates (ranging from 1.5 to 3.0 percentage points higher than their for-profit counterparts). This is consistent with the average occupancy Ziegler is seeing across its national not-for-profit senior living client base (i.e., approximately 91 to 93 percent). see full article

Cyber Security/Privacy Liability/"Red Flag" Issues If you Bill in Arrears

This ZANDERGRAM is just a short reminder of the very real risk all organizations have to cyber and/or privacy issues regarding information you have either in paper or computer form for all your former and current employees and all your former and current residents/clients.  This isn’t regarding just HIPAA health info but includes among other things information like names, addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, financial information, etc.

Click on the following links for more information: Cyber Security and CNA NetProtect Coverage Examples. This info is just another reason that cyber theft / privacy and identity liability is becoming a very big issue for the senior continuum.  If it can happen to our government agencies, it can definitely happen to you.

Gwen Zander, CASP (formerly RHP)
Risk Management Continuum, Inc.
4355 J Cobb Parkway, #330
Atlanta, GA 30339
Direct Phone 770-432-7428; Direct Fax 770-432-3728
Cell 678-472-2501
Email:gzander@rmcontinuum.com
www.rmcontinuum.com

Aging-in-Place Phenomenon: “Home Sweet Home”

As the number of retirees increases, retirement communities are not only looking for ways to attract new members to their communities, but they are also looking for ways to retain their current residents. In 2008 the first of the Boomers reached retirement age. We’ve all seen the numbers of folks to expect to enter this segment of the population within the next decade. One thing we know about the Boomers is that they like choices, and one choice of which 80% of them agree is the preference to remain in their homes as they age.

Aging-in-place is a term that is being heard more and more in the retirement industry. The National Homebuilders Association has defined the term as: the ability to live in your home safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level. Aging-in-Place options are a way to provide the extra support many residents need as they experience life’s changes after a move into a Community.

The 2009 Service Coordinator Conference, to be held August 26-27 at the Wyndham Peachtree Conference Center in Peachtree City, will feature aging-in-place solutions by MedSide Healthcare and D. K. Lippy Construction Co. The two companies provide services in home care/home health and home modifications that allow residents to remain safe and more self-reliant in their homes. They will partner to present “Home Sweet Home: Aging-in-Place Solutions for Today’s Retiring Population.” The presentation will examine retirement history from 1950–1980, retirement evolvement from 1980–2000, the demand by the active adult for retirement choices, and the identification of retirement options that support safety and accessibility through design and support good health through personal services (home health, home care, hospice).

MedSide Healthcare and D. K. Lippy have formed this informal partnership to help raise awareness about options available to seniors and that will allow them to stay at home. Their objective is that participants will understand the term aging-in-place, appreciate the history of retirement in the U.S., recognize the current changes in the expectations of retirees (“aging in place”), and understand the resources available for maintaining safety, accessibility, and health in the home environment.

MedSide Healthcare has been providing medical and non-medical home services in Metro-Atlanta, serving the counties of Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Dekalb, for 17 years. The company is Medicare and Medicaid accredited and diversified in its capability to serve persons of all languages.

D. K. Lippy Construction Co. is a commercial contractor with 14+ years of experience. In 2006 Dennis Lippy became one of the first contractors in the Metro-Atlanta area to earn the CAPS designation from the National Homebuilders Association. The company’s aging-in-place division focus is on making homes accessible so that homeowners can remain safe and self-reliant in their own homes.

Is your Network Stable and Secure? Here are 12 Benchmarks to help you decide.

Click to review benchmarks.

Alissa Cook
Director of Client Development
TechBridge
404.879.5406 (phone)
404.545-7513 (mobile)
404.581.5901 (fax)
acook@techbridge.org www.techbridge.org

Georgia Institute on Aging News

Maintenance Certification Courses still available through BOMI
(special rates for association members)

I hope this message finds you all well! Many of you are aware of this but I am not sure that everyone received the word that we made a change to the offerings for the fall semester. We are now offering Energy Management and Controls- and Building Design and Maintenance. We had started a “pre-registration list” and these are the most requested two classes.

I have once again attached some files that I hope will be helpful in your promotional efforts. You will find a blurb about the RFT program that can be customized, several flyers, a generic e-mail template that can also be customized by each affiliate and the registration forms for the fall classes.

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions at all. I will be calling each of you next week to be sure you received the information and answer whatever questions you may have. Please be sure to read the BOMI-AAHSA SA amendment to refresh your memory about the incentive plan.

Deb Pearson • dpearson@bomi.org
BOMI International • Business Development Coordinator
One Park Place, Suite 475 • Annapolis, Maryland 21401
410-974-1410 x 361 • Fax 410-974-1935
800-235-2664 • www.bomi.org

Georgia Institute on Aging to provide scholarship for the Fall CASP Institute

The training for the CLAS Certification will be hosted in Atlanta, September 21-25.  Thanks to all who applied – scholarships will be awarded next week.  Registration info here:

On-line training throuth INH University for association members
Do You Still Need Additional CEUs?

One of the quickest, most convenient and affordable ways to earn additional CEUs is through INHUniversity.com. The IHN/PDN Distance Learning Series provides high-quality educational courses on vital topics for healthcare professionals, presented by nationally recognized speakers and consultants.

Since all of the courses are "web-based" and not "live" you can take courses when the time is convenient for you and your busy schedule! New courses are constantly being added throughout the year, so check the course catalog often.

Each month we will target one clinical and one general webinar:  In August -- Dehydration: Elderly at Risk in Nursing Facilities

To register or for more information, please go to the IHN/PDN Web site

$39 Registration for Audio Conference/Webinar (4 part series on dementia):

PART I:  An Introduction to Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Disorders (ADRD):   Click here to register: 

Course Description:

Defines Alzheimer's and its characteristics; explains normal aging vs. memory loss from ADRD, and how to effectively communicate with residents with ADRD.

A lesson plan and other appendices have been created for classroom teaching. If taught in a classroom, students will need to complete the evaluation and test on-line to receive credit and a certificate. Their individual transcript will be updated.

Course Objectives:

1. Define Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
2. Contrast between normal aging and memory loss from ADRD.
3. List four characteristics of ADRD.
4. Outline four tips or techniques that can be used to communicate with residents with ADRD.

Other sessions in the series (available now):

Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Disorders (ADRD): Part 1
Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Disorders (ADRD): Part 2
Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Disorders (ADRD): Part 3
Nutritional Care for Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
     and other Dementia

Who Decides? 

2010 Aging Services of Georgia
Annual Conference
SAVE THE DATES!-- March 22-24, 2010

Dolcé Resort & Conference Center
Peachtree City, GA

Last Month's Events

July 29
Fair Housing Symposium
Trinity Presbyterian Church

Upcoming Events

August 20 & 21
Coaching Supervision
Aging Services of Georgia Offices
Brochure and Registration

NOTE: Only 6 spaces left.
Register today.

August 26-27
Annual Service Coordinator Conference
Brochure and Registration

August 26-27
Nursing Leadership Conference
Brochure and Registration

September 9 SAVE THE DATE
OSHA General Industry Standards Training
The McCart Group Offices
8:30 - 4:00
Registration Form and Brochure

September 21-25, 2009. 
Aging Services of Georgia will host the 2009 Fall Certified Aging Services Professional (CASP) Institute in Atlanta
Registration Form Now Available

A one of a kind opportunity to grow as a leader in the field of aging services is happening in Atlanta, Georgia!   During the week of September 21-25, 16-18 national experts will descend upon the Atlanta Marriott - Midtown to challenge thinking, expand networks, and share over 500 years of wisdom and experience covering 17 topics in the field of aging services and senior living. More

September 26 SAVE THE DATE
Las Vegas Night
Helene Mills Multi-purpose Senior Center
6:00 -- 9:30 pm

Georgia Institute on Aging!!!
Vegas Night Benefit
Count Down
Sat, Sept. 26th!
Inaugural Casino, Silent Auction Benefit & Dinner Fundraiser
(Attire:  Festive/Business Casual)
GIA Fundraising Event at the
Helene Mills Ctr. Café
Tickets include game tokens, game instructor for the casino novice, and dinner

Sponsor Opportunities                          Tickets (Only $25)

SEEKING TABLE SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS:

SILVER SPONSORS:

BRONZE SPONSORS:

Silent Auction Items Sponsors:

• Zoo Atlanta (8 passes)
• Dolce Hotels & Resorts (2 night stay and dining certificates for 2)
• Fern Bank Museum (2 passes)
• Center for Puppetry Arts (4 passes)
• Prints & Greeting Cards (photography by Susan Rosmarin) – Pending pick-up
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Tickets
• Painting by Dorothy McMillan
• Painting by Maggie Raper
• Four Framed photos of Nature 
• Carolina Mountains (A weekend stay)
• Season’s 52 Restaurant Gift Card

Raffle Tickets
Only 200 will be issued!!! 
You can’t beat those Odds!!!

Please call Jacque at 404-872-9191 ext.19 for a chance to win:
1st Prize Winner - $1000
2nd Prize Winner - $ 500
3rd Prize Winner - $ 300

All proceeds generated from the Vegas Night fundraising efforts go toward scholarships for Georgia Institute on Aging educational events, which directly impact the level of quality care delivered to elders in our state.  We need your support and look forward to seeing you on Sat., September 26th at the Vegas Night event!

Increase staff morale by giving your staff tickets shows how much you appreciate them!!!  Treat them with a fabulous night out!  Tickets are only $25 each (includes dinner, game tokens, and instructions for the novice!!!)
Sponsor Brochure
Table Sponsors include:

Want a chance to volunteer at the Vegas Night Event!  Call Jacque or Barry at 404-872-9191 ext. 19.

Thursday, October 1
Aging Services Quarterly Luncheon
Brochure and Registration Form
Bank of America Conference Center
Midtown Atlanta

Thursday, October 1
CCRC Symposium
Brochure and Registration Form
Bank of America Conference Center
Midtown Atlanta

Thursday, October 1
Adult Day Services Forum
Brochure and Registration Form
Bank of America Conference Center
Midtown Atlanta

Thursday, October 1
Marketing & Occupancy Specialists Forum
Brochure and Registration Form
Bank of America Conference Center
Midtown Atlanta

SAVE THE DATE
Thursday, October 15
2nd Annual Culture Change Network of Georgia Summit
Save the Date Flyer
Loudermilk Center
Atlanta

Center for Positive Aging

WE NEED YOUR RESPONSES to complete the Core Group of QUALITY PROVIDERS for the Center for Positive Aging

This is a free marketing tool that will position your organization as a QUALITY AGING SERVICES PROVIDER IN GEORGIA.  The Center for Positive Aging web site is officially launching this month.  YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED an invitation letter for your organization by now. 

If you have not, please contact Suzanne Economopoulus or call the office at 404-872-9191 x12.  Although the site is under development, it is live at www.centerforpositiveaging.org.  You are invited to begin looking around.  The site is designed with 3 main focus areas for consumers to find quality providers like you:

• Where Do I Begin
• Quick Search for Quality Providers
• Educational  Events

The four “affiliate groups” under the Quick Search tab will be

• 1) Housing for Seniors,
• 2) Care at Home (home & community-based services),
• 3) business products and services, and
• 4) affiliate congregations. 

Annual Golf Fundraiser

The annual golf fundraiser for the Center will be held Monday, October 12th at the Charles Yates Golf Course in East Lake (close to Decatur).  We need your assistance in finding

• hole sponsors
• golfers, and
• non-golfers that will provide scholarships for seniors to play. 

See the full brochure.

Culture Change Network of Georgia

Georgia Institute on Aging receives grant from Healthcare Research, Inc for Culture Change

The Institute received funds to develop a DVD and companion workbook from the First Culture Change Summit to distribute to all nursing homes in Georgia.  The grant will help support speakers for the 2nd Summit to be held October 15th at the Loudermilk Center in Atlanta.  Fifty full registration scholarships will be available for the summit.  Scholarship information will be posted on the Culture Change Network of Georgia Web site September 1st.

SAVE THE DATE:  2nd Annual Culture Change Summit

“Setting the Stage for Culture Change: Preparing for our Aging Population,” will be held October 15th at the Loudermilk Center in Atlanta – registration information will be out in September.  There will be three tracks featuring national experts: Steve Shields (Vision, Leadership, & the Business Case), Karen Stobbe (Dementia and Communication), and Alice Truluck (Implementation, “How To…” and Celebrating Success).  Info flyer now available.

Culture Change Network of Georgia a Pilot Site for National Culture Change Pilot: 2010, The Year of the Consumer: Building a Cadre of Informed and Active Consumers Working for Culture Change

The Pioneer Network and state culture change coalitions have been working hard to create places where elders are happy to live and workers are proud to work. In addition, they have worked to create more options and choices for elders and others who need assistance and want to stay in their own homes. Providers and organizations are changing, and now it is time to educate and inform consumers that things (aging and long-term care) can be different.  To do this, the Pioneer Network applied for and received a grant from The Picker Institute to implement a project focused on connecting with consumers. 

The goal of the project, Changing  the Culture of Aging: Taking a First Step to Creating Knowledgeable Consumers, is to learn the best ways to inform and educate consumers so they can look for, create and demand person-directed care for themselves and others. This project is the Pioneer Network’s first real step into involving and educating consumers.  We want to inform consumers of the differences between traditionally-run “facilities” and transformed, person-directed settings, and get them involved in the culture change movement.  The materials and process developed for this project will be piloted in three states: Georgia, Florida, and Massachusetts.  Stay tuned for more details!

The Culture Change Connection is a free email blast for anyone interested in culture change information.  Go to www.culturechangega.org to receive these blasts.  Please share information about how you and your organization are implementing culture change with Kim McRae (kim@haveagoodlife.com) so it can be included in the Culture Change Connection and on the Web site.  Let’s all learn from each other and celebrate your success!

Paper Addresses Nurses' Role in Culture Change

To further explore and make recommendations about the role and competencies for nurses with regard to nursing home culture change, in 2008 the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at NYU College of Nursing, in collaboration with the Coalition for Geriatric Nursing Organizations and the Pioneer Network, convened an interdisciplinary Expert Panel of leaders in culture change and in gerontological nursing for a one-and-a-half-day meeting.

The purpose of this meeting was to foster dialogue, to identify facilitators and barriers to nurses' involvement in culture change, and to identify actions that the culture change movement and the broad nursing community might consider in order to promote competencies for nurses in a resident-directed care environment in nursing homes.

The Issue Paper Nurses' Involvement in Culture Change: Overcoming Barriers, Advancing Opportunities summarizes the Expert Panel discussion and frames the competencies that need to be developed for nurses involved in culture change and resident-directed care. Click here.

News Throughout the Continuum

Affordable Housing

New and Improved Resources Help Ensure Equal Access to Housing

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently launched an expanded multi-lingual Web site to promote equal access to housing under the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) requirements. The new site includes a number of documents used in leasing and tenant certification. In addition to the HUD site, you can also read our fact sheets on LEP requirements and assessment. 

HUD's EIV Data Retention Requirements Will Change

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has clarified which information obtained through Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) sources should not be kept in a resident file after two years and how to alternatively create and provide sufficient documentation for the term of tenancy. Click here for more information.

HUD Reports Record Housing Discrimination Complaints

According to a report HUD released in June, a record 10,552 fair housing discrimination complaints were filed in fiscal year 2008. The report, which is produced for Congress each year, shows that a large portion of the complaints, 44 percent, were filed by persons with disabilities. Thirty-five percent, or 3,699, of the complaints alleged discrimination based on race. For more information read the HUD release here.

Assisted Living

Assisted Living Best Practices in Georgia

Assisted Living members will receive information regarding the 2009 Best Practices program for Assisted Living providers in Georgia. This program will take place in Atlanta on November 5. Watch for details.

National Assisted Living Week – September 13-19

Celebration of National Assisted Living Week, September 11-17 is an opportunity to highlight the crucial role assisted living residences play in helping our nation’s elderly to live as independently as possible while enjoying a meaningful quality of life. Established by NCAL® in 1995, National Assisted Living Week® provides a unique opportunity for residents, families, staff, volunteers, and the surrounding community to come together to bestow on our residents a multitude of events and activities that show them how much we care for and love them. Click here for full article.

The 2009 Overview of Assisted Living

AAHSA, ASHA, ALFA, NCAL and NIC1 has released of The 2009 Overview of Assisted Living. This research project is their second collaborative publication of statistical data on the assisted living business, fashioned after a similar report issued by this group in 2006 (the "2006 Overview"). The survey-based compendium of research is based on the responses of approximately 500 assisted living communities: 37 percent were free-standing assisted living providers; 28.1 percent, a combination of assisted living and assisted living dementia care; 18.5 percent in a combination of assisted living and independent living, 6.9 in a combination of assisted living and nursing, and the remaining 9.6 percent in CCRCs. Respondents included for-profit (65.6 percent), not-for-profit (30.3 percent), and government owned (2.7 percent) providers. Click here for full article.

The Center for Excellence in Assisted Living (CEAL) Awards Program. Submit Now!

The Center for Excellence in Assisted Living (CEAL) celebrates its fifth year in 2009.  To mark this milestone, CEAL has established the Promoting Excellence in Assisted Living Awards Program to recognize excellence in assisted living practices, policies, and research.  Individuals or entities will be recognized in six award categories: person-centered care, workforce, dementia, health and special care needs, environment/design and affordable assisted living. CEAL will recognize the award winners at a special celebration to be held in Washington, DC on October 27, 2009. Click here for entire article.

CCRC's

GAO To Study CCRC Financing

• Identifying the different ways CCRCs are structured and operate.
• Determining the current nature and adequacy of regulation to ensure the financial solvency of CCRCs.
• Identifying best practices for minimizing the financial risk CCRCs may pose for residents (including best practices for ensuring the financial viability of CCRCs).

AAHSA staff have been in contact with the GAO staff conducting the study and have provided extensive information about CCRCs. We will continue this dialogue to provide accurate and relevant information showing the important role CCRCs play in meeting the needs of seniors across the country and the many safeguards already in place to assure the continued success of CCRCs.

The GAO may also want to tour a few CCRCs and meet with CCRC staff, so AAHSA may be asking for a few of our members to participate and meet with the GAO staff in the future. As this study develops, we will continue to provide updates and keep you informed of its status.

CCRC Salary & Benefits Report 2009-2010
Increases Decline in 2009 for CCRC RNs

The national average hourly rate of RNs in Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) increased 2.31% in 2009, according to the eleventh annual Continuing Care Retirement Community Salary & Benefits Report, just published by Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS).

The percent increase represents only those CCRCs that participated in both the 2008 and 2009 Reports. By comparison, the hourly rate of RNs increased 4.24% in 2008. The CCRC Salary & Benefits Report is published in cooperation with the American Association for Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA). Nationally, participants in 2008 anticipated granting a 3.43% increase to RNs, while the actual percent increase reported in 2009 was 3.13%. Click here for entire article.

Home and Community Based Services
(Adult Day Services, Hospice, Home Health)

Where can you find the latest information on Home and Community-Based Services?

Look no further than AAHSA's listservs. We have four listservs dedicated to helping our members establish and expand programs that help older adults receive the services they need in a place they call home. These listservs include:

• Home and Community-Based Services: A forum to discuss and share information related to HCBS services including policy, funding, regulatory and operational issues. Join. 
• Home Health: A forum to facilitate provider communication and disseminate information on Medicare policy and regulations. Join.
• Hospice: A forum where members who provide hospice services can ask questions, share best practices and better advocate for better hospice regulations and reimbursement. Join. 
• Adult Day Services: A forum to discuss topics related to adult day services, including regulatory, operational, funding, and policy issues, including the introduction of the Medicare Adult Services Act of 2009. Join.  

If you or your organization would like more information, please contact Morgan Gable, AAHSA, (202) 508-9427.

New Legislation Facilitates Aging in Place

The Project 2020 legislation was recently introduced in both the House and Senate. The bill, which builds on the Promise of Home and Community-Based Services Act, would enable older adults to get the support they need to age in place successfully. This legislation emphasizes person-centered access to information, evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention, and enhanced nursing home diversion services. Please urge your senators and representatives to support this legislation to make home and community-based services more available, and to reduce Medicaid and Medicare costs. Click here for more information.

Celebrate National Adult Day Services Week 2009

National Adult Day Services Week is September 20-26, 2009. This special week has been celebrated annually since it was proclaimed on September 27, 1983, by former President Ronald Regan. The third complete week of September is set aside to raise awareness of the availability and accessibility of adult day programs nationwide. The theme for 2009 is "Lives Through Wellness and Creativity".

MetLife Mature Market Institute(R) Releases National Survey of Adult Day Services Costs and Annual Home Health Care Rates

The MetLife Mature Market Institute(R) released its national survey of adult day services and home care costs on September 30, 2008, which found that the national average daily rate for adult day services is $64, up $3 per day or 5% from 2007. The national average hourly rate for home health aides is $20, a $1 or 5% increase from 2007. The 2008 national average hourly homemaker/companion rate is $18, unchanged from last year. This year's study includes expanded coverage of statewide averages for all 50 states, in addition to rates for each state's largest metropolitan regions.

Living with Alzheimer's Disease: A Study of Adult Day Health
Services in Massachusetts

The Gerontology Institute University of Massachusetts Boston just released its recent study of Adult Day Health Services in Massachusetts in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association-MA/NH Chapter and the Massachusetts Adult Day Services Association. Research focused on four goals of exploration: description of existing practices, late-stage dementia specific programming, challenges, and new paradigms for meeting the needs of early-stage, early-onset participants. Read more .

OIG Recommends Billions Cut From Home Care Spending

The HHS Office of Inspector General isn’t letting lawmakers and policymakers forget about its suggestions for home care providers as they hammer out health care reform. In its annual “Compendium of Unimplemented Office of Inspector General Recommendations,” which combines the OIG’s old Red Book on unimplemented monetary recommendations and Orange Book on unimplemented nonmonetary recommendations, the OIG summarizes its Medicare-related suggestions from its recent reports.

For home health agencies: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should require physicians to examine patients before ordering home care services and to see home care patients every 60 days, the OIG recommends. CMS should also more strictly identify and prevent duplicate Medicare and Medicaid payments for home health services like medical supplies and therapy.

For hospices: CMS should improve oversight of hospices, namely by increasing hospice survey frequency, the OIG advises.

For durable medical equipment suppliers: CMS should strengthen the supplier enrollment process by conducting more unannounced site visits, increasing prepayment review, performing more rigorous background checks, requiring reenrollment every three years, and setting new minimum hours and inventory amounts.

The OIG also wants the rental period for oxygen further reduced to 13 months and cuts to payments for nonroutine maintenance and servicing of concentrators. The oxygen changes would net Medicare $3.2 billion, the OIG maintains. “Based on the 2006 median fee schedule amount, Medicare will allow $7,215 for 36 months for concentrators that cost $587, on average, to purchase,” the report says. The report is available online.

Hospice Cap Changes on Deck

If you’re wondering whether you’ll have trouble with exceeding the per beneficiary cap this year, you shouldn’t have to wonder much longer. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the 2009 hospice cap amount early “to assist the hospice industry in planning and budgeting,” it says on its Web site. The cap amount is $23,014.50. CMS also includes its methodology for the cap calculation “so that hospices can compute the amount themselves in the future if they so desire.” That calculation methodology could be changing, however.

In its proposed rule in the April 24 Federal Register, CMS floats the idea of revamping how it determines the cap amount. “Until recently, hospices rarely exceeded the aggregate cap,” CMS notes in the rule. But now hospices have more patients with longer lengths of stay and exceed the cap more often. The 2009 cap notice is online. CMS will issue the amount officially in its 2010 rate notice this summer, it says. The proposed rule is available online.

Nursing Care

Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Report 2009-2010 (office copy if you would like to use it as a resource. 

AAHSA Believes Rating System Is Poorly Planned

AAHSA states the CMS Five-Star Rating system is a "great idea prematurely implemented."

"We support a consumer-friendly nursing home rating system based on reliable quality information that the public can understand," said Larry Minnix, the AAHSA president and CEO. "But what is being launched is poorly planned, prematurely implemented and ham-handedly rolled out." Click here for entire article.

Safe Patient Handling Legislation
House Bill 2381 Nurse & Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2009

The American Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN) supports the Work Injured Nurses Group (WING USA) and the newly formed "Coalition for Healthcare Worker and Patient Safety" (CHAPS) in their efforts to protect nurses and health care Workers across the continuum of health care. Click here for entire article.

New Data from Advancing Excellence Show Reduction
in Restraints and Chronic Pain for Nursing Home Residents
America's Nursing Homes Show Overall Improvement in Quality

The Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes Campaign, a public-private coalition committed to improving quality for nursing home residents, released new data that show a reduction in the use of physical restraints for nursing home residents. Forty states have now met or exceeded the Campaign's goal of less than five percent of residents in nursing homes restrained. In addition, the nation has also met the goal of successfully reducing the number of nursing homes residents suffering from chronic pain to four percent or less. To date, 32 states have met that goal.  Click here for entire article.

“LIFElines” email publication for Aging Services of Georgia Nursing
Home Members & Nursing Staff

Aging Services of Georgia healthcare/nursing home members remember to access the latest LIFElines publication. This publication is a partnership between Aging Services of Georgia and our Illinois Association (Life Services Network). LIFElines provides timely information regarding state and federal issues such as survey preparedness, risk management, immediate jeopardy, clinical issues, abuse investigation, recruitment and retention and a host of other vital information for Aging Services of Georgia nursing home members.

All Aging Services of Georgia nursing home members should now be automatically receiving LIFElines. Any other Aging Services of Georgia member is welcomed to receive this publication – just contact swatkins@agingservicesga.org.

Topics in the July 28 Issue are:

• F441 Infection Control:
  Scrutiny of Surveillance Activities!
• Activity Program Compliance: A few Questions & Comments

AGING SERVICES VACANCY REPORT

Please assist your colleagues by sharing this information when you receive calls from consumers you cannot serve. 

Career Opportunities

Alzheimer's Association
Regional Offices in Columbus and Macon
Program Director

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Right at Home In Home Care and Assistance
Atlanta
Staffing Coordinator

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Middle Flint Council on Aging
Americus
Nurse Supervisor/Care Coordinator

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Athens Community Council on Aging
Athens
Activity Coordinator for Adult Day Care Programs
Senior Financial Manager

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King's Bridge Retirement Center
Atlanta
Medical Transportation Driver

AAHSA Information

News from Melissa Sharp,
Vice President, Southeast Region, AAHSA

Please feel free to contact me with your questions or concerns at (202) 508-9456 or by e-mail at msharp@aahsa.org.

Final Rule Will Cut Nursing Home Medicare Reimbursement

We are extremely disappointed that the final rule issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 31 will recalibrate the nursing home Medicare payment system in ways that will reduce reimbursements by an average of one percent, beginning Oct. 1. The rule's impact on specific facilities will vary according to their case mix and location. You may use our updated calculation tool to check the effect on your own facility. The rule assumes that nursing homes will receive a 2.2 percent market basket update for fiscal 2010 beginning on that date; otherwise the payment cut would be 3.3 percent or more, according to CMS. Nursing homes are in serious danger of losing the market basket update under health care reform legislation. We have no more recourse on the CMS rule, but we absolutely must persuade Congress not to cancel next year's payment update. Please Contact Congress and urge your legislators to preserve the Medicare payment update, which is due on Oct. 1. Contact: Marsha Greenfield, (202) 508-9488.

GAO To Study CCRC Financing

The Senate Special Committee on Aging has requested a study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) of continuing care retirement community (CCRC) practices. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.), the committee chair, requested that the study focus on three areas:

• Identifying the different ways CCRCs are structured and operate.
• Determining the current nature and adequacy of regulation to ensure the financial solvency of CCRCs.
• Identifying best practices for minimizing the financial risk CCRCs may pose for residents (including best practices for ensuring the financial viability of CCRCs).

A copy of the letter from Sen. Kohl is available here.

AAHSA staff have been in contact with the GAO staff conducting the study and have provided extensive information about CCRCs. We will continue this dialogue to provide accurate and relevant information showing the important role CCRCs play in meeting the needs of seniors across the country and the many safeguards already in place to assure the continued success of CCRCs.

As this study develops, we will continue to provide updates and keep you informed of its status.

Senate Appropriations Committee Decides HUD Funding

The Senate Appropriations Committee provided $785 million for the Section 202 program, a $20 million increase over last year's appropriation and $20 million more than the Obama administration's request. Although we don't yet have the complete breakdown of the funds, the increase will bolster funding for new capital advances and PRAC amounts.

For Section 8 renewals, the committee allocated $8.1 billion, meeting last year's appropriation and the administration's request. That amount should be sufficient to cover all contracts for the full 12 months. The House appropriated $1 billion and $8.7 billion for the same programs, leaving us a lot of work to do with senators during the recess to increase their funding levels. Please Contact Congress during the August recess and urge your senators to increase funding for this important program. Contact: Nancy Libson, (202) 508-9447.

Met Life offers four $50,000 awards for Senior Housing Providers

The Met Life Insurance Company in conjunction with Enterprise Community Partners is calling for applications to award four $50,000 prizes to senior housing providers. The goal of the awards program is to highlight best practice examples of excellence in senior housing, focusing on property performance and operations, preservation of senior housing and incorporation of green energy enhancements, innovations around supportive services, and use of technology in senior housing. The application period closes Aug. 14. For more information about the program, click here. Contact: Nancy Libson, (202) 508-9447.

Annual Meeting Registration is Open!!!

When people say they can't afford to attend AAHSA this year we tell them what 10,000 aging services LEADERS already know: Your organization simply can't afford NOT to attend AAHSA, especially this year. Every trend, every innovation, every exciting new program, every new regulation, every piece of news that will help you LEAD and SERVE will be presented, discussed and debated in Chicago. What happens when you are not there to be a part of it?  The field is “coming home” to Chicago.  We have set a place at the table for you.  Come and take your seat!  http://www.aahsaconference.org/

AAHSA Member Benefit Spotlight:  Facebook

With over 250 million users, Facebook is an excellent free tool AAHSA members can use to convey information and build new relationships. We encourage you to create a group or public profile for you and your organization. Be sure to join the AAHSA group and the AAHSA public profile. If you are not part of Facebook, you can sign up by clicking here. Contact: Craig Collins-Young, (202) 508-9485.