Richard Taylor presenting Maintaining Your Life's Purpose at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer June 9th
In this Issue
Inside Your Association -- Aging Services of Georgia
Business Connection
Updates from Our Associate Members
Center News
Organization/Board Development
News Throughout
the Continuum:
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
SHAREpoint has finally arrived!
Later this summer, the FOR MEMBERS information will be connected through new software called SHAREpoint. This will provided enhanced capabilities for members to connect with each other. Listservs of the past will now be discussion boards where members can share information AND post documents. Professional member groups will have password protected discussion boards so you can feel free to share information in a safe environment. WATCH for details next month! NOTE: You must have an email address to participate, so if you don’t have one, now’s the time to get one.
If you don’t already have a unique email address, please go to yahoo.com or gmail.com to create your Free email account and forward the email address to Susan Watkins at swatkins@agingservicesga.org so you can begin participating in this valuable networking process with your peers in Aging Services.
Congratulations to the following Drawing Winners for completing the 2009 Salary/Benefits Survey!
Peggy Brooks, Administrator –
AAHSA Annual Meeting & Trade Exposition Registration
St. Mark’s Towers, Brunswick
Rich Kisner, CEO/Executive Director–
2 Nights at Docé Resort & Conference Ctr. during the 2010 Aging Services of Georgia Annual Conference
Brandon Wilde, Augusta
Dorothy Abbott, Administrator/Executive Director –
Catered Staff Breakfast
Smyrna Towers, Smyrna
Gwen Hardy, Corporate H.R. Director –
Visa Gift Card
Presbyterian Homes of Georgia
Carrie Meadows, Administrator –
Starbucks Gift Card
Lanier Village Estates, Gainesville
Aging Services members to provide foundation of QUALITY PROVIDERS for the Center for Positive Aging
The Center for Positive Aging web site will launch in August. 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.
General Notes of Interest
From the US Census Bureau
Older Population in the United States: 2007 and 2008 — A series of detailed tables with data on a wide range of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of people 55 and older is now available online. Topics covered include marital status, educational attainment, nativity and citizenship status, labor force and employment status, occupation, earnings, poverty and housing tenure. The data, collected by the Current Population Survey, pertain to the noninstitutionalized population and are shown for selected age groups. Click for more information
Food Warnings
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are warning consumers not to eat any varieties of prepackaged Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough due to the risk of contamination with E.coli 0157:H7 (a bacterium that causes food borne illness). The FDA advises that if consumers have any prepackaged, refrigerated Nestle Toll House cookie dough products in their home that they throw them away. Cooking the dough is not recommended because consumers might get the bacteria on their hands and on other cooking surfaces.
Retailers, restaurateurs, and personnel at other food service operations should not sell or serve any Nestle Toll House prepackaged, refrigerated cookie dough products subject to the recall. Nestle USA, which manufactures and markets the Toll House cookie dough, is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation by FDA and CDC. The warning is based on an ongoing epidemiological study conducted by the CDC and several state and local health departments. Since March 2009 there have been 66 reports of illness across 28 states. Twenty-five persons were hospitalized; 7 with a severe complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). No one has died.
E.coli 0157:H7 causes abdominal cramping, vomiting and a diarrheal illness, often with bloody stools. Most healthy adults can recover completely within a week. Young children and the elderly are at highest risk for developing HUS, which can lead to serious kidney damage and even death. Individuals who have recently eaten prepackaged, refrigerated Toll House cookie dough and have experienced any of these symptoms should contact their doctor or health care provider immediately. Any such illnesses should be reported to state or local health authorities. The FDA reminds consumers they should not eat raw food products that are intended for cooking or baking before consumption. Consumers should use safe food-handling practices when preparing such products, including following package directions for cooking at proper temperatures; washing hands, surfaces, and utensils after contact with these types of products; avoiding cross contamination; and refrigerating products properly.
More information is available in the FDA News Release
For more information on safe food handling practices. Consumers who have additional questions about these products should contact Nestle consumer services at 1-800-559-5025 and/or visit their Web site
A complete listing of the recalled products.
Walgreens and AARP announce Mobile Health Screening Unit to Visit Atlanta Area in July:
Attached is information on the dates and locations of the AARP/Walgreens Health Screening tour that will be in the Atlanta area in July. For more information call 1-404-866-8687 or click here.
Program offers free eye care to America's elderly
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Between June 1 and August 31, EyeCare America, a non-profit public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is offering no-cost medical eye care to qualified seniors. By the age of 65, one in three Americans has some form of vision-impairing eye disease. The downturn in the U.S. economy has many seniors on fixed incomes struggling with health care costs, including eye care.
Through its national health campaign -- "Don't Lose Sight of Your Independence" -- EyeCare America endeavors to remind the elderly about the value of eyesight and the importance of proper care.
EyeCare America's Senior EyeCare Program is designed for U.S. citizens or legal residents who are 65 years of age or older and have not seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years. They must also not belong to a health maintenance organization (HMO) or the Veterans Administration.
For those under 65, they are looking for people at high risk of eye disease: those who have glaucoma, macular-degeneration, and/or diabetes, plus a family history of the disease. (It’s not enough to qualify if they are the only one in the family who has the disease.) Other high risk candidates are those of Latin American, African American, or Asian Pacific Islander descent. For those 65 or older or those under 65, the phone number would be the same: 800-222-3937.
The program includes a comprehensive eye exam and care for any disease detected in the initial visit for up to one year following the exam. For seniors without an ophthalmologist, care will be provided at no out-of-pocket cost.
Participating physicians agree to accept Medicare or other insurance as payment in full. Individuals without insurance are seen at no charge.
Interested seniors may call toll-free 800-222-EYES (3937). Callers eligible for the program will receive a referral to one of 7,000 volunteer ophthalmologists for an eye exam and care.
The Seniors EyeCare Program is co-sponsored by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.
Contact Congress on Survey Revisit User Fees / Medicare Bundling / Home Health Cuts
Unless we act now, user fees on survey revisits, bundling of Medicare payments for hospital and post-acute care and a freeze on Medicare home health payments could find their way into Medicare legislation Congress must pass this year.
On June 15, 2009: President Obama called for a freeze on Medicare payment rates for skilled nursing facilities in 2010 in addition to the home health care payment freeze included in his earlier budget proposal. Please Contact Congress (http://capwiz.com/aahsa/home/) and tell your legislators to oppose user fees and the home health care freeze. Tell them to support a more thoughtful approach to bundling.
Medicare Adult Day Services Proposal Introduced Cosponsors Needed
June 25, 2009: The Medicare Adult Day Services Act of 2009 would add adult day services as a provider of post-acute care under Medicare. Just introduced by Representative Linda Sánchez (CA-39), it now needs more co-sponsors to move it forward in the House.
This legislation allows Medicare beneficiaries to use adult day service programs that are certified, licensed, or accredited under an approved accreditation agency to provide post-acute services under Medicare. Medicare adult day services agencies would be required to follow the same strict regulations under the prospective payment system and conditions of participation as Medicare-certified home health agencies.
Please urge your representative in Congress to sign onto this legislation to offer quality adult day services to be a post-acute care option for older adults and persons with a disability. Contact Congress at (http://capwiz.com/aahsa/home/).
AAHSA Congressional Call-In Day a Success
Congratulations, you did it! More than 7,300 AAHSA members and partners called their senators recently to urge them to include long-term services and supports in health care reform. AAHSA heard that several Senate offices had to shut down the phones due to the volume. In addition, 1,600 of you e-mailed your legislators. AAHSA gives thanks to the hundreds of you who organized call-in events and rallied your boards, staff, residents and clients to make the call.
Our work isn't over yet. AAHSA is planning another call-in day in June as Congress moves forward with health care reform legislation. Watch your inbox for more information about
what you can do to make it affordable to care.
Click here for more information.
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 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. CMS is considering changes to how it counts
the unduplicated census number for the cap and requiring hospices to calculate and report their own cap.
Comments on the rule are due June 22. 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 here.
Update: AMA Code of Conduct for Health Insurers Interim Report presented at AMA House of Delegates meeting
At the recent AMA meeting in Chicago, an interim report on a Code of Conduct for Health Insurers was issued (attached above). The interim report affirms the AMA’s intention to roll out the Code of Conduct at their next meeting scheduled for November 2009. Highlights include: *Discussion around the four pillars surrounding the code of conduct: (1) transparency regarding coverage and insurer incentives to providers, (2) greater clinical autonomy for doctors, (3) a commitment by insurers to always put patient safety and welfare first, and (4) a dedication to corporate integrity. *Affirmation of the code and the commitment of AMA to take action in November and *Texas state legislation and Indiana resolution regarding the code of conduct. This report is available for public use and was part of a larger report found here.
As you may know, the concept of a Code of Conduct for Health Insurers was introduced by the New York Medical Society and passed by the AMA House of Delegates last fall. A copy of the resolution can be found here.
Medical societies, patient organizations and physician organizations are mobilizing to support the Code through their own “calls to action” and resolutions. For example, a physician organization called the Alliance for Patient Access (AfPA) created a petition that health providers and other health advocates including patients can sign to show their support. To sign the petition and read recent news on the Code, please visit.
The Code has been the focus of considerable media attention nationally. A collection of these news stories are available here.
Please also find additional media coverage that may be of interest to you:
- Clarion Ledger;
June 20, 2009;
Health insurer code of conduct would help patient care;
Guest Column with Dr. Jennifer Gholson, MD. click here
- Pittsburg Post Gazette;
Wednesday, June 24, 2009;
Broken bonds: The physician-patient relationship is being destroyed by the cost-driven decisions of health insurers;
By Dr. Jay Zdunek. click here
- Fox News Health;
May 8th, 2009 1:11 PM Eastern;
Bad Medicine: Is Your Insurance Company Hazardous to Your Health?; click here
- KUSI-TV interview with Dr. Jack Schim;
Dr. Jack Schim speaks about patient access and the Code of Conduct petition on KUSI-TV's "Good Morning San Diego," June 1, 2009 click here
- Frederick News Post;
June 03, 2009;
Pharmacists pawns in health care's game of chess;
Howard Schiff is the executive director of the Maryland Pharmacists Association click here
Why Do Seniors Enter Independent Living Communities?
The American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) just released the Independent Living Report, which examines key factors that "push" seniors from where they were living and "pull" them to a particular independent living community.
The report provides information about individuals who recently moved to an independent living community, including assisted living and continuing care retirement communities (CCRC), and compares and contrasts the residents of the various community types. It is available to AAHSA members at a nominal fee.
Click here for more.
Red Flags Rule Enforcement Delayed Until August 1
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has extended the Red Flags Rule enforcement deadline to August 1 so that creditors, financial institutions and healthcare providers have more time to develop and implement written identity theft prevention policies, according to an FTC press release.
“Given the ongoing debate about whether Congress wrote this provision too broadly, delaying enforcement of the Red Flags Rule will allow industries and associations to share guidance with their members, provide low-risk entities an opportunity to use the template in developing their programs, and give Congress time to consider the issue further,” FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said in the press release.
Survey Opportunity:
Barriers to Wheeled Mobility Users in the Community
The Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA) at the Georgia Institute of Technology is conducting an on-line survey to learn more about barriers that persons using wheelchairs or scooters may encounter. The results are intended to help both researchers and social policy experts better understand the significance of barriers to community participation for wheeled mobility users. The survey takes 20 minutes to complete. Attached is an informative flyer that provides the link to the survey site. Please do not hesitate to email Dr. Yang at or call at 404-385-8589 if you have any questions.
From the US Census Bureau
Older Population in the United States: 2007 and 2008 Older Population in the United States: 2007 and 2008 — A series of detailed tables with data on a wide range of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of people 55 and older is now available on line. Topics covered include marital status, educational attainment, nativity and citizenship status, labor force and employment status, occupation, earnings, poverty and housing tenure. The data, collected by the Current Population Survey, pertain to the noninstitutionalized population and are shown for selected age groups. For more information
Public Policy Update
SUMMER WORK KICKS OFF
The major focus on public policy issues is currently focused on long-term care issues, including continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) and assisted living. The regulation of these and other health care facilities has been transferred to the Department of Community Health, as detailed below in excerpts from the DCH news release on the subject.
Transfer of the Office of Regulatory Services to the Department of Community Health
The following excerpts from the Department of Community Health (DCH) news release provide the details of the transfer of responsibilities for state regulation of health facilities from the Department of Human Resources to DCH.
“ATLANTA – Dr. Rhonda Medows, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), announced that the Office of Regulatory Services (ORS), a division of the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR), will now function as a division within DCH under the new name, Healthcare Facility Regulation (HFR), effective July 1. The transition is in response to Senate Bill 433, which instructs DHR to transfer all matters relating to the licensure and regulation of hospitals and health related institutions…..
The leadership for the newly formed division includes Doug Colburn, who will serve as Division Chief, Leslee Pool, who has been named Deputy Chief of Complaints and Investigations Unit, and Sharon King, who will be Deputy Chief of Survey/Certification Unit….
In addition to hospitals, HFR will license and regulate nursing homes, home health agencies, private duty home care, personal care homes, and personal care home employee record checks…….
As the first Deputy Chief of Complaints and Investigations Unit of HFR, Ms. Pool will administer all of the complaint investigations and all operational parts of the division. The complaints group responds to allegations pertaining to quality of care in all of the regulated facilities. A rapid response team is also part of this section.
In her new role as the first Deputy Chief of Survey/Certification Unit of HFR, Ms. King will be responsible for the periodic surveys required by CMS as well as those done to comply with state statute. Her group will also conduct initial surveys for certification and work closely with the Certificate of Need program. Any provider requesting a waiver of the rules will submit it through her section. Previously, Ms. King served as the DCH’s Project Manager for the transition……”
CCRCs
As reported last month, the Aging Services CCRC task force will be working this summer to fine tune 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. While task force members are reviewing the details of the bill, the Department of Insurance has been asked for further input as well. The task force hopes to finalize HB 843 at its October 1st CCRC forum.
Assisted Living
Aging Services’ staff (Walter Coffey, Jacque Thornton, and Tom Bauer) have begun thoroughly evaluating HB 850, a bill which was introduced the final day of the 2009 General Assembly. It would create a new level of long-term care between the medical model of skilled nursing and the social model of personal care homes. Staff are working with other interested associations and advocates to review the legislation. As introduced, the bill is somewhat confusingly drafted. Hopefully, however, discussion of HB 850 will result in legislation allowing seniors to age in place in the most appropriate high quality environment.
Business Connection
Updates from our Associate Members
Are You Prepared to Address the Auditor's Concerns?
by Jeff Goolsby, CPA; June 11, 2009
Senior housing providers are keenly aware of the challenges of the current economy and declining real estate market. Wait lists are being depleted, new residents are slow to commit, and average occupancies have declined. Additionally, once promising investments have sustained significant losses from depressed financial markets, and the credit markets have seemingly "closed shop" resulting in a lack of options for new financing or extending existing financing.
With revenues and cash reserves declining, board members and management teams alike are working longer and harder to make critical marketing and operational decisions. Senior housing providers have seen the impact of these items on the reported operating results; but, have you considered the impact on your annual audit?
Submitted by DeDe Nichols, Principal
Moore Stephens Lovelace, PA
577 Mulberry St.; Suite 500
Macon, GA 30201
(478) 787-0527
Click here for complete article.
Are your Van/Shuttle Bus Drivers at Risk?
In a recent study released by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, driver distraction was involved in 100 percent of commercial vehicles crashes. Additionally, driver distraction was involved in 81 percent of safety-critical events such as lane deviations. The distractions included devices ranging from cell phones to dispatching devices. The study was sponsored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Tasks such as text messaging and dialing while driving posed the greatest risk. The data showed that out of a six-second time span, drivers' eyes were looking off the roadway for five seconds while texting in the middle of a critical event. Drivers who were dialing a cell phone during a critical event took their eyes off the roadway for four seconds at a time. Dispatching devices were also distracting during critical events, drawing drivers' eyes for four seconds.
The dialing component of the cell phone, or the texting was found to pose the greatest risk. The recommendations below are recommended to motor carriers when addressing distractions:
- Educate your drivers to the importance of having eyes on the road and getting the big picture.
- Remember that reading and writing are dangerous distractions.
- Consider policies that ban texting or other use of in-vehicle devices.
- Encourage drivers to avoid manual dialing and the use of dispatching devices on the road.
- Inform drivers that although talking can help keep them alert, it’s best to use a hands-free device to keep both hands on the wheel, and avoid emotional or complex discussions.
- Consider dispatch devices that include Bluetooth capabilities, voice activation or lockout features.
Submitted by:
Michael Nischan, CDS
Loss Control & Safety Consultant | NATMI Instructor
The McCart Group / An Assurex Global Partner
michael.nischan@mccart.com
678.475.5720 office
678.938.2012 cellular
678.475.3852 fax
Georgia Institute on Aging News
Aging Services & YOU
(This monthly column provides information for YOUR continued Professional Development)
By Tom Coffey, SPHR, CBM, CPLP
Achieving Excellence through Action
`This month’s thoughts….
“Everyone is a leader – we are each responsible for leading ourselves”.
This means that we must choose how we respond to situations as we encounter them in life. We must be proactive in our choices and decisions. In “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, Stephen Covey reminds us of this fact – that we are response/able – we have the ability to determine how we respond to any situation.
Proactive people develop this ability to choose their responses, making them more a product of their values than their moods and conditions. Each of us can become more proactive by exercising and practicing the freedom to choose, rather than just react to situations and circumstances.
Those of you that have attended workshops or read about “Emotional Intelligence” remember that two key factors are self-awareness and self-management. We must first recognize how we are responding, and then form a plan to begin to manage our responses. The goal is to establish new patterns of response to replace the ineffective “ruts” we were stuck in.
Think of a recent situation where you reacted instead of responded in the situation. How did it go? Can you think of better choices that could have produced a better outcome? What can you do to help utilize the space between the stimulus (something that happens to you) and your response?
The process begins with this realization that you are indeed the “programmer” for your life. Does someone really “make you mad”? Of course not, you have a choice in how you respond to their irritations. Think of options that you have in your response toolkit – do you confront the person, ignore him/her, walk away, smile??? What possible outcomes could result from these choices?
If you are unexpectedly stranded in traffic, will fuming, blowing your horn, or pounding the dash get you to your destination any sooner? Are there possible physical effects of these reactions that could affect you, such as a rise in your blood pressure, resulting in a headache? What other choices could you make to ease your frustration? Remember, you are the programmer!
It may take some practice to move from reacting to responding, but you will find that you have more control of your life, and more positive outcomes from life’s events.
Who Decides?
2010 Aging Services of Georgia
Annual Conference
SAVE THE DATES!-- March 22-24, 2010
Dolcé Resort & Conference Center
Peachtree City, GA
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 aging services and healthcare professionals, presented by nationally recognized speakers and consultants. Since all of the courses are audio conferences or 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. To register or for more information, please go to the IHN/PDN website.
Last Month's Events
June 4, 2009
Adult Day Forum
We had a great meeting including dialogue regarding the economic impact on adult day programs. A task group is going to review the CCSP rules to outline confusing issues to discuss with DHR. The group decided to try having 2 longer face-to-face meetings each year and maybe conference calls between the meetings. A webinar will be developed to introduce GA Adult Day Care Association, benefits of membership, and how to start an adult day program. Peter Notarstefano from AAHSA shared from a national perspective (powerpoint and other materials/reports/studies posted in FOR MEMBERS; Adult Day Services section of web site).
Adult Day providers will have a full-day event on Thursday, October 1st in Atlanta. Non-members will be targeted and invited to participate.
Tuesday, June 9
Maintaining Your Life's Purpose with Richard Taylor
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
Thursday, June 11
Leadership Roundtable Luncheon
The Pathway to Greatness: Achieving Top Performance
Nancy Rehkamp, Principal/Director of Research
The CEO roundtable discussion was intriguing to say the least. What an incredible presentation by Nancy Rehkamp, Principal Director of Research from LarsonAllen CPA firm. Nancy enlightened us with a futurist perspective on our market and the impact of the current economy, which implicates flat growth in the senior living market over the next several years. Nancy advised leadership on ways to achieve greatness despite the current outlook, by helping the audience to focus on unorthodox opportunities. Innovation is the name of the game and not-for-profits have always been at the helm of transformational leadership.
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, July 29 SAVE THE DATE
Fair Housing Symposium
Brochure and Registration
Wednesday, August 5
10 am PR Marketing Communications Webinar
Wedneday, August 5
1:30 pm CCRC Policy Meeting
August 26-27 SAVE THE DATE
Annual Service Coordinator Conference
Brochure and Registration
August 26-27 SAVE THE DATE
Nursing Leadership Conference
September 9 SAVE THE DATE
OSHA 10 Hour General Industry Standards Training
The McCart Group Offices
8:30 - 5:00
Registration Form and Brochure
September 16 SAVE THE DATE
Summer Luncheon and Professional Forums
Topic: Creativity on Demand (What's your organization's report card on innovation) presented by Harry Varis, KSU and Jim McDonald, KSU
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
The Georgia Institute on Aging Professional Development and Education Committee is providing an opportunity for two to four members of Aging Services of GA to attend the 2009 CASP Fall Institute in Atlanta, Georgia this September.
AgingServicesNEXT and gahsaNEXT participants will have the opportunity to receive the first two scholarships toward the CASP candidacy fee and full Fall Institute registration fee. In addition, the Professional Development and Education Committee has determined that preference for awarding these scholarships will be given to staff from organizations that have not participated in the CASP program before and to staff working for facilities in which there is a financial need. The number and amount of the scholarships awarded will be dependent upon the number of qualified applicants who can be helped within the available resources.
Applications must be completed and received by Aging Services of Georgia/Georgia Institute on Aging no later than July 31, 2009. They may be emailed, faxed, or mailed. A copy of the scholarship application can be found here.
September 26 SAVE THE DATE
Las Vegas Night
Helene Mills Multi-purpose Senior Center
Prepare for a sensational networking event with your colleagues as we embark upon our first Las Vegas Night benefit fundraiser (all proceeds to fund the Georgia Institute on Aging educational events and scholarship program).
The center will be transformed with a chasing lighted archway for you, your friends and colleagues to come and play all the traditional games from your favorite Casino. All this is in an effort to make a difference for the Georgia Institute on Aging future programming. The prizes are going to be fantastic and we will host our Annual Silent Auction for all those that prefer watching the games being played. Tickets for the evening affair includes: chips to play games, tapas & spirits, and entry to the silent auction—all for only $25 per person.
This is a great way to treat your staff to a nice evening affair and to build your professional network. In addition, you will make a difference in the advancement of quality care for older Georgians by ensuring the delivery of quality education for professional and paraprofessionals in the field of aging. For information about tickets and sponsoring a game table for the event, please phone Jacque Thornton at 404-872-9191 ext. 19 or jthornton@agingservicesga.org.
Hope to see everyone there!!!
October 1 SAVE THE DATE
CCRC Symposium
October 1
Leadership Summit
Back by popular demand -- Clint Maun
October 15 SAVE THE DATE
2nd Annual Culture Change Summit
Center for Positive Aging
See info under “Inside YOUR Association
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
The first Culture Change Connection (monthly email blasts) was sent the end of June. If you did not receive it, please sign up at www.culturechangega.org (also, you can access this via the Institute web site since the Culture Change Network of Georgia is housed at the Institute).
The 2nd Annual Culture Change Summit will be held at the Loudermilk Center in Atlanta on October 15th. The three tracks will be Leadership/Governance, Program Implementation, and Dementia Care. We are expecting funding for registration scholarships – watch for details!
News Throughout the Continuum
Affordable Housing
REAC Electrical Panel Inspections Update
The Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) has recently posted a comprehensive guide for inspectors. The 10-page document has full color photos and detailed scenario guidance for the inspection of various kinds of panels and situations. Many communities throughout the country have lost a number of points on their inspections due to the misinterpretation of inspectors.
Many thanks to the AAHSA housing staff who played a significant role in the on-going dialogue regarding the inspection issues. The guidance is posted here. It is for inspectors as well as owners/agents. There is also a REAC “inspector alert” posted on the same page, which explains the issues related to secured covered and “bare” wires.
At this point, it is not expected that significant points lost on prior inspection will be restored, but AAHSA is hopeful that going forward there will be fewer significant and disputable hits and that the protocol has been effectively improved to ensure focus on real issues of safety.
Assisted Living & CCRC's
The Impact of the Economic Downturn on Consumers and Providers
As we all know, our country is experiencing its most serious economic meltdown since the Great Depression of the 1930s. How has this current downturn affected the assisted living industry - specifically consumers and providers?
Older adults who are considering moving to an assisted living community and their families are confronted with three major financing challenges: declining home values, difficulty selling their homes, and severe reductions in the value of their retirement investment portfolios. For people without long-term care insurance, which is the vast majority of prospective assisted living residents, these financial challenges may be insurmountable with some older adults deciding to remain at home longer than planned. A recent AARP poll—Perceptions of long-term care and the economic recession—revealed that 49% of older adults said that if they required long-term care, they expected to live at home and have an aide a few hours daily. This percentage represents a 6% increase over 2008 as a result of the economic downturn. Full Story
Kathleen Cameron
Chair
Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living
Home and Community Based Services
(Adult Day Services, Hospice, Home Health)
June 4th Meeting
Materials and information from the June 4th meeting, along with the AAHSA HCBS Cabinet report is posted on the web site under FOR MEMBERS, Adult Day Services, June 4th meeting and materials. See detailed report under Georgia Institute on Aging section.
Nursing Care
“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 June 15 Issue are:
- The Abuse F-tags:
Are You in Compliance?
HCS Rehab Study and Home Care/Hospice Studies Underway
HCS is conducting its 3rd annual national Rehabilitation Compensation Study, covering Long Term Care, Hospitals, Home Health Agencies, and Hospices. The brief study covers thirteen rehab positions. Data surveyed includes actual salary/hourly rates, bonuses, and per diem rates, as well as benefits granted. The results will report data by county, state, and region.
Please report data by individual facility by healthcare sector. Rehab questionnaires are due to HCS by July 20th.
HCS is also conducting its annual Home Health and Hospice Salary & Benefits studies. The studies cover 60+ jobs and report data by auspice, revenue size, county, state, and region. Home Care and Hospice questionnaires are due by August 3rd.
Rosanne Zabka
Director of Reports,
HCS
ph 201-405-0075, ext. 11
fax 201-405-2110
rzabka@hhcsinc.com
AGING SERVICES VACANCY REPORT
Please assist your colleagues by sharing this information when you receive calls from consumers you cannot serve.
Facility |
Units |
Cost |
Type of Subsidy/Waiver |
Decatur Christian Towers |
5 - Efficiency |
$474 |
|
Lutheran Towers |
4 – Efficiency |
|
Sec. 8 |
Riverview Health & Rehab |
20- Nursing Care |
$150/day |
Medicaid, Medicare, VA |
The Zaban Tower |
5 – Efficiency |
$2100 |
HUD PRAC |
| Grosvenor Personal Care Home | 3 | $2000 | |
| Asbury Harris Epworth Towers | 5 - Efficiencies | Subsidized |
|
| Philips Tower | 6 - One Bedroom |
Career Opportunities
Right at Home In Home Care and Assistance
Atlanta
Staffing Coordinator
Middle Flint Council on Aging
Americus
Nurse Supervisor/Care Coordinator
Athens Community Council on Aging
Athens
Activity Coordinator for Adult Day Care Programs
Senior Financial Manager
King's Bridge Retirement Center
Atlanta
Medical Transportation Driver
Alzheimer's Association
Dalton/Rome
Program Director
Brandon Wilde
Augusta
Director of Nursing
Magnolia Manor, Inc.
Buena Vista, Georgia
Administrator
Peachtree Hills Place and Park Springs
Stone Mountain
CCRC Residency and Sales Counselor
Riverview Health & Rehabilitation Center
Savannah, GA
Chief Financial Officer
MobilexUSA
Sales Representative
A.G. Rhodes Homes
Atlanta
Director of Nursing
Admissions Manager
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.
Tell Congress to Stop the Proposed Medicare Payment Freeze
Tell your legislators to stop the proposed cancellation of the 2010 Medicare payment update for skilled nursing facilities and home health care providers. A freeze would have a disproportionately severe impact on facilities serving those with complex care needs. We must persuade Congress not to include these damaging proposals in any bill that comes to the floor of the House or Senate. Act now.
CBO Shows Long-Term Services and Supports Reform is Affordable
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scoring of the Affordable Health Choices Act, which includes long-term services and supports provisions similar to the CLASS Act, found that our country can create a national insurance trust for supportive services that is affordable for average Americans and that does not drain government resources. Now, we must gain our legislators' support for this bill. More information.
Cosponsors Needed for Medicare Adult Day Services Bill
The Medicare Adult Day Services Act would allow Medicare beneficiaries to use adult day service programs that are certified, licensed, or accredited under an approved accreditation agency to provide post-acute services under Medicare. The legislation needs as many cosponsors as possible to move through the House. More information.
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:
Share Your Consumer Voice with AAHSA
AAHSA’s Future of Aging blog now features a weekly “Consumer Focus” column. The new column will be an outlet for consumers to tell AAHSA and its members what they think it will take to achieve the kind of healthy, independent, and fulfilling old age that we all want. Learn more.