Elderly Housing Conference Faculty from AAHSA, HUD, SAHMA and GA HAP
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
Pfizer
GIA Friends
The Law Offices of Williams & Edelstein
Dixon Hughes
GIA Contributors
HVAC Services
Kings Bridge Retirement Center
Canterbury Court
Presbyterian Village
Presbyterian Homes of Georgia
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
2010 Aging Services of Georgia
Annual Conference & Trade Exposition
March 22-24, 2010
Dolcé Resort & Conference Center,
Peachtree City, GA
Attendee Brochure and Registration Form
Now Available
Exhibitor/Sponsor Prospectus
Reservations
Award Nominations Information and Form
Deadline for Nominations -- March 5!
See detailed information under Institute section of this newsletter
Annual Conference Update
Register NOW and reserve your space for the March 22-24 conference. We have an excellent group of guest speakers. We also have a special one-day registration on March 23rd designed for all professionals in the field of aging. Tracks include:
- Mental Health & Dementia Issues
- Wellness
- Dining
- Maintenance/Housekeeping
- Professional/Personal Development
- Operational/IT/Clinical.
Member Connections
Members are logging into SHAREpoint, the new member connection software via FOR MEMBERS on the Web site. This is the new home of all connections between members as well as members and the association! The Activity Professionals, for example, are designing an on-line template to share activities, day trips and resources. NOW IS THE TIME to make sure you can log into the system. Please contact Susan Watkins or Barry Lastinger if you need a user name and password.
Groups of Aging Services of Georgia members are using SHAREpoint. Activity Professionals have developed on-line templates to SHARE information about Outings, Entertainment and In-House Activities/Events. They designed the forms and we are currently developing the templates. NEXT WEEK, the templates will be available under the Activity Professional Section of SHAREpoint for activity professionals to begin completing and posting the forms.
Awards Nominations Due THIS FRIDAY March 5th
Thanks so much for your efforts in stimulating interest among your colleagues. However, we still need nominations for the 2010 Aging Services of Georgia Awards. Categories include:
- Award of Honor
- Distinguished Service
- Caring Heart
- Volunteer of the Year
- Trustee of the Year
The deadline is 5p.m. on Friday, March 5th.
You still have time to submit your nominations.
Click here to enter your nomination online. It only takes a few minutes!
MDS 3.0 Training for Nursing Homes
Aging Services of Georgia, AOPHA and Plante & Moran have partnered to offer our members a series of affordable distance learning educational sessions about the process of completing the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 – the new tool beginning October 1, 2010.
The MDS drives everything in long-term care (survey, quality indicators/quality measures, data for Nursing Home Compare, reimbursement) and with the new process, accuracy of the MDS will be a challenge for the interdisciplinary team. We will break down the MDS 3.0 section by section.
Successful surveys demand accurate MDSs. To provide the best information to consumers the facility must generate accurate MDSs. Rightful reimbursement for Medicare and Medicaid requires an accurate MDS.
Each of these 11 - 90 minute sessions is designed to build on one another and fit the needs of all disciplines involved in the assessment process. Each session will have time for questions and answers. The team can hear and see the same information at the same time via audio format; no travel expenses for the facility and continuing education certificates will be sent to your door. more information
Georgia invited to participate in new Affordable Housing Living Laboratory
COLLAGE, The Art & Science of Healthy Aging: Subsidized Housing Living Laboratory Initiative, 2010 will be kicked off this spring and Georgia has been invited to participate. Collage a wellness model mostly used in CCRCs. COLLAGE, The Art & Science of Healthy Aging was created in 2005 as a joint venture between Kendal Outreach, LLC, a not-for-profit subsidiary of The Kendal®Corporation, and the Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, a not-forprofit organization affiliated with Harvard Medical School. more
Calendar Information
To assist you with planning, we are forwarding you information on special holidays and observances for each month 2 months in advance. The December issue of Coffey Break had information for February.
This month, we are sending you information for May, 2010
May is:
Older American's month
View and download the Older Americans Month 2010 logo, poster and other materials.
Saturday, May 1 May Day
Monday, May 3 Brothers and Sisters Day
Tuesday, May 4 National Teacher's Day
Wednesday, May 5 Cinco de Mayo
Sunday, May 9 Mother's Day
Saturday, May 15 Armed Forces Day
Wedneday, May 26National Senior Health and Fitness Day
Monday, May 31 Memorial Day
General Notes of Interest
NEW Director for Division of Aging Services
Dr. James Bulot will be joining the Department of Human Services on March 01, 2010, in the position of Director of Aging Services. Dr. Bulot comes to us from the Louisiana Office of Elderly Affairs, where he served as the Executive Director. He worked to modernize Aging services across the state of Louisiana, to include the restructure of disability resource centers, redesign of the Medicaid HCBS Waiver, and the development and implementation of free web-based training on aging and aging services.
He provided leadership for the Office of Elderly Affairs and was recognized by the National Association of State Unit on Aging Directors, FEMA, and the Administration on Aging highlighting the potential of the Aging Services Network. Additionally, Dr. Bulot was instrumental in attracting 10 million dollars in competitive funding for redesigning aging services. He also brings an extensive background and academic training in Gerontology with major emphasis in Public Policy, Statistics and Research Methods.
The Assisted Living Salary & Benefits Report 2009-2010
This report via the Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service/AAHSA is now available. We have a copy in the association office for members to use at your convenience.
Profile of Older Americans
Electronic version of the popular brochure with the latest key statistics on older Americans in key subject areas. It includes both narrative and statistical charts. The 2009 edition is only available online.
Older Americans Month 2010 Materials Now Available
The Older Americans Month 2010 theme is "Age Strong! Live Long!" The theme recognizes and celebrates the diversity and vitality of today's older Americans. The Administration on Aging is pleased to provide materials to assist providers at the national, state, and local levels plan for activities in commemoration of Older Americans Month. To view and download the Older Americans Month 2010 logo, poster and other materials, please visit.
2010 Census Bureau Fraud Prevention Fact Sheet Developed by GA Department of Human Services
The 2010 U.S. Census has started. Cyber-criminals and scam artists are taking advantage of the census-taking event to separate older adults from personal and financial information that they can use to empty bank accounts and steal identities. more
CDC Offers New Stroke Web Site
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention recently launched Stroke web site provides valuable information and resources for patients and professionals on signs and symptoms of a stroke, the third leading cause of death in the United States. To learn more
New Conservation Handbook Nearing Completion
The Handbook on Conservation for Retirement Communities has been one of the most important and useful publications of Gray Is Green for a number of years. The original 2007 version is still freely available on their website, but the 2010 version is nearing completion. Their special projects team has done a fantastic job of pulling together important sustainability resources and producing a handbook that will help any retirement community create and maintain a greening program.
If you would like to be alerted as soon as this new resource becomes available, please contact Dan Peerless (danpeerless@grayisgreen.org). An electronic (PDF) version will be freely available, but they can provide a hard copy upon request.
Translation Please
Did you know that Google has a Language Tools page where you can translate text, documents or even websites? There is no cost and it is easy to use. You just download your document, type in your text or a website address choose the language you want it translated to and click on the translate button. click here
Atlanta Creativity Exchange at the Coles College of Business
On May 6-8, 2010 I will attend the unique, exciting and fun Atlanta Creativity Exchange at the Coles College of business at Kennesaw State University. I urge you to attend as well; check it out at www.atlantacreativity.org
A lineup of amazing speakers, performers and attendees will gather for three days to share their expertise in how to benefit from achieving innovative solutions in:
- Business
- Education and
- Personal Growth
Participants at past ACE events remarked on the:
- “great networking”
- “excellent quality of speakers and presentations”
- “the availability of the speakers for further discussion”
- “the friendly interaction of speakers and participants”
- “immediately applicable learning”
- “the variety of information covered.”
The entire three-day event, plus food and all materials, is only $99 if you register now. ACE capacity is only 200 and after the first 100 registrations the registration fee goes up.
IN business and in life, the key to improvement is innovative thinking. Learn more about this unique opportunity for learning and sharing the keys to creative thinking and innovation.
Go to www.atlantacreativity.org and register today.
Register to come to the Atlanta Creativity Exchange
www.atlantacreativity.org
May 6-8, 2010
Submitted by:
Harry Vardis
404 285 1086 Mobile
www.creativefocus.net
Creative Focus, Inc.
209 The South Chace
Atlanta, GA 30328
As one who is influential in the community, you play a critical role in the Census by encouraging participation in your districts and communities. Although the decennial census is required by the Constitution, many view this as an intrusion or have some fear that it might impact them negatively. The following is an overview compiled for your use to help address some of these concerns.
Census Overview
What: The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States.
Who: All U.S. residents must be counted – people of all races and ethnic groups, both citizens and non-citizens.
When: Census Day is April 1, 2010. Questionnaire responses should represent the household as it exists on that day.
Why: The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years. The census will show state population counts and determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
How: With only 10 questions, one of the shortest questionnaires in history will be delivered or mailed to households via U.S. mail in March 2010. Census workers also will visit households that do not return questionnaires.
Public Policy Update
General Assembly Addresses Budget Issues and Maintains a Deliberate Pace
From Tom Bauer, Aging Services of Georgia Legislative Counsel
The 2010 Georgia General Assembly began Monday January 11. Due to Georgia’s significant budget deficit resulting from the continuing recession and the change in House leadership, the pace of the General Assembly has been quite slow. As of February 18, the General Assembly had finished half of its 40-day session and been in recess with reconvening to be on March 8. At that time the both he FY ’10 and ’11 budgets will continue to be the major issues.
The FY ’10 budget, which had a $1.2 billion deficit at the start of the legislative session, saw that deficit increase due to a continuing lag in state revenues. This deficit will also ‘spill over” to the FY ’11 budge
Legislation
Aging Services of Georgia has completed a re-work of HB 843, its legislation to update the regulation of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). At the request of the sponsor (Mike Jacobs) and House Insurance committee chair (John Meadows), Aging Services has worked with the Department of Insurance (DOI) to shorten the bill by identifying provisions which could be included in DOI rules once the bill is passed. In addition, the financial reserves provisions have been redrafted to clarify their relationship with t existing escrow provisions in the current law. Although several CCRCs have sent letters in support of HB 843 and the need to update the regulation of CCRCs, it now appears likely that passage of CCRC reform may be delayed until the 2011 General Assembly.
Aging Services of Georgia continues to follow two other significant bills closely. One is a carryover (HB 850) and one is a new bill (HB 1040) of particular interest to Aging Services. HB 850, a bill which was introduced the final day of the 2009 General Assembly to create a new level of long-term care between the social model of personal care homes (assisted living) and the medical model of skilled nursing. Because the bill is somewhat confusingly drafted and appears to be heavily weighted toward providers at the expense of residents, assisted living members of Aging Services of Georgia has had some concerns about the legislation. It will continue the discussion of HB 850 with the hopeful result of legislation allowing seniors to age in place in the most appropriate high quality environment. Currently, the bill is still in the House Health and Human Services Committee and has not been placed on a meeting agenda.
One component of HB 850 addresses the need for flexibility in allowing residents some assistance with their medications. To that end Walter Coffey worked last year with the
Governor’s “Work Group on Higher Activity in the Community” chaired by Mary Eleanor Wickersham of the governor’s office to examine ways to provide assistance with activities of daily living, including the taking of medication, where such assistance can enable a person with disabilities to remain in the community with some degree of independence and to allow seniors to “age in place.”
The result is HB 1040, introduced by one of the governor’s floor leaders. The bill allows a physician or other midlevel healthcare provider to sign an order to allow a registered nurse to train a non-licensed caregiver (e.g. a family member or neighbor) to deliver “health maintenance activities” which would allow a person to remain in the community rather than to live in an institution. Such providers would be immune from any liability. HB 1040 has had one hearing in a subcommittee of the House Judiciary, Non-Civil Committee (at which Aging Services of Georgia president Walter Coffey testified in support of the bill). However, it is being re-drafted due to concerns expressed by legislators, medical community, and trial lawyers that it is too broadly drafted.
Budget
The governor has proposed to address the Medicaid deficit through the imposition of a 1.6% fee on gross revenues of hospitals and managed care plans. The FY ’11 budget anticipates this revenue and also proposes to cut provider reimbursement by 2% starting in 2011. If the tax is not passed, Governor Perdue is proposing a 16% cut in provider reimbursement rates. These proposals have proven very controversial, and legislators are also being urged (by both health care advocates and provider groups) to consider a $1 increase in the cigarette tax. Currently the issue is at a standstill. It is important to seniors in part because the Community Care Services Program has been “propped up” by federal stimulus funds which will need to be replaced in the budget next year.
Aging Services of Georgia has also supported an effort to appropriate “civil monetary penalty” funds to programs supporting Culture Change. These CMP dollars which were collected as fines on nursing homes by federal law must be spent to benefit residents of nursing homes. Due to the “hole” in the FY ’10 budget, legislators are reluctant to fund any new programs, and the Senate version of the budget appropriates all of the CMP funds (an amount of more than $10 million) in an attempt to adhere to federal law yet still be used to address the budget deficit. The House version appropriates $1 million to the long term care ombudsman program and $600,000 to Adult Protective Services. The differences will have to be worked out by a conference committee when the General Assembly re-convenes on March 8.
Need Help Planning a Homecoming Event?
Use our planning guide for AAHSA’s 2010 Homecoming week, held from May 31 - June 4. This year’s homecoming theme is Who Decides?, and we’re asking AAHSA members to host a roundtable discussion at their organization where consumers, business leaders, policy makers and other community members can come together and discuss the challenges and opportunities that come as our population ages. The guide features program ideas, media relations tips and sample resources you can use to host a successful event. Contact: Lauren Shaham, (202) 508-1219.
Business Connection
Updates from our Associate Members
New Associate Members
Angela S. Consulting
P.O. Box 742799
Riverdale, GA 30274
(678) 668-5563
Angela Stingle
angelastingle@ymail.com
www.angelapchconsulting.com
PeopleFirst Rehabilitation
680 S. 4th St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Jeff Mager
jeff.mager@peoplefirstrehab.com
www.peoplefirst.com
Elevator Door Restrictors
Existing Passenger Elevators shall meet the Restricted Opening of Hoistway Doors or Car Doors as required by ASME A 17.3, Rule 2.7.5
Recently the state of Georgia mandated elevator door restrictors. A door restrictor will prevent the elevator car doors from opening or being opened manually when the elevator is located 18 inches or more from floor level.
You should have door restrictors on your elevators by now or your elevator maintenance provider should have notified you of this requirement. The deadline to have this task completed was December 31, 2009. Buildings are currently being cited and instructed to install restrictors immediately.
Plain and simple door restrictors prevent trapped passengers from trying to remove themselves from an elevator when it is not near a floor.
In the event of an elevator entrapment, it is important that you advise the trapped passenger(s) to remain calm and maintain communication with them.
Always wait for the assistance of a qualified elevator technician to evacuate the passenger(s).
Submitted by:
Charlotte L. Williams
Vertical Systems Incorporated
50 Hurt Plaza
Suite B52
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Phone: (404) 581-0094
Fax: (404) 581-0834
www.verticalsysinc.com
Georgia Institute on Aging News
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Who Decides? 2010 Aging Services of Georgia Annual Conference
Dolcé Resort & Conference Center
Peachtree City, GA
Attendee Brochure and Registration Form
PLEASE – reserve your rooms ASAP.
Exhibitor/Sponsor Prospectus
Reservations
Award Nominations Information and Form (Deadline March 5)
Our theme for 2010 poses an ethical, philosophical, practical and thought-provoking question. It is intended to stimulate a rich dialogue as we consider the varying needs of seniors (and other populations) and the models of service and care delivery that will be required to serve them well.
Who Decides? is more than a question. It is a shift in mindset – a recognition that the current landscape is changing, and as it changes, the role of everyone involved – from consumers to family members to direct care workers to CEOs and boards – is evolving.
Care and service decisions requires everyone involved (from the boardroom to the bedside) to be empowered and promote individual choice in an effort to enhance quality of life—and in essence to truly become person-centered throughout the continuum of aging services.
Who decides how the future will look as we strive to serve older Georgians through quality services, products, and care? We do, Georgia’s mission driven—key providers. Yes, that means you!
However, this is the real question, the challenge and the opportunity for all of us as we explore this year’s conference theme:
- Who decides where and what services are needed to sustain the field for new generations?
- What does it mean to explore culture change initiatives, alter traditional roles and organizational structure and empower staff?
- What new leaders and leadership issues will emerge?
- Who will determine the right treatment, duration and location of where care/services are delivered?
- Who will foot the bill? Or how will the resources flow and with whom?
- And finally, as life runs its natural course, how will we prepare for the end-of-life with dignity and honor. What wishes will be honored?
These are all very critical questions that must be addressed and we encourage you to decide today to invest in your human capital (your staff) to work through these issues with your colleagues for the advancement of aging services in Georgia. As an incentive for members to bring their entire staff, we are offering member organizations that send at least two staff at the full registration rate, the following discount:
- One-day rate of $80 pp for additional staff attending a professional track on Tue., March 23rd.
- Staff attending professional tracks include all materials and meals in registration rate.
We realize that transformational leadership at every level is key. Now is the time to put your passion into action. Accountability matters—how will you decide? We look forward to seeing you at Dolcé Atlanta-Peachtree on March 22-24, 2010.
PLEASE – reserve your rooms ASAP.
There will be rooms at the Dolce conference center and The Hampton Inn just outside the conference center.
SOMETHING NEW: This year, the committee has developed special one-day tracks for a full day of training on Tuesday, March 23rd. You will notice an incredible group of 20 workshops with innovative presenters!
The Tuesday tracks include topics such as Mental Health & Dementia Issues, Wellness, Dining, Maintenance & Housekeeping, Professional & Self Development, Operations Management, IT & Clinical Issues.
Last Month's Events
February 1
Culture Change Webinar
Vision and Leadership
Steve Shields
February 3
Positive Aging Lifestyles
Train the Trainer
February 3
First AgingServicesNEXT Event
Sharon Allred, LW Consulting lays out plan for developing
Personal Action Plan
February 10
Culture Change Webinar
Implementation, "How To . . ." & Celebrating Success
Karen Nichols
February 11
Winter Luncheon
Luncheon Topic was Creating an Environment for
Creativity & Innovation in Your Organization
Winners of the creativity contest
February 16
Webinar
Preparing for a HUD Service Coordinator Review
Brenda Tsavatewa
February 18
Elderly Housing Symposium
HUD & Georgia HAP staff along with
Colleen Bloom,
AAHSA, speaking to members
Kim McRae, Eve Byrd and Mary Arthur share innovative
practices with Affordable Housing members
February 26
Adult Day Service Symposium
Kim McRae share information about dementia care and
programs in Adult Day settings
Upcoming Events
IHN University Online (available 24/7)
Audio Conferences/Webinars
Information
Monday, March 15
Health Law and Policy Forum
Aging Services of Georgia is co-sponsor with King & Spaulding
Four Seasons Hotel
(some comp registrations available)
Monday - Wednesday, March 22-24
2010 Annual Conference and Trade Exposition
Dolce Atlanta-Peachtree; Peachtree City, Georgia
Attendee Registration
Exhibitor/Sponsor Prospectus
Reservations
Award Nominations Information and Form (Deadline March 5)
Thursday, April 29
Assisted Living Symposium
Thursday, May 13
Networking Spring Lunch and Learn
Atlanta Technical College
Saturday, May 22
Cabaret and Silent Auction at Theatrical Outfit
Blues in the Night
Off Broadway Musical
May - November 2010
MDS 3.0 Online Training
Culture Change Network
Culture Change Connection
Sign up now to review this email blast the middle of each month. If you missed the February edition, click here.
Webinar Series NOW available
Click here for Culture Change Webinars held recently entitled Setting the Stage for Culture Change: Preparing for our Aging Population
All Georgia Nursing Homes to Receive “Be With Me Today” DVD by Richard Taylor
The Culture Change Network of Georgia received a grant from Healthcare Research, Inc. to provide this significant resource to every nursing home in Georgia. Shipping will begin in May. For a preview of the DVD click here.
The Food and Dining Side of the Culture Change Movement February Dining Symposium Canceled: Online Programming and Plan B Announced
As many of you know, the much-anticipated Creating Home in the Nursing Home II: A National Symposium on Culture Change and the Food and Dining Requirements, sponsored by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Pioneer Network, was canceled due to devastating snow storms that hit the Mid-Atlantic region on February 11 and 12.
As promised, we are providing you with an update on how we plan to proceed given this unavoidable turn of events. We hope you will agree that "Plan B" provides a very timely and accessible alternative. While the dates that the information and web program will be available cannot yet be confirmed, we want to share the details we have so far and the approach that has been developed. Learn More
Background Paper Available Now
Prepared by Carmen Bowman, MHS under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), The Food and Dining Side of the Culture Change Movement: Identifying Barriers and Potential Solutions to Furthering Innovation in Nursing Homes is intended to provide the history of the culture change movement as it pertains to food and dining, including current research regarding food and dining issues and innovations.
"The issues surrounding new and innovative ways of serving food in the nursing home as you weave in and out of regulatory requirements. Thus, both the issues as well as the regulations are presented here together intertwined with what is missing. Carmen offers recommendations for what might be helpful on your journey to Culture Change." --Carmen Bowman, Author
Click here to download the background paper.
Georgia’s Participation In Pioneer Network Pilot Project to Reach Consumers Getting Attention: A Good Age: Making nursing homes more like home
Focus group talks about how services can cater more to what an older person wants
The Pioneer Network, an umbrella group in Rochester, N.Y., and the Picker Institute in Camden, Maine, are gathering elder advocates in Massachusetts, Georgia and Florida to talk about how elders can have a stronger voice and more choice in services.
This includes respecting the residents’ wishes on schedules for getting up in the morning, having meals, showering, and going to bed at night. more
Creating Home--Access to Nature Webinar Series
Did You Miss the First Webinar? Register for the Remaining Two!
Pioneer Network is proud to offer a three-part webinar series that investigates outdoor environmental design and green spaces to benefit older adults. The webinars will take place on three Tuesdays in March -- the 2nd, 9th and 16th from 1:00pm to 2:00 p.m. EST.
Center for Positive Aging
New Program with Scholarships Promoting Successful Aging
“Designing the rest of your life for Renewal not Retirement” is a new program of the Center. We are looking for baby boomers both staff AND residents, who want to focus and prepare for their future. It’s a 5 week course where 15 factors tied to successful retirement (from Retirement Options – Dr. Richard Johnson) will be presented. Doris Shannon will be facilitating this training via a group coaching experience.
We have 15, $100 scholarships available for this course. March 31st is the overview followed by five sessions on Wednesday mornings. The registration form will be available under “Upcoming Events” next week – watch for details!
New Program for Baby Boomers & New Retirees
Are Consumers Ready to Decide? Will future consumers be ready to exercise choice and control over their long-term services and supports? Some experts don’t think so. Read AAHSA’s report on Consumers Expectations for Long-Term Services and Supports to find out why – and what your organization can do to help consumers make care-related decisions. Read more about consumer choice in AAHSA’s newly updated Consumer Research Digest. Contact: Katie Sloan, (202) 558-9472. click here
News Throughout the Continuum
Home and Community Based Services
(Adult Day Services, Hospice, Home Health)
State and Federal Criminal Background Checks of Home Care
Workers
Affordable Housing
Revised Protocol for Placing a Flag in the Active Partners Performance System
Assisted Living
Health Reform Amendment Would Benefit Assisted Living Residents
CCRC's
Report Compares Financial Status of CCRC, Assisted Living
Residents
Ziegler Publishes National CCRC Listing & Profile
Nursing Care
Quality Improvement Incentive Approved for Georgia Nursing Homes
CMS approved the State Plan amendment with Georgia’s Fair Rental Value System for property payments and an additional 1% Quality Incentive. This approval gives DCH the authority to adjust FY2010 rates to nursing facilities which were appropriate in 2009 legislative session.
Ten criteria will be used to determine the level of incentive reimbursement to individual providers. The comparison model has been built to utilize My InnerView Data and CMS data to optimize value for each stakeholder. More
The Therapy Cap Exception Process Extended Under the "Temporary Extension Act of 2010
Next Update to CMS Five-Star Nursing Home Rating System on February 25
2009 and 2010 Updates for SNF PPS Personal Computer Pricer Files
“LIFElines” email publication for Aging Services of Georgia Nursing
Home Members & Nursing Staff
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 |
Calvin Court |
6 - Efficiency |
$558 |
|
Christian City |
Assisted Living: |
$2076 |
|
Lutheran Towers |
8 – Efficiency |
|
Sec. 8 |
The Zaban Tower |
6 – Efficiency |
$2185 |
HUD PRAC HUD PRAC |
Career Opportunities
Lenbrook; Atlanta
Senior Sales/Residence Counselor
Sarah Care Adult Day Care Centers; Sewanee, GA
Activities CoordinatorThe Habitat Company; Atlanta
Service Coordinator, Mental Health SpecialistSt. George Village; Roswell
Social WorkerBon Air Apartments; Augusta, GA
Service Coordinator AideCarlyle Place; Macon, GA
Controller
AAHSA Information
News from Melissa Sharp,
Vice President, Southeast Region, AAHSA
AAHSA Members Make Their Voices Heard on Capitol Hill
At last week’s Future of Aging Services Conference, more than 300 AAHSA members visited Capitol Hill and lobbied legislators about the issues affecting their elderly constituents and those who care for them. Thanks to all who sent e-mails, posted Tweets and called in reports about their visits. If you haven’t already, please let us know about your Hill visits. You can view photos and Tweets from the conference and Hill visits. If you couldn’t make it to the conference, you still have an important role to play in our advocacy efforts. Use out Contact Congress system to tell your legislators what they can do to make our country a better place for growing old.
Philanthropy-Centered Conference: Addressing the Growing Need for Philanthropy in a Climate of Change
Vision 2020: New Solutions for a New Decade
Over the past year, fundraising professionals have weathered economic reorientation, anticipated healthcare reform, witnessed an ever-changing workforce and faced increasing consumer demand and demands as our communities age. Thus, the need for sustaining and enhancing a culture of philanthropy within our organizations is great and growing.
Members Only - Exclusive Opportunity
Developed solely for members of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) and the National Hospice Workgroup Philanthropy Forum to engage in strategic generative discussions around planned giving, major gifts fundraising, donor relationship management and the ethics of philanthropy. Organizations are encouraged to send multiple staff members, as breakout sessions will be provided for chief development officers and for the each of the invited associations.
Date: May 5-7, 2010
Location: St. Pete Beach, Florida Postcard Inn on the Beach
View more information.
Don’t Let Medicaid Go Over the Cliff
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 included increased federal Medicaid funding for states hit by falling tax revenues and increased demands for Medicaid coverage due to the recession. This increased federal Medicaid match is due to expire Dec. 31, 2010. Unfortunately, most states still face dire budget situations. Medicaid generally is one of the most expensive programs in a state's budget, so when spending cuts must be made, the program becomes a prime candidate. More information.
Health Information Technology Toolkits Available
CAST has partnered with Aging Services of Minnesota to make health information technology (HIT) toolkits available. The new toolkits should help AAHSA and CAST members adopt HIT in a variety of long-term care settings. The Nursing Home Toolkit is specifically designed for facilities offering skilled care and the Home Health/Assisted Living Toolkit is aimed at organizations that provide care in the home.
AAHSA Member Benefit Spotlight: Data
AAHSA provides data about nursing homes and home health operations, including information on staffing levels, inspection results, quality indicators, quality measures, nursing home five-star rating system, and other statistics. AAHSA tracks this data yearly and quarterly, using publicly available data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to produce reports that are useful to our members and consumers. Click the below links to access this data: