12/21/09
12/14/09
Congressional Housing Appropriations Final Report
A look at what's passed the House and Senate in the areas of Low Income/Affordable Housing dollars
12/9/09
Summer Conference Call for Proposals
Consider applying to Aging Services with your presentation proposal for an educational session at our Annual Summer Conference.
Click on the title link above for details and an application.
Click on the title link above for details and an application.
Nursing & Boarding Homes ~ Governor's budget details
Governor Gregoire's budget released...Nursing Home and Boarding Home license fee increases are assumed in the budget, and there appear to be no long-term-care- specific cuts (including Medicaid rates).
The Governor proposes an increase in the nursing home license fee to $329/bed per year (from $275) and the boarding home license fee would increase to $114/bed per year (from $79).
We will update the blog as further details become available. One reminder - the Governor's budget is only 1 of 3 which are negotiated during the legislative session; the House and Senate versions are the other 2. Much more is to come between January 11 and March 11, 2010.
The Governor proposes an increase in the nursing home license fee to $329/bed per year (from $275) and the boarding home license fee would increase to $114/bed per year (from $79).
We will update the blog as further details become available. One reminder - the Governor's budget is only 1 of 3 which are negotiated during the legislative session; the House and Senate versions are the other 2. Much more is to come between January 11 and March 11, 2010.
CMS gives $1.16M to Iowa
On November 23, 2009 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that Iowa’s Medicaid program is the first to receive federal matching funds for planning activities necessary to implement the electronic health record incentive program established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Iowa will receive approximately $1.16 million in federal matching funds.
Is there an Audio Conference that you missed this past year that would benefit you or your staff? Check out our 'Recorded' Audio Conferences!
Given the recent economic volatility, we are sensitive to the challenges you may be facing in your own budgets, especially in the areas of staff education. Aging Services of Washington is focusing on bringing you the highest quality education through a number of avenues and believe that one of the most economical learning methods is through our audio conferencing seminars that allow for an hour and a half of training (and CEUs) without ever leaving the building.
See the title link for a sampling of the available audio conferences you may have missed, and instructions for how to order recordings and accompanying documents.
See the title link for a sampling of the available audio conferences you may have missed, and instructions for how to order recordings and accompanying documents.
ANTICIPATED mandatory use of EIV January 31, 2010
Good news for HUD Providers:
A notice (click on title link) has just been released from HUD on the EIV process and regulatory requirements. In the notice, they acknowledge that use of EIV IS NOT MANDATORY, but that they ANTICIPATE it to become mandatory on January 31, 2010.
We will update the blog once firm dates for such usage are announced.
A notice (click on title link) has just been released from HUD on the EIV process and regulatory requirements. In the notice, they acknowledge that use of EIV IS NOT MANDATORY, but that they ANTICIPATE it to become mandatory on January 31, 2010.
We will update the blog once firm dates for such usage are announced.
University of Washington partners with Aging Services' Assisted Living Providers
Aging Services is pleased to announce their partnership with Dr. Linda Teri of the University of Washington's Northwest Research Group on Aging to conduct research on training enhancements to their STAR Dementia program.
The University recently received a grant from the National Institutes of Health for Uptake of STAR: Increasing Qualified Staff to Improve Care of Older Adults in Assisted Living. Qualified assisted living providers in Thurston, Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties will be provided FREE DSHS-approved dementia training designed to impart strategies to help caregivers understand and work with the behaviors of elderly people in various stages of dementia. A train-the-trainer approach is a key component of the research project to ensure the continuation of educational opportunities for new staff and new residents or residents with changes of condition.
For more information, and to obtain participation assistance, contact Julie Peterson at jpeterson@agingwa.org
The University recently received a grant from the National Institutes of Health for Uptake of STAR: Increasing Qualified Staff to Improve Care of Older Adults in Assisted Living. Qualified assisted living providers in Thurston, Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties will be provided FREE DSHS-approved dementia training designed to impart strategies to help caregivers understand and work with the behaviors of elderly people in various stages of dementia. A train-the-trainer approach is a key component of the research project to ensure the continuation of educational opportunities for new staff and new residents or residents with changes of condition.
For more information, and to obtain participation assistance, contact Julie Peterson at jpeterson@agingwa.org
Two new legislators sworn into state office
The Washington State House of Representative gained two new members last week – Rep. Susan Fagan, R-Pullman, and Rep. Terry Nealey, R-Dayton. Fagan, a former Association of Washington Business board member, was elected in November to succeed Rep. Don Cox, R-Colfax, in the 9th Legislative District. Nealey replaces Rep. Laura Grant-Herriot, D-Walla Walla, in the 16th Legislative District.
iPhone app for caregivers
Unbelievably, perhaps, an iPhone application is available for download which helps family caregivers gain expert advice on things from how to deal with financial and housing concerns, to what to do in an emergency, and more.
The title link will take you to the web page of the application developer and the opportunity to download the app.
The title link will take you to the web page of the application developer and the opportunity to download the app.
Long Term Care Mutual Aid Plan missing some nursing home participants
Both King and Pierce Counties have been fully engaged in the process to develop and implement a Long Term Care Mutual Aid Plan (LTC-MAP) for many months.
There are 30 nursing homes in King County who have not responded to efforts to participate in this process, and Aging Services has been asked to work with our members on that list (if you are already involved, please let me know and I will update the county's records) to enhance participation.
Russell Phillips & King County Public Health will be hosting a briefing with nursing homes to get their facility data uploaded into the King County Mutual Aid Site on December 14, 2009. The few Nursing Homes who attended the last briefing (held on October 28) said they found the briefing to be very beneficial to gaining a more thorough understanding of the process involved in participating in the LTC-MAP. So far 28 King County Nursing Homes have entered their information into our mutual aid website. This leaves a gap of ~30 facilities in which we have no available data.
Please participate in the December 14 call by sending your RSVP to Lydia.ortega@kingcounty.gov.
There are 30 nursing homes in King County who have not responded to efforts to participate in this process, and Aging Services has been asked to work with our members on that list (if you are already involved, please let me know and I will update the county's records) to enhance participation.
Russell Phillips & King County Public Health will be hosting a briefing with nursing homes to get their facility data uploaded into the King County Mutual Aid Site on December 14, 2009. The few Nursing Homes who attended the last briefing (held on October 28) said they found the briefing to be very beneficial to gaining a more thorough understanding of the process involved in participating in the LTC-MAP. So far 28 King County Nursing Homes have entered their information into our mutual aid website. This leaves a gap of ~30 facilities in which we have no available data.
Please participate in the December 14 call by sending your RSVP to Lydia.ortega@kingcounty.gov.
DSHS seeking providers willing to serve qualified Dept. of Corrections inmates
The State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) intends to issue a Request for Qualifications and Quotes to develop specialized contracts for long-term care services (skilled nursing, boarding homes and adult family homes) to serve individuals leaving the Department of Corrections as part of the Extraordinary Medical Placement (EMP) program authorized under RCW 9.94A.728.
Click on the link above for complete information. Be sure to click on 'legal notice' at the bottom of the web page for contact information and directions/instructions.
Click on the link above for complete information. Be sure to click on 'legal notice' at the bottom of the web page for contact information and directions/instructions.
MDS 3.0 Satellite Broadcast - Dec 17 at 10 am
A one hour program for viewing on your computer. Videotapes will be availble after the broadcast.
Click on the title link to register for this 1st of 3 broadcasts introducing you to MDS 3.0. Under the 'documents' heading mid-way down on the CMS web page (linked), click on 'Promotion' for the detailed agenda.
Click on the title link to register for this 1st of 3 broadcasts introducing you to MDS 3.0. Under the 'documents' heading mid-way down on the CMS web page (linked), click on 'Promotion' for the detailed agenda.
12/2/09
Lilac Terrace opened!
A correction to our earlier announcement about Spokane Baptist Association Homes' new community. Lilac Terrace is the correct name, and it is located adjacent to their existing building, Lilac Plaza.
Congratulations again...
Congratulations again...
12/1/09
Feb. 17 Nursing Summit
Aging Services' 3rd Annual Nursing Summit for Assisted Living and Nursing Home staff:
Welcoming guest Keynote Speaker Dr. Eric Coleman, Program Director, Care Transitions Program, Division of Health Care Policy and Research, University of Colorado in Denver
Wed. February 17, all day, SeaTac area. Registration coming soon. Mark your calendars now.
Welcoming guest Keynote Speaker Dr. Eric Coleman, Program Director, Care Transitions Program, Division of Health Care Policy and Research, University of Colorado in Denver
Wed. February 17, all day, SeaTac area. Registration coming soon. Mark your calendars now.
Washington adopts 7.6 percent workers' comp rate hike
Workers' compensation rates will climb by an average of 7.6 percent next year under changes adopted by state officials.
The Wa. State Labor and Industries department says the rate hike will raise about $117 million for the state-run insurance program, which pays lost wages, medical bills and pensions for injured workers. Increases in health-care costs (up 8.5 percent) and wages (up 3.4 percent) last year are driving the premium hike, which averages to about an extra 4 cents per hour worked.
The Wa. State Labor and Industries department says the rate hike will raise about $117 million for the state-run insurance program, which pays lost wages, medical bills and pensions for injured workers. Increases in health-care costs (up 8.5 percent) and wages (up 3.4 percent) last year are driving the premium hike, which averages to about an extra 4 cents per hour worked.
Asking the EPA to create a senior care community ENERGY STAR rating
We urge your support!
Now more than ever, senior care communities are struggling with higher energy costs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecast that electricity prices will climb an average of 9.8% in 2009, due to increased costs of generating power. To help understand energy use in senior care communities and begin to formulate strategies for energy conservation, we are issuing our first ever energy survey of senior care communities. Everyone who completes the energy survey will be invited to a series of webinars where we will share survey findings including average energy consumption, costs, fuel sources, services that are correlated with the consumption of large amounts of energy, and more.
We will also share the results of this survey with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and work with them to create an ENERGY STAR® rating for senior care communities, just as they have done for other building types like hospitals and medical offices.
If you are interested in participating in the survey, contact Julie at jpeterson@agingwa.org
Now more than ever, senior care communities are struggling with higher energy costs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecast that electricity prices will climb an average of 9.8% in 2009, due to increased costs of generating power. To help understand energy use in senior care communities and begin to formulate strategies for energy conservation, we are issuing our first ever energy survey of senior care communities. Everyone who completes the energy survey will be invited to a series of webinars where we will share survey findings including average energy consumption, costs, fuel sources, services that are correlated with the consumption of large amounts of energy, and more.
We will also share the results of this survey with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and work with them to create an ENERGY STAR® rating for senior care communities, just as they have done for other building types like hospitals and medical offices.
If you are interested in participating in the survey, contact Julie at jpeterson@agingwa.org
Seniors affected by mobile home park closures
The Wa. Low Income Housing Alliance, of which Aging Services is a member, is seeking organizations to endorse the Two Year Notice of Intent to Close Manufactured Housing Communities bill (in 2009 it was known as HB 1581 and SB 5550).
The basic thrust of the bill is that owners of manufactured housing communities will have to give tenants - the manufactured home owners - two years notice that the community will be sold. Currently 12 months notice is all that is required. Due to the nature of manufactured homes and the lack of new communities, it can be extremely difficulty for home owners to move their home and it is expensive to dispose of a home. The bill will give homeowners time to plan for the future (a new place to live, moving or disposing of their home, etc).
The bill has been introduced in the previous two sessions as a three year closure bill. It was amended to two years in conference during the 2009 session.
If you are interested in supporting these efforts, please contact Michele Thomas at WLIHA, michele@wliha.org, with any questions about the bill or what is required to endorse the bill.
The basic thrust of the bill is that owners of manufactured housing communities will have to give tenants - the manufactured home owners - two years notice that the community will be sold. Currently 12 months notice is all that is required. Due to the nature of manufactured homes and the lack of new communities, it can be extremely difficulty for home owners to move their home and it is expensive to dispose of a home. The bill will give homeowners time to plan for the future (a new place to live, moving or disposing of their home, etc).
The bill has been introduced in the previous two sessions as a three year closure bill. It was amended to two years in conference during the 2009 session.
If you are interested in supporting these efforts, please contact Michele Thomas at WLIHA, michele@wliha.org, with any questions about the bill or what is required to endorse the bill.
Research proving music's effect on Alzheimers
Caregivers have observed for decades that Alzheimer's patients can still remember and sing songs long after they've stopped recognizing names and faces. Many hospitals and nursing homes use music as recreation, since it brings patients pleasure. But beyond the entertainment value, there's growing evidence that listening to music can also help stimulate seemingly lost memories and even help restore some cognitive function.
Input Sought on National Broadband Plan Regarding Health & Long-term Care Delivery Needs
In the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), Congress directed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in its development of a National Broadband Plan, to include "a plan for use of broadband infrastructure and services in advancing...health care delivery." The FCC is seeking input from providers on a number of health information technology applications that offer promising ways to use broadband and other advanced communications to promote better health outcomes and more efficient delivery of care. HIT applications include, but are not limited to, electronic health records (EHRs), remote patient monitoring, and real-time video consultations.
The FCC has identified several delivery settings where they seek to better understand the needs and gaps in current connectivity for providers in providing care, as well as HIT value and use cases. "Long-term care facilities" and "home" are two of the settings identified.
The FCC has identified several delivery settings where they seek to better understand the needs and gaps in current connectivity for providers in providing care, as well as HIT value and use cases. "Long-term care facilities" and "home" are two of the settings identified.
Sen. Keiser & Rep. Cody Editorial
Health Care Reform was the topic of a Nov. 29 editorial in the Everett Herald, with Washington's Senator Karen Keiser and Representative Eileen Cody weighing in on impacts to seniors in the national health care reform negotiations.
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