Advocacy and research to promote senior housing with services

The Institute for the Future of Aging Services (IFAS) is working with AAHSA’s new Housing with Services Steering Committee to drive policy that supports and sustains housing-with-services models. Read the full story here: http://www.aahsa.org/article_ifas.aspx?id=10126

Measuring Service Coordinator successes

California's Well Elder program is now the focus of a research study on the benefits of coordination of care and services in affordable housing.

“A service coordinator can say, ‘These services would be good for you,’ but the nurse can say ‘Your heart condition could be improved through these kinds of therapies,’...When you put the service coordinator and the health educator together, you’re better able to influence residents so they will agree to services that are going to stabilize them or create a sense of future for them where they currently live.” For the full article, read: http://www.aahsa.org/section_ifas.aspx?id=10125

CDC's H1N1 flu guidance updated

The “Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare Settings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel” related to H1N1 Influenza 2009 Pandemic was updated October 14.

Specific areas addressed include: Definitions of health care personnel; Use of a hierarchy of controls to prevent transmission; A change in recommended time-off from work for affected workers;General supplies shortages; and Managing visitor access.

Seattle nursing home, home health, adult day, PACE providers sought for grant

The Academy of Educational Development (AED) has been awarded a 2-year OSHA/DOL Susan Harwood Training Grant to conduct pandemic preparedness training in long term care [including nursing home, PACE, adult day, and home health staff].

AED is seeking AAHSA members in the Chicago, San Diego, Seattle, New York and El Paso areas to participate in this free training program. They have worked with AED in the past on other training programs, and the feedback received from members has always been extremely positive.

For more information, contact Peter Notarstefano (pnotarstefano@aahsa.org) or Evvie Munley (emunley@aahsa.org).

Don't delay!

HUD's EIV & SSN rules open for public comment

On October 15, HUD posted for public comment a proposed multi-family housing rule which could effectively separate the requirements for mandatory use of EIV from the other occupancy related changes contained in the earlier final rule, which had caused confusion and which amendments were not central or necessary to full implementation of EIV.

One possible outcome is the 'grandfathering' of participants 62 years of age or older from new SSN requirements, and exemption for individuals who have already disclosed a valid SSN. We are concerned that some housing providers may have existing elderly residents who do not have or cannot produce documentation of a valid SSN, yet have been receiving housing assistance and in compliance with all program requirements so far. Does the proposed rule language go far enough, or could it still leave actual residents at risk of loss of subsidy or eviction for inability to obtain or prove a valid SSN?

The rule language can be found here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24809.pdf

Senior Nutrition program awarded funding

Congratulations to Pierce County, WA.'s Catholic Community Services. They were just awarded $87,000 to assist in their efforts to provide meals to over 300,000 seniors every year. The nutrition program offers both meals-on-wheels service as well as dine-in services at 30 senior meal sites throughout Pierce County.

http://www.ccsww.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=9124

Influenza Now a Notifiable Condition - State of Wa.

Licensed Boarding Homes, Adult Family Homes, and Nursing Homes are, under adoption of emergency rule by the Dept. of Health, are required to IMMEDIATELY notify public health authorities of laboratory-confirmed hospitalized or fatal cases of influenza (ONLY) that occur in their facilities. For the complete rule, click here: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/laws/wsr/2009/19/09-19-090.htm

New Tacoma Senior Housing Project

New Senior Housing community coming to Salishan area of Tacoma, Wa. The American Baptist Homes of the West (ABHOW) is a recipient of grants from the Wa. State Housing Trust Fund and HUD, and will build 55 affordable senior housing apartments.

http://www.abhow.com/about/news_aboutus?archive_month=&archive_year=2009&archives=Go&id=65443

Asian American and Pacific Islander Seniors

"The National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) commends President Barack Obama on the signing of an Executive Order restoring the White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI).

We value the importance of the initiative and we strongly encourage the new White House Initiative’s Office to include in its top priorities, a focus on federal programs and services that address our most vulnerable and underserved AAPI seniors.”

The Medical Home Model

Vermont's Medical Home project highlighted as the model for the national pilot program, to begin January 2010. 400,000 Medicare beneficiaries are expected to be served.

Independence at Home Act Moves Forward

The Senate includes the Act in its Health Care Reform bill.

Five Star Update to be posted 10/22

On Oct. 22, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will update its five-star nursing home rating system, which is part of the Nursing Home Compare Web site. CMS recently populated facilities' mailboxes with their preview data. To access your information, visit the Minimum Data Set (MDS) State Welcome page available on the state servers where you submit MDS data. Select the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports (CASPER) reporting link located at the bottom of the login page. Once in the CASPER reporting system, click on the 'Folders' button and access the Five Star Report in your 'st LTC facid' folder, where "st" is the two-digit postal code of the state in which your facility is located and "facid" is your facility's state-assigned ID.

The helpline, now operating on a quarterly basis, is open effective Oct. 12.

October's MDS newsletter from DSHS

Always a great resource with the most current MDS information and resources.

Census surveys now available to members

At the request of several member community marketing directors, Aging Services of Washington will be conducting a BRIEF, monthly marketing/census survey among its members for the purpose of assisting members in their own marketing efforts. For more information, or to participate, contact Julie Peterson, jpeterson@agingwa.org

Tips for Seniors: Preventing Medical Identity Theft

Excellent resource for the seniors you serve: http://www.stopmedicarefraud.gov/protectyourself/index.html

Alzheimer's Patients Play Personalized Caregiver Messages for Comfort, Reassurance

From the Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST): The Kind Reminder™ plays a comforting, reassuring message recorded in the familiar voice of a family member or friend. (Example: "Mom, you have had breakfast today, Mary is with you, and I am working in my office.") Worn as a pendant, the device plays a message on demand when an Alzheimer's or dementia patient depresses the one, big, visible button on its face.

The Kind Reminder™ addresses the dual challenges of reducing patient anxiety and avoiding caregiver burnout from answering repetitive questions. It is intended for mild- to moderate- stage Alzheimer's patients. It is not intended for medical or safety reminders.

You can visit CAST at www.agingtech.org

No Social Security raise in 2010

The decline in consumer prices this year means no raise in Social Security payments next year for the more than 57 million Americans receiving benefits.
It will be the first year without a raise since automatic increases for inflation took effect in 1975.

Michigan considers new liquor license for CCRCs

As Michigan grapples with budget cuts and looks to generate more tax revenues, a bill was introduced that would create a new class of liquor license for senior living facilities. The bill died on the senate floor, but a few of the details contained within it can be read by clicking on the link above.

Seniors may receive extra $250 from the government

President Obama announced his support for an additional $250 Economic Recovery Payment to the seniors, veterans and people with disabilities who are struggling in retirement due to the unfavorable economic climate. This comes after an announcement that there will be no Social Security COLA increase in 2010.

Can the flu result in a Workers' Comp claim?

L & I has just released a memorandum discussing when seasonal or H1N1 influenza may be considered a workers' compensation claim. The notice has also been issued to physicians, clinics, hospitals, self-insured employers, etc. See the notice here: http://www.lni.wa.gov/ClaimsIns/Files/Providers/ProvBulletins/PbFiles/PB0908.pdf

HUD delays mandatory usage of EIV

Just a reminder ~ January 31, 2010 is the new deadline for full implementation of the EIV system. HUD is reviewing its final rule published in January 2009 due to concerns expressed by the industry.

Failed to File Stimulus Funding Report – Now What?

Many HUD housing members encountered difficulties filing the quarterly report funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the American Recovery and Revitalization Act . It appears that the federalreporting.gov Web site will continue to accept submissions until Oct. 21, then lock down until the next quarterly reporting window of Jan 1 to 10, 2010. HUD acknowledges a range of valid reasons why you could not report, but asks that members try to get something in before Oct. 21. Please keep track of all attempts to comply between Oct. 10 and Oct 21.

Nursing Homes, Home Health and Hospice on OIG Work Plan

The Office of Inspector General has just released its 2010 work plan, which includes detailed analysis of specific Medicaid and Medicare rule compliance, including HCBS waivers; the CMS survey process; and more. The report is tabulated for easy reference by provider type and payment source:
http://oig.hhs.gov/publications/docs/workplan/2010/Work_Plan_FY_2010.pdf

Construction Review Resource Links

A great resource for Wa. state licensed nursing facilities and boarding homes:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/fsl/crs/crs.htm

MDS - Info and Tips from DSHS

You can find information-packed qtrly newsletters posted here...
http://www.adsa.dshs.wa.gov/professional/MDS/newsletters.htm

ARRA reporting requirements - HUD housing

HUD has posted FAQs on the requirements for housing providers to report the receipt of AARA monies. Please note, ARRA funds were used only for project-based Section 8 (some 5700 of approximately 16,000 contracts). No ARRA funds were used for PRAC or other non-Section 8 rental subsidy programs.

http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/RECOVERY/Reporting/Project-Based%20Rental%20Assistance%20-%20Recovery%20Reporting

Oct 13, 2009 - Call Congress Day!

On Tuesday, AAHSA is sponsoring a call-in day for you to encourage your Senators to preserve the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) provisions in the final health care reform legislation. People need help accessing the long-term services and supports required to remain independent and at home.

Call (800) 958-5374 between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. (EST) and urge your senators to contact Sen. Harry Reid in support of the CLASS plan. When you call, the system will ask you to say your state's name and will then transfer you automatically to one of your senators.

CDC Flu Guidelines - Age 65 and older

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/65andolder.htm

The Year of Community Living - 2009

HHS Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee has announced more than $32 million to expand and support community-based programs that help promote health, independence and community living for older Americans, veterans and people with disabilities. (click on title link above for details)

“This new funding complements President Obama’s designation of 2009 as the ‘Year of Community Living,’ which supports community living options for all people with disabilities,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “These grants are important investments that will help us strengthen services in the community so that more older Americans and individuals with disabilities can remain in their homes and communities.”

No increase to Washington’s minimum wage in 2010

Washington’s minimum wage will not increase in 2010 but will remain the same at $8.55 an hour because the Consumer Price Index for the past 12 months did not increase.

Nursing Home & Assisted Living Benefits for Veterans

Cash benefits are available to qualifying veterans which may help make it more affordable to obtain nursing home or assisted living care. For full details, visit:
http://www.veteranaid.org/program.php

HIT toolkits available

New tools are available to support long term care and services providers in adopting health information technology (HIT) in a variety of long-term care settings. For information and access to the full toolkits, contact Aging Services of Washington.

HHS and USDA Unveil New Food Safety Consumer Website

Designed to help consumers get all the latest information on food safety and food recalls in one convenient place:
http://www.foodsafety.gov/

ADRC Grant Awarded to Wa. State

Money for 3 addt'l ADRC pilot programs has been awarded to Wa. State from the Agency on Aging. A one year commitment of the funding is guaranteed, with an additional 2 years available subject to availability of federal dollars.

ProviderOne testing required

Providers that will bill Medicaid claims through WINASAP must complete testing before ProviderOne goes live on December 6th.

Two webinars are scheduled to provide WINASAP users the ability to learn about changes required for ProviderOne and the testing process.

Oct. 12 Webinar Registration:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/323012427

Oct. 14 Webinar Registration:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/184521363

5-Star Rating Update

There has been an update to the CMS 5-Star Nursing Home Rating System Methodology / Technical User’s Guide:

Up until the September Update, facility ratings were subject to change based on the performance of the other facilities in their respective state - ratings could change without the facility doing a thing, i.e., no new surveys / survey data, etc.

This has changed: As of the Update on 9/2409 – [found on page 6 of the Technical User’s Guide: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CertificationandComplianc/Downloads/usersguide.pdf ] “…facility ratings will be held constant until new health inspection/survey data or new complaint information, or new 2nd, 3rd, or 4th revisit information becomes available…”

The facility’s rating will no longer change from month-to-month absent new survey information specific to the facility, regardless of changes in the State-wide distribution due to new surveys in other facilities.

CMS states in the User’s Guide that it is still recalibrating the cut points each month “so that the distribution of star ratings within the States remains relatively constant over time in an effort to reduce the likelihood that the ratings process affects the health inspection process.” We have requested further clarification on this will work, i.e., with the recalibration and the forced distribution of star ratings still in place.