News In Brief - April 16, 2016

DHS presents update on Special Purpose Appropriation
At today’s Campaign for Oregon’s Seniors and People with Disabilities meeting (LeadingAge Oregon is a member of the Campaign), Mike McCormick, DHS APD Director, introduced Ashley Carson Cottingham, APD’s new Deputy Director. Ashley’s extensive experience in advocacy and policy work for seniors includes working for the US Senate Committee on Aging and the Older Women’s League. McCormick also provided an update on all 24 of the items contained in the Campaign’s $26 million Special Purpose Appropriation (SPA) funded during the February Session. Four of the training items (1 for mental health and 3 for caregivers) will be awarded through a Request for Proposal to be released on April 28. The Division of Mental Health is currently gathering data on the need for geriatric/mental health and addiction specialists to be located in every county, which will be reported to the Legislature in May in order to receive the $2.8 million set aside for this purpose. LeadingAge Oregon is involved in many workgroups involved in implementing the SPA items including the Quality Committee that will make recommendations on the use of the Quality Care Fund, which is funded at $1 million. DHS intends to spend 80% of the Fund every biennium.

Financial exploitation to be focus of June 10 Elder Abuse Summit
Mark your calendars for June 10, when long-term care and other aging services professionals from around the state will gather in Wilsonville for the Third Annual Elder Abuse Summit. LeadingAge Oregon is partnering with the Oregon Health Care Association to support this event. With financial fraud involving seniors on the rise, the focus of this year's summit will be financial exploitation. LeadingAge Oregon members are encouraged to attend to learn how they can play a greater role in preventing and recognizing financial exploitation. Watch for registration opening soon. Read more about scams targeting seniors.

Nurse Education conference to feature Teepa Snow
The Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE) is inviting nurses and allied health educators to its annual conference on May 9 at Lane Community College in Eugene. The day-long program will focus on “Providing Quality Care to Older Adults” and will feature dementia care expert Teepa Snow. Register online.

MOVE program to explore dining role in creating relationships
Long-term care communities will learn how to use mealtime hospitality as a tool to build stronger bonds between residents, their families and staff at an upcoming educational program sponsored by MOVE (Making Oregon Vital for Elders). “Lunch with Mom ‘n Dad: Building Relationships with Elders and their Families” will be held June 4 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Monarch Hotel in Clackamas. Learn more.

HUD Asset Management staff to stay put for now
Last year HUD announced plans to transform its Office of Multifamily Housing that involved consolidating staff into a few field offices around the country. However, HUD has now announced that Asset Management staff will stay in their current locations. All other staff, including Production and Operations employees, will continue to re-organize into a five-region structure. Read more about this announcement.

Older home care aides have longer job tenure
Older home care aides tend to stick with the job longer than younger workers, according to a study of home care aide job tenure by PHI. The study found that predictors of longer job tenure for home care aides included: older age, living rurally, lower physical function, higher wages, and less concern about low wages or inconsistent hours. Predictors of shorter job tenure included: problems with low pay, lack of mileage reimbursement, inconsistent hours and poor communication with their agencies. Read more.

Applications for national Leadership Academy due May 2
Take a moment to consider joining the seven LeadingAge Oregon members who have participated in the national LeadingAge Leadership Academy, designed to strengthen not-for-profit leadership in aging services. From what we have heard, the universal feeling about the program is that it is definitely life-changing. Applications are due May 2, and some limited tuition scholarships are available.

Higher acuity drives skilled nursing home prices to record levels in 2013
The average price for a skilled nursing facility bed in 2013 reached a record of $73,300, according to a recently released annual report by Irving Levin Associates. The number increased 21 percent from 2012, reflecting census changes that include more higher-acuity residents paying through Medicare or managed care. Read more.

Check out our Annual Conference program before early bird rates end!
If you haven’t reviewed our Annual Conference brochure to review the many great sessions and events we have in store for you, you’ll want to do so soon – early bird registration rates end May 2! With 37 sessions (not to mention recreation and entertainment options), there are too many to discuss in depth, but here are a few topics to whet your appetite!

Hear how life gets better as we age, with culture change pioneer Wendy Lustbader
Examine how health care reform efforts are impacting long-term care with Nicole Fallon of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, whom LeadingAge Oregon CEO Ruth Gulyas describes as one of the “certified smart people” in the U.S. on this important topic
Learn important strategies to protect your not-for-profit tax exemption, with attorney Pamela Kaufmann of Hanson Bridgett LLP
Find out how the “village movement” is doing in Oregon, and how your organization might play a role, with Anne “Chana” Andler of Villages Northwest.

There’s so much more! Take a look and register today!

Hats off to Mennonite Home for another deficiency-free survey
Kudos to Administrator Rob Hays and his team at the Mennonite Home for emerging from survey deficiency-free! This is Mennonite Home’s second deficiency-free survey in a row, quite the accomplishment for their hard working staff.

Pre-conference golf, beer & burgers Saturday May 17
Michael DeShane of Concepts in Community Living is once again hosting pre-Annual Conference golf on the Eagle Crest Challenge Course at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, followed by burgers & beer at his Tumalo home. If you'd like to golf and/or attend the burger & beer event, read details in Michael's one-of-a-kind invitation, and contact him ([email protected]) or the LeadingAge Oregon office to RSVP.