News In Brief - August 14, 2014

Registration now open for Fall Leadership Conference!
Hard to believe, but fall will be here before we know it, and with it our Fall Leadership Conference, to be held October 6-8 at the Hood River Inn in Hood River! This conference is such a great opportunity for leaders at all levels from our member organizations to gather and share ideas and strategies about the big issues facing aging services in Oregon. You'll learn how to strengthen your servant leadership skills, what's in store for Oregon's economy, strategies for protecting your not-for-profit tax status, and so much more! Please remember to share the conference brochure with your boards of directors as well, as we have a strong Board Governance Track on the agenda once again! And don't forget to make your reservations at the Hood River Inn!
View the conference brochure.
Register online.

Would you like to help plan our 2015 Annual Conference?
As Fall Conference nears it also means it's time to begin planning our flagship event, the 2015 LeadingAge Oregon Annual Conference! We always welcome new members on our Annual Conference Committee, where you will have the opportunity to offer your ideas for fun events, educational topics and more! If you have any interest or would like to learn more, please contact Margaret Cervenka, [email protected], or 503.684.3788 extension 303.

DHS establishes stakeholder group to provide feedback on HCBS rule implementation
In January we informed you that CMS had issued the long awaited final rule for Medicaid’s home and community-based services (HCBS) programs including a definition of HCBS settings. States are required to submit to CMS a transition plan to achieve implementation of the rule that can be approved for up to 5 years. Oregon’s transition plan is due October 13, 2014 and will request the 5 year transition period. The plan must be available for public comment for 30 days, so DHS intends to release a draft plan by September 15. Last week DHS kicked off a meeting with stakeholders to inform them on the implementation process and timeline and to engage their feedback on the process. Following are materials from the meeting:
Summary of Key Provisions of HCBS Setting Final Rule
HCBS Rule Implementation Timeline
DHS-OHA Assessment of Oregon HCBS Settings – Aug. 2014
DRAFT HCBS Settings Self-Assessment for Oregon Providers – July 2014

OSU to offer Better Bones & Balance Instructor Training in September
Participants in the Oregon State University Better Bones & Balance Instructor Training in Corvallis Sept. 11-12 will become certified instructors of the Better Bones & Balance exercise program, which is based on OSU research. The program aims to improve balance and strength in older adults and reduce the risk of falls and fracture. Learn more.

Skilled Nursing Facility Medicare rate calculation tool updated
LeadingAge has updated its Skilled Nursing Facility rate calculation tool to reflect Fiscal Year 2015 payment rates. Please note that you will need to use your My.LeadingAge password to access the calculator file on the LeadingAge website.

Could inexpensive "care transitions coaches" drastically reduce rehospitalizations?
Care transitions coaches who visit discharged hospital patients for about an hour a few days after discharge and then follow up with two phone calls over the next few weeks have reduced hospital readmissions by 20 to 40 percent, according to a recent New York Times blog. The cost? $300 to $450 per patient. Learn more and consider whether there are lessons that can be applied in nursing homes or assisted living/residential care facilities.

Reminder - wage survey due Friday August 15
If your organization has not yet completed our One-Page Wage Survey, please remember to do so by August 15! The more members who respond, the better the data. All organizations that respond will receive a copy of the report. If you don't have a copy of the survey, or aren't sure if your organization has responded, please contact Denise Wetzel, [email protected].

New date chosen for special leadership-focused educational program
Due to a date conflict, the special educational event designed for Leadership Academy Alumni and other member leadership has been rescheduled to Friday, November 14 at Sysco Food Services in Wilsonville. As explained in an earlier News in Brief, we have been considering how we can expand leadership learning and networking opportunities for Leadership Academy Alumni and others, and have decided to call on the considerable skills of Leadership Academy facilitator Bill Zipp. Bill will facilitate a half-day program on "Leadership, Conflict and You." Watch for registration information in September.

Fall Conference trade show sold out, but sponsorships available
Exhibit space at our Fall Leadership Conference in Hood River is sold out, but sponsorships remain available for Business Associate members who would like to connect with our provider members at this special event. Please contact Karen Nichols, [email protected], for more information.

Register now for upcoming classes!

Sept. 11-12: Navigating the MDS 3.0: RAI Training for Nursing Facility Staff
October 22-24: Nursing Practices in Community-based Care: A Training for Nurses in ALFs and RCFs