News In Brief - July 10, 2014

Looking back...and looking ahead!
Here at LeadingAge Oregon our fiscal year ends June 30, so summer is a time when we look back at what we have accomplished as an association over the past year. As always we are most appreciative of and inspired by you, our provider members who work so hard on behalf of the elders you serve, and the business members who support this work. As we reflect on our 2013-2014 accomplishments we want to thank you for your support and membership, and we look forward to continuing to serve you in 2014-2015!

Leadership Academy applications due Tuesday
If you are interested in being considered for the LeadingAge Oregon Leadership Academy Class of 2014-2015, be sure to get your application in! The application deadline is Tuesday, July 15. Access the application on our Leadership Academy web page.

Have you completed the LeadingAge social accountability survey?
If your not-for-profit provider member organization has not completed the LeadingAge social accountability survey, please do so before the survey closes on July 18! The survey is part of the LeadingAge "Count the Ways" campaign to assist members with their social accountability efforts. Access the confidential survey.

DHS funds projects to improve quality in long-term care settings
DHS announced the initial awards for projects to improve quality in long-term care settings with funding through the Quality Fund, which was restored by the 2014 Legislature. Projects funded to date include the following: (Access a complete description of the projects.)

Concordia University creating bachelor's degree program in long-term care administration
Portland-based Concordia University is developing a new bachelor's degree program in long-term care administration that the school hopes to open up to students in about a year. The University met this week with long-term care leaders to review plans for the program and discuss skills, knowledge and competencies that practitioners would like to see required. As the program is refined, there will be opportunities for providers to support the program by submitting case studies for classroom discussion, serving as guest speakers, or serving as internship sites. If you would like to be considered for any of these opportunities, please contact Margaret Cervenka, [email protected].

Minnesota professor guest speaker at July 14 PSU Brown Bag Seminar
Aging services providers are invited to a Brown Bag Seminar on "Vital Involvement, Culture Change and Thriving in Old Age," presented by Helen Kivnick, Ph.D., a Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work. Dr. Kivnick is currently conducting a study that will help conceptualize "best case" models of elders living vital, productive, satisfying lives while requiring and receiving long-term care. The seminar will be held at noon on Monday July 14 in Room 411 at the College of Urban & Public Affairs at Portland State University, 506 SW Mill Street, Portland. Call 503.725.3952 for more information.

Summer heat reminder
DHS has issued an Administrator Alert reminding providers to implement preventive measures to reduce the impact of heat and unnecessary discomfort of residents, particularly if their facilities do not have air conditioning. Helpful information on dealing with extreme heat conditions can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

LeadingAge launches "Innovation Boot Camp"
More and more aging services organizations are realizing that the only hope for survival in an ultracompetitive environment is through innovation - developing new and better programs and services as well as implementing efficient processes for delivering them. To help LeadingAge members cultivate the capacity to take risks, embrace change and experiment with new ideas, LeadingAge is launching a new 5-month learning experience: Innovation Boot Camp. Learn more about this exciting new program.

Managed care the only option by 2025?
The need for innovation and efficiency in aging services was underscored by recent comments by a White House adviser, who says that all health care providers should expect that they will be paid exclusively through managed care systems by 2025. Read more.

Home care providers contemplate changes in light of new labor rules
Beginning in January, a federal rule will extend minimum wage and overtime protections to nonmedical caregivers. The rule change is prompting home care companies to review their business models and consider what changes they may need to make, particularly when providing 24-hour care. The New York Times recently featured a home care company weighing its options in its "small business case study." Read the article.

Volunteers sought to review Clinical Practice Guidelines for pressure ulcers, wounds
LeadingAge is seeking members with hands-on experience in long-term care settings who would be willing to serve on workgroups to review and revise the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Pressure Ulcers and other Wounds. The organizing group is looking for medical directors; attending practitioners; Directors of Nursing; nurses; administrators; a social worker; a registered dietitian and a CNA. If interested, contact Evvie Munley at LeadingAge, [email protected] before July 21.

Mark your calendars for July 24 webinar on Section 8 non-discrimination
On July 1, a new law took effect that makes it illegal for landlords to refuse to rent solely based on an applicant being a holder of a Section 8 voucher. LeadingAge Oregon has scheduled a webinar featuring landlord/tenant law attorney Leah Sykes on Thursday, July 24 at 10 a.m. to explain the new law and outline steps housing providers should take to ensure they don't discriminate when responding to inquiries from individuals who have Section 8 vouchers. Watch for the flier and registration information by early next week.

Provider member annual information forms due July 23
Provider member administrators should have received an e-mail this week requesting that your organizations complete and return the annual membership information forms that we use to assess dues for the upcoming fiscal year. If you don't recall seeing the e-mail, please contact Denise Wetzel to obtain a copy of the form, which is due July 23.

Space available in Community-based Care (ALF/RCF) Nurse class July 30-August 1
Spots are still open in our upcoming three-day class for nurses in ALFs and RCFs, which will be held July 30-August 1 at Sysco Food Services in Wilsonville. Designed for both experienced and new nurses in community-based care, the class will provide a thorough overview of the special role of the nurse in these community settings and how the nurse can establish systems to ensure high quality health services. Read more. Register for the class.

Forgot your password for the LeadingAge Oregon website?
If you are receiving this News in Brief, you have a user name and password for the LeadingAge Oregon website and can access past newsletters and other member-protected content. If you have forgotten (or never knew) your password, go to Member Tools/My Profile on our web page and click on "Forgot Your Password?" and the system will send you your user name and password. If you discover there are staff at your organization who are not in the system at all but would like to receive the News in Brief and access the members-only sections of the website, have them contact the LeadingAge Oregon office.