New program will train volunteers to monitor guardians
SAVO (Special Advocates for Vulnerable Oregonians), a recently-established not-for-profit organization, will soon launch the first-ever, full-scale volunteer guardianship monitoring and assistance program to help reduce the abuse and exploitation of protected persons in Oregon. Volunteers will be trained to review guardianship cases and report problems to the court. The program will initially be offered in Multnomah County, and it is hoped that similar programs will eventually be established throughout the state. Volunteers for the Multnomah County program are currently being sought. If you or someone you know is interested, contact Tracy Connor, SAVO Program Manager, at [email protected]. Read more about SAVO.

Money Follows the Person finally set to relaunch in Oregon?
State officials are keeping their fingers crossed that Oregon's resurrected "Money Follows the Person" program - now named Oregon Community Choices Program - will begin transitioning individuals out of institutions and into community settings this month, well after the hoped-for January 1 implementation date. The program has been delayed due to challenges establishing new codes and financial tracking in MMIS (Medicaid Management Information System). According to state data, 94 individuals who have transitioned out of institutions since January 1 would likely have been eligible for OCCP support had the program been running.

Program co-manager Sarah Hout said at a meeting this week that the state is continuing to work with CMS to make assisted living settings eligible for the program. Federal regulations require community settings that practice "aging in place," and Hout noted that Oregon ALF rules no longer reference that terminology and in fact allow involuntary 30-day move-outs if an ALF can no longer meet a resident's needs. More work needs to be done to identify assisted living facilities that truly practice aging in place and satisfy CMS officials, she said.

Nursing facility emergency plan summaries due to state by August 1
The DHS Office of Licensing and Regulatory Oversight (OLRO) has decided to start implementing a 2009 rule change that requires nursing facilities to submit summaries of their emergency plans to the state. The implementation of this requirement was delayed in 2010, but the state is now requesting that nursing facilities submit the summaries on a one-page, state-provided form by August 1. The form is to be reviewed and submitted annually, and at change of ownership. Access the form through the SPD Administrator Alert.

Next CBC (ALF/RCF) News Hour scheduled July 24
The state Community-based Care licensing team has rescheduled its quarterly "news hours" to the fourth Thursday of the month in July, October, January and April, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. During the news hours, state staff provide regulatory/department updates, survey trends and compliance tips. This quarter's CBC News Hour will be held Thursday, July 24. Access information about how you can participate.

State gathering wage and fringe benefit information for direct care workers
DHS is reminding nursing facilities, ALFs/RCFs and foster homes who have Medicaid contracts to return the Oregon Wage and Fringe Benefit Survey of Long-term Care Providers as soon as possible. The survey, which collects information about direct care worker training, pay, fringe benefits and turnover, was mandated by the Oregon State Legislature. Results will be reported to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means during the 2015 legislative session. Read more.

Young adult caregivers sought for research study
Western Oregon University is conducting a research study on the effects of off-time caregiving on the education, employment and social relationships of young adults. Researchers are seeking young adult caregivers between the ages of 18 and 40 who provide at least 10 hours a week of care for a family member with a chronic illness, disability or terminal illness. If you know of a young caregiver who might be interested in participating in the study, please pass along the study information.

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AgeTech West and Provider Partner Front Porch featured in national publications
The Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing (FPCIW), an AgeTech Premier Provider Partner was featured in a recent Forbes Magazine article entitled “Five Cool Tech Tools For Seniors,” highlighting five of FPCIW’s current technology projects. These include deployment of Paro, an animatronic baby harp seal for socialization and calming therapy with memory care residents, Dakim Brain Fitness for cognitive stimulation and memory improvements, Lively passive wellness monitoring, Tapestry social networking and the Stitch companionship matchmaking platform.

AgeTech West and FPCIW staff discuss how to make a technology pilot project successful in a McKnights Long-term Care article “Innovation lab: Evaluating a pilot project in long-term care.” Check out the article, and don't miss the chance to participate in AgeTech’s second round of the popular “Pitch for Pilots” at this year’s AgeTech West Conference and Tech Expo entitled “Sync in Seattle: Transforming the Aging Services Experience,” November 17-18 in Seattle, WA. Attendee registration opens August 15.

(AgeTech West is a collaborative founded by LeadingAge California, LeadingAge Oregon and Leading Age Washington).

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