News In Brief - July 31, 2014

Social Accountability Survey: We need your response!
If you have not yet completed the LeadingAge Social Accountability Survey, please do so today! The survey, conducted by Holleran, is part of the LeadingAge "Count the Ways" campaign to assist not-for-profit members with their social accountability programs. The ultimate goals of the campaign are: To make sure all LeadingAge members have access to tools and resources to report their societal benefit to the people you serve and the community at large; and to help members preserve their tax-exempt status and the tax-deductible contribution benefit for donors. Please help with this effort! Access the survey.

HUD Preservation Office Director to head agency's Oregon operations
Margaret Salazar, who has been the director of HUD's Office of Affordable Housing Preservation, is returning to her home state of Oregon to serve as director of HUD's Portland Field Office, which serves the entire state. Salazar has worked closely with LeadingAge on elderly housing preservation, so it's exciting to hear that that Oregon's new HUD leader has an appreciation for the work that our members do! Read more about Margaret Salazar.

Oregon nursing home staff vaccination rates up but still below goal
The staff vaccination rates at Oregon nursing homes inched up to 57 percent in 2012-2013, indicating that Oregon has a ways to go to meet the national goal of 75 percent by 2015 and 90 percent by 2020. Vaccination of health care workers is critical because it helps protect patients from flu-related respiratory illnesses like pneumonia. The vaccination rates, including the rate for every nursing home and hospital in the state, are among the data reported in the Oregon Healthcare Associated Infections Annual Report, which was released this month. Hats off to LeadingAge Oregon member Blue Mountain Nursing Home in Prairie City, which has one of the top 10 long-term care vaccination rates in the state at 89 percent. Access the report.

DHS forms rule workgroups to implement provisions of HB 4151
DHS has formed two rule advisory committees (RAC) to implement the following provisions of HB 4151 passed during the 2014 legislative session:

LeadingAge Oregon member Amy Perkett with Concepts in Community Living will be participating in the first RAC and Emily Dazey with Providence Benedictine Nursing Center will be participating in the second with Ruth Gulyas, who is participating in both.

Video helps explain POLST in easy-to-understand language
The Oregon POLST program has developed a new video targeted to patients that provides detailed information about what the POLST (Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment) is and who it is designed for. This is a great new educational tool to help staff and residents better understand the intent of the POLST form. Access the video.

New "Fiduciary 101" class on guardianships, conservatorships to be streamed live
One outcome of recent guardianship reform efforts in Oregon is a requirement that new lay guardians and conservators in Multnomah County take a "Fiduciary 101" class so they better understand their responsibilities and obligations. Although only required for those newly appointed fiduciaries in Multnomah County, anyone may register, and the presentation will stream live on the internet so it will be available statewide. Learn more.

Providers reminded of sexual assault policy rule
During last week's CBC News Hour, Allison McKenzie of the Office of Abuse Prevention and Investigations reviewed the rules requiring nursing, assisted living and residential care facilities to adopt policies for the treatment or referral of acute sexual assault victims. McKenzie said the intent of the rule is that providers will establish relationships with their local sexual assault resource teams so they can seek prompt assistance in the event they need to locate a sexual assault examiner or advocate. McKenzie also highlighted the importance of staff training, noting that well-meaning staff may bathe a possible victim or clean clothes, destroying evidence. Access Oregon state sexual assault resources.

LeadingAge webinar to examine Continuing Care at Home
LeadingAge is sponsoring a webinar August 5 at 10 a.m. Pacific time on Continuing Care at Home: A Model for the Future. Sarah Spellman of CliftonLarsonAllen will provide an overview of the Continuing Care at Home model and what providers need to know to make this model successful. Learn more. Register.

The future of CCRCs: Grow or die?
A recent webinar on the future of CCRCs discussed the many ways that retirement campuses are growing and changing to expand their services and market reach, using methods such as the development of satellite campuses or establishing partnerships. Consultants on the webinar said growth and change are necessary for CCRC survival. Read more.

GAO shines spotlight on provider taxes
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report urges stricter federal oversight of bed taxes, also known as provider taxes, which some states (including Oregon) use to increase their Medicaid match and draw more federal dollars. Nursing homes, hospitals and other healthcare organizations paid $19 billion in provider taxes in 2012, almost double the $10 billion paid in 2008. Read more about the GAO report.

Join LeadingAge in Nashville!
Registration is now open for the LeadingAge 2014 Annual Meeting, to be held October 19-22 in Nashville. The conference features more than 150 educational sessions and the largest trade show in the aging services field. There is nothing like gathering with thousands of like-minded, passionate, mission-driven aging services providers from around the country - an inspirational event like no other! Read more.

Serve to Be Great: Plan to join us in Hood River this October!
The LeadingAge Oregon Fall Leadership Conference is designed to bring leaders from throughout our membership continuum together to learn about key issues and initiatives impacting aging services, examine the implications of these trends on Oregon providers, and enhance leadership skills. At this year's conference in Hood River October 6-8, we will continue our recent tradition of offering a special track for Boards of Directors. In this digital age, it is increasingly important that we make the time to meet in person, exchange ideas and connect with those who can support our work. Please plan to join us! Registration will open next week.