News In Brief - June 26, 2014

Seed funding may be available for affordable assisted living development
LeadingAge is interested in identifying members who are developing or are interested in developing affordable assisted living projects (using Medicaid and/or Medicare funded services). One of the association's national partners may be in a position to offer seed capital. If you have such a project or are planning one, please contact Alayna Waldrum at LeadingAge [email protected], 202.508.9476.

Don't miss this marketing opportunity!
If you are a not-for-profit provider member of LeadingAge Oregon, you are also a member of our national association, LeadingAge, and have a listing in the new LeadingAge Services Directory. The new online directory has just launched, and it looks like many of you have not yet enhanced your listing with photographs and information about your community or organization! Don’t miss this free marketing opportunity – take a look and update your listing today!

Correction: New nursing home basic Medicaid rate
The basic Medicaid reimbursement rate for nursing facilities was off by 10 cents in last week’s News in Brief. The correct rate as of July 1 is $257.56.

Oregon nursing home collaborative shares tools to improve dementia care
The Oregon Resident Safety and Quality Collaborative, a group of 40 nursing homes that has gathered to work on improving resident-centered care and reduce antipsychotic medications, has produced an Antipsychotic Reduction Toolkit that is available to all Oregon nursing homes or other care providers. The collaborative, which was organized by Acumentra Health, met earlier this month to celebrate their work at an “Outcomes Congress” in Salem. The toolkit includes:

Oregon ranks high on long-term care scorecard but there’s more work to do
Oregon has once again ranked among the top states in a national scorecard that rates states on their performance in providing Long-Term Services and Supports for individuals who need help living independently. Oregon came in third overall, after Minnesota and Washington, on measures looking at affordability and access to supports, choice of setting and provider, quality of life and care, support for family caregivers, and how care transitions take place. AARP Oregon volunteer board president Chad Cheriel noted that Oregon can’t rest on its laurels as our state is just beginning to re-invest in caregiver support after a decade of funding cuts. Access the report.

Report offers recommendations for employee wellness initiatives
LeadingAge has partnered with the Mather Lifeways Institute on Aging and the American Seniors Housing association to produce a first-of-its-kind report on employee wellness programs across senior living, long-term care and hospital settings. The report offers strategic recommendations on employee wellness incentives and a checklist of key questions to be used in evaluating your employee wellness efforts. Access the report.

HUD changes effective July 1 include new definition of "extremely low income"
HUD has published a change to the definition of "extremely low income" that is effective July 1. "Extremely low income families" are now defined as those whose incomes do not exceed the higher of the federal poverty level or 30 percent of area median income. Access the Extremely Low Income (ELI) limits for Oregon.

CAST updates tools for technology selection
The Center for Aging Services Technology (CAST) has released updated versions of three resources designed to help providers identify and select telehealth technologies, including remote patient monitoring. The tools include a selection matrix comparing 26 products from 21 vendors as well as an online telehealth selection tool. Read more.

Education spotlight focuses on dementia
LeadingAge has developed an "Education Spotlight" page featuring a collection of information and resources related to dementia. The web page includes links to articles, videos, recorded conference sessions and other resources members can use to develop and enhance their dementia services. Read more.

Exhibit registration now open for Fall Leadership Conference
Business members, now is the time to reserve your spot in the LeadingAge Oregon Fall Leadership Conference exhibit! The conference will be held October 6-8 at the Hood River Inn, and our Exhibit Reception is Tuesday, October 7. Our Fall Leadership Conference offers a great opportunity to connected with LeadingAge Oregon member CEOs, administrators, department directors and other leadership staff. Space is limited, so reserve your space early! Access the Call for Exhibitors. Register online.