News In Brief - March 20, 2014

Register now for the LeadingAge Oregon Annual Conference!
Registration is now open for the LeadingAge Oregon Annual Conference, May 18-21 at Eagle Crest Resort! This year’s theme is [RE]Defining Age, and it will offer everything we all love and expect from the conference: sessions, events and sharing opportunities that will inform, inspire and [re]ignite your passion for serving elders! Be sure to call Eagle Crest Resort to make your hotel or condo reservation as soon as possible, and don’t forget to tell them you are with the LeadingAge Oregon group. The full brochure, online reservation link and everything else you need to know can be found on our Annual Conference web page. We look forward to seeing you soon!

New Alzheimer’s statistics released for Oregon
The number of persons aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s Disease in Oregon is projected to grow 42 percent by 2025, according to newly released projections from the Alzheimer’s Association. Recently released facts and figures about Alzheimer’s Disease underscore the need to direct funding and research to the dementia epidemic, which was the focus of a “Great Minds Gala” at this week’s LeadingAge PEAK Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. Guests at the gala were moved by the performance of two children of singer Glen Campbell, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2011. Watch a short clip of their song, dedicated to their dad.

State clarifies home care requirements for policies and procedures, administrators
The Health Care Regulation and Quality Improvement (HCRQI) division of the Oregon Health Authority has issued memos clarifying In-Home Care Agency surveyor expectations for policies and procedures as well as administrator background/experience requirements. The Policy & Procedure memo includes an example of a policy and procedures related to Initial Client Evaluation, while the Administrator Requirements memo defines the management and professional experience required of in-home care administrators.

Hospitals trying to figure out how to coordinate care and stay in business
Healthcare Finance News focused on one Oregon hospital’s experience to examine how hospitals can better coordinate care, reduce emergency room visits and readmissions – and still stay in business. This isn’t an easy task for hospitals accustomed to boosting revenue through ER visits and inpatient stays. Hospital systems around the nation and in Oregon are wrestling with this dilemma as the move toward accountable/coordinated care gains steam. Read the article.

Nursing homes, ALFs and RCFs invited to learn more about potential CMS audits
The DHS Office of Licensing and Regulatory Oversight (OLRO) is inviting nursing homes, ALFs and RCFs to learn more about Payment Error Rate Measurement (PERM) Audits by participating in upcoming webinars provided by CMS. PERM is a system of audits conducted by CMS contractors to identify improper payments to facilities for resident care. Facilities participating in the Medicare or Medicaid programs are randomly selected by CMS for this process. Webinars will be held in June and July. View the webinar invitation.

DHS memo reviews basis for accessing nursing facility resident records
DHS has issued a memo reviewing what agencies have the right to access nursing home resident records, including Electronic Health Records, and the Oregon and national laws that grant authority for that access. The memo also discusses the HIPAA Privacy Rule and elements that must be included in an authorization for disclosure of protected health information. Access the memo.

Can you come up with a better name for CCRC?
Recent research by Mather Lifeways indicates that the term “continuing care retirement community” (CCRC) presents “emotional barriers” for consumers, so LeadingAge and Mather have teamed up to spearhead an industry-wide renaming project they are calling “CCRC NameStorm.” You can participate in the process! Read more about CCRC NameStorm.

LeadingAge members encouraged to participate in assisted living survey
LeadingAge is working with other stakeholder organizations on a survey measuring assisted living staff vacancy, retention and turnover. Results will be reported in aggregate form only, and all data will be kept confidential. Access the survey.

Welcome new LeadingAge Oregon Business Associates!
Please welcome the following new LeadingAge Oregon business members, and remember to keep them and all of our business members in mind when you are searching for products and services!

Value First offers great deal on Dell computers March 21-28
LeadingAge members can take advantage of a great deal on Dell Computers through a special offered by Dell to Med Assets/Value First. To take advantage of this offer, e-mail [email protected], reference MedAssets and member ID HS129442892 to receive a coupon for 17 percent off your system purchase. Read more about this offer.