News In Brief - October 18, 2014

AgeTech West Conference Nov. 17-18 in Seattle: Where does your organization stand with technology adoption?
We know that fall is such a busy season for conferences, it's difficult to make them all! But we do want to encourage each and every LeadingAge Oregon member to consider sending at least one staff member to the AgeTech West conference Nov. 17-18 in Seattle. Because the truth is, older consumers and caregivers expect "smart" care and services enabled by modern technologies. If you haven't made technology adoption a priority, you will soon be outmoded and outpaced by competitors. Read more about the conference, "Sync in Seattle," and we hope to see many of you there!

Wondering what, if anything, you should do about Ebola?
Prompted by a member request, we contacted infection control consultant Pat Preston to see if he had any information or words of wisdom for our members related to the Ebola crisis. Pat said he has clients with employees who either are from Africa, or who go on religious mission trips to Africa, and they are wondering if there are any special steps they should take. Pat's recommendations:

Pat also noted that both LeadingAge and the Centers for Disease Control have information related to Ebola infection prevention and control on their websites.

Fall Leadership Conference followup: 50 Social Accountability Ideas
Thank you so much to all of you who joined us in beautiful Hood River for our Fall Leadership Conference earlier this month! It is always so inspiring for the LeadingAge Oregon staff to spend time with the providers and business members who do so much on behalf of Oregon's elders. We hope that all of you who attended the important session on Social Accountability are thinking about ways you can reach out beyond your organization's walls and make a difference in your community! To kick-start your thinking, here is one great resource mentioned at the conference: 50 Social Accountability Ideas.

DHS includes LeadingAge Oregon’s request in Final HCBS Settings Transition Plan
In written comments submitted to DHS on their DRAFT Transition Plan required to come into compliance with the new federal rules governing home and community based services (HCBS) settings, LeadingAge Oregon requested that HCBS settings within the same building be included in the heightened scrutiny process. Because the draft plan did not include this language retirement communities that have assisted living/residential care in the same building as nursing facility units, whether on a different floor of a high-rise or a different wing/unit, would automatically not have been eligible for Medicaid when the state is required to be in compliance with the regulations. DHS accepted LeadingAge Oregon’s recommendation and included HCBS settings within the same building as a nursing facility to undergo a “heightened scrutiny” process to demonstrate they meet the criteria of a HCBS setting and do not isolate consumers from the community. DHS submitted the final plan to CMS on October 13.

Comments due October 23 on draft changes to RCF/ALF building requirements
The DHS Office of Licensing and Regulatory Oversight (OLRO) has proposed some revisions to the building requirements for ALFs and RCFs. A draft of the changes is available on the LeadingAge Oregon website (changes are in sections 005 - definitions, 0200 - RCF and 0300 - ALF). Comments are due to Debbie Concidine, [email protected] by October 23.

State schedules Coordinated Care Summit Dec. 3-4
The Oregon Health Authority is inviting health care providers, consumers and other stakeholders to attend its 2014 Annual Coordinated Care Model Summit on December 3-4 at the Oregon Convention Center. During the summit, which is free of charge, local and national health leaders will share concrete, innovative strategies for what health system transformation looks like "on the ground." Learn more and register.

Watch for free training opportunities through Oregon Care Partners
Thanks to generous state funding, caregivers and others who work with older adults across Oregon will be able to take advantage of a wide variety of no-cost training programs through Oregon Care Partners. Training is available online and in-person on such topics as Alzheimer's & Dementia, Challenging Behaviors and Medication Management. Visit the Oregon Care Partners website for more information.

LeadingAge Maryland shares dementia training for affordable housing providers
LeadingAge Maryland recently partnered with several other organizations to provide workshops on dementia for property managers, service coordinators and maintenance technicians in affordable housing. Thanks to a generous sponsorship, they recorded the program and have posted it online for anyone who is interested. View the program on dementia for affordable housing providers.

Minimum wage and overtime protections delayed for home care workers
According to the New York Times, the Obama administration has decided to delay enforcement of its plan to extend minimum-wage and overtime protections to home care workers. The protections were due to take effect Jan. 1, 2015, but the Labor Department has announced that it would not enforce the rule until June 30, and for the six months following that would "exercise discretion" in whether to bring enforcement actions against any employers. Read more.

HUD memo clarifies Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan guidance
HUD has issued a memo that clarifies guidance related to Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plans. Only initial plans that are for new properties, or plans with actual modifications, need to be submitted to the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity for approval. Read more.

Senior housing occupancy rates up
The average occupancy rate for senior housing climbed past 90 percent in the third quarter, setting a single-quarter record for absorption rate, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing. (NIC). At NIC's national conference earlier this month, it was noted that the Portland metro area has nearly 30 units of seniors housing for every 100 income-qualified seniors, the highest rate of penetration in the nation. Read more.

New toolkit stresses importance of medical record documentation
CMS has released a new Toolkit for Medicaid Medical Documentation to educate providers and staff about the importance of medical record documentation. The toolkit includes a video presentation, study guide and fact sheets. Read more.

Fall Leadership Conference online evaluation drawing winner
Congratulations to Parker Campbell of Terwilliger Plaza, the winner of our Fall Leadership Conference online evaluation drawing! Parker will receive a $100 Amazon gift card. A sincere thank you to all of you who completed our online evaluation; we carefully review your feedback and will use it as we plan for next year!

Be sure to take advantage of upcoming training opportunities!
Register now for the following LeadingAge Oregon programs; you can view fliers and access online registration on our Educational Opportunities page.

October 22-24: Nurse Practice in Community-based Care: A training for nurses in ALFs, RCFs and Memory Care
October 29: Fair Housing and Assistance Animals: Best practices in senior housing (webinar)
November 6: Preceptor Training for Nursing Home Administrators
November 13: Medication Administration: Best Practices for Caregivers and Medication Aides in ALFs and RCFs
November 14: Leadership, Conflict and You - A special program for Leadership Academy Alumni and other LeadingAge Oregon leadership staff