July 2019
"Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend." – Theophrastus
We need your help with a member survey that national sent out three weeks ago by mail to all nonprofit provider members across the nation. Their response rate is a bit low so I am asking you to please check and see if someone in your organization filled it out. If you find the survey has not been sent in and you need another survey form, please email MemberSurvey@leadingage.org. Information gathered will be used to help tell our story for advocacy efforts and to develop programs and services for members. The survey should take about 10 to 12 minutes. The deadline for completing the survey has been extended to August 2nd. Thank you to all members who have taken the time to fill out the survey! If you would like more information about the survey visit: https://www.leadingage.org/2019MemberSurvey
Several LeadingAge Georgia members and I spent the day with Dr. Al Powers at a one-day symposium that was held in conjunction with the Dementia Action Alliance Conference. The most powerful thing that I heard that day was when Al said that staff in a long-term care community attended Eden training in order to help manage a resident with "behavior problems." Yet, when they returned from the Eden training, they found the "behaviors" had diminished – because the perspectives of the staff had changed. What a gift! I plan to attend the Eden training and hope you will invest in your team and those you serve by attending and sending staff. See our website for information about upcoming training.
We want to make sure that everyone gets up to speed for when the fingerprint background check program goes into effect on October 1, 2019. All adult day, in-home care, personal care home, assisted living, nursing homes and hospice members will need to comply with the new regulations. Our independent housing members will not need to comply with the new rule, however any in-home agencies coming in to your buildings will need to comply. We are offering in-person training with Elaine Wright, Director of the State Licensure Programs for the Department of Community Health on August 7th. Click HERE to register. Traci Montgomery, Human Resources Director of Wesley Woods Senior Living will conduct webinars for us on the program over the next couple of months as well.
We have a lot of exciting programs coming up including the Culture Change Summit coming up on October 3rd, a symposium on persons living alone with Alzheimer's on September 5th hosted by King's Bridge as well as our annual golf tournament and Profiles of Positive Aging. Scott Bassett has worked hard to plan an exciting Georgia Night as part of the LeadingAge national conference. Check out our website for upcoming information and please reach out to Scott to engage with us for the golf tournament and Profiles.
We welcome you to share your thoughts on a number of initiatives underway. Our public policy committee is working on developing our platform for next year's state legislative session, our LeadingAge Georgia and Georgia Institute on Aging boards are meeting in October to develop our strategic plan for 2020-2023 and our professional development committee is working to plan next year's conference. We are very excited about the work that is underway and invite you to give us your input for any of these areas. Shoot an email to us or give us a call. We are grateful to all members who are working on these efforts!
Best,
Ginny
The early summer has been a busy time for consideration of several issues. The LeadingAge Georgia public policy committee met recently and began to discuss a potential 2019-2020 policy agenda to build upon LeadingAge Georgia's successes in the 2019 Georgia General Assembly. Preliminary recommendations will be presented to the LeadingAge Georgia board at its next meeting
A recap of this year's General Assembly shows LeadingAge Georgia success on three issues it spearheaded:
HB 374 allowing administration of liquid morphine to licensed hospice patients in assisted living communities (ALCs)
HB 300, changing the name of continuing care retirement communities to "life plan communities"
An increase in the "add-on" to Medicaid reimbursement rates for long-term care providers serving patients with dementia or other cognitive deficiencies
LeadingAge Georgia was also very active in supporting and providing testimony advocating for passage of HB 324, legislation revamping Georgia's law establishing a framework for production and distribution of medical marijuana to qualifying patients.
LeadingAge Georgia president Ginny Helms represented LeadingAge Georgia at the July meeting of CO-AGE where issues for the 2020 General Assembly were presented. Along with the Atlanta Regional Commission, LeadingAge Georgia is "sponsoring" a budget issue for CO-AGE to consider, a pilot project providing behavioral health coaches to residents in low income housing. Voting will continue throughout July.
LeadingAge Georgia will also continue to work with the CO-AGE work group on Health Coverage for Low income seniors.
LeadingAge Georgia will be working closely with this study committee, which will begin its work in August. Among the issues potentially on the agenda are Medicaid funding for Assisted Living Communities, further delineation of licensed levels of care, and a possible re-examination of restrictions on the use of the term "assisted living" for marketing purposes.
LeadingAge Georgia will be monitoring the implementation of HB 324 (medical marijuana), HB 374 (liquid morphine in ALCs, and fingerprint/criminal background checks for long-term care workers.
As noted the LeadingAge Georgia board will be considering a rough draft of a 2020 public policy agenda. New items being considered are:
Legislation
Legislation to provide additional flexibility for a Life Plan Community to directly admit residents from outside the LPC to the LPC's skilled nursing facility
Legislation to further define levels of licensed residential living and allow wider use of the term "assisted living"
Support legislation to plan from the local and regional level, consolidate, expand, and fund human services transportation and rural transit
CO-AGE issues, including changes to Medicaid, and other issues that arise that impact our members and the well-being of older adults
Budget
Increased funding for home and community based services, including adult day programs, to serve individuals on the Community Care Services Program and Non-Medicaid Community Services waiting lists
Increase Medicaid reimbursement rate for in-home care
Provide funding for behavioral health coaches to assist residents in senior living communities, including HUD-subsidized housing
In June, member organizations received one survey for each of their organizations. The deadline to complete the survey has been extended to August 2, 2019.
This survey is important because as Katie Sloan, our president says "LeadingAge wants to understand our members so we can serve them better." Additionally, important baseline information will help provide data that can be used for a myriad of uses including driving policy issues.
For more information about the survey click HERE.
LeadingAge Georgia members can sign up to receive first-rate pricing through Value First, an option for our members to purchase a wide array of supplies and services, with no cost to enroll and no obligation to purchase. You can enroll in Value First and participate in other Group Purchasing Organizations at the same time. The portfolio of more than 500 vendors includes food distributors, medical supplies, therapy, facility operations, furniture, equipment, technology, and construction services.
We recently conducted a cost study for a community using the nationally recognized company they currently used, and our price resulted in 20 % savings that will save the community $85,000 a year, including rebates and incentives! A cost study is a simple process. Make sure you stop by booth #616 at the 56th Annual Convention and Exposition to find out how we can save you money.
Accessing your Vizient Catalog has now also been made easier than ever! To find out how to register and access the online catalog, view the graphic below.
Robert "Bobby" Bernal, Value First Regional Southeast Manager
C: (850) 509-8112 | Email rbernal@valuefirstonline.comLeadingAge National Conference
The LeadingAge Annual Meeting & EXPO brings together thousands of passionate individuals who walk in your same shoes. With a program that touches on every facet of aging services, this is where you'll join other dedicated professionals to exchange ideas, explore new strategies and master the latest best practices all while reigniting your commitment and dedication to the people you serve.
Click HERE to register
Take in the amazing San Diego sunset with a breathtaking view of Petco Park, San Diego bay and the city skyline. Georgia Night will take place on Sunday, October 27 from 5:30-8:30 at the Ultimate Sky Box, San Diego. Registration will be coming through an e-invitation within the next couple of weeks. Provider registration $65, business member registration $100.
A special thanks to Brassfield & Gorrie, Shaw, ZumBrunnen, Hauser and BB&T Capital Markets for helping to sponsor this year's event.
Profiles of Positive Aging is a very special event where LeadingAge Georgia members from across the state nominate individuals who deserve to be honored for living lives full of purpose, meaning and joy and who are truly profiles of positive aging. Our event is coming up on Sunday, November 10th from 3-5 pm at the Atlanta History Center. We will be working with the media this year to highlight our Profiles of Positive aging winners and to tell their stories so that others may be inspired to have purpose and meaning in their lives as they age.
Please support this event in two ways: first, nominate individuals in your community or organization who deserve to be recognized for being a profile of positive aging. Secondly, contact Scott Bassett or Ginny Helms to discuss being a sponsor for this important event.
Nominations are due by August 31. Information on how to submit a nomination will be emailed to you by July 25th.
This event is held in honor of Harry G. Haisten, Jr. Harry is a long-time member of North Avenue Presbyterian Church and an avid golfer, who exemplifies positive aging. He has been the champion for ensuring this golf event happens in support of the Center's work.
The competition will be a scramble format, with prizes awarded to the top three teams, both men and ladies. The 1st place team is awarded custodianship of the trophy for a year (won by Lenbrook-Atlanta CCRC). Additionally, there are numerous prizes for longest drives, closest to the hole, and oldest and youngest participant.
Columbus Day: Monday, October 14
8:15 am: Registration | Practice Range
9:00 am: Shotgun Start
11:30 am: Lunch on the Fairway
2:30 pm: Presentation of Prizes
Ways To Support:
Hole Sponsorship
Closest to the Hole Sponsorship
Register a Foursome
Register a Twosome
Donate Golf Balls
Donate Door Prizes
Click HERE for registration brochure
july 22nd– 9:30 -11:30 AM
Ritz Reynolds, Lake Oconee
There is a crisis facing the direct care workforce. These critical jobs are the frontline in caring for older Georgians. As more and more Americans age, the need for qualified caregivers continues to grow. Join funders, legislators, providers, and job trainers for this solutions-oriented forum to position Georgia to become a leader by strengthening the direct care workforce pipeline.
You are invited to join the conversation as providers in home and community-based agencies, nursing home and personal care homes administration, staff, students, GGS members, and others interested in learning more about strategies to strengthen the pipeline of qualified workers in long-term care. Speakers include leaders from state and local government, funders, and local companies.
State Representative Jesse Petrea
Caylee Noggle, Georgia Student Finance Commission
Catherine Ivey, Georgia Department of Community Health
Dr. Jennifer Craft Morgan, Gerontology Institute at Georgia State University
John Helton, Atlanta CareerRise
Pam Clayton, Georgia Health Care Association
Mary Helton, A.G. Rhodes Health & Rehab
Sue Burgess, Atlanta Regional Commission Area Agency on Aging
Hosted by Thanks Mom & Dad Fund, in partnership with Georgia Gerontology Society, AARP-Georgia, Alzheimer's Association-Georgia Chapter, Atlanta Regional Commission AAA, Georgia Council on Aging, Georgia Health Care Association, Gerontology Institute at Georgia State University, and LeadingAge Georgia
Click HERE to register
One of the key challenges in a rapidly aging society is keeping older people healthy longer and delaying or avoiding disability and dependence.
Luckily, there's no shortage of innovation when it comes to aging and wellness. From robotic companion seals to music therapy to dementia villages, countries and aging care organizations across the globe are looking at how they can integrate wellness into aging. Indeed, according to this Global Health and Aging Report [link goes to a PDF], put out by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA), mounting evidence shows that seniors can remain healthy and independent well into old age if the right policies and programs are in place.
LeadingAge has filed comments with the Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) on the agency's emergency information collection notice posted May 23 concerning the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE). According to the data collection notice, HUD will be asking owners participating in the demonstration to submit annual self-inspection reports and other property-specific data and certifications. We urged HUD to keep the abilities and resources of smaller properties in mind in considering processes for submitting data and to allow properties to use software they already have for reporting, rather than requiring the installation of any new computer systems.
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and hospice providers are encouraged to check their CASPER folders in QIES as soon as possible to determine if they have received a letter of noncompliance indicating they failed to meet the reporting requirements of the Quality Reporting Program(QRP) and therefore, will be assessed a 2% Medicare rate reduction beginning October 1, 2019 unless they request and receive reconsideration.
You are invited to submit an application to present at the 2019-2020 LeadingAge Georgia & South Carolina Conference. This year we want to put an emphasis on members learning from members. Please submit in order to share your great innovations.
Our Annual Conference, with over 200 attendees, is recognized as a premier source for education for aging services providers in the southeast to include professional development and leadership programs, a forum for policy discussions and advocacy, and a prime source of information on new research findings on aging.
NOTE: The Deadline for submissions to be considered for the 2020 Annual Conference is August 1, 2019.
Click here for brochure. Click here to submit a proposal.
Maintenance Professionals Forum
August 6, 2019
Registration
Fingerprints Background Check Training
August 7, 2019
Registration
Activity Professionals/GAAP Summer Symposium
August 23, 2019
Registration
Technology & Aging Summit
August 20, 2019
Registration
Serving Persons with Dementia who Live Alone
September 5, 2019
Information coming soon
Leadership Academy Fourth Event
September 11, 2019
Dementia & Mental Health Symposium
September 12, 2019
Information coming soon
Eden Associate 3-Day Certification
September 17-19, 2019
Coaching Supervision
Septermber 20, 2019
Registration
Culture Change Summit
October 3, 2019
Information coming soon
Leadership Academy Fifth Event
October 9, 2019
Center for Positive Aging Golf Tournament Fundraiser
October 14, 2019
Eden Associate 3-Day Certification
October 15-17, 2019
Adult Day Services Symposium
October 18, 2019
Profiles of Positive Aging
November 10, 2019
Clinical LPN - Canterbury Court
See full job description at: http://leadingagega.org/jobmart/public/job/249/
Director of Enrichment - Lenbrook
See full job description at: http://leadingagega.org/jobmart/public/job/243/
Director of Wellness & Life Enrichment - Wesley Woods Senior Living
See full job description at: http://leadingagega.org/jobmart/public/job/250/
Resident Services Manager - Wesley Woods Towers
See full job description at: http://leadingagega.org/jobmart/public/job/247/
Valet - Park Springs
See full job description at: http://leadingagega.org/jobmart/public/job/251/
back to top
