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News Report | Policy/Regulation Report | Aging Services Report
News Report
Legislators and Residents: Advocacy Efforts Honored
As part of its 2010 Public Policy Conference, Aging Services of California recognized state legislators and retirement community residents who are helping create the future of services for older adults in California. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, received the Senator of the Year Award for his work to find a permanent source of funding for the development of affordable housing. Anthony Portantino, D-Pasadena, received the Assemblymember of the Year Award for authoring AB 123 on behalf of the association. And the Advocate of the Year Award was presented to members of the Resident Legislative Committee at Paradise Valley Estates in Fairfield, Calif., for their work on legislation related to continuing care retirement communities.
A National First: Hearing on Technology and Aging
In conjunction with this year's Public Policy Conference, Aging Services of California -- in cooperation with the Center for Aging Services Technologies, Washington, D.C., the Continua Health Alliance and the California Association for Health Services at Home, Sacramento -- sponsored the first legislative hearing anywhere in the United States on the use of technology in the aging services field. The joint hearing, convened by the Senate Subcommittee on Aging and Long-Term Care and the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care of the California Legislature, opened with Aging Services CEO Joanne Handy explaining the need for increased use of technology from the nonprofit provider's perspective. Joe Hafkenschiel, president of CAHSAH, spoke about the use of technology in home health care. Brian DeVore of Continua spoke of the need to address healthcare costs through the use of technology. David Lindeman of the Center for Technology and Aging, Oakland, Calif., spoke about the beneficial use of technology for older adults and emerging trends in the field.
The second panel focused on telehealth and personal emergency response systems. Speakers included Ben Wilson of Intel, Alan Little of SCAN Health Plan, Long Beach, Calif., and Barry Berger of Accredited Nursing, Woodland Hills, Calif. The group discussed ways technology has reduced costs from the HMO and health plan perspectives. In addition, Berger spoke about his experience as a provider with the Lifeline Emergency Response System and the Phillips Remote Telemonitoring systems.
The third panel addressed the latest in activity and behavioral monitoring technologies. David Stern of GE QuietCare reported how the product helps older adults continue living in their homes by improving remote health monitoring. Sheri Peifer of Eskaton Senior Residences and Services, Carmichael, Calif., reported on deployment of the product in her communities.
The fourth panel outlined the current technologies in brain fitness. Monica Anderson of Dakim Inc., Santa Monica, Calif., reported on how their brain fitness technology can reduce the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. Kari Miner-Olson of Front Porch, Burbank, Calif., spoke about the use of the Dakim product in their communities.
The final panel outlined next steps and the ways California policy could be changed to ensure that supportive technology for the older adult population is more widely adopted. Scott Peifer of CAST spoke about other states' efforts in the area and outlined a Pennsylvania initiative which reimburses technology as a Medicaid expense. Peifer also focused on the possibilities associated with California's current work to renew the 1115 Waiver. Sandra Shewry with the Center for Connected Health Policy, Sacramento, closed the hearing by calling on policymakers to take a leadership role in this area.
The hearing agenda, handouts and testimony can be found on Aging Services website by clicking here.
Mourning the Loss of a Long-Time Resident Advocate
It is with a tremendous sense of loss that Aging Services of California reports the death of Jean Bilderback Wright, a former member of the association’s board and a long-time resident advocate. Born on Oct. 16, 1923, Jean died on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at the Sequoias, San Francisco, where she and her husband, Bill, had lived for 28 years.She was surrounded by her husband and her children -- John, Deborah and Rusty, along with Rusty’s wife, Meg. Memorial donations can be made to the NCPHS Foundation/Tomorrow Fund, 1525 Post St., San Francisco, CA 94115. A tribute to the life of Jean Wright is planned for the March issue of agenda.
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Policy/Regulations Report
MDS 3.0 Training: Change is Coming
The new version of the Minimum Data Set (MDS 3.0) is set for implementation Oct. 1, 2010. To help nursing home administrators and staff prepare, Aging Services is sponsoring “Change Is Coming: MDS 3.0,” a daylong interactive training on April 20 in Fairfield, Calif. The session will give an overview of major changes which affect quality reporting and reimbursement issues and will provide tools for teaching staff how to code properly using the new data set. Participants also will learn about the impact of MDS 3.0 on other processes, including the resource utilization groups system, care planning, and quality measures and outcomes.
The training will be presented by two of California’s leading experts on the Minimum Data Set:
- Rena Shephard, president of RRS Healthcare Consulting Services, a consultant to the CMS MDS 3.0 development project and founding chair and executive editor of the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators.
- Lori Costa, regulatory and clinical consultant for Aging Services of California and consultant on medical and legal issues for long-term care providers.
To register, visit the Aging Services website or contact Margaret Morneau at mmorneau@aging.org or 916-469-3371.
White House Proposes Deep Cuts to Section 202
The Obama administration has proposed eliminating funding for the capital advance portion of the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program. This move, which caught most in the affordable senior housing community off guard, would mean no funding for new development during fiscal year 2011. The president requested $273.7 million for the program overall (a $551 million reduction from fiscal year 2010), with $90 million going to service coordinator grants. The remaining funds will be allocated to capital advance amendments, renewal and amendment of project rental assistance contracts, and supportive services associated with the housing.
According to the budget language, the administration is concerned with “construction delays, cost overruns and lengthy development times” for housing developed under Section 202. As a result, it plans to redesign the Section 202 program by doing the following:
- Allowing project sponsors to build larger projects with greater economies of scale.
- Reducing regulatory barriers to allow sponsors to leverage other sources of funding.
- Improving service provision by encouraging partnerships with programs of the Department of Health and Human Services
- Changing application requirements to provide more preferences for “extremely frail elderly, who are in the greatest need of supportive housing.”
In response to this announcement, Aging Services is working closely with AAHSA to develop an appropriate advocacy strategy which will be rolled out at AAHSA’s Future of Aging Services Conference in Washington, D.C., later this month. For additional information, visit the AAHSA website.
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Aging Services Report
Aging Services of California Seeks Board Nominations
The board of directors of Aging Services of California is seeking new members for 2010. In addition to nominations for all officer positions, nominations are sought for one AAHSA delegate, one resident and two directors at large. Nominees must have a general knowledge of the association and its mission, initiatives and programs. The call for nominations is available on the Aging Services website. For further information, contact Linda McGuire at lmcguire@aging.org or 916-469-3362.
New Online Member Forums Attracting Attention
The feature in the January 2010 edition of agenda outlined Aging Services of California’s communications strategy for the coming year, including the launch of member listservs, known as forums. The forums create an opportunity for professional exchange, networking and idea generation exclusively for members.
Christina De La Torre, regional property supervisor for TELACU Residential Management in Los Angeles, is among the many members who have been making use of this new benefit. “I have been an active participant in the Leadership Development forum, and I have truly enjoyed being a member of this community network,” she says. “It’s a great resource for learning and exchanging ideas. I’d encourage everyone to use this powerful communication tool by posting to the forums.”
A total of 14 separate forums have been created, each targeted to specific member needs. To learn more and to join the online conversation, visit the Aging Services website.
Aging Services and Stone Tapert End Partnership
After many productive years partnering to provide members with quality employee benefits, Aging Services and Stone Tapert Financial Services have ended their approved vendor relationship. “The change is not due to performance or service issues,” said Stephanie Doute, director of membership and group services. “We believe Stone Tapert to be an excellent provider. However, in the current economy, the needs of Stone-Tapert, Aging Services and our members have changed.”
As a result of the end of the partnership, members will no longer qualify for preferential or value-added services from Stone Tapert, and Stone Tapert will no longer provide additional financial support to the association. In the near future, Aging Services will release a request for proposals to identify a new partner to provide innovative and valuable employee-benefit services to our members. If you have questions or would like to suggest a potential partner, contact Stephanie Doute, Aging Services director of membership and group services, at sdoute@aging.org or 916-469-3364.
Advancing Excellence: Sign Up Now
The Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes campaign has recruited 5,860 institutional participants nationwide. After the state of Ohio, California has recruited the largest number: 382 facilities. The goal for California is 600 participants. Nursing homes that have not yet signed up to be part of the campaign can do so now by visiting the Advancing Excellence website.
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