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News Report | Policy/Regulation Report | Aging Services Report
News Report
AAHSA Calls for Votes on Proposed New Name
The American Association of Homes and Services for Aging has invited its members to weigh in on a proposed new name for the organization: LeadingAge. Voting to accept or decline the name is open through the end of this month.
"Over the last few months, I have had the opportunity to take part in discussions between AAHSA and board leaders from other states and with our own Aging Services board about AAHSA's new name," said Norma Heaton, chair of the Aging Services Board of Directors. "LeadingAge is the result of a thorough branding process that collected input from AAHSA members across the country, as well as state leaders and other key decision makers. Literally dozens of names were suggested during this process and measured against certain predetermined criteria. Most people who have heard the new name view it as bold and innovative, making a strong statement about the impact our national organization seeks to have on the field of aging."
Voting in favor of AAHSA's new name does not mean that individual state associations will be required to change their names, too. Many, including California, have already led the way with new names and are unlikely to change names again in the near future. Others are waiting for AAHSA to complete its renaming process before considering any changes of their own. Regardless of whether states adopt LeadingAge as the name for their own organizations, AAHSA's new national name provides several cobranding opportunities. In fact, California has already adopted the new AAHSA brand promise: Inspire, Serve, Advocate.
"LeadingAge ushers in a new era of advocacy and leadership for our national association," Heaton said. "I encourage all organizations that are members of AAHSA to take part in this crucial vote."
To view a video that AAHSA has posted on YouTube explaining its new identity, click here. For a more detailed discussion of the proposed name change, see the News Report in the upcoming August issue of agenda.
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Policy/Regulations Report
Tax on Retirement Savings Before Budget Conference Committee
The proposal by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to impose a quality assurance fee on skilled nursing beds in multi-level retirement communities remains on the table as discussions move ahead for a state budget deal. Aging Services of California has identified the fee as a de facto tax on the retirement savings of MLRC residents -- an analysis laid out in detail in the cover story in the May 2010 issue of agenda.
The proposal is currently in the hands of the Budget Conference Committee of the California Legislature, chaired by Senator Denise Ducheny, D-San Diego. The committee, which has the responsibility for negotiating a budget compromise between the Senate and the Assembly, has yet to take a vote on taxing retirement savings -- but with the state already 15 days late in passing a budget, it could happen at any moment.
"While members of the Conference Committee are still in Sacramento, all other legislators will be working in their district offices during the July recess," said Jack Christy, director of public policy at Aging Services. "We must take advantage of the district work period to meet with as many senators and assemblymembers as possible. The message is simple: Help them understand that this unfair tax has no relationship to residents' ability to pay, will force them to move from the place they call home and will result in a reduction in the quality of services available to older adults."
Aging Services has prepared a number of resources that not only explain the impact of taxing retirement savings via a quality assurance fee, but also provide opportunities to get involved in the campaign against the fee; to download these resources, visit the association's website. For more information, contact Christy at jchristy@aging.org or 916-469-3366 or Eric Dowdy, associate director of public policy at Aging Services, at edowdy@aging.org or 916-469-3376.
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Aging Services Report
Three Questions for Norma Heaton, Aging Services Board Chair
Norma Heaton started a two-year term as chair of the board of Aging Services of California in May 2010. Heaton has been active in the leadership of the association for more than a decade, starting as a member of the Los Angeles Valleys region board in 1998 and later serving in a number of other posts, including a term as treasurer of the Board of Directors. In this issue of agendum, she kicks off our new "Three Questions" feature, in which we'll periodically ask leaders in the field of aging three timely questions on topics of importance to providers of housing and services to older adults.
What are the major opportunities and challenges currently facing Aging Services of California?
Many challenges for the association stem from the challenges faced by our members -- a faltering economy, inadequate reimbursement, a broken California governance structure, and issues related to the workforce and future leadership. Unique to Aging Services is determining how to meet the needs of our different constituencies equally. It's important for us to continue the excellent support already given to retirement communities and skilled nursing facilities while increasing the support provided to our housing members and to those offering home and community-based services.
Aging Services is a very strong association, though. The members are dedicated and supportive -- and so smart. In addition, Joanne Handy is an outstanding CEO, the staff is superb, the finances are in excellent order and the strategic plan is in place. We are well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that surround us. I have seen such a change in the way aging is mentioned in the media in the last 20 years -- the rest of the world is finally catching up to us. We just need to make sure we don't get run over in the stampede of the newly converted!
What do you see as the roles of leadership and membership in responding to these opportunities and challenges?
Through our strategic plan, we've set up the structure to meet all the opportunities we've identified. The leadership is already in place. The task is to achieve the continuity: Leadership can't do it alone, and the same leaders can't do it forever. Fortunately, our members know this intrinsically. They are leaders, too -- the most generous people I've ever worked with. They really want to transform the way aging is viewed and the way services and funding are provided in this state. And they're willing to collaborate to do it -- with each other, with resident groups, with other associations, with government staff. The response to our recent invitation to get involved in Aging Services committees was overwhelming. I'm confident we'll have the same kind of response as we roll out our two new initiatives, AgeTech and EMERGE.
There was a time when the membership didn't know how to lobby very well and didn't engage in grassroots activity. That has really changed, too. It's been very evident to me as we strive to retain the quality assurance fee exemption for CCRCs and MLRCs. Members are involving their full constituencies -- staff, residents, families, board -- in advocating to retain the exemption. Members have learned that advocacy cannot be left to just the Aging Services staff. And they have learned that their residents or clients may have stronger voices than their own when it comes to persuading policymakers to do the right thing.
How is the association poised to be a catalyst for the future of aging services in the state?
We've got a great strategic plan, and I expect to follow it. We want to train the next leaders for our field for the sake of our members and our association; we want members to look to us for ways to reduce expenses by sharing risk and participating in group purchasing programs; we want to help members find and implement the home and community-based services that will fit best in their business models; we want to discover and encourage the best practices of service delivery and the most innovative technologies; and we certainly want to untie the legislative and regulatory knots that are barriers to exceptional care and services. Aging Services can be the foundation of the collaborative arena that will provide the opportunity for members to flourish. Each member needs a presence in Sacramento – and that's one of the key roles of Aging Services.
Call for Sessions Now Open: 2011 Annual Conference
Aging Services of California is seeking presentations for its 2011 Annual Conference and Exposition, to be held May 2–4, 2011, in Monterey, Calif.
"We're especially looking for dynamic educational programs that will engage participants through interactive or shared-learning formats," said Jan Guillano, director of education and events at Aging Services. "Sessions of this sort better promote learning and enable participants to take away information that's relevant and applicable in real-life settings."
To be included in the review process, proposals must provide all the requested information and be submitted by Sept. 13, 2010. For additional information or to download a copy of the application, click here.
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