Coronavirus

Visit the AHCA/NCAL Coronavirus website daily for the latest information that we have to share with long term care providers about COVID-19.  As concerns arise with the emerging coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, we are working nationally with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure our long term care communities receive necessary supplies and guidance to prevent the spread of this disease.

2020 AHCA/NCAL Award Nominations Are Open!

Over the past few months, long term care facilities have been faced with extreme challenges and difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of our current state of affairs, now, more than ever, is the time to recognize the extraordinary staff and volunteers who have shown courage even in the midst of COVID-19 and who continue to do the right thing in the right way.

The AHCA Awards Program has been revamped to recognize people in different roles within skilled nursing, and still honors individuals who are committed to improving the quality of life for residents. Categories include:

• AHCA Administrator of the Year
• AHCA Program of the Year
• AHCA Noble Caregiver
• Volunteer of the Year

Nomination packets and guidelines are available on AHCA's website now.

The Mary K. Ousley Champion of Quality Award recognizes an individual who has made significant national contributions in advancing quality performance in long term and/or post-acute care in skilled nursing or assisted living settings. Nominations must be submitted online here.

The Jan Thayer Pioneer Award recognizes an individual who has moved the senior care profession forward, positively affecting the lives of those served and those who serve. Recipients must demonstrate dedication, leadership and considerable contributions to the senior care profession. Nominations can be submitted online here.

The NCAL Awards Program identifies assisted living employees from around the country who demonstrate exemplary work within the profession. This program gives awards in four categories:

• Administrator of the Year
• Nurse of the Year
• Noble Caregiver in Assisted Living
• National Assisted Living Week® Programming
  

Read the full Rules & Guidelines for the 2020 NCAL Awards Program and submit a nomination online at www.ncal.org/awards.

Nominations for all AHCA/NCAL Awards programs must be submitted no later than Friday, July 10, 2020.

Launching “Faces of Care”

In an effort to showcase both COVID-19 recoveries and the long term care heroes who make these recoveries possible, we have launched a new page on CareNotCOVID.com titled “Faces of Care.” The landing page, CareNotCOVID.com/faces, features a gallery of residents who have recovered from COVID-19 as well as long term care staff who have stepped up to keep residents safe during the pandemic. There is also a form on the website to collection submissions of stories of hope from long term care facilities across the country. We are using news stories that we receive, videos and other testimonials.

On AHCA/NCAL social channels, we will continue to use the hashtag #CareNotCOVID to encourage others to share their stories and gain traffic to the site – serving our larger goal of continuing to push out positive, real-world examples of hope and support for long term care residents and caregivers.

ICF/IID Reports

AHCA's Research Department has released the following June 2020 updates for use by AHCA/NCAL members (Login Required):

• LTC Stats: Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) Standard Health Survey Report, June 2020 
• LTC Stats: Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID), Facility and Resident Characteristics, June 2020 

If you have any questions relating to these reports, which include important ICF/IID state and national data, please contact AHCA’s Research Director, Kiran Sreenivas.

We Need You for Our Social Media Initiative

AHCA/NCAL began a social media advocacy initiative last year and is encouraging all members to get involved.  The effort focuses on improving the overall image of the post-acute and long term care profession by sharing positive stories and pushing back on pieces that attempt to tie all providers to isolated negative events.

AHCA/NCAL will be sending interested members tips for getting more involved on social media, best practices for posting content, sample posts, and a roundup of positive stories about the profession on a regular basis. Individuals who want to get involved should email socialmedia@ahca.org to get on the mailing list.

The campaign also will include a rapid response to stories that are unfairly negative about the profession or do not accurately portray the reality of post-acute and long term care.  AHCA/NCAL hopes to build on these successes as the year continues. With thousands of buildings nationwide who touch the lives of millions of people, there is the chance to seriously affect the way the profession is viewed and treated by lawmakers and the media.

Articles and Resources of Interest

• Making it Work: Caregiving During a Pandemic
• PPE Supplier List
• FedEx is Giving $1 Million to Small Businesses
• Reach the Class of 2020 through the LTC Career Center

Legislative and Agency Corner

• H.R. 6800, The HEROES Act Passes the House 
• Updated NCAL Guidance on Reporting in Assisted Living Communities
• Revised OSHA Policies
• Economic Impact Payments for Social Security and SSI Beneficiaries with Representative Payees
• Employee Retention Credit Available for Businesses Affected by COVID-19

National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities

The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) holds a monthly call or webinar concerning topics of interest to those who work in the field of aging and disability.  One of the past calls focused on resources for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias and their caregivers.  Information about future calls, and audio recording of previous ones, can be found here.

2020 Health Care Observances

June 2020 marks, among other observances. National Safety Month, Cataract Awareness Month, Men’s Health Month and National Nursing Assistants Week (June 18-25).  The 2020 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.