AHCA/NCAL Convention: Advance Registration Ends Tomorrow

The AHCA/NCAL Convention takes place next month in Orlando, FL. If you have not yet registered, now is the time.  Register today and save.

Bring your squad of long term and post-acute superheroes, and join us for four days of learning and networking that will prepare you for the challenges of the coming year. Choose from over 70 education sessions that focus on PDPM, Requirements of Participation, workforce solutions, clinical care practices, quality improvement, and more. Get answers to your key questions, and walk away with new strategies that will help you improve quality and put better practices into place.

You’ll also have the opportunity to meet with more than 300 vendors in the Expo Hall, see new products and solutions, and share ideas and experiences with others in the industry.
It’s an event not to be missed. Register by September 27th to take advantage of the Advance Registration savings.  Visit ahcaconvention.org for more details and a complete schedule of events.

AHCA Announces 2019 Award Recipients

The American Health Care Association (AHCA) announced the recipients for the 2019 AHCA Awards program today. Each year, AHCA recognizes the men and women who selflessly care for individuals in long term and post-acute care centers, and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) residences. These honorees demonstrate selflessness, compassion, and strive to enhance the lives of seniors and individuals with disabilities in their communities.
The 2019 AHCA Awards recipients are:

• Hero of the Year- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Barbara Smith, Valley Village, Winnetka, California
• Not for Profit Program of the Year: Good Samaritan Society- Ambassador, New Hope, Minnesota
• Not for Profit Trustee Award: Dave Gessel, Mission Health Services, West Valley City, Utah
• Adult Volunteer of the Year: Richard Cole, LACOBA Homes, Inc., Monett, Missouri 
• Group Volunteer of the Year: Friends of Good Samaritan Society- Scotland, Good Samaritan Society- Scotland, Scotland, South Dakota 
• Young Adult Volunteer of the Year: Railey Connor, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation, Crestview, Florida
  

The Hero of the Year award recognizes an individual who works or volunteers in an ICF/IID facility or HCBS Waiver Homes and has shown commitment and dedication to serving people with ID/DD.

The Not for Profit Program of the Year award highlights a specific program that adds value to the care of individuals within a community.

The Not for Profit Trustee award honors a not for profit trustee committed to faithfully carrying out functions of the board and dedicated to improving the lives of frail and vulnerable individuals.

The Volunteer of the Year program seeks to honor a young adult (under 19), an adult, and a group organization that have served in a volunteer capacity for more than one year and have made a positive contribution to residents and staff of a care center.

Award recipients will be honored at the AHCA/NCAL 70th Convention​ in Orlando on October 16, 2019.

ID/DD Provider Education Offered at the AHCA/NCAL Convention

On Tuesday, October 15, during the 70th AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, special programming for ID/DD providers include sessions focused on leadership and accountability, workforce challenges, and ethics.  You'll also have great opportunities for networking and sharing ideas and experiences.  It is just one of many special events taking place over the four-day convention in October.  More information can be found here.

AHCA Committee Nominations Open

September 17 through October 21, AHCA members in good standing may nominate themselves or another member to serve on an AHCA committee for the 2020/2021 appointment term.  All AHCA members are encouraged to participate in this process.  Please submit your nomination for up to three committees by completing a Survey Monkey.  We appreciate your willingness to serve in any capacity and are committed to do everything we can to honor your committee selections.  

All 2020/2021 committee appointments will be for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2020.  Appointments are finalized by the AHCA Board of Governors Chair.  In order to keep committee sizes at optimal levels, applicants are likely to be assigned to just one committee.  Please visit the AHCA website for a list of committee descriptions. 

Please contact Christy Herle with questions about the process.  We hope you take this opportunity to be an active member!

Helpful Emergency Preparedness Resources

This month marks, among other observances, National Preparedness Month. National Preparedness Month, recognized each September, provides an opportunity to remind us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families now and throughout the year.  This month the focus will be on planning, with an overarching theme: “Prepared, Not Scared.”  Take this time to review your facility and community-based risk assessment/hazard vulnerability.  AHCA/NCAL has an emergency preparedness website with helpful information and resources you might be interested in.

In general, having an emergency kit that includes food, water, and at least a week of medications is a smart idea.  Include this card, completed with your vital medical information, and if you have a communication-related disability, this card can help first-responders assist you in the way that is best for you.  Include a flashlight and extra batteries, and first aid supplies.  Ready.gov has an emergency kit checklist that is helpful.  Here is a checklist specific for kids.  If you have any questions around emergency preparedness, please contact Erin Prendergast (SNF Providers) or Dana Halvorson (ICF/IID Providers).

ICF/IID Reports

AHCA's Research Department has released the following June 2019 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 2019 LTC Stats: Intermediate Care Facilities for 
• Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID), Facility and Resident Characteristics, June 2019

 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 new social media advocacy initiative earlier this 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

• Announcing the 2020 Quality Initiative Recognition Program
• Submit your AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Intent to Apply Early!
• #WhyICare: Lori Cooper, Chief Operating Officer
• #WhyICare: Elicia Jacobson, VP of Brain Injury Services
• Realistic Online Dementia Care Training for $21 Per Staff Member
• Good Samaritan Society Residents Successfully Evacuated and Return Home

Legislative and Agency Corner

• Updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) Database File
• Study: When Kids Show Signs Of Autism, Pediatricians Often Fall Short
• Autism Act Clears Senate
• Lawmakers Look To Update SSI Program
• 2019 HUD Updates on Residential Care Facilities Asset Management

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.

Upcoming 2019 Events

AHCA/NCAL 70th Annual Convention & Expo – October 13-16, 2019

ID/DD Day at Convention – October 15, 2019

2019 Health Care Observances

October 2019 marks, among other observances, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Dental Hygiene Month, National Chiropractic Month, and National Physical Therapy Month.  The 2019 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.