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 nursing homes and assisted living communities receive necessary supplies and guidance to prevent the spread of this disease.

NEW AHCA/NCAL Guidance: Taking Reasonable Efforts to Prevent COVID-19 From Entering Your Long Term Care Facility

Our recommendations build upon the CMS guidance issued to nursing homes on March 4, 2020 and current CDC guidance.  We urge members to adopt these additional best practices when possible based on the growing data about the high mortality rate among the elderly over the age of 80 with chronic disease, who comprise the majority of our residents.  Waiting until the virus starts to spread in the community, has been shown in prior viral epidemics to be too late.  The guidance can be found on the AHCA/NCAL Coronavirus website. 

COVID-19 Webinar Recording Available Now!

The recording to AHCA/NCAL's COVID-19 webinar on March 3 is now available here.  Please note that there are two versions, depending on which web browser you are using.  This is a critical issue for long term care as evidenced by the more than 13,000 people who participated in the webinar.

Please continue to check AHCA/NCAL's website for the latest information and resources that AHCA/NCAL has to share about COVID-19.  Please email COVID19@ahca.org with any additional questions regarding this virus.

Thank you for everything you are doing to keep our residents, families and staff safe.

AHCA’s ID/DD Providers Hit the Hill

AHCA’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) Residential Services Providers annual Hill Fly-In event occurred last Wednesday at the AHCA offices in DC. AHCA provided one-pagers and talking points for registrants to take to the Hill on issues ranging from Medicaid to the workforce.  Rep. Chris Stewart of Utah spoke with the group, along with a panel of former Congressional staffers.  Post the event, the ID/DD providers hit the Hill.  AHCA’s ID/DD Comm Chair, Holly Jarek, is pictured here meeting with Rep. Joe Kennedy III of Massachusetts.  If you have any questions about this important member event or are interested in attending next year, please contact AHCA’s Senior Director of Not for Profit & Constituent Services, Dana Ritchie, at dritchie@ahca.org.

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 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

• 2020-2021 NCAL Elections and Solicitation for Candidates
• Take Advantage of Your “AHCA/NCAL Member Only” Discounts on FedEx Express® Services through PartnerShip®
• New Examples Showing How Cleary Energy is Saving AHCA/NCAL Members Money from Unnecessary Utility Bill Overpayments
• Life Safety Tips for Compliance with the Most Common Life Safety and Health Care Facilities Code Deficiencies

Legislative and Agency Corner

• Joint Employer Final Rule
• FDA Bans Devices Used To Shock Those With Developmental Disabilities
• With Self-Direction, People With Disabilities Gain Control
• To Address DSP Shortage, Lawmakers Want Nationwide Head Count

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

April 2020 marks, among other observances, National Occupational Therapy Month, National Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Stress Awareness Month, and National Cancer Control Month.  The 2020 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.