Capitol Line Weekly Newsletter
July 21, 2022
Dementia Symposium featuring Teepa Snow
This outstanding program is designed for all aging service and senior housing providers throughout the continuum with a focus on fall prevention and communication strategies!
Thursday, August 4, 2022, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Aqua Turf Club, 556 Mulberry St, Plantsville, CT

Have you ever seen Teepa Snow? She is a national dementia expert and a fantastic speaker who always receives rave reviews from our members! Take a minute and view her on YouTube!

Office of Workforce Strategy Survey
The state's Office of Workforce Strategy is surveying healthcare employers to better understand the current nursing shortage. Employer input is vital to inform the demand for common nursing positions. Below is a link to a survey and we are asking all of our members to participate. The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and will better align the education and workforce system to design programs that meet employer demand. We ask that you please respond by August 3, 2022. Office of Workforce Strategy Survey

Hot Weather Alert Issued
DPH has issued a Hot Weather Alert in Blast Fax 22-28. Please note that the use of fans should be conducted in accordance with appropriate infection control practices. (See slide 13 of attached presentation.)

HHS Renews Public Health Emergency
On July 15, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra once again renewed the Public Health Emergency (PHE). Renewing the public health emergency declaration ensures health care providers and state and territorial health departments have continued flexibility to respond to the pandemic, helping save lives. These flexibilities support efforts such as rapid patient care during emergencies, including waivers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for certain requirements under section 1135 of the Social Security Act. 

New Nursing Home RoPs Guidance Resources from LeadingAge
Check out LeadingAge’s latest nursing home Requirements of Participation (RoPs) guidance resource: Nursing Home RoPs Guidance 2022: Abuse and Neglect. This 24-minute QuickCast provides an overview of revisions related to abuse and neglect in the new guidance, including the new Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide, and suggested strategies to assist you as you work toward compliance.

Also, don't forget to register for thRoPs Compliance Update on August 2. This virtual update will review the main content areas of the guidance with strategies for compliance ahead of the October 24, 2022 implementation date. The virtual update will not be recorded so don't miss it!

Roadmap for Investment in Dementia Care
In the next eight years, the number of people living with dementia worldwide could reach 78 million, according to the World Health Organization. On average, people with dementia live five to 10 years after diagnosis and they will need medical, neuropsychological, and social services throughout their care journey. The Milken Institute and Alzheimer’s Society have released a roadmap to address this urgent need.

Reports Look at Older Adults in Public Housing
The Urban Institute has released two reports older adults and persons with disabilities living in public housing. The first report looks at the demographics of public housing residents and the second offers case studies of how five public housing agencies work to address the needs of older adult residents and residents with disabilities. The second report, “Meeting the Challenge: Serving Older Adults and People with Disabilities in Public Housing,” looks closely at five public housing authorities “that are taking active approaches to supporting their older adult residents and residents with disabilities.” More information can be found in the article about the reports’ findings.

Expanded Opportunities Offered on the LeadingAge Connecticut Employee Benefits Platform!
Your LeadingAge Connecticut membership just got even better with access to InsurChoice™ Personal Insurance Solutions, now included on the Employee Benefits Platform. Access to this platform of diverse employee benefit options is offered as a member benefit and is powered by NFP. See the attached flyer for more information on InsurChoice!

Medicaid Provider Bulletins

Reminder: Nursing Home June Temporary Rate Payment Attestation Requirement
The attestation document for the 10% temporary June Medicaid rate increase for nursing homes is now available on the DSS website. The June temporary rate increase payment is funded through $10 million of federal ARPA funding and therefore an attestation is required for nursing home providers to receive the lump sum payment. Nursing homes will need to complete and submit to DSS the attestation document and a short period cost report. Payment will be made once the completed documents are received. Questions? The CFO Member Forum next Thursday at 9 a.m. is a great place to bring your questions!

County Rates of Transmission Remain High or Substantial
The state's eight counties remain classified as having either a high transmission rate or substantial transmission rate by the CDC. The appropriate CMS and CDC guidance should be followed for these conditions

Election Guidance for Non-Profits
The LeadingAge Election Guidance for Non-Profits is a great guide to help you understand what you can and cannot do under IRS guidelines with respect to political candidates and issues.
Workforce News
Get Ready! Join the July 27 National Workforce Day of Action
It is time for us to make more noise to let our elected leaders in Washington D.C., know they must act NOW for the aging services workforce. On Wednesday, July 27, join fellow LeadingAge members around the country for a virtual National Workforce Day of Action, part of the Aging Services Workforce Now campaign–and demand Congress take responsibility and immediate action to address the workforce crisis in aging services. Learn more

Office of Workforce Strategy Survey
As mentioned above, the state's Office of Workforce Strategy is surveying healthcare employers to better understand the current nursing shortage. Employer input is vital to inform the demand for common nursing positions. Below is a link to a survey. The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and will better align the education and workforce system to design programs that meet employer demand. They ask that you please respond by August 3, 2022. Office of Workforce Strategy Survey

Burnout in the Workforce: Tools for Continued Support
COVID-19 is a unique and ongoing trauma, particularly for long-term care professionals dealing directly with the pandemic day after day. Read the latest from LeadingAge’s Director of Workforce Strategy & Development, Jenna Kellerman, and check out these helpful resources as you continue strengthening your toolkit for supporting your team:

A Fresh Look at Caregiving: Direct Care Workforce Solutions Webinar
Join the Long-Term Quality Alliance on Tuesday, July 26 at 2 p.m. for a solutions-focused interactive panel discussion of promising practices and areas for stakeholder collaboration. LeadingAge’s Senior Vice President of Research Robyn Stone will join speakers Carol Raphael of Manatt, Carrie Amero with AARP, and Joe MacBeth with NADSP. Learn more and register.

Workforce Resources
CMS, CDC and State Covid-19 Links and Resources
The NFP HR Compliance Corner
LeadingAge Connecticut's Diamond Partner, NFP, is pleased to provide our members with access to their Human Resource Compliance Corner

Five-Star Consultation Service
LeadingAge Quality Metrics offers a live 1-hour consultative session with their Senior Quality Improvement Analyst, Five-Star Expert for just $300 for LeadingAge members. See the informational flyer for more information. 

Executive and Commissioner Orders-Blast Faxes
A complete listing of Executive and Commissioner Orders can be found 
here.  A listing of DPH Blast Faxes can be found herePractitioner and Facility Guidance documents can be found here.

LTC-MAP July Duty Officers
CT LTC-MAP Duty Officer: Vinnie DeSanti (July 16 - 31)
860-207-9270

Back-Up Duty Officer: Andy McGuire
(On vacation July 24 - July 31)
Cell - 203-648-7116
Office - 860-390-1949

Back-Up Duty Officer: Jim Garrow
(Covering July 24 - July 31)
Cell - 860-944-2803
Office - 860-793-8600

Value First GPO: A Resource for Affordable Products and Supplies
Value First is the LeadingAge owned GPO and a trusted resource for your purchasing department. Our contact for Value First is Den Miciletto, Value First Sales Liaison. Mobile 917.370.6518, Office 518.867.8383 ex.160, Fax 518.867.8384

Schedule for Member Calls
Nursing Home Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. 
CCRC/Assisted Living Community The first Thursday of the month at noon
Nursing Director Tuesdays at Noon
Affordable Housing Third Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m.
Human Resource Second Thursday of the month at 10 a.m.
Social Work Second Wednesday of the month 11:30 a.m.
Building Engineering Last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m.
Recreation Second Tuesday of the month at noon
CFO Roundtable July 28 at 9 a.m.
Mission Roundtable TBA
LeadingAge national Monday and Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. 
If you need the call-in information, just let us know at mmorelli@leadingagect.org. 

The Benefits of Your LeadingAge Connecticut Membership
We encourage all of our members to learn about all of the benefits of membership in LeadingAge Connecticut. Tour your benefits of membership now! 

Please Keep Us Up to Date on Your Staffing Changes
In an effort to keep our contact information current with our members and their staff, we request that you notify our office manager, Nurka Carrero, as soon as possible when you have significant staffing changes. Thank you!

LeadingAge National News
New Resources for Home Health Prospective Payment Rule
To help members navigate the CMS Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update, LeadingAge is taking action. If implemented, these cuts to home health providers would further erode access to care and services needed by older adults and their families. Check out these helpful talking points, a sample op-ed template, and slides from our recent Home Health Member Network meeting.

LeadingAge Plans Meeting with CMS Administrator and Medicare Director to Discuss Deep Concerns with Medicare Advantage
Katie Smith Sloan sent a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and CMS Director of Medicare Meena Seshamani on Monday, July 18th outlining concerns we have related to the future of Medicare and Medicare Advantage and asking to meet to discuss how we might work together to ensure beneficiary access to services through the two programs as well as financial sustainability for providers. Dr. Seshamani quickly responded to the request and a meeting is being scheduled. 

LeadingAge Coronavirus Update Calls on Monday and Wednesday
If you have not registered for LeadingAge Monday and Wednesday 3:30 pm Update Calls, you can do so here. You can also find previous call recordings here. Note that to access recordings of the calls you need a LeadingAge password. Any staff member of any LeadingAge member organization can set up a password to access previous calls and other “members only” content.

Weekly National News Recaps

National Annual Meeting Registration

Nursing Home Network Call
The LeadingAge Nursing Home Network will meet next Tuesday, July 26 at 2:00 p.m. CDC will speak on the new enhanced barrier precautions guidance, plus policy updates from LeadingAge, and member feedback. Register for the Nursing Home Network here using your LeadingAge login. Don’t have a LeadingAge login? Create one here using your work email address.

Life Plan Community July Member Network Call
Mark your calendars for the next LPC Member Network meeting which will be Thursday, July 28 at 2:00 p.m. with a focus on the workforce crisis and policy work being done by LeadingAge. You can sign up by emailing Dee Pekruhn at dpekruhn@leadingage.org if you’re not already a regular attendee. All are welcome. 

LeadingAge Member Resources

Get Connected with LeadingAge
LeadingAge offers a variety of ways for members to engage with one another and get involved from listservs and networks to advisory groups, committees and board service. We encourage you to take advantage of your membership and connect with your peers to learn, share and grow. Get connected!
Education and Events

Save the Date for Our Annual Meeting - October 11th!

The Dynamic DON Webinar Series
Eight Consecutive Wednesdays beginning August 3
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
This 8-week webinar series runs August-September 2022 and focuses on skill
building for serving effectively as the Director of Nursing with emphasis on
effective leadership and staff engagement, nursing operations and systems
of care for common conditions treated in the LTC setting.

Annual Dementia Symposium with Teepa Snow
Focus: Fall Prevention and Communication Strategies
Presented by National Dementia Expert: Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
Thursday, August 4
9:00am – 3:30pm
Program will be at the Aqua Turf Club

Everyday Assistive Technology Series with AARP CT and Oak Hill
AARP CT and the New England Assistive Technology Center at Oak Hill are hosting a series of events on the topic of “Everyday Assistive Technology.” This six-part series will provide attendees an opportunity to learn more about how widely available devices and new technologies can help older adults and people with disabilities live safely and independently at home. All events will take place at Oak Hill, 33 Coventry Street in Hartford, and will include a tour of the Smart Home on Wheels, a mobile demonstration center where individuals and groups can learn more about how technology can support independent living. Events are free, but registration is required. More information can be found here.

Now Available: June LeadingAge Webinar Recordings
Access is now available to both June webinar recordings. Navigating the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) helps aging services providers understand the nuances of the ERC, the claims process, and eligibility requirements. The Active Shooter Preparedness webinar provides organizations with critical decision-making techniques and safety protocols that can save lives. View all LeadingAge webinars on topics ranging from Cybersecurity to Survey Readiness.

CMS News and Resources


CMS Website Resources

National Government Services News
National Government Services shares important Part A information on their website. Click on www.NGSMedicare.com, determine your Medicare contract. On the Provider Specific Portal Home Page, under Latest Part A News Articles click on the View All News Articles link. Note: you may have to accept the CPT Point and Click Agreement in order to access this information.

NGS Medicare Educational Sessions and Training Events Calendar
Visit the National Government Services Web site for details at NGS Medicare.

Medicare University Computer-Based Training Course Listings
To access the Medicare University portal page: NGS Medicare
In the News
State Officials Encourage Vaccinations as COVID Numbers Climb
CT News Junkie, July 18
Gov. Ned Lamont and public health officials urged Connecticut residents Monday to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations as cases and hospitalizations related to the virus continue to climb amid spread of infectious new subvariants. 

CT Budget Surplus Shatters the $4B Mark
CT Mirror, July 21
An economy on the brink of recession and 9% inflation weren’t enough to stop state government’s surplus from shattering the $4 billion mark, Gov. Ned Lamont’s budget office reported Wednesday.