August 23, 2023
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The Latest News
New Report Finds Access To Nursing Home Care A Growing Crisis

​AHCA/NCAL released a data-backed report today that illustrates the growing access to care crisis within the nursing home sector. Nationwide labor shortages, coupled with inflation and chronic government underfunding, have forced nursing homes to limit admissions, downsize or even close entirely – leaving tens of thousands of vulnerable residents displaced, and countless prospective residents and families in desperate search of care. READ MORE
CMS 5-claim audits so far a ‘debacle’ 

A new federal review process designed to lower the rate of improper government payments is sending provider staffs scurrying to justify their coding. READ MORE
New Bill Removing Barrier To Workforce Re-Entry By Early Retirees Could Benefit Long-Term Care Sector

McKnight’s Senior Living (8/22, Bonvissuto) reports, "A bill that would remove a barrier to re-entry into the workforce by early retirees could also be a big win for a long-term care sector looking to rebuild its workforce in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic." The bill dubbed "the Senior Citizens’ Freedom to Work Act would repeal the retirement earnings test (RET), removing a barrier to early retirees who would have their Social Security benefits penalized if they returned to the workforce." This change could also "benefit older adults struggling financially who need to return to the workforce to keep up with inflationary bumps to basic necessities." 
TOMORROW! Webinar: Bedrails in Assisted Living; Do you know what's required?

8/24/2023 2:00PM - 3:15PM

Click here for more details.
Free Dementia Training for Nursing Homes - NIA-funded Research Study

The University of Kansas School of Nursing is seeking nursing homes nationwide to participate in a NIH-funded research study testing a new online version of the evidence-based Changing Talk (CHAT) communication training program.

CHAT educates staff about reducing elderspeak (infantilizing communication) and results in reduced behavioral symptoms and need for psychotropic medication for residents with dementia. The new online version (Changing Talk: Online Training (CHATO)) consists of 3; one-hour interactive online modules that provide flexible and accessible access for staff.

There is no cost, direct-care staff can earn 3 contact hours, and all staff get a Certificate of Completion.

Benefits to you, your staff, and your residents include:
  • A person-centered approach.
  • Education about elderspeak and better communication strategies.
  • Reduction in resistiveness to care and other behavioral symptoms in residents with dementia.
  • Reduction in the need for psychotropic medication.
  • Convenient, online educational format for busy nursing homes.
  • Qualifies for CMS dementia care training hours requirements.
  • A free, nonpharmacological, evidence-based intervention is an excellent addition to a Quality Improvement Plan.
 
Click here to learn more about CHATO and view our research and training resources.
Time is running out to nominate your staff!

The 2023 Staff Recognition Program is here again and this is a way for you to honor your staff and volunteers. Our yearly awards ceremony is just a small way of honoring some of the great men and women who care for the elders of our great state! The time taken from your busy schedules to fill out this nomination is very much appreciated. 

Winners will be honored at our Annual Convention and Trade Show on Friday, September 29, 2023.

Deadline: Friday, August 25th.
In Case You Missed It
Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

On last week’s AHCA State Affiliate Network meeting there was very positive discussion about facilities using the AHCA LTC National Infection Prevention Forum. There are more than 1000 providers on this forum and the information shared is very helpful to LTC providers related to Infection Prevention and Control. Here is the information for joining. If you click on the link to join, remember, you have to be logged into your AHCA account. If you or your staff haven’t set up an AHCA account, get ahold of the state association and they will be glad to help you.

Join the LTC National Infection Prevention Forum
The National Infection Prevention Forum (NIPF) is for Infection Preventionist’s in Long Term Care. This national forum provides an opportunity for collaboration and sharing of experiences between IPs in LTC. This platform allows for rapid dissemination of updates and resources about infections in LTC, as they become available from CDC, CMS, or OHSA. Participants are encouraged to answer each other’s questions and share resources and tools. This is open to all LTC professionals focusing on infection prevention regardless of their infection prevention certification status or membership in any organization. To date over 1,000 IPs in LTC are participating.

The American Health Care Association (AHCA) partnered with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) with funding from CDC Project Firstline to create the NIPF. Also, as part of the collaboration, APIC long-term care experts will contribute to the discussions and answer questions as needed.
This forum will utilize the “Connect Communities” platform which allows for the creation of email threads to keep discussion grouped, posting of resources and tools in an organized library and ability to view list of participants in the forum.

If you are interested in participating, please click here to request to join.
For questions, please contact us at LTC-NIPFhelp@ahca.org .
We need your input on 2024 Education Topics

This survey provided by our partner Proactive Medical is designed to collect data on which webinar series are most desired by our providers. We ask that you take a few minutes to give us your feedback. Thank you in advance.
KHCA Annual Business Meeting

The Annual Business Meeting, held during the Kansas Health Care Association’s 73rd Annual Convention and Trade Show is scheduled as follows:

Friday, September 29, 2023
10:00- 11:00 AM
Kansas Star Event Center
785 Kansas Star Drive
Mulvane, KS 67110

Please plan to attend.

Click here to view reports as they become available. The member login information is required.
Education Spotlight
73rd Annual Convention & Trade Show - September 27 - 29, 2023

Registration is open for the 73rd Annual Convention and Trade Show!

Here’s just a snippet of the educational offerings that are scheduled so far:

  • Courageous Leadership – Living a Life of Influence
  • Managing Change in Senior Care
  • Achieving Great Customer Service
  • Child Care in LTC – creating a win/win
  • Becoming an AIT Preceptor
  • Differentiating Dementias
  • Interventions to Better Connect Through Behavioral Expressions
  • Ethics: Truth, Transparency and Trust
  • Data and Quality Improvement in Assisted Living
  • Medicaid Reimbursement Transition to PDPM Effective July 1, 2024
  • KCAL Annual meeting with Board Elections
  • KHCA Annual meeting
  • AL Regulatory Networking
  • SNF Regulatory Networking
  • Staff Awards Recognition Lunch
Upcoming Education
Webinar: Deep Dive Into Federal Regulations in a Year: §483.45 Pharmacy Services Requirements

9/12/2023 1:30PM - 3:00PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Meaningful Meetings

9/26/2023 1:30PM - 2:30PM

Click here for more details.
73rd Annual Convention and Tradeshow

9/27/2023 2:00PM - 9/29/2023 4:00PM

Click here for more details.
Wound Champions in the Post-Acute LTC Setting

10/24/2023 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Click here for more details.
Administrator in Training (AIT) Program

We are excited to announce our new AIT Program! Click here for more details.

Questions? Email Teresa Keating at tkeating@khca.org
Kansas Health Care Association and the Kansas Center for Assisted Living
1100 SW Gage Blvd. | PO Box 4770 | Topeka, KS 66604
PH: 785-267-6003 FAX: 785-267-0833