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.
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.
On
Tuesday, October 15, during the 70th AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, special
programming for Not for Profit providers include sessions focused on leadership
and accountability, workforce challenges, and survey and certification issues. You'll also have great opportunities for
networking and sharing ideas and experiences.
The Not for Profit Reception caps off the day from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
and is an excellent opportunity to network and catch up with other providers
from around the country. It is just one of many special events taking place
over the four-day convention in October.
More information can be found here.
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!
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).
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.
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.
