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 our long term care communities receive necessary supplies and guidance to prevent the spread of this disease.

2020 AHCA/NCAL Award Nominations Are Open!

Over the past few months, long term care facilities have been faced with extreme challenges and difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of our current state of affairs, now, more than ever, is the time to recognize the extraordinary staff and volunteers who have shown courage even in the midst of COVID-19 and who continue to do the right thing in the right way.

The AHCA Awards Program has been revamped to recognize people in different roles within skilled nursing, and still honors individuals who are committed to improving the quality of life for residents. Categories include:

• AHCA Administrator of the Year
• AHCA Program of the Year
•  AHCA Noble Caregiver
• Volunteer of the Year

Nomination packets and guidelines are available on AHCA's website now.

The Mary K. Ousley Champion of Quality Award recognizes an individual who has made significant national contributions in advancing quality performance in long term and/or post-acute care in skilled nursing or assisted living settings. Nominations must be submitted online here.

The Jan Thayer Pioneer Award recognizes an individual who has moved the senior care profession forward, positively affecting the lives of those served and those who serve. Recipients must demonstrate dedication, leadership and considerable contributions to the senior care profession. Nominations can be submitted online here.

The NCAL Awards Program identifies assisted living employees from around the country who demonstrate exemplary work within the profession. This program gives awards in four categories:

• Administrator of the Year
• Nurse of the Year
• Noble Caregiver in Assisted Living
• National Assisted Living Week® Programming
  

Read the full Rules & Guidelines for the 2020 NCAL Awards Program and submit a nomination online at www.ncal.org/awards.

Nominations for all AHCA/NCAL Awards programs must be submitted no later than Friday, July 10, 2020.

Launching “Faces of Care”

In an effort to showcase both COVID-19 recoveries and the long term care heroes who make these recoveries possible, we have launched a new page on CareNotCOVID.com titled “Faces of Care.” The landing page, CareNotCOVID.com/faces, features a gallery of residents who have recovered from COVID-19 as well as long term care staff who have stepped up to keep residents safe during the pandemic. There is also a form on the website to collection submissions of stories of hope from long term care facilities across the country. We are using news stories that we receive, videos and other testimonials.

On AHCA/NCAL social channels, we will continue to use the hashtag #CareNotCOVID to encourage others to share their stories and gain traffic to the site – serving our larger goal of continuing to push out positive, real-world examples of hope and support for long term care residents and caregivers.

Senate Hearing on Caring for Seniors Amid the COVID-19 Crisis

On Thursday, May 21, U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Committee held a hearing entitled, “Caring for Seniors Amid the COVID-19 Crisis .” The hearing featured three non-governmental witnesses that discussed how COVID-19 is affecting seniors, especially seniors receiving care in skilled nursing facilities, as well as other topics including personal protective equipment, infection control, data collection, regular testing of residents and staff, pandemic health care provider funding, and vaccines and treatments.

AHCA/NCAL submitted a statement for the record.  You can watch a video recording of the hearing, and read the majority and minority press statements of the U.S. Senate Aging Chairman and Ranking Member. 

Updated NCAL Guidance on Reporting in Assisted Living Communities

NCAL has updated guidance on notifications and reporting confirmed cases of COVID-19 in assisted living communities. NCAL encourages all assisted living communities to follow state and local requirements for reporting. Providers should use documented reporting information when reaching out to local county and state health departments when requesting assistance for supplies, such as personal protective equipment.

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

• Survey: U.S. Voters Strongly Support More Funding for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Communities in Response to Coronavirus Pandemic
• AHCA/NCAL Temporary Nurse Aide Course
• AHCA Infection Preventionist Specialized Training - IPCO Version 2
• Making it Work: Caregiving During a Pandemic

Legislative and Agency Corner

• AHCA/NCAL Reacts to Distribution of Provider Relief Funds for Skilled Nursing Facilities
• AHCA/NCAL Provides Roadmap to Governors to Address Long Term Care Workforce Needs During Pandemic
• Senators Call For $2 Billion In New Federal Funding To Help Health Care Providers Expand Telehealth Services During Pandemic
• H.R. 6800, The HEROES Act Passes the House 

2020 Health Care Observances

June 2020 marks, among other observances. National Safety Month, Cataract Awareness Month, Men’s Health Month and National Nursing Assistants Week (June 18-25).  The 2020 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.