NFP News: November 2020

Happy Thanksgiving from AHCA/NCAL

CMS Releases Alert Regarding Holidays

On November 18, CMS released an alert regarding holiday visitation. During the holidays, facilities, residents, and visitors should continue to follow the guidelines for visitation and adhere to the core principles of infection prevention, such as remaining six feet or more apart, wearing a face covering at all times, and limiting the number of visitors in the nursing home at any one time. Families, residents, and providers need to work together to take precautions during the holidays to help reduce the risk of spread while supporting family and resident engagement as much as possible using these core infection prevention practices. More details can be found here.

Resources to Help 2021 Quality Award Applicants

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program has created free resources to help 2021 Bronze, Silver and Gold Award applicants. Members are encouraged to access The Criteria Series, several videos covering application categories and technical writing to ensure a smooth writing process. Completing a successful application takes time to prepare. Don’t wait. Gather your team and start today. More details can be found here.

HUD Section 232 Program and COVID Webinar

AhcancalED hosted a webinar last week with HUD titled Section 232 Program Overview and Matters Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This webinar provided a brief overview of HUD’s Office of Residential Care Facilities (ORCF) and various issues brought on by the pandemic. It included a discussion of relief options, financial treatment of loans and grants and changes in ORCF policy to adapt to the crisis. A recording of the webinar can be found here.

Consistently Train, Test and Document Your Assisted Living Staff Infection Control Competencies

AHCA/NCAL has a new online program in conjunction with Healthcare Academy® that incorporates a digital competency platform to allow for documentation of live skills demonstration. The digital checklists included in this program have been designed by industry experts using evidence-based practices to help assisted living staff members become competent and confident in their infection control knowledge and skills. More information can be found here.

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.

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.

Monday, November 23, 2020