HAPPY NEW YEAR!

In this Issue

Inside Your Association -- Aging Services of Georgia

Public Policy

Business Connection

Center for Positive Aging

Adult Day News (GADSA)

Culture Change News

General Notes of Interest

Institute News

News Throughout the Continuum

Vacancy Report

Job Mart

Leading Age News

GIA Partners

Occupied
Renovations

Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A.

GIA Supporters

Ziegler Capital
Markets Group

Mauldin & Jenkins

LW Consulting, Inc.

Sodexo Senior Living

GIA Friends  

The Law Offices of Williams & Edelstein

Dixon Hughes Goodman

AmeriGroup

Pfizer

GIA Contributors

HVAC Services

King's Bridge Retirement Center

Ovation Benefits

LeadingAge
www.LeadingAge.org

Keep Up with the Quality First Program

Aging Services of Georgia is the statewide association of over 150 key not-for-profit and other mission-focused organizations dedicated to providing quality housing, health care, community-based and other related services for older Georgians. The mission of Aging Services of Georgia is to represent and promote the common interests of its members through leadership, advocacy, education and other services in order to enhance each member's ability to serve older Georgians

Inside Your Association -- Aging Services of Georgia

Greeting from new Aging Services of Georgia Board Chair

I want to take this opportunity to wish each of you blessings in 2012.  For those of you that were able to attend the Business Meeting in December, you know that we have a busy year ahead of us.  With all that is ahead of us this year, I am reminded of a quote by CS Lewis, “The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.” 

Your minutes are valuable.  When you assign them to a project or task you are determining your future. I hope that you will be willing to invest in determining the future of Aging Service of Georgia.  This organization is a “trusted voice” to the extent that you participate, both in giving and receiving of the valuable resources at you fingertips. 

I look forward to working with you in 2012

Terry Barcroft

Vice President of Operations
Wesley Woods Senior Living, Inc.

Aging Services of Georgia Thanks Members for Their Support and Confidence

We would like to thank the members who have already sent in their 2012 Membership Dues! We truly appreciate your vote of confidence. Aging Services of Georgia staff could not do our jobs without the hundreds of you and your staff members who serve on our Boards, Committees and Task Forces.

Thank you all for your continued leadership. Invoices for Aging Services of Georgia/LeadingAge and Aging Services of Georgia Business (Associate) membership investments were mailed in December and are due by January 31, 2012. The investments cover the period January through December 2012. The timely payment of membership investments enables Aging Services of Georgia to continue providing uninterrupted member services.

Best wishes for the New Year from all of us and we look forward to working together in 2012! If you have not reviewed the 2011 Year in Review, please take a moment to do so. Members were very engaged in the life of the association in 2012!

DON’T MISS these important events COMING UP SOON!

Registration information for the following events will be posted on the website and notices will be sent to you as they are developed:

Wednesday, January 26
Elderly Housing Symposium
More Information and Registration Form

Tuesday, February 7
Winter Luncheon
Center for Positive Aging Summit on Wellness Initiatives
North Avenue Presbyterian Church, Midtown Atlanta
More Information

This event is different from our usual February luncheons. We will feature the Center – the consumer arm of the association. The new website and programs of the Center will be highlighted. You can actually take home materials to use with your residents and clients. Dennis Berkholtz from the National Senior League (Wii Bowling) will be present to answer questions - the Georgia finals will be held at our conference in April.

Thursday, February 23
Maintenance Workshops
North Avenue Presbyterian Church

Thursday, February 23
Service Coordinators and Activity Professionals Forums
North Avenue Presbyterian Church

Thursday, March 1
Adult Day Symposium

Thursday, March 1
CCRC/Housing Symposium

Thursday, March 8
Assisted Living Symposium
North Avenue Presbyterian Church, Midtown Atlanta

Thursday, March 29
Maximizing Your Leadership Potential
(LeadershipNEXT continued events)

Monday-Wednesday, April 16-18, 2012
Annual Conference and Trade Exposition; “Inspire. Serve. Advocate.”
Brasstown Valley Resort & Conference Center
Young Harris, GA
Exhibitor and Sponsor Prospectus
Early Exhibit Registration Form

NEW WELLNESS FORUM to Begin in 2012

Anyone interested in meeting with this group should come to the February 7th luncheon. Elaine Burge will convene the group during lunch to begin the dialogue regarding the implementation of this new forum. See registration information under Upcoming Events on the website.

Update from the Name Change Task Group

As announced at the annual business meeting on December 1, 2011, the Aging Services of Georgia Board of Directors is advocating for the association to join other state associations to “co-brand” with the new national name, LeadingAge. We want to provide all members the opportunity to gain information and have a chance for dialogue regarding the name change to LeadingAge Georgia. We will have a special business meeting to vote on the name change at our annual conference on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. If you are not attending the conference and would like to vote, there will be a process for your vote to be honored.

For information regarding the national name change, members are encouraged to;

• View the youtube video here.
• Visit the home page of SHAREpoint to post information regarding the name change. There is a PowerPoint presentation posted for you to review.
• Register for the live webinar where members can ask questions on Friday, February 10th, 10am (watch for registration under Upcoming Events).
• Review the Q&A document that is being developed regarding the name change. It will be posted on SHAREpoint and highlighted in the monthly Coffey-Breaks once it is developed.

In the meantime, please feel free to contact me at ablackwelder@agrhodes.org or any of the task group members with your questions.

Al Blackwelder, Convener, Name Change Task Group
Dick Zechiel
Debra Furtado
Tom Downs
Karen Lucas
Walter Coffey

Aging Services of Georgia to Host 2012 Georgia State Wii Bowling Championship

Aging Services of Georgia in partnership with the National Senior League (NSL), an Atlanta based company, will host the first ever Georgia State Senior Wii Bowling Championships. Senior teams representing independent senior living communities, CCRC’s, assisted living communities, senior centers, rehab centers, affordable housing communities and +55 communities will compete for the Georgia state title in 3 different divisions. The championship match will be played at the annual conference of Aging Services of Georgia, April 16-18, 2012 at Brasstown Valley Resort and Conference Center.

Walter Coffey, President and CEO, commented “we’re pleased to partner with the NSL to provide a statewide event benefitting the residents of our member communities and other seniors around the state.”

NSL 2011 National Championships – Runners-up – The Active Life, LaGrange, Ga

The NSL, an Atlanta based company, started in 2009 by Atlanta resident, Dennis Berkholtz, has hosted 5 national senior Wii bowling championships over the past 3 years. Teams Wii bowl in their own communities and compete in conferences as set up by the NSL. Scores are posted on the NSL website on a weekly basis over a 7 week period of time. All the teams advance to a playoff format. Playoff winners advance to the state finals in 3 different divisions based on level of play. LeadingAge, the national affiliate of Aging Services of Georgia, hosts the national championship at their annual conference in the fall.

The state championship begins the week of Feb 13th. For details and team registration visit the NSL website, www.nslgames.com or call Dennis Berkholtz, 435 714 9491.

Value First: Your Member-Driven Solution to Group Purchasing – MEMBER VALUE for BOTH Provider AND BUSINESS MEMBERS

This is a voluntary program that can save you money. LeadingAge have staff to help you with a comparison study. Please contact the association office if you have not completed the paperwork to be included in this member benefit!

New Members

Member Distinctions

Our members are doing many great things to celebrate. We want to celebrate with you!   Please forward information you would like to share with your colleagues to Barry Lastinger on the last week of each month to be included in the Coffey-Break.

LeadershipNOW

The LeadershipNOW (Mentor) Program will help bring together those who want to be mentors with individuals who would like to be a mentee. We are counting on you to get involved, either as a mentor or by recommending someone in your organization who would benefit from being a mentee. This is an ongoing project that will be refined over time based on the experience, comments and suggestions from participants.

If you are an Aging Services of Georgia member that would like to become a mentor, please contact the association office and we will send you the appropriate information. If you are a younger member of the association or someone who is new to the field of aging services and would like a forum for input and feedback from a person with more experience in the senior housing and health care arena, we encourage you to participate.

Objectives
This program is voluntary and provides individuals with an opportunity to:

• Build professional relationships
• Discuss career goals and project issues with someone outside of the employee’s direct reporting relationship
• Provide a forum where ideas, questions, and career development are openly discussed
• Share the Aging Services of Georgia knowledge capital, foster networking within the association and the field and professionally enhance the career of our members

Some of the program features include:

• Mentoring activities that will be determined by the participants and may include phone calls, career advice, job shadowing, skill development and/or educational opportunities
• Flexibility - based on individual needs
• Minimal time requirements for program participants
• Opportunity to focus on mutual projects of interest
• Open to all Aging Services of Georgia members

Calendar Information

To assist you with planning, we are forwarding you information on special holidays and observances for each month 2 months early.

This month, we are sending you information for March, 2012

Public Policy Report

Public Policy: Aging Services of Georgia Prepares for 2012 Georgia General Assembly
By Tom Bauer

The 2012 Georgia General Assembly convenes on Monday January 9, to begin its 40-day session, which will probably last until late march or early April. This is the second year of the biennial session; therefore legislation which is “pending” at the end of the session will die and must be re-introduced for consideration in 2013. Aging Services of Georgia members and staff continue to work on the issues contained in the 2012 Public Policy Agenda, shown immediately below.

Legislative

Position and Involvement:

• Achieve implementation (especially Regulatory) of Quality Continuum of Care for Seniors
  • Assisted Living: SB 178
  • Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs): SB 166
  • Personal Care Homes
  • Home and Community-Based Services

Position and Monitor:

• SOURCE Tax: HB 117
• Accessible Transportation for Seniors
  • Medicaid Non-Emergency Transportation (NET)
  • Rural and Human Services Transportation
• Property Tax Issues concerning Nonprofit Organizations
• Nursing Home Provider Tax

Monitor:

• Proxy Caregiver Delivery of Care (Health Maintenance Activities)
• Adult Day Program-SOURCE
  • Assessment/Reassessment of Clients’ Conditions
  • Billing Issues
    • Data entry errors
    • SOURCE denial codes

Budget

Position and Involvement:

• Home and Community-Based Services Medicaid (CCSP) and Non-Medicaid
• Use of Civil Monetary Penalty Funds (Support the Culture Change Movement in Georgia)

Monitor

• Implementation of Adult Day Center Licensure

Licensure of Assisted Living Communities

Aging Services of Georgia continues to be proactive in monitoring implementation (through rules) of SB 178, which created a new level of licensure known as an “assisted living community.” As noted in past reports, Aging Services is concerned about a Department of Community Health (DCH) interpretation that in the future only assisted living communities will be able to use the term “assisted living” (as opposed to assisted living “care” or “community”). The association is currently preparing “housekeeping” legislation (i.e., a bill which does not alter the substance of current law) to address this problem.

HB 117 SOURCE Tax

As noted in previous reports, HB 117 passed very late in the 2011General Assembly, the purpose of which was to impose a sales tax on services referred by a SOURCE Case Management Provider (including nursing home services). Georgia has now officially received notification from the federal Center for Medicare Services (CMS) denying the state’s application of a Medicaid waiver to implement HB 117. It seems doubtful that a new bill will be introduced in 2012, but Aging Services will continue to monitor any potential effort to accomplish the goals of HB 117.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Aging Services will continue to provide input, where appropriate, to the Department of Insurance as it drafts rules to carry out SB 166. There are still no new developments on the issue this month.

Business Connection

From Dixon Hughes Goodman
Understanding Penetration Rate Methodologies

Penetration rates help measure the degree to which a market is either underserved or saturated.  Simply put, what percentage of the qualified market must be captured to achieve stabilized occupancy? This white paper from Dixon Hughes Goodman will help sponsors of a project to understand the penetration rate methodologies and their implications.

Click here to read more.
Click here to access the white paper from Dixon Hughes Goodman.

Information from Michael Niischan, Risk Control & Safety Consultan, The McCart Group
CLARIFICATION: Final Rule Bans Hand-Held Cell Phone Use by CMV Drivers

From zumBrunnen
How to Prevent Costly Mistakes in 2012

Center for Positive Aging

Tuesday, February 7
Winter Luncheon
Center for Positive Aging Summit on Wellness Initiatives
North Avenue Presbyterian Church, Midtown Atlanta
More Information

New Website for the Center for Positive Aging

The newly redesigned website of the Center for Positive Aging went live on the World Wide Web January 3rd, 2011.

CenterForPositiveAging.org aims to extend the reach of all the Center’s programs and services to a broad audience and will continue its mission of connecting consumers, in particular older Georgians and their families, on how to access products, services and programs they need in their communities. The new website features expanded content and a layout for easy browsing that allows people to find what they are looking for. The website also incorporates a redesigned database of quality providers focused on excellent service standards throughout the state. 

Please take the time to visit www.CenterForPositiveAging.org and let us know what you think.

Celebrating Age: Planning for Positive Aging

SAVE THE DATE! On February 7th, the Center for Positive Aging will be holding an event dedicated to informing you about what the Center strives to achieve, how we serve as a resource to our affiliates, and what initiatives the Center can offer you. This event, "Celebrating Age: Planning for Positive Aging", will be held at North Avenue Presbyterian Church in the Broyles Auditorium.

"Celebrating Age" will:

• Inform people about the Center's mission and goals for our elder community.
• Train attendees in at least one of our four Education Initiatives.
• Provide networking opportunities so that people develop a better understanding of aging services.

It is IMPORTANT to note that this event will take the place of the WINTER LUNCHEON for Aging Services of Georgia and the Georgia Institute on Aging.

If you are interested in being a SPONSOR or an ATTENDEE of this event please visit ww.centerforpositiveaging.org/celebrating_age_event.html for more information. You may also contact selahi@agingservicesga.org or call 404-872-9191 ext 305.

Adult Day News (GADSA formerly GADCA)

SAVE THE DATE:  A statewide one-day conference will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2012 with Beth Meyer-Arnold, Director of Adult Day Services for Luther Manor in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

MetLife: Adult Day Services Rates Rose by 4.5%

In its 2011 Market Survey of Long-Term Care Costs, MetLife reports that national average rates rose by 4.5% for adult day services programs, but were unchanged for home health and home maker
services.

Click here to read more.
Click here to access the MetLife 2011 Market Survey of Long-Term Care Costs.

Culture Change News (CCNG)

Visit the website for FREE webinars and watch for upcoming evnts.

Save the Dates

Thursday, September 27, 2012
The 5th ANNUAL Culture Change Network of Georgia SUMMIT
The Loudermilk Center in Atlanta, GA

May 30 – June 1, 2012
The 6th International Eden Alternative Conference
Navigating the Way Home: Guiding Change Along the Continuum of Care
Grand Rapids, Michigan

August 5 – 8, 2012
Pioneer Network’s 12th National Conference
Building a Bridge to a New Culture of Aging
Jacksonville, FL

Pioneer Network Announces National Learning Collaborative Webinar Series
Using the MDS 3.0 as an Engine for High Quality Individualized Care
NEW! Second Three-Part Webinar Series: Clinical Applications An Interdisciplinary Team Approach to Health Promotion

The William Breman Jewish Home Remembers Residents at First Annual Memorial Service

The Unspoken Diagnosis: Old Age

Convivium, the particular pleasure that accompanies sharing good food with the people we know well

Enjoyable Dining: Can We Build an Evidence Base?

Uncomfortably Numb: The Dark Side of Inappropriate Drug Use in Nursing Homes7

Behind the 2012 Life Safety Code: Four ways culture change broke through in the new edition

General Notes of Interest

Weekly Board Tips

James L. Reinersten, MD and James E. Orlikoff, partners of Orlikoff Reinersten Boardwalks and recognized experts offer weekly board and governance tips. One of their past tips was:

Put quality at the top of the board agenda
Edgar Schein’s list of primary mechanisms by which leaders change organizational culture starts with “what leaders pay attention to, measure, and control on a regular basis.” Board agendas are a good example. If boards wish to change the quality and safety culture, one good way would be to put the quality report at the top of their agenda—and to spend a significant proportion of the board’s time on this item. Boards send powerful signals about culture and values by how they prioritize their own time. What does your board really “pay attention to, measure, and control?”

Click here to find out more about Orlikoff Reinersten Boardwalks and to sign up for their newsletter.

How the Recession Impacts Baby Boomer Housing

The recession could have a long-term impact on the ability of baby boomers to move into retirement communities, according to recent studies from the Associated Press and LifeGoes Strong.com and AARP.

Click here to read more.

How to Avoid Exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the first of 11 short videos for health care providers on top health care compliance topics. The first video covers OIG exclusion authorities, which are the legal means by which OIG may bar certain individuals and entities from participating as providers in federal health care programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Click here to read more.
Click here to access a link to the OIG video(s).

What's So New about ACOs? Not Much

Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) are likely to become more popular when ACO-related provisions of the Affordable Care Act reach the implementation phase. But a new report suggests that the ACO model, through which health care organizations bear risk and coordinate care, has been around for decades.

Click here to read more.

MLN Releases “Improving Quality of Care for Medicare Patients: Accountable Care Organizations” Fact Sheet

The Medicare Learning Network has released a new fact sheet, Improving Quality of Care for Medicare Patients: Accountable Care Organizations, designed to provide education on improving quality of care under ACOs. It includes a table of quality measures under the program.

Click here to access the fact sheet.

Advancing Philanthropy Newsletter Available

Davenport & Barr has partnered with Spencer Group, Inc. of Burlington, Vermont (www.spencergroupinc.com) to offer a monthly newsletter filled with practical advice on advancing philanthropy. The latest issue included articles on “Give Your Donors What They Deserve,” “Gift Annuity Rates to Change January 1, 2012” and “The $5 Million Gift Tax Exemption in the Balance.”

To receive the newsletter visit www.davenportbarr.com to sign up.

Medication Management: 12 Signs that Medication Reconciliation is Ideal

A new toolkit released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality provides a step-by-step guide to improving the medication reconciliation process in acute and post-acute settings. The toolkit's authors identify 12 characteristics of the ideal reconciliation process.

Click here to read more.

Top 10 Thoughts to Consider about Social Media

In the field of senior living, there continues to be a growing interest in hopping on the social media bandwagon. GlynnDevins offers 10 things to keep in mind when using any of the social media tools available for your community or organization.

Click here to read more.

3 Trends in Senior Diversity

There are more than 56 million people aged 60+ in the United States - and they're an increasingly diverse group. 5.5 million older adults (14%) have a primary language other than English, nearly 4.6 million older adults were born outside of the United States and 15% of older adults identify with religions other than the three most common groups (i.e., Catholicism, Mainline, and Evangelical Christianity).

Click here to read more courtesy of the National Council of Aging (NCOA).
Click here to access NCOA’s issue brief, Cultural Competence and Benefits Access.

Two Reports Issued on the Older Population

Two new population reports have been issued with data on the older population. The Census Bureau has issued a brief, The Older Population 2010, and the Health and Human Services and Commerce departments have issued an American Community Survey Report titled, 90+ in the United States: 2006-2008.

According to the new 2010 Census brief, the U.S. population aged 65 and older grew at a faster rate than the total population between 2000 and 2010. The report 90+ in the United States: 2006-2008 analyzed data for the 90-and-older population and compared aspects of the data set to that of younger senior citizens. Since 1980, the ninety plus population has nearly tripled, to 1.9 million in 2010.

Click here to access The Older Population 2012. Missouri specific information can be found on pages 9 and 13-17; (Independence, MO page 16 and Springfield, MO page 17).

Click here to access 90+ in the United States: 2006-2008. Missouri specific information can be found on pages 5 & 6.

Following are summaries and links to three (3) new Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Survey and Certification Letters:

Click Here

• The Home Health Prospective Payment System (PPS) final rule, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 1510-F, amended the regulations for home health agency (HHA) certification, revising certain policies related to the transfer of HHA agreement; defining “change in” majority ownership; and including exceptions to the 36-month ownership rule.
• HHAs that undergo a change in majority ownership [e.g., by asset sales, stock transfers, mergers, consolidation] within three years [36 months] of initial Medicare enrollment or within three years of a previous change in majority ownership must enroll in the Medicare program as a new HHA; obtain a new State survey or deemed status accreditation; and sign a new Medicare provider agreement.
• A change in majority ownership is defined as a transaction in which an individual or organization acquires more than a 50% direct ownership interest in the HHA during the 36 months following the HHA’s most recent change in majority ownership.
• Upon successful completion of the enrollment and survey process, the HHA wil receive a new CMS Certification Number (CCN) and a new effective date of Medicare participation.
• CMS advises this is necessary to ensure that newly-sold HHAs are in compliance with the Conditions of Participation (CoPs).
• The four allowable exceptions are:
  • The HHA submittted two consecutive years of full cost reports;
  • The HHA parent company is undergoing an internal corporate restructuring, such as a merger or consolidation;
  • The owners of an existing HHA are changing the HHA’s existing business structure and the owners remain the same; or
  • An individual owner of an HHA dies.

2. Revised Initial Certification Process for Home Health Agencies (12/23/11)

Click Here

• This memo revises the current process for initial certification of prospective HHAs.
• It is issued in accordance with efforts of the CMS Center for Program Integrity to improve the enrollment process and reduce the Medicare Program’s vulnerability to fraud.
• An additional step has been added to the current initial certification procedure for prospective HHAs to accommodate a second review of enrollment criteria performed by the Regional Home Health Intermediary (RHHI) or Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC).
• The CMS Regional Office (RO) will defer issuance of a CMS certification number (CCN) and provider agreement until the RHHI/MAC has re-reviewed certain Medicare enrollment requirements (e.g., site visit verification, capitalization requirements and Medicare exclusion) following the initial survey.
• Only upon the determination by the RHHI/MAC that the prospective HHA remains in compliance with the enrollment requirements will the RO proceed with processing and completing the initial certification.
• If the RHHI/MAC determines the prospective HHA is no longer in compliance, the MAC will notify the HHA by letter, with a copy to the RO. The RO will then issue a denial letter, including an explanation of why certification has not been granted and the associated appeal rights.

3. Survey and Certification Responsibilities Related to Provider Enrollment Revocations (12/23/11)

Click Here

• Revocation of a provider's billing privileges in the Medicare program automatically results in termination of the associated provider agreement, according to regulations at 42 CFR 424.535(b), for all provider types.
• This memo outlines the responsibilities of the Regional Office (RO) when the Medicare Administrative Contractor/Fiscal Intermediary issues a notice of revocation to a provider.
  • The MAC/FI will send a copy of the revocation letter to the RO Division of Survey & Certification (DSC) corporate mailbox and stipulate the effective date of revocation.
  • The letter will include all appeal rights available to the provider pursuant to the revocation, including the opportunity for the provider to submit a request for reconsideration to the Provider Enrollment Operations Group (PEOG) in Baltimore.
  • The PEOG will notify the applicable RO and the Survey and Certification Group of all reversals as a result of reconsideration.
  • The RO will hold termination action for 150 days to enable completion of the provider enrollment reconsideration process. If, by the end of that period, the RO has not received notification that the revocation was reversed, the RO will verify with the MAC/FI that the revocation is still effective and begin termination procedures.
  • The notification of the termination will include that the provider agreement is being terminated pursuant to the revocation of the provider’s enrollment and retroactive to the date of revocation. The letter will provide usual appeal opportunities.
  • The RO will provide concurrent public notice informing that in 15 days the Medicare agreement for this facility will be terminated retroactive to the date of revocation.
  • The RO will notify the State of all revocations and pending terminations. However, until termination, i.e., 150 days after the notice of revocation, the SA must proceed with all scheduled and complaint surveys.
• The memo includes model templates for the 15-day provider notice; the Medicare Notice to the Public; and an updated list of MAC/FI Contacts.

Message from Neil Beresin, National Program Manager, COLLAGE, The Art & Science of Healthy AgingColleagues,

It is so common to make assumptions about what it must be like to grow old. Often it is done without awareness or malice intended. Marc Agronin, a geriatric psychiatrist at Miami Jewish Health Systems, wrote a compelling essay worthy of reading. It's a reminder of how we think about aging, skewed at times, even when being helpful and empathetic. To read the one page essay, click here. Excerpts of the piece are below.

Marc Agronin wrote:

The old woman had drawn down the shade in her room - hoping, I imagined, to stop the midday Miami sun from penetrating her grief. But the sun still hit the window full force and illuminated the shade like a Chinese lantern.

She sat silently in a wheelchair, her 93-year-old silhouette stooped in the bathing light. I entered, held her hand for a moment and introduced myself. "Sit down, doctor," she said politely.

I asked her why she had come to the nursing home, and she described the recent passing of her husband after 73 years of marriage. I was overwhelmed by the thought of her loss, and wanted to offer some words of comfort. I leaned in close and spoke.

"I'm so sorry," I told her. "What has it been like for you losing your husband after so many years of marriage?"

She paused for a moment and then replied: "Heaven...."

As she spoke, I realized why my instincts were so completely off. In my misguided empathy I had committed what William James called the psychologist's fallacy, assuming incorrectly that one knows what someone else is experiencing. With this newly widowed patient I imagined that only a life of sadness and decrepitude remained, and I felt bad about it....

But I was wrong...

We make this mistake when we refuse to see the needs for intimacy even in the most debilitated elderly. Our youth-centered culture equates love with sex; in contrast, I have seen with my older patients that love can be an endlessly blossoming flower, felt and expressed in hundreds of ways. A friend's mother who suffers from Alzheimer's disease has fallen in love with another resident on her floor, and they walk around holding hands and snuggling with a new found innocence that perhaps only their memory loss restored.

In the end, there is a cost to our myopic view of aging. We imagine the pains of late-life ailments but not the joys of new pursuits; we recoil at the losses and loneliness and fail to embrace the wisdom and meaning that only age can bring. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow captured the sentiment well:

For age is opportunity no less
Than youth itself, though in another dress
And as the evening twilight fades away
The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.

Here's to opening our eyes and hearts to the possibility that even we,

those who work for aging services organizations, may look through a "narrow prism" at times, even when we don't intend to

Join us for a Webinar on January 11
An Introduction to COLLAGE, The Art & Science of Healthy Aging, 2011

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now

* Hear from COLLAGE developers and aging service organizations and understand how an integrated assessment tool is improving healthy aging outcomes for the residents they support.
* Learn about specific types of data coming from a national collaborative of aging service providers using the same assessment tool and the implications for residents, aging service providers, and our field.
* Consider the rationale for the development of an evidence-based assessment tool and the value it brings to participating aging service organizations

Georgia Institute on Aging News

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Upcoming Events

January Monthly Webinar (Free for Members)
Watch for Registration Information

Thursday, January 19
Board Retreat
North Avenue Presbyterian Church

Wednesday, January 26
Elderly Housing Symposium
More Information and Registration Form

February Monthly Webinar (Free for Members)
Watch for Registration Information

Wednesday, February 1
LeadershipNEXT First Event
Senior Connections, Atlanta

Tuesday, February 7
Winter Luncheon
Center for Positive Aging Summit on Wellness Initiatives
North Avenue Presbyterian Church, Midtown Atlanta
More Information

Thursday, February 23
Maintenance Workshops
North Avenue Presbyterian Church

Thursday, February 23
Service Coordinators and Activity Professionals Forums
North Avenue Presbyterian Church

March Monthly Webinar (Free for Members)
Watch for Registration Information

Thursday, March 1
Adult Day Symposium

Thursday, March 1
CCRC/Housing Symposium

Thursday, March 8
Assisted Living Symposium
North Avenue Presbyterian Church, Midtown Atlanta

Wednesday, March 14
LeadershipNEXT Second Event
Atherton Place, Marietta

Thursday, March 29
Maximizing Your Leadership Potential
(LeadershipNEXT continued events)

Monday-Wednesday, April 16-18, 2012
Annual Conference and Trade Exposition
Brasstown Valley Resort & Conference Center
Young Harris, GA
Exhibitor and Sponsor Prospectus
Early Exhibit Registration Form

News Throughout the Continuum

CCRC's

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, March 1, 2012
CCRC/Housing Symposium
Location TBA

Study Reveals CCRC Rate Changes for 2011 and 2012

Ziegler CFO Hotline participants were asked to provide annual estimates for realized and expected CCRC monthly fee rate changes charged to independent living residents in the annual Monthly Fee Rate Change survey. The average rate increase for 2011 was 3.04% and the average projected rate increase for 2012 was 3.13%.

Click here to access the survey from Ziegler.

4 Ways to Attract Baby Boomers to Your Retirement Community

Wondering how to keep baby boomers happy when they arrive at your retirement community? Baby boomer and Certified Senior Advisor Andrea Gallagher has 4 pieces of advice for communities.

Click here to read more.

Survey Findings Reveal CCRC Social Accountability Practices

The results of a national survey document the social accountability policies and practices of continuing care retirement communities (CCRC). Aging services organizations can use this report as a benchmark of how they are changing the lives of their residents and having an impact on the community.

Click here to read more.
Click here to access the 2010 Social Accountability Study Report.

Home and Community Based Services
(Adult Day Services, Hospice, Home Health)

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, March 1, 2012
Adult Day Symposium

More Medicaid Beneficiaries are Undergoing Nursing Home-to-Community Transfers

A new report by the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured found that forty-three states have received federal funding to help transfer Medicaid beneficiaries out of long term care facilities. The study evaluates the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program, which was instituted five years ago and expanded under the Affordable Care Act.

Under the MFP program; 17,000 residents moved back home after spending time in nursing homes. The report states the majority of those who returned to their homes and communities were elderly or had physical disabilities.

Click here to read more courtesy of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living.
Click here to access the Kaiser Family Foundation report.

Sens. Kohl and Wyden Introduce Bill To Improve Transportation for Seniors

Sens. Herb Kohl (D-WS), chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Ron Wyden (D-OR), introduced the Senior Transportation and Mobility Improvement Act, a bill that would provide states with greater flexibility to use Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 program funds to assist with the costs of operating vehicles, such as insurance, rising fuel costs and driver compensation.

Click here to read more.

PHI Releases Analysis of Home Health and Personal Care Aides

PHI has published "Caring in America: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Nation's Fastest-Growing Jobs: Home Health and Personal Care Aides," a new report that offers an analysis of the 2.5 million home care and personal assistance aides who provide long-term services and supports to elders and people living with disabilities in home and community-based settings.

Click here to read more.
Click here to access A Comprehensive Analysis of the Nation’s Fastest-Growing Jobs: Home Health and Personal Care Aides from PHI.

Medicare 2012 Home Health PPS Rates Available by State

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the Medicare home health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) rates effective January 1, 2012. The final rates were published in the Federal Register on November 4, 2011. The updated rate is reduced by 2.39 percent on average per episode.

"Most home health agencies were braced for another 5 percent reduction in payment rates, given the decline in the market basket from the proposed rates in 2010 to the final rates published for 2011. However, the reduction of approximately 2.4 percent was fairly consistent with expectations from the
proposed rules issued earlier this year. The case mix creep adjustment was reduced, but could be added back next year," explains Gregg Hathorne, a health care principal with LarsonAllen.

In addition, the Federal Register recently released the timelines rule for
the updated market basket and case mix system changes.

Click here to read more.

Assisted Living

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, March 8, 2012
Assisted Living Symposium

Affordable Housing

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, January 26, 2012
Elderly Housing Symposium

Congress Passes 2012 HUD Budget

The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) budget for 2012 provides $3.8 billion less funding than in 2011. The bill will provide only $375 million to the elderly housing program, which is less than the $757 million requested, yet does fund Senior Preservation Rental Assistance Contract (SPRAC) for the first time. This program provides assistance for unassisted residents of older Section 2020 properties that are financed. However, the bill does not authorize the use of funds for the construction of new units.

Click here to read more courtesy of Senior Housing News.
Click here to read more from LeadingAge.

HUD Announces 2012 Income Limits

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued the 2012 income limits for Section 8, PRAC-and other family programs. Effective Dec. 1, HUD multi-family property managers must use the new income limits posted on HUDUser. The new income limits must be used for all new move-in transactions starting with move-ins effective Dec. 1.

Click here to read more.

HUD Announces that Non-Profits May Retain Sales Proceeds

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued Notice H-2011-31, which permits non-profit sellers to retain sales proceeds free from HUD's continuing regulation, provided that several conditions are met to ensure that affordability restrictions will remain and that the new owner will address the physical and financial needs of the property.

Click here to read more.
Click here to access Notice H-2011-31.

HUD Issues New Policy for Collecting Delinquent Section 202 Mortgage Payments

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued Notice H 2011-32, which provides information on the department's new procedure for collecting delinquent Section 202 mortgage payments. According to the notice, Section 202 loans within 90 days of default will be recommended for foreclosure if they are not brought current or are not under a workout plan.

Click here to read more.
Click here to access Notice H-2011-32.

Nursing Homes

Nursing Home Social Work Discharge Planning Study

You are invited to participate in a research study to more fully understand discharge planning and nursing home social work. Click here for details.

Bill Would Require Speedier Medicaid Reimbursement to SNFs

The Fair Pay to Medicaid Providers Act, a newly introduced bipartisan bill, would require faster Medicaid reimbursement to providers. If passed, the legislation would require Medicaid to reimburse 90% of Medicaid providers, such as skilled nursing facilities, within 30 days and any leftover claims within 90 days. The primary impetus behind the bill is to reduce the operating pressures that reimbursement delays place on nursing facilities so that providers can focus on providing the best care rather than worrying about financial obligations.

Click here to read more courtesy of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News &
Assisted Living.

MedPAC Recommend Freeze on SNF Payments for Fiscal 2013

At its Dec. 15 meeting, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) discussed staff recommendations for a freeze on Medicare reimbursement to skilled nursing facilities in 2013 and several changes in reimbursement to home health agencies. MedPAC as a whole will have to vote at its next meeting on whether to send these recommendations to Congress. The recommendations will not go into effect unless and until they are legislated by Congress.

Click here to read more.

CMS Issues Update to the Independent IDR Process

On Dec. 2, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a new survey and certification letter updating the guidance to state agencies on the development and implementation of the Independent Informal Dispute Resolution (IIDR).

Click here to read more.
Click here to access S&C: 12-8-NH.

Vacancy Report

Please assist your colleagues by sharing this information when you receive calls from consumers you cannot serve. 

Job Mart

Details of all of these positions are available in the Job Mart section of our website.

Still Hopes Retirement Community, Columbia SC
Maintenance Supervisor
Environmental Services Supervisor

Ability Rehab, Atlanta
Serveral Positions

Lenbrook, Atlanta
MDS Coordinator

Gwinnett Christian Terrace
Service Coordinator/Activities Assistant

The Medcen Community Health Foundation
Central Georgia Health System, Macon
Development Officer

Gwinnett Christian Terrace, Atlanta
Part Time Service Coordinator/Activities Assistant

Wesley Woods Senior Living, Atlanta
Residential Administrator
Business Services Manager
Manager of Plant Maintenance

The Habitat Company, Atlanta
Resident Service Coordinator;
Resident Service Coordinator bilingual Korean or Russian

The Marshes of Skidaway Island, Savannah
Director of Nursing

St. George Village, Roswell
License Practical Nurse
Certified Nurses Assistant II
Registered Dietition (Part Time)

Swainsboro Presbyterian Apartments, Swainsboro, GA
Executive Director

Alzheimer's Assocation, Savannah
Program Director (Local Office)

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Leading Age News

Technology is Crucial in Future of Senior Care

The November 2011 LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) report argues that the role of technology in senior care is becoming increasingly important as the population ages. 

However, the report found some common challenges in the implementation of technology in senior living facilities. Some such challenges are a lack of infrastructure, funding, integration, technology proficiency among staff and consumers, and collaboration between an organization’s units.

The CAST report provides tips for deploying technology and encourages smaller facilities to not let size deter them from innovation.

Click here to read more courtesy of Senior Housing News.

Click here to access the CAST Report, Preparing for the Future: Developing Technology-Enabled Long-Term Services and Supports for a New Population of Older Adults.

How You Can Manage Your LeadingAge Email

Members subscribed to LeadingAge listservs can now sign up for a daily digest of messages. Visit My.LeadingAge to log into your account and change your preferences. 

Click here to read more.