A Life Services Network Publication
June 7, 2010
Jason Speaks, Editor
THIS WEEK
Medicaid Provider Payment Update LSN recently got an update from HFS on the status of Medicaid provider payments.
Nursing Facilities: Another $9.2 million in vouchers for April services paid last week, which brings payment for April services into group 3.
Expedited Nursing Facilities: Vouchers for groups 1-2, April services are paid. HFS has sent April service voucher for expedited groups 3-7 to the Comptroller’s Office and those should pay shortly.
Supportive Living Facilities (SLFs): April services for SLFs paid 5/28 from the Health Care Provider Relief Fund. Vouchers for Feb services were sent to the Comptroller’s Office on 3/29; vouchers for March services to Office on 4/28.
Expedited SLFs: Paid for April services as of 5/28.
LSN will continue to get the latest payment updates from HFS. Stay Tuned!
AAHSA Washington Update AAHSA recently updated LSN on activities from Washington.
Medicaid/ Housing/ Doc Fix/ RUGs IV fix Update: AAHSA expects a vote in the Senate this week on the “extenders” bill, H.R. 4213, which contains the 6-month extension of the increased federal Medicaid match (FMAP), new funding for the National Housing Trust Fund, prevention of a cut in nursing homes’ Part B therapy reimbursement (related to physician payment schedule) and correction of the RUGs IV effective date.
The House was unable to pass this package as one bill, so they passed the doc fix separately and left the FMAP increase hanging in limbo. AAHSA is pushing for the Senate to pass the package in one piece, but it is going to be a close vote, as concern is growing on the Hill over the federal budget deficit and voter perceptions of it.
AAHSA is working the phones on their end to gain Senate support for the package and understands that this process is dragging on longer than originally thought it would. AAHSA is asking members to Contact Congress using materials they have developed, click here (http://capwiz.com/aahsa/issues/alert/?alertid=15061651 ). AAHSA needs contacts to be made to U.S. Senators now.
Fiscal 2011 Budget and Spending Update: With all the concern over the federal deficit, Congress has been unable to bring itself to adopt a budget plan for the next fiscal year, and it appears increasingly unlikely they will do so.
Since passage of a budget usually precedes allocation of pots of money to the appropriations “cardinals”, the fiscal 2011 spending process has yet to really get off the ground. The House usually tries to have all of its bills well in hand by the July 4 recess, now a mere four weeks away.
The Senate, in turn, has a lot on its plate – confirmation of a new Supreme Court justice, a big energy bill (think Gulf oil spill), a remaining supplemental appropriations bill for our two wars, and a defense authorization bill, to name just the top agenda items.
Not only is it fast closing in on the July 4 recess, but there are only eight weeks left for legislative activity before the August recess. When Congress returns in September, they will be in session only a few days before recessing again for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. And it is likely that Congress will stick with the planned early October adjournment date because of heightened concern in both parties over the midterm elections.
What this means: the regular appropriations bills covering aging services have even less of a chance than they usually do for consideration as separate legislation. Member programs, normally covered by the Transportation/HUD and the Labor/Health and Human Services bills, will likely be funded under an omnibus spending bill, probably passed in September before fiscal 2011 begins October 1. That’s the best case scenario, which would give at least some chance of increased funding. Worst case, funding will come under a continuing resolution, which would leave funding at this year’s levels for housing and Older Americans Act programs (Medicare and Medicaid are not dependent on annual appropriations).
LSN will continue to get the latest updates from Washington. Stay Tuned!
State Senate Still Awaits to Get the Needed Votes to Complete Fiscal Year 2011 Budget! The Senate and House adjourned recently failing the get the needed votes in the Senate to borrow $4 billion to pay for the state pension system and emergency budget powers for the the Governor to keep state government afloat for another year. Senate President John Cullerton has stated that he wants to call the Senate back into session in the next few weeks if he could find the votes to pass the pension bill. So at this point in time it is not clear when the Senate would be returning to Springfield to try to pass a borrowing plan for the pension system or vote to delay the payments. Most insiders feel that the Senate will return in the next few weeks but if the Senate takes no action, the state would automatically make the pension payments, taking billions of dollars away from state services and programs. LSN will continue to keep you posted on these developments and report the latest details as they become available.
Choice Neighborhoods FY 2010 NOFA Pre-Notice Posted HUD has posted its Choice Neighborhoods FY 2010 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Pre- Notice on their website ( http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/ph/cn ) to give potential applicants guidance before the NOFA is released this summer. Entities eligible to apply for the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) competitive grants are local governments, public housing agencies (PHAs), nonprofits, and for-profit developers applying jointly with a public entity. There is $65 million available for the pilot year of the program. CNI’s goal is to transform extremely poor neighborhoods into functioning, sustainable mixed- income neighborhoods with appropriate services, schools, public assets, transportation, and access to jobs. CNI grants will primarily fund the preservation, rehabilitation, and transformation of public and HUD-assisted housing. The program builds on the success of HOPE VI with a broader approach to concentrated poverty.
Grant funds can be used for resident and community services, community development and affordable housing activities in surrounding communities, and multifamily or single-family property disposition, including the conversion of these properties to affordable housing. The program will also implement rent and work incentives to help public and HUD-assisted housing residents access jobs and move to self-sufficiency.
ALFA Calls on TV Show to Fight Ageism ALFA called on the producers of NBC’s Saturday Night Live to use comedian Betty White’s upcoming appearance to combat hurtful stereotypes about the elderly. In a letter to SNL producer Lorne Michaels, Richard Grimes, Presidents and CEO of ALFA asked Michaels to help fight ageism and negative stereotypical portrayals of the very old in the show which was to be hosted by the popular and beloved 88 year old comic actress.
Richard Grimes, the president and CEO of ALFA, asked Michaels to use the show’s influence as an arbiter of popular culture to show that seniors are as bright, engaged and able as Betty White. ``The fastest growing demographic are those over 85 years old with most as vibrant and active as Betty White,’’ wrote Grimes in a letter. ``Yet, these seniors are often portrayed as useless and witless by the mainstream media thus serving to perpetuate ageism in America—an “ism” that robs seniors of choice, dignity, independence and quality of life. ‘’
``Over the years, your cadre of brilliant comic writers have helped shape the popular culture and attitudes about other “isms” in America. What a great opportunity for your current team to help re-shape attitudes towards elderly seniors—and in doing so—contribute to overcoming ageism in America,’’ he wrote.
The assisted living industry is built upon a philosophy of care which believes that every senior citizen deserves the right to live with independence, dignity, privacy and choice regardless of frailty and impairment. Assisted living communities provide assistance in the activities of daily life which allow seniors to retain control over their lives and age in place. ALFA advocates for informed choice, quality care and accessibility for all Americans needing long term care and fights restrictive policies which take away choice from seniors and their families.
Click here to access the full letter. (http://www.alfa.org/alfa/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=1247&SnID=1658278346 )
FTC Delays Enforcement of Red Flags Rule Until Jan 2011 The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has delayed the compliance deadline for the red flags rule to Jan. 1, 2011. Congress will now have more time to consider legislation that would affect those covered by the rule, which includes nursing homes and healthcare facilities. The rule requires “creditors” and “financial institutions” that have “covered accounts” to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs to help identify, detect, and respond to “red flags” that could indicate identity theft, according to the agency. A number of medical groups recently filed a lawsuit in a Washington D.C. court seeking exemption from the rule.
Groups Target Seniors’ Wishes Several organizations nationwide, including Seniors Have Dreams Too (http://www.seniorshavedreams.org/ ) and Second Wind Dreams ( http://www.secondwind.org/ ) focus on granting wishes for the nation’s seniors.
Modeled after the high-profile Make-A-Wish Foundation for sick children, wish-granting groups for seniors raise funds and arrange for everything from family reunions to piano lessons. Seniors Have Dreams Too, for example, has a presence in several states. Among the largest such groups is the Twilight Wish Foundation, which has granted more than 1,300 wishes in 35 states since its inception in 2003.
“There have been some very poignant wishes, such as people who want to go to family reunions or see a family member one more time,” Cassy Forkin, the Twilight Wish Foundation’s founder and executive director, told the Associated Press.
The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) recently recognized a senior living company with a 2010 Best of the Best Award for a similar grant-wishing program for residents. Brookdale Senior Living, based in Brentwood, Tennessee, received the award for its Experiences of a Lifetime program, which focuses on “helping residents and employees live life to the fullest in six wellness areas – physical spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual, and purposeful.” One of the granted wishes is documented in a video of resident Jean Pettit jumping out of an airplane from 13,000 feet.
Read about Brookdale Senior Living’s Experiences of a Lifetime program for residents (http://www.alfapublications.org/alfapublications/20100506#pg1 ) and all of ALFA’s 2010 Best of the Best Award winners. ( http://www.alfapublications.org/alfapublications/20100506#pg1 ) Read the Associated Press article, “For Elderly, a Different Kind of ‘Make a Wish.’” (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MAKE_A_WISH_SENIORS?SITE=MOSPL&SECTIO N=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT ) Source: ALFA Update, June 2, 2010
Important Information on Glucose Monitoring CDC has investigated multiple outbreaks of viral hepatitis among residents in long-term-care (LTC) communities that were attributed to shared devices and other breaks in infection-control practices related to blood glucose monitoring. Any time blood glucose monitoring equipment is shared between individuals there is a risk of transmitting viral hepatitis and other bloodborne pathogens. Click here (http://lsni.informz.net/lsni/data/images/weeksnews/cdc_diabetes_glucometer_handout.pdf ) for specific infection control recommendations targeting diabetes care procedures in long term care communities (e.g. , Senior Centers, Continuum of Care Communities, Assisted Living Facilities and Skilled Nursing Facilities).
Moving To A CCRC Changes Activity Patterns How does a living environment affect a person’s quality of life? A research team chose the concept of therapeutic landscapes, which they defined as “how place, and a person’s relationship to place, is related to health and well-being” as the basis for their exploration.
STUDY: A group of 116 people who moved into the independent living section of a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) completed questionnaires before and one year after they moved. The respondents, average age 78.9 years and two-thirds women, answered questions about their engagement in 20 activities, such as housework, reading or watching TV, hobbies or gardening. About two-thirds reported being in very good or excellent health.
FINDINGS: New residents did not change their overall levels of activity, but they did change the types of activities they engaged in. Both before and after moving, reading and watching television topped the list of activities they engaged in most frequently. After moving to the CCRC, there was an increase in selected social and cultural activities, such as attending concerts and parties, watching movies and joining meetings. There was a decrease in household activities, such as grocery shopping and housekeeping. There was also a decrease in email communication. A higher score of total activity was a significant predictor of satisfaction with the community. COMMENT: The authors suggested that one of the reasons for the changes in activity patterns was the CCRC itself, where services such as housekeeping and restaurants are available, as is easy access to social and cultural activities. Source: Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 25(2):117-132 (June 2010) Source: ICAA Research Review Newsletter, Vol. 10, NO. 19
Navigating HUD’s Funding Maze Audio-conference In anticipation of the department's upcoming Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), CD Publications will host an interactive audio-conference on Thursday, July 1, 2010.
The audio-conference, "Successfully Navigating HUD's Summer Funding Maze, will cover 35 discretionary funding opportunities at HUD that will finance a wide range of housing-related initiatives, including money-components for homeless programs, higher education, Native Americans, green technology, seniors, children, the disabled, low-income populations, financial counseling, community development and health care.
This 90-minute audioconference, starting at 2 p.m. ET, is aimed at grantwriters, funding coordinators, agency heads, program officials and all others who want to take advantage of myriad funding opportunities arising from HUD's upcoming NOFA. The audioconference will include insights on effective grant-seeking strategies as well as expert advice on crafting winning grant proposals.
Presenters for the event include Frank Klimko, veteran grants analyst and editor of CD Publications' Children & Youth Funding Report and Private Grants Alert; and Ray Sweeney, long- time professional grant-writer, federal funding consultant and editor of CD Publications' Federal & Foundation Assistance Monitor, assisted by Tom Harmon, editor of Community Development Digest, the authoritative report on the Community Development Block Grant program since 1965. Attendees of "Successfully Navigating HUD's Summer 2010 Funding Maze" will receive the latest updates available about HUD's funding priorities, policies and practices, as well as important guidance designed to improve their grant-seeking efforts.
There are a limited number of spaces available. For more information and/or to register, go to the CD Publications website. ( http://cdpublications.com/store/190 )
Retirement Community Operator Battles IRS Over Entrance Fees Classic Residence by Hyatt is battling the Internal Revenue Service over allegations it underpaid its taxes by more than $107 million, in a dispute over the tax treatment of entrance fees paid by incoming residents. The issue boils down to whether the entrance fees qualify as taxable income, as the IRS asserts, or interest-free loans, as Classic Residence argues.
Classic Residence attorneys say that a substantial portion of the entrance fee—in many cases at least 90%—is refundable when a resident leaves or dies; therefore, they say, the refundable portions should be treated as interest-free loans to the residence operator. As such, the filings add, the fees wouldn't be taxable as income. Read the full article as it appeared in the Wall Street Journal. (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704515704575282362670440450.html?mod=W SJ_topics_obama )
Communication Skills Most Important In Wellness In a recent poll taken by the International Council on Active Aging ( www.icaa.cc ) they asked participants to rank the important skills needed by wellness staff to perform their jobs. The “ability to communicate with clients; customer service” topped the list (just as it did when we asked this survey question in 2007). The next most important skill was “knowledge of aging adult physiology and chronic conditions.” “Creative ideas for programs and activities” was also deemed important by respondents. Medicare Provides Assistance to Help Low Income Beneficiaries More Medicare beneficiaries will qualify for "Extra Help" with their prescription drug costs, and be eligible to pay no more than $2.50 for generic drugs and $6.30 for each brand name drug thanks to changes to Medicare's Low-Income Subsidy Program (also known as LIS or "Extra Help") that take effect this year. These changes make it easier than ever for people on Medicare with limited incomes to save on their drug costs.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates that "Extra Help" can save eligible Medicare beneficiaries as much as $3,900 per year. It is estimated that more than 1.8 million people with Medicare may be eligible for "Extra Help," but are not currently enrolled to take advantage of these savings.
Changes in the law enacted in the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008 make it easier for Medicare beneficiaries to qualify for "Extra Help" by changing the way income and assets are counted in 2010. When determining eligibility for "Extra Help," the Social Security Administration, who handles enrollment in the program, will no longer count life insurance policies as a resource. In addition, help received from family and friends to pay for household expenses like food, mortgage, rent and utilities will no longer count as income.
"These changes to the 'Extra Help' program make it easier for more people to get help paying for their prescription drugs," said Marilyn Tavenner, CMS Principal Deputy Administrator. "Even if you were turned down for 'Extra Help' before, you should reapply. If you qualify, you will receive help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage premiums, copayments and deductibles."
To qualify, Medicare beneficiaries' incomes must be less than $16,245 a year (or $21,855 for married couples) and have resources limited to $12,510 (or $25,010 for married couples). Resources include bank accounts, stocks, and bonds, but do not include houses, cars, or life insurance policies.
There is no cost to apply for "Extra Help." Medicare beneficiaries, family members, trusted counselors or caregivers can apply online here (http://www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp/ ) or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs.
Medicare beneficiaries can also receive assistance in their local communities from their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Local SHIP contact information can be found on the back of the Medicare & You 2010 handbook. All the information you give is confidential.
Most beneficiaries enrolled in a Part D plan whose income is too high to qualify for the "Extra Help," but who enter the donut hole in 2010, will receive a one-time, tax-free rebate check of $250 to help out with high prescription drug costs thanks to the Affordable Care Act. The new law contains some important new benefits to help seniors and others who are caught in the coverage gap. To learn more about the Affordable Care Act and these new benefits through Medicare, visit this page. ( http://medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11467.pdf)
These $250 checks will begin to get mailed out to eligible beneficiaries on June 10 and will be sent to beneficiaries soon after they enter the coverage gap. For more information on how to get your rebate check, please click here ( http://medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11464.pdf)
The donut hole is the period in the prescription drug benefit in which beneficiaries generally pay 100 percent of the cost of their drugs until they hit the catastrophic coverage. Beneficiaries who qualify for Medicare "Extra Help" do not have a donut hole. Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services THIS WEEK AT LSN
Are You Coming to LSN's Leadership Week? Join LSN next week - June 16 th and 18 th for important events especially for LSN members!
Wednesday, June 16th LSN Open House 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm LSN Lisle Office 1001 Warrenville Rd, Suite 150 Lisle, IL
Join LSN staff and members at LSN’s new Lisle offices for a unique networking event! Enjoy appetizers and learn about LSN’s latest initiatives. This is a neat time to exchange ideas and successes!
Friday, June 18th Executive Forum 9:30 am - 3:30 pm Hyatt Hotel 1400 Corporetum Drive Lisle, IL
Informal Networking 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Hyatt Hotel Lobby
Executive Forum Our expert facilitator who will present the results of trending research that will have an impact on Illinois’ aging services providers, both immediate term (e.g., health care reform) and longer-term (e.g., new models of care and delivery, demographics, etc.).
The facilitator will present a summary of market research regarding how LSN is perceived and ways in which LSN may position itself to best support our members in the face of these major trends.
There will also be a panel discussion of thought leaders among Illinois aging services providers who will be reacting to the trending data presented, and will discuss how this may play out in their own settings, and to the role LSN might play supporting its members for the future.
The forum will conclude with an interactive discussion with the audience’s full participation, to bring these concepts to play “on the ground.” We will be looking to come to consensus on the most critical trends facing Illinois’ aging services providers and LSN’s role in supporting members readiness to address these trends.
Watch your email for registration information!
A Special Thank You to LSN Leadership Week Sponsors As we are gearing up for next weeks Leadership Week, we would like to thank the LSN Business Partners who have graciously sponsored the various events that will be taking place.
Alliance Pharmacy – Leadership Week Alliance Rehab – Leadership Week Forum Extended Care – Leadership Retreat Frost, Ruttenberg & Rothblatt, P.C. – Executive Forum Ivy Marketing – Open House VisionCORP – Open House Ziegler Capital Markets – Retreat Reception
You can access all of our sponsor’s complete profiles and contact information in the Online Buyers Guide. (http://www.lsni.org/About/Members/BusinessPartnerBuyersGuide/tabid/67/Default.aspx )
If you would like to become a sponsor of the Leadership Week events, please contact Kathy Zubrzycki for more information at 630.325.6170.
LSN Member Hosts Legislative Visit in Ottawa! Another highly successful legislative visit was held recently at an LSN member community!
Ms. Cindy Duncan, Administrator of Pleasant View, a Lutheran Life Community in Ottawa, and staff recently hosted State Senator Gary Dahl (R-38 th District; Peru) for a visit. Sen. Dahl is a member of two key committees LSN monitors, which are Senate Human Services and Senate Subcommittee on Medicaid and Provider Rate Relief.
During the visit, the Senator was given a tour of the community, where he got a chance to see firsthand the quality care and services being provided to the residents of his district. Assisting Ms. Duncan with the tour were staff, including Ms. Eva Thorsen, Nurse Liaison, Ms. Lorrie Lieske, Marketing Director, Ms. Pamela Beckett, Foundation Regional Director and Ms. Brittany Holland, Resident Life Director.
Pictured Above: State Senator Gary Dahl visited with staff and residents as he toured Pleasant View recently. Above, Senator Dahl chats with Dr. Joan McGuire, former local Superintendent of Schools. “You’ve got a lot of good people here working for you,” said Dahl.
After the tour, he addressed about 20 residents as well as staff members in the chapel. He provided an update on his service to his district and took any questions residents had. He noted that he has two family members who are nursing home administrators. “I’ve spent many hours in nursing homes,” said Dahl. “I am always looking out for the elderly.”
Jason Speaks represented LSN during the visit and presented Sen. Dahl with the Partners in Quality Award. He publicly thanked the Senator for his support.
Pictured Above: State Senator Gary Dahl (center) holds the Partners in Quality Award shortly after being presented with the Award during his visit to Pleasant View in Ottawa. Standing with Senator Dahl are Ms. Cindy Duncan (right), Administrator, and Ms. Mary “Winky” Benson, a resident.
Senator Dahl also got a chance to see the early stages of new development and change at the community.
Pictured Above: The new developments coming to Pleasant View will include Hearthstone Apartments. Sen. Dahl got an opportunity to learn about the new exciting developments coming to the community in his district.
Senator Dahl pledged to return for another visit and was impressed with the community during his visit. That is the goal of the Partners in Quality campaign; getting legislators to see firsthand the quality of LSN member communities and how nothing less is expected.
If you too would like to host your legislators for a visit, contact LSN in Springfield now at 217.789.1677 or e-mail Kirk Riva ( [email protected] ) or Jason Speaks ( [email protected] ). They will be happy to assist you in all aspects of the visits.
LSN’s Coaching Connection – Your Management Expert LSN members can now engage in one-on-one, reasonably priced, telephone-based “Coaching Connection” sessions with Mike Cohen. Ideal for the new supervisor who needs guidance or the veteran leader who needs an objective perspective, Coaching Connection sessions are completely customized to your needs.
For the member price of $125 per hour, you can get practical help with: • Handling “Team-Wreckers” Managing employees who are insubordinate, who play the victim, who poison morale. • The Work Behind the Teamwork Action plans, employee evaluations, coaching your team members. • Proving Yourself Establishing or enhancing your credibility as a manager.
For more information click here (http://lsni.informz.net/lsni/data/images/weeksnews/lsn- 09_coachingconnection_final.pdf ).
LSN’s Senior Living Conference – October 6-7 in Lisle Learn what works in senior living today at this year’s Senior Living Conference. The conference will be October 6 – 7 at the Lisle/Naperville Hilton.
This two-day conference will provide you with a competitive advantage in today’s senior living marketplace. You will gain valuable information covering a broad range of topics to fit your most important needs in order to maximize the potential and quality of the service you provide in the community.
This year’s conference will also include a special track for home and community based organizations. You will also have important opportunities to connect with your peers in the industry, as well as create new professional contacts. Networking with other senior living providers opens the door to new ideas and successes to invest in your organization.
More information will be coming soon.
Are You Connected with LSN’s Social Media? Our LinkedIn and Facebook resources allow you to make connections throughout the senior living industry in Illinois. LSN works to help you help others, and we are here for you! By joining our Facebook and LinkedIn pages, you can easily find a LSN staff member to connect with about any questions, follow our activities in Springfield, connect with a business partner, and find registration information and details about all our education options.
Find all the photos from our recent Annual Meeting at Navy Pier, information on upcoming education and networking events, and all that is new with LSN on our social networking pages – designed especially for our members!
Join LSN’s groups today and be entered into a drawing to win an autographed copy of The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey.
To find us on Facebook – visit www.facebook.com and search Life Services Network, and to find us on LinkedIn – visit www.LinkedIn.com and search Life Services Network.
Confidence Satisfaction Survey Data Can Help Your Organization Make Better Decisions Continuous Improvement is often hard work. It’s even harder when you don’t have access to necessary information to help move your process along. According to a November 2009 article in Harvard Business Review by Thomas H. Davenport titled “Make Better Decisions”, using evidence-based data can help your organization make necessary improvements. The data you collect from administering the Confidence Satisfaction surveys can help in areas such as process, systems, and behavior.
The Confidence Satisfaction surveys are valid and reliable instruments used by over 300 senior living communities across the country. Even though survey data should be only one measurement of customer satisfaction, we suggest you begin here. Using multiple perspectives can help your organization yield better results, especially in the areas needing improvement.
To view the Harvard Business Review article in its entirety click here . (http://lsni.informz.net/lsni/data/images/weeksnews/confidencesatisfactionsurveysmakebetterdeci sions.slp.pdf )
For more information about the Confidence Satisfaction Survey program click here (www.confidence-surveys.com ) or email ([email protected] ) or call 630.325.6170 and speak to one of our Confidence team members.
Interesting Developments Gurnee Heritage Woods has petitioned for approval of the rezoning 3.8 acres located at 3773 Grand Ave. Plans call for a three-story senior supportive living facility.
DesPlaines Plans for senior housing project located at 1050 E. Oakton is still in the works. This project of 278 units has been granted an extension to continue to work on details.
Lake Zurich The Village Board has approved plans for a senior complex. Zurich Meadows is to be constructed along S. Randal Road. Plans call for a three-story facility offering 95 units. The project is being built as affordable housing.
Forest Park Heartland Housing is to continue to work with Forest Park on a possible affordable senior housing complex along Harrison Street.
Tinley Park The Village has given preliminary approval of a senior complex. Plans call for a four-story, 100- unit senior complex at the northeast corner of 179 th Street and Harlem Ave.
Chicago St. Boniface Senior Living, LLC has petitioned for approval of an independent senior living project at 1358 W. Chestnut.
Crystal Lake Thomas Crystal Lake, LLC has petitioned for approval to build senior independent living apartments at Congress Parkway and Main Street.
Make a Video on Quality for AAHSA’s FutureAge! The theme of the July/August issue of AAHSA’s FutureAge is “Quality in the Eyes Of …” Your organization can be part of the conversation about quality by contributing a short video of a resident/client, family member or staff member talking about what “quality” means to them and sending it to AAHSA.
Here’s AAHSA’s suggestion for participating: Take your Flip or other digital video camera and start interviewing people. The best answers will be less than two minutes long and will include personal anecdotes. Please ask them these questions about quality (or, if you like, variations on these questions):
1. What does ‘quality’ mean to you? 2. What’s an example of quality that you’ve seen here in the last month? 3. How important are good relationships to your definition of quality?
It’s great if they mention your organization’s name, but AAHSA won’t be able to include interviews that are too much like promotional videos. They will include a link to your organization’s Web site in the article if they use a video from you. Be sure to have signed releases from any persons interviewed. For a copy of the AAHSA release form, email Gene Mitchell. ( [email protected] )
Send your videos by JUNE 16, 2010, and AAHSA will include them in FutureAge and post them on their YouTube channel. Since most video files are too large to e-mail, you can post them to AAHSA’s Facebook page or your own organization’s YouTube channel and AAHSA will download them.
If you have questions or want to discuss anything in more detail, please contact Gene ([email protected] ) directly at 202.508.9424.
Marketing Professional Certification Program – November 18 and 19! Save The Date! The Marketing Professional Certification Program November 18 & 19 in Schaumburg.
The Marketing Professional Certification Program will be held November 18 & 19 in Schaumburg. In today’s erratic housing marketplace, the competition is tough and full occupancy becomes a challenge. Win the battle for market superiority by holding the Certified Marketing Professional designation. This program provides you with the skills needed to stay aggressive and profitable in the future.
With over 27 years of experience, Christine Wirthwein, President of Wirthwein Corporation Marketing & Advertising will lead you through the “ins and outs” of marketing senior housing for your organization. The skills you retain from this course will increase your industry knowledge and ultimate occupancy for years to come. Don’t miss your chance to stay ahead of your competition!
The Marketing Professional Certification Program (MPCP) is an advanced program for the experienced senior housing (independent living) marketing director.
The book "Inside Advice on Marketing Senior Housing: The 15 Critical Components of Success" was authored by Phyllis Thornton, Signum, Inc. LSN’s partner in the development of the MPCP with contributions by Christine Wirthwein, Wirthwein Corporation Marketing and Advertising the current instructor of the program. Together these two experts have over 50 years of experience and knowledge in senior housing marketing.
During the two full days of instruction participants learn how each component works, how it’s applied and how it integrates with a comprehensive marketing plan and program.
The 15 Components include: • The Environmental Scan • Marketing Objectives and Strategy • Marketing and Sales Manpower • Marketing Information System • Information Center and Resources • Strategic Networking • Special Events • Creative Design and Copywriting • Collateral Materials • Paid Media • Direct Mail • Print Media • Electronic Media • Social Media • Marketing Plan, Time Line, and Budget
Registration information will be available soon.
Mather LifeWays Offers FINAL FREE WORKSHOP on Falls Reduction – LAST Training Date – June 29 The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has awarded a grant to Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging to provide falls reduction train-the-trainer workshops. For nursing home staff in Illinois, there is no charge for the eight-hour SAFE-TI program that will be offered throughout the state. Workshops are available to staff from independent living, assisted living, and continuing care retirement communities for a nominal fee.
SAFE-TI is a comprehensive, user-friendly multi-component program that
teaches falls reduction strategies provides risk assessments, falls reduction-focused physical exercises, and resident and family falls reduction education integrates with nursing homes’ quality improvement processes evaluates falls reduction program success and effectiveness
Co-sponsored by Life Services Network, SAFE-TI has been pilot-tested in nursing homes and other older adult communities. SAFE-TI has the goal of reducing resident falls by 15%.
SAFE-TI includes a multi-component toolkit consisting of (1) falls-risk assessment tools, (2) geriatric and medication assessment tools, (3) environmental assessment, (4) educational materials for staff, residents, and families, (5) recommended individualized interventions, exercises, and training, and (6) a falls tracking tool. The program is designed using best- evidence practices and research conducted in long-term care settings and guidelines developed by the American Geriatrics Society.
Upcoming dates and locations for the workshops are:
June 29 8:30 – 4:30 Tinley Park, IL
CNE credit is available for nurses.
Rush University College of Nursing is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Illinois Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
This CNE activity is being offered for 6.5 contact hours.
For more information and to sign up for a workshop, click here (http://www.matherlifeways.com/safeti /). You may also contact Kim Deng ([email protected] ) directly at 847.492.6775.