| August 14, 2008 |
Vol 15, Issue
34 | |
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FAHSA
LINK | |
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| Welcome to
this week's edition of the FAHSA Link.
FAHSA's Innovation Exchange
Corner Features "Creating Employee Wellness Programs"
-- FAHSA's Innovation Exchange Program provides members with
an opportunity to share ideas and best practices with others
and to recognize their staff for extraordinary performance.
Through the FAHSA Link, we hope to encourage more members to
share what they do best and to increase awareness about the
Innovation Exchange Web site, an important but little known
resource. This month, we are showcasing "Creating
Employee Wellness Programs", submitted by Westminster
Communities of Florida.
Each Westminster
community formed a Wellness Committee, consisting of residents
and staff, and charged them with the design and implementation
of activities to meet all eight dimensions of wellness for
staff and residents: Spiritual, Physical, Social, Community,
Intellectual, Emotional, Vocational, and Nutritional
Wellness. Organization-wide Wellness programs include a
Walking Program, an Employee Boot Camp, Weight Watchers,
Health Risk Assessments, and at least one Social or
Nutritional program per year. Some-community developed
programs include walking clubs, health fairs, biggest loser
contests, walk and roll, and physical work out
challenges. The costs of the program have been covered
by reductions in projected annual health insurance
increases. To read more about "Creating Employee
Wellness Programs", please visit the FAHSA Innovation Exchange
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| Amendment 5 Updates |
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Constitutional Amendment 5 - Tax Swap or
Tax Increase? -- Florida's tax structure will
completely change if Amendment 5 is approved by Florida voters
on November 4, 2008. To close the gap between the
property tax break called for by Amendment 5 and the new
revenue generated by the one penny increase in sales tax, the
Legislature will have to enact several new or increased taxes,
including tax on services. Be informed about what will
happen if Amendment 5 passes and how it will affect your
community. You can reach the special Amendment 5 page
from the FAHSA Home Page.
On July
3, a legal challenge against Amendment 5 was mounted seeking
to remove the constitutional amendment from the November
ballot. Filed in Circuit Court, case #2008CA2164 was
heard on Wednesday, August 13, 2008, at the Leon County
Courthouse in Tallahassee. It is fully expected that the
court decision will be made quickly and the case will be
appealed. Speculation is that any appeal to the Circuit
Court case will be expedited because of the timing of the
November elections. It is also expected that other groups in
opposition to Amendment 5 will file amicus briefs in
opposition to Amendment 5.
Senator Mike
Haridopolos, who spoke at the FAHSA Convention in Boca Raton
two weeks ago, continued to tour around the State speaking
about Amendment 5. Last week, an event at St. Petersburg
College in Seminole was attended by about 50 people including
local State Senator Dennis Jones. Senator Haridopolos
gave a brief overview of why the Amendment is such bad policy
and was then posed a question by Nancy Riley, a member of the
Tax and Budget Reform Commission and Past President of
the Florida Realtor Association. Senator
Haridopolos graciously invited Ms. Riley to the stage to
give equal time to the opposing side. Luanne Reese,
Director of Business Development for Mease Manor, attended the
event as a FAHSA representative. Luanne will host
another local event August 27, 2008 at Mease Manor. In
addition, a letter to the editor from Luanne about Amendment 5
appeared in the August 8 edition of the St. Petersburg
Times.
Senator Haridopolos will also speak at
FAHSA's Affordable Housing Workshop on Wednesday, September
17, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville
Riverfront, 225 East Coastline Drive, Jacksonville, Florida
32202. Senator Haridopolos is also holding a series of
public forums on Amendment 5 throughout the state. FAHSA
encourages you, your resident leaders, and staff to
attend.
Tallahassee, Monday, August 18th,
1 p.m.
Tallahassee Community College
Building
38 (Center for Economic Development), Room 105
444
Appleyard Drive, Tallahassee
Phone: (850)
201-6058
Dunedin, Wednesday, August 27,
2008, 3:30 p.m.
Mease Manor, Inc.
Hale Senior
Center
330 Douglas Avenue
Dunedin, FL 34698
Phone:
(727) 733-1161 x. 390 |
| District and Membership News |
Welcome
New Members -- FAHSA would like to welcome its newest
members:
Community Members
ANKOD, Inc.,
Lauderhill, FL
Devonshire at Wellington Green, West Palm
Beach, FL
Fountains Nursing Home, Boca Raton,
FL
Gainesville Health Care Center, Gainesville, FL
Glades Health Care Center, Pahokee, FL
Kramer Senior
Services Agency, West Palm Beach, FL
Silver Lakes Village,
Orlando, FL
Surrey Place Healthcare & Rehab,
Bradenton, FL
The Veranda, Pensacola, FL
Business Members
Aaron
Corporate Furnishings, Miami, FL
Accelerated Care Plus,
Lawrenceville, GA
ADL Data Systems, Inc., Hawthorne,
NY
Admin Temps, Inc. dba MedBest Recruiting, St.
Petersburg, FL
Advanced Healing Systems, LLC, Bloomington,
MN
AGM Financial Services, Inc., Baltimore, MD
All-Med
Services of Florida, Inc., Miami Lakes, FL
Aurora
Ministries/AudioBiblesForTheBlind.org, Bradenton, FL
Bath
Fitter, Deerfield Beach, FL
Best Bath Systems, Boise,
ID
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Valrico,
FL
Bus Group Commercial Bus Sales, College Park, GA
CDS
Contractors, Inc, Orlando, FL
Chem Rx Boca Raton, LLC,
Deerfield Beach, FL
Commercial Laundry Equipment Company,
Inc., West Palm Beach, FL
CSD Architects, Miami,
FL
Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, Orlando,
FL
Finfrock Design-Manufacture-Construct, Inc., Orlando,
FL
First Housing Development Corporation, Tampa,
FL
Healthsense, Inc., Mendota Heights, MN
Hertz Supply
Company, Schnecksville, PA
Hill Ward Henderson, Tampa,
FL
Integrity Pharmacy Services, LLC, Largo, FL
Invacare
Continuing Care Group, Elyria, OH
Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath,
Chino, CA
Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath, Hendersonville,
NC
JSA, Jacksonville, FL
LarsonAllen LLP, Orlando,
FL
LarsonAllen LLP, Tampa, FL
LECESSE Construction,
Altamonte Springs, FL
MedEx Pharmacy Services, Sanford,
FL
Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A., Winter Park, FL
Onsite
Health Care Services, Stevensville, MD
Pathway Health
Services, Inc., Brookfield, WI
Pro-Tech Air Conditioning
& Heating Service, Inc., Orlando, FL
RehabCare, St.
Louis, MO
Robinson-Adams Insurance, Inc., Birmingham,
AL
Samarion, Ridgeland, MS
San Tec Chemical, Fort
Lauderdale, FL
SeniorPro Insurance, Washington,
DC
ServiceMaster Clean, Plantation, FL
T. G. Lee Dairy,
Orlando, FL
The Douglas Company, Orlando, FL
University
of Florida, Division of Continuing Education, Gainesville,
FL
VCPI, Milwaukee, WI
Wells Fargo Corporate Trust
Services, Orlando,
FL |
| Education News |
|
AHCA's Skip Gregory Examines Physical Plant and
Life-Safety Requirements for Nursing Homes: Learn about
State-of-the-Art Design Models that Promote Resident-Centered
Care -- This workshop is a 'must' for providers who
want to improve their survey outcomes or who are considering
replacing or renovating their nursing home. Why build
yesterday's nursing home when you have the opportunity to
incorporate design features and technology that tomorrow's
residents will demand? The following topics will be
covered:
- Overview of Physical Plant and Life-Safety Requirements
that can get you into trouble
- Best practices to follow when renovating or remodeling a
nursing home
- The Florida Building Code -- The Future is Now: Putting
the "Home" Back into "Nursing Home"
- Status of wireless communication systems
- State-of-the-Art Nursing Home Models
- What's Possible in Florida?
- Revisions to the Americans with Disabilities Act
- CMS Artifacts of Culture Change Tool -- Where Does your
Organization Stand with Culture Change and Resident-Centered
Care?
Register online now and mark your calendars to
join us on September 4, 2008 at the Hotel Royal Plaza in
Orlando. Upcoming Educational
Events:August 27 -- EIV Update
Audio Call featuring Bonnie Wilpon September
4 -- AHCA's Skip Gregory Examines Physical Plant and
Life-Safety Requirements for Nursing Homes: Learn about
State-of-the-Art Design Models that Promote Resident-Centered
Care, Hotel Royal Plaza, Orlando September
15 -- FAHSA's 2nd Annual Home and Community-Based
Services Workshop, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront,
Jacksonville September 16 & 17 --
FAHSA's 25th Annual Affordable Housing and Service
Coordinator Workshop, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront,
Jacksonville September 26 -- IMAX TRACs
Audio Call featuring Bonnie Wilpon
FAHSA Calendar of
Events |
| General
News |
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Licensed Health Care Professional
Requirements -- As many health care licensed
professionals already know, the renewal cycle for licensing is
fast approaching. We have received numerous questions
about course requirements prior to renewals. In
response, FAHSA developed an easy to read chart to use for
continuing education courses before the licensees' renewal
cycle expires. To review the continuing education chart,
please CLICK HERE. Please note
that health care professionals are no longer required to take
the HIV/AIDS course every two years. Health care
professionals will only need to fulfill the HIV/AIDS course
requirement upon initial licensure. The Board of
Nursing Home Administrators is still working on a proposed
rule for nursing home administrators. It is not clear
how many course hours the nursing home administrator applicant
must take prior to initial renewal, however, it is clear that
for this renewal cycle and future renewal cycles-if you are a
nursing home administrator and took the HIV/AIDS course at
least once-you are NOT required to take the course
again.
Take Advantage of FAHSA Course
Offerings -- If you are still looking for
continuing education courses to fulfill your requirements,
FAHSA has many courses available. For more details on
FAHSA's course offerings, go to the FAHSA product brochure. For your
convenience, you can also order online or print a copy of the order form
and fax your order to (850) 671-3790. If you have
any questions regarding the content of these products please
contact Gail Matillo at (850) 671-0308 or questions concerning
the ordering process please contact Erin Steele at (850)
671-0318.
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| Home
and Community-Based Services News |
FAHSA's 2nd Annual Home and Community-Based
Workshop Scheduled - This year, plan to attend
FAHSA's HCBS Workshop on Monday, September 15, from 1:00 p.m.
to 5:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
hotel in downtown Jacksonville. Peter Notarstefano,
AAHSA's Director of HCBS, Mike Bell, The Hospice Foundation of
the Florida Suncoast, Shannon Martin, M.S.W., CMC, Aging
Wisely, and Anne Menard, Agency for Health Care Administration
will present topics such as Implementing a Comprehensive Aging
in Place Strategy for Independent Residents, Pushing the
Limits of Support Services: When Does it Become Too Much
of a Good Thing?, AHCA Issues New Rules Affecting HCBS/Home
Health Providers, and Operational Issues and Challenges for
HCBS Providers. Online registration and brochure will be
posted on the Calendar Page of the FAHSA Web site
early next
week. |
| Housing
News |
Two Audio Calls Planned - Bonnie Wilpon,
PAWA House will present the latest information on EIV and IMAX
TRACS in two audio conference calls scheduled on August 27 and
September 26. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from
the expert on how these new changes will affect your
operations. Sign-up, either online at the FAHSA Web site or
download a copy of the brochure and fax your registration to
the FAHSA office. HUD Staff To Present
'Board of Directors' Training Program - On Monday,
September 15, 2008, Debra Varley and Carol Strayer, from the
Jacksonville HUD office, will be presenting a "Boards of
Directors Training", specifically designed for members of your
Board of Directors. This training is being
offered complimentary to you and your board members when you
register for either one day or both days of FAHSA's Affordable
Housing, Service Coordinator and Home and Community-Based
Workshops. Please consider asking at
least one member from your board to attend this important
training program with you. The program will be from 1:00
p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 15 at the Hyatt Regency
Jacksonville Riverfront hotel, 225 Coastline Drive,
Jacksonville, FL. Watch Your E-Mail for
FAHSA's Affordable Housing Workshop Brochure - Mark
your calendar, register online, and make your hotel
reservations by calling (904) 588-1234, for FAHSA's 25th
Annual Affordable Housing, Service Coordinator and Home and
Community-Based Workshops, beginning on Monday, September 15,
2008. In addition to the Home and Community-Based
Workshop on Monday, HUD staff will be presenting "Boards of
Directors" training, specifically designed for your board
members. On Tuesday, a full-day of presentations are
scheduled featuring representatives from Senator Nelson and
Senator Martinez' office, Senator Steve Wise, Nancy Libson,
AAHSA, Mark Alper, National Center for Housing Management,
Jody Walker, an award winning motivational speaker, Patricia
Hodges, Jacksonville HUD office, and more! A reception and
Silent Auction, generously sponsored by SPM, Inc. will also be
held on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, Kathleen Coughlin
Williams, Senator Mike Haridopolos, Shawn Steen, NTHDC, Don
Shea, NTHDC, Dorothy Swayze, NTHDC, Belinda Koros,
Jacksonville HUD Office, and Steve Protulis, EHDOC will
present. The Service Coordinator Workshop
features presentations on Legal Liabilities, The Fundamentals
of a Service Coordinator, Dealing with Difficult Residents,
Medicaid Eligibility, Coping with Loss, and a presentation on
what Florida's Community Colleges are doing to keep seniors
involved in learning. Make your plans now for plenty of
networking opportunities, opportunities to meet new providers
and the staff from the Jacksonville HUD
office. |
| Nursing
Home News |
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AAHSA Survey and Certification Task Force
Reports, 'The System Is Broken and Can't Be Fixed' -
In 2006, Brian Robare, FAHSA's Vice Chair and Director of
Operations, The Estates at Carpenters, was selected by AAHSA
to serve on a 20-member National Survey and Certification Task
Force from 18 states. The task force was charged with
four duties: to articulate specific issues related to the
survey and certification system and the origins of those
issues, including public reporting of survey data, to identify
short-term and long-term solutions to the issues and problems
identified, to develop strategies for implementing these
short-term and long-term solutions, and to identify
enforcement issues and develop strategies for resolving
problems. On Tuesday, they issued their
report, "Broken and Beyond Repair: Recommendations to Reform
the Survey and Certification System." The report lists 31
recommendations to address short-term and long-term solutions,
including improved communication to surveyors and providers
about new requirements and changes to the survey process,
standardized job descriptions for surveyors, more efficient
use of survey resources, and flexibility to adapt to culture
change. The task force's overarching recommendation is that an
independent commission, such as the Institute of Medicine,
reexamine the survey and certification process to "create a
common vision for how our nation should care for its frailest
citizens and to recommend a new oversight model for ensuring
that this vision becomes reality in every nursing home
today." Larry Minnix, AAHSA's president and CEO,
said the task force captured the demoralization of providers
who feel caught in a vicious circle. "We have to break the
cycle of fear that paralyzes us all: consumers fear nursing
homes, nursing homes fear the state, states fear the federal
government, the federal government fears Congress and Congress
fears voters," Minnix said. "This system is angry, broken and
can't be fixed. A system based on consistency, fairness and
accuracy will help us move toward the day when there are two
types of nursing homes: the excellent and the non-existent."
Copies of the report are available on AAHSA's Web site.
Other Nursing Home News:
- E-Prescribing Initiatives for 2009
- OSCAR Data Reports for the Second Quarter of 2008
- PQRI Conference Call Hosted by CMS
- CMS Physicians, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals
Open Door Forum
FAHSA Nursing Home
Alert Page
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| Sponsor |
 Health Insurance
Terms You Need to Know -- The health care system in
the United States can be complex and confusing. In order to
get the most out of your health care benefits, you need to
understand the terms used by insurance companies, health
plans, and health care providers. This way, you can make
better decisions - ultimately receiving better care. To review
the list of health insurance terms, please click HERE.
Tips for Preventing or Reducing Workplace
Violence -- Statistics show that violence continues
to be a problem in the workplace. Employers have a duty to
provide a safe working environment for both their employees
and their visitors and to not negligently hire or retain
potentially violent employees. To read the following tips will
help you prevent or reduce workplace violence, please click HERE.
Benefits and insurance issues important to you -
brought to you by the insurance specialists at Hunt Insurance
Group, LLC/Hilb Rogal &
Hobbs.
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| Preferred Business Associates
News |
|
 FAHSA's
Preferred Business Associates Program (PBAs) -- A
list of PBAs can be found by on the FAHSA Web site www.fahsa.org and
selecting Preferred Business Associates from the left side
menu bar or clicking on the FAHSA Preferred Business
Associates Page hyperlink. FAHSA members can also use the
on-line directory to search for PBAs by specialty.
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| Job-Mart |
| FAHSA is pleased to provide an opportunity for
you to advertise your "position wanted" or "position
available" through the FAHSA Link newsletter and on our
Web Page.
FAHSA members may use the Job Mart services at no charge. A
nominal fee of $25 will be charged to nonmembers.
Your Job Mart advertisement will be displayed on our Web
site for approximately three months. The FAHSA Link is
published weekly and distributed to our membership which is
comprised of nursing homes, CCRCs, HUD housing, assisted
living facilities, independent living facilities and
companies/firms.
To reserve advertisement space in our Job Mart program,
please complete the application and fax it
to FAHSA at (850) 671-3790 or E-mail Erin Steele at esteele@fahsa.org
|
Copyright 2008 -- Publication of the
Florida Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
(FAHSA).
- FAHSA Chair: Alma Ballard
- FAHSA President/CEO: Janegale Boyd
- Managing Editor: Gail Matillo
Copyright
Information: Copies of the articles and other information in
this publication may be noncommercially reproduced for the
purpose of educational or scientific advancement. Otherwise,
no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in
any form or by any means, mechanical or electronic, including
photocopying, microfilm and recording, or by any information
storage and retrieval system, without the written permission
of the editor.
Correspondence: Should be addressed to:
Editor, 1812 Riggins Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. For
telephone inquiries, call (850) 671-3700. Or E-mail FAHSA at
info@fahsa.org. © 2008 FAHSA. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this
correspondence is not intended as a substitute for legal
advice. Please discuss any information gathered from this or
any other FAHSA publications with your legal counsel in the
context of your particular situation before implementing any
new policies or procedures.
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