Walter & Kim McRae receiving the Culture Change Day (Oct. 15) Proclamation from Representative Len Walker and Mary Eleanor Wickersham

In this Issue

Inside Your Association -- Aging Services of Georgia

General Notes of Interest

Public Policy Update

Business Connection
Updates from Our Associate Members

Institute News

Center News

Organization/Board Development

News Throughout
the Continuum:

Vacancy Report

Career Opportunities

AAHSA Information

GIA Partners

Occupied
Renovations

Cornerstone
Senior Living

Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A.

GIA Supporters

Ziegler Capital
Markets Group

Mauldin & Jenkins

LW Consulting, Inc.

Guest Services

Dixon Hughes

Pfizer

GIA Friends  

The Law Offices of Williams & Edelstein

GIA Contributors

HVAC Services

Kings Bridge Retirement Center

Canterbury Court

Presbyterian Village

Presbyterian Homes of Georgia

THW Design

AAHSA
http://www.aahsa.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

2009 Annual Business Meeting

The annual business meeting for Aging Services of Georgia (including Georgia Institute on Aging and Center for Positive Aging) will take place on Thursday, December 3, 2009, from 9:30 am until 1:30 pm (registration at 9:00 am), at Lenbrook in Buckhead.  The association is completing another year of strategic actions designed to increase the value you enjoy as a member.  You are going to be greatly encouraged as you hear about the accomplishments we have made this year.  These accomplishments would not have been possible without the actions taken by the membership at last year’s annual business meeting.  With this in mind, we trust each member will send a representative to the meeting.

CASP Grads from Georgia

We are excited to host the fall CASP Institute in Atlanta in September.  25 Aging Services of Georgia members participated in the program.  Congratulations to the following participants who can completed the certification and will be honored at the CASP Graduation in Chicago November 8th:

General Notes of Interest

Health Information Technology Toolkits Available from AAHSA

Eliminate Pest Using Green Technologies

MedPAC Releases Updated Medicare Payment Basics Documents

Costs of Nursing, Assisted Living Care Increase by 3.3% in 2009

Comparing CNA Benefits in For-Profit and Nonprofit Nursing Homes

Actress Opens New Business: Tech-Support for Aging Adults

Seniors with Memory Problems Benefit from Contact with Horses

2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine and Seniors

CMS Encourages Flu Shots

CDC Update: Interim Guidance for H1N1 in Healthcare Settings

Business Connection
Updates from our Associate Members

Changing the world is a great thing! 

As a non- profit, you and your organization are helping to change the world daily as part of your mission.  Now you have a chance to win a $7,000 grant by telling your story of how you would “change the world” with new technology in Windows 7?

TechBridge wanted to make sure you knew of this opportunity to show how you are changing the world. The “7 Ways to Change the World” gives you the opportunity to secure a $7,000 grant for your organization. This competition encourages you to create a two-minute video explaining how you believe a Windows 7 PC could help your nonprofit make a greater impact.  The competition is open to individuals working for your organization, as well as your supporters and the general public. There will be 7 winners, and each person who submits a winning entry will receive a new PC with Windows 7 and a $7,000 grant for their chosen non-profit.

All entries will be published online to provide a valuable resource of creative ideas on how technology can help non-profits solve some of society’s most pressing issues.  The competition launched on October 21st 2009 with entries closing on November 11th 2009. The winners will be announced between November 16th 2009 and November 24th 2009. Please visit the competition website.

Alissa Cook, Director of Client Development
404.879.5406 acook@techbridge.org, www.techbridge.org

Georgia Institute on Aging News

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GET READY FOR AgingServicesNEXT 2010

Dear Aging Services of Georgia Leadership–

We are excited to just be completing the third year of the AgingServicesNEXT (formerly gahsaNEXT) program.  AgingServicesNEXT is designed to identify and develop current and emerging leaders in our field.  I know many members have deserving staff that could benefit greatly from participating in this program.  We have already been contacted by several members asking to participate in the next group – AgingServicesNEXT 2010 will begin February 3, 2010.

Who Decides? 

2010 Aging Services of Georgia
Annual Conference
SAVE THE DATES!-- March 22-24, 2010

Dolcé Resort & Conference Center
Peachtree City, GA

Who Decides

Last Month's Events

October 1
Luncheon
CCRC Symposium
Adult Day Services Symposium
Marketing Forum
Bank of America Conference Center

October 15
2nd Annual Culture Change Network of Georgia Summit
Loudermilk Center, Downtown Atlanta

Upcoming Events

24/7 On-Line Training

One of the quickest, most convenient and affordable ways to earn additional CEUs is through INHUniversity.com. The IHN/PDN Distance Learning Series provides high-quality educational courses on vital topics for healthcare professionals, presented by nationally recognized speakers and consultants.

Since all of the courses are "web-based" and not "live" you can take courses when the time is convenient for you and your busy schedule! New courses are constantly being added throughout the year, so check the course catalog often.

To register or for more information, please go to the IHN/PDN website

Wednesday, November 4
Positive Aging Lifestyles (PALS)
Facilitator Training
Aging Services of Georgia Office, Midtown Atlanta
9 am - 3:30 pm
Brochure and Registration Form

Sunday, November 8
Georgia Night 2009
Attendees of the AAHSA Annual Meeting and Expo
Quartino's -- Chicago, IL
6 pm
Brochure and Registration Form

Thursday, December 3
Association Annual Business Meeting
Lenbrook Retirement Community, Buckhead
9:30 am - 1:30 pm

Culture Change Network

SECOND Annual Georgia Culture Change Summit HUGH Success

The Governor declared Thursday, October 15th Culture Change Day in Georgia. The Proclaimation

Representative Len Walker presented the Proclamation and Mary Eleanor Wickersham, Health and Human Services Policy Advisory for the Governor, brought greetings from the Governor’s office.

Over 170 participants came together to network, learn and think about strategies to move Georgia forward. Setting the Stage for Culture Change: Preparing for Our Aging Population was the theme of the summit. Three national culture change guros were here to lead us through the day.

Thanks to Healthcare Research, Inc., Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter, and the Barbara Fraser Legacy of Learning Fund for sponsoring the summit. Also, thanks to the Culture Change Network of Georgia Advisory Partners and Kim McRae, our culture change coordinator, for all the hard work to make this event a huge success.

Steve Shields Vision, Leadership and the Business Case (Sponsored by: Healthcare Research, Inc.)

Karen Stobbe Dementia and Communication (Sponsored by:)

Alice Truluck Implementation, “How To…” and Celebrating Success (Sponsored by:)

Educating Consumers about Aging and Culture Change --
Georgia 1 or 3 pilot states

The Pioneer Network and six other partners to develop a guidebook aimed at encouraging and empowering Baby Boomers to become discerning consumers of nursing home care for themselves and their
aging parents. The project, funded by the Picker Institute, will also develop a larger package of educational materials and videos designed to encourage people in their 50s and 60s to become promoters and advocates for a new approach to aging services. The CCNG will be leading this project for Georgia.  Contact Kim McRae if you would like additional information. 

Center for Positive Aging

Visit www.centerforpositiveaging.org for new information posted regularly. Click on For Affiliates for specific information for providers.

Bad reactions to medications result in 100,000 deaths a year. Don’t let your loved one become a statistic!f you are caring for a loved one who is:

• Elderly
• Taking multiple medications
• Seeing more than one doctor, or
• Suffering from multiple illnesses

…your loved one may be at risk. What can a Family Caregiver do? Join us for FREE to find out.

Safe & Sound: How to Prevent Medication Mishaps
A National Family Caregivers Month EventThursday, November 12, 2009
2:00 - 3:00 PM Eastern Time

Free by telephone or on-line REGISTER HERE

You will find answers to these and other questions:

• When are medication problems most likely to occur?
• What can I do to minimize risks associated with medications?
• What are the questions I should ask doctors and pharmacists?

For More Information
Email: Teleclass@thefamilycaregiver.org
or call: 1-800-896-3650

News Throughout the Continuum

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

2009-2010 Rehabilitation Compensation Report

Research Evaluates HCBS and Overall Long-Term Care Costs

Office of Inspector General Releases the New Work
Plan for Fiscal Year 2010 

Hartford Foundation Releases Best Practice Issue Briefs for
Geriatric Home Care

Study Finds Over 4,600 Adult Day Programs Nationwide

Affordable Housing

HUD Message on Recovery Act Reporting

Comment on HUD Operational Clarifications, New EIV Policy

EIV Webcast Training Delayed Until December

New Occupancy Handbook Search Enhancements and Translated
Leases Together in One Place

Assisted Living

DCH Rules and Regulations

CCRC's

HB 843

Nursing Care

A Message to all Nursing Homes from the Chair of the Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes Campaign:

2009-2010 Rehabilitation Compensation Report

Free Reports on Survey Deficiency Trends Now Available

“LIFElines” email publication for Aging Services of Georgia Nursing
Home Members & Nursing Staff

AGING SERVICES VACANCY REPORT

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

• Barge Rd Highrise
• Hightower Manor Highrise
• Marietta Rd Highrise

• Juniper & 10th Highrise-
• Marian Rd Highrise
• Barge Rd Highrise
• Hightower Manor Highrise
• Marietta Rd Highrise

Career Opportunities

Lenbrook Retirement Community
Wellness Director

---

Alzheimer's Association
Regional Offices in Columbus and Macon
Program Director

---

Right at Home In Home Care and Assistance
Atlanta
Staffing Coordinator

---

Middle Flint Council on Aging
Americus
Nurse Supervisor/Care Coordinator

---

Athens Community Council on Aging
Athens
Activity Coordinator for Adult Day Care Programs
Senior Financial Manager

AAHSA Information

News from Melissa Sharp,
Vice President, Southeast Region, AAHSA

CLASS Act Provisions Hang in the Balance

The Senate leadership is still deciding which elements from two committee drafts on health care reform will be part of final bill that the Senate considers. We must make sure that the Community Living and Supportive Services (CLASS) provisions for a healthy and sustainable system of financing long-term services and supports don’t fall through the cracks. Please Contact Congress and urge your senators to support the CLASS provisions.

Educate Seniors About Health Care Reform

Seniors to Seniors is a coalition of senior citizen, labor and provider organizations all committed to educating seniors about what the current health care reform legislation means for them once it is implemented. The coalition’s goal is to help filter through the clutter and the hype to educate seniors about how health reform will help keep doctors in Medicare, stop physician payment cuts, improve long-term care choices, keep Medicare affordable, and close the prescription drug “doughnut hole.” More information.

New PBS Series Addresses Issues in Aging

AAHSA Member Benefit Spotlight: 

 Supporting Culture Change: Working Toward Smarter State Nursing Home Regulation
AAHSA's Institute for the Future of Aging Services (IFAS) has written an issue brief entitled, "Supporting Culture Change: Working Toward Smarter State Nursing Home Regulation," which was recently published by the Commonwealth Fund. The brief, written by Dr. Robyn Stone, Natasha Bryant and Linda Barbarotta, calls for a new regulatory balance between the traditional sanctions and a new partnership approach to promote high performance. Read the brief.