RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES

STORM BREWS WITH HURRICANE SEASON ON HORIZON

As Florida braces for heavy rains and potential flooding from a system churning Thursday over the southeastern Yucatan Peninsula, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said a slightly above-average hurricane season is on the horizon.

Gov. Rick Scott issued an advisory Thursday [saying] it’s “absolutely critical that every Florida family is fully prepared for potential impacts” during the Memorial Day weekend from the brewing storm. Read more...

Source: Hernando Sun, May 24, 2018

NEW EMERGENCY POWER RULES NOW THE LAW
FOR FLORIDA NURSING HOMES

If a hurricane knocks out power at the Joseph Morse Health Center in West Palm Beach you hear the hum of generators across campus. Big generators that were part of a big investment in client and patient welfare long before Hurricane Irma.

Morse Life Health CEO Keith Myers told me, “It’s been part of our blueprint over five to six years. We did over $160 million in construction.” That included millions for the generators alone. Read more... 

Source: WPTV, West Palm Beach, May 22, 2018

NURSING HOME FINED AFTER PROBE OF RESIDENT'S CARE

A Sarasota nursing home has agreed to pay $26,000 in fines and increased licensure fees after the facility failed to notify the daughter of a resident that her mother’s health was deteriorating.

The state Agency for Health Care Administration issued a final order this month citing Beneva Lakes Healthcare and Rehabilitation for failing to inform a resident or a resident’s representative about a serious medical condition and for failing to have adequate programs to ensure quality of care and quality of life in nursing homes. Read more...

Source: News Service of Florida, May 24, 2018

President's Message

The 2018 hurricane season officially begins one week from today, and forecasters are predicting higher-than-normal activity this year.

A typical season sees 12 named storms, 6.5 hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. This year, forecasters are expecting 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.

In light of new rules for emergency preparedness and emergency power, we know our members have been preparing for months for whatever level of activity actually occurs. And your team at LeadingAge Florida stands ready, as always, to assist you before, during, and after a hurricane.

I encourage you to review our Hurricane Guide, which includes tips and suggestions, as well as contact information for all of the relevant agencies, and cell phone numbers for LeadingAge Florida staff, in case you need to reach us for any reason.

The last two hurricane seasons have made clear that it’s also important for you to reach out to your local government officials and power companies in advance of the season to confirm that they are aware of your community and of the importance of treating senior living communities as high priorities in the event of a loss of power.

Our goal is to be as helpful to you in providing information, routing your questions, and meeting your emergency needs as we can be, without getting in your way as you protect and care for your residents during a storm. Don’t hesitate to let us know how we can be of service.

Additionally, of course, nursing homes and assisted living communities are required to comply with the new emergency power rules by next Friday. Extensions to January 1, 2019, are available under certain circumstances, and we are prepared to help you through that process as well, if achieving the June 1 deadline won’t be possible.

We know our members share the singular goal of ensuring your residents are safe, no matter how the upcoming hurricane season turns out. We are proud to be your partner in achieving that goal.

 
Steve Bahmer
President/CEO

Introducing...

The inaugural issue of the FAHA Health and Services (FAHA H&S) newsletter was debuted this week a new benefit for members of FAHA H&S. The newsletter is designed to provide important and timely information about managed care initiatives throughout the State of Florida, and events and educational opportunities for FAHA H&S members.

Moving forward, a link to the FAHA H&S newsletter will be included in LeadingLink for seamless access to this important information. We look forward to receiving feedback on this and future issues of the FAHA H&S newsletter, and encourage you to let us know how we can better serve you.

The 2018 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is
Friday, June 1, through Thursday, June 7, 2018.
During this period, qualifying items are exempt from Florida sales tax.
For a list of qualifying purchases, click the banner above.

Source: Fox 13, May 23, 2018

Online Registration Open

Early Bird Discount Ends June 29, 2018 - Register Now!

We are excited to share the 55^th Annual Convention and Exposition Convention Planner Brochure with full details, agenda and highlights for the upcoming convention. With over 50 educational breakout sessions, there is much to learn on best practices and current development in our field as well as numerous networking opportunities. Whether you are in executive leadership, healthcare and nursing, assisted living facilities, housing, or technology — this convention offers a great opportunity for your professional growth and development. We look forward to you joining us for the most dynamic and comprehensive opportunity for aging services professionals in Florida.

Click HERE for more details and to register.

Florida OIR Triennial Audit Update

Section 651.105, Florida Statutes, requires the state Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to conduct an examination (often referred to as a “triennial audit”) of the business of any continuing care retirement community “at least once every three years.” If a community is accredited, the examination must take place “at least once every five years.” In recent months, a few continuing care retirement community (CCRC) members have had audits that were overdue by nearly two years. Read more...

REGULATORY

Under F689, Facilities Must Ensure Residents are as Free of Accident Hazards as Possible

This past week, we learned that a fire in a nursing home was caused by an overheated tablet charger that ignited and burned through the sheets, into the mattress of a resident’s bed (see photo below). We were able to speak with the fire chief, who indicated the fire originated in the capacitor, which is the box where the cord from the computer and the cord for the electricity meet.

Due to the fire damage, the fire department was unable to determine if there was an issue with either of the cords or if the capacitor overheated. The fire chief indicated the tablet and cords were laying on the resident’s bed on top of bedding and surrounded by work papers.

He emphasized that laptops, tablets and cell phone chargers should always be on a hard, non-flammable flat surface when charging, since bedding, pillows and blankets can easily block airflow, and trap heat, which can lead to combustion that normally would be dissipated by proper ventilation.

The device was an older model; perhaps, because of its age, there may have been excessive wear on the power cords and the charger, itself. The fire chief recommended that facilities inspect the power cords of all resident devices to ensure the cords are not damaged. Additionally, the chief advised that the facility provide training to staff on proper placement of units for charging, and ways to identify issues with power cords and chargers. Damaged or frayed cords should be discarded immediately, as well as any that are found with electrical tape on them. He also warned against overcharging devices and recommended disconnecting them from the power source once the device is fully charged.

If there is a fire caused by one of these devices, it can be extinguished using the ABC fire extinguishers found throughout your facility.

Although we could find no specific life-safety regulation that addresses inspection of device power cords, under F689, it is the responsibility of the facility to ensure that the resident environment remains as free of accident hazards as is possible.

Connie Cheren, RN, MSW, LeadingAge Florida's Clinical and Compliance Specialist, can be reached via email or phone at (678) 778-0561 to help answer questions before, during and after your surveys.  As a value-added service provided by LeadingAge Florida, Connie can help nursing home and assisted living facility members improve regulatory compliance and clinical outcomes, in addition to offering suggestions about corrective plans of action to improve your surveys.

Housing

Florida Housing Announces 2018-2019 RFA Funding Process Workshop

Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) will host a 2018/2019 Request for Applications (RFA) Funding Process Workshop on Thursday, June 14, in Tallahassee. The purpose of the workshop is to provide information on anticipated changes to the RFA process for the upcoming cycle. Additionally, Florida Housing will solicit ideas and feedback on how the Corporation can best implement its RFA process. Read more...

LCS to Provide Consulting Services for $215 Million High-Rise Near Miami

Ocean Land Investments has partnered with both LCS Development and Life Care Services to provide consulting services regarding Riverwalk Residences of Las Olas (rendering pictured right). Ocean Land Investments is currently developing the 401-unit high-rise seniors housing project in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The 42-story property will include independent living, assisted living and memory care residences. Read more...

Groundbreaking

Senior Living Center Breaks Ground on $20 Million Project

Sunnyside Village in Sarasota held a groundbreaking Wednesday for an expansion project that's expected to cost about $20 million.

The senior living community will construct a new and expanded health, rehabilitation and memory care center. The center will add more private room accommodations for skilled nursing residents, according to a press release. It will also add an 18-apartment assisted living memory care center.

LeadingAge Florida President and CEO Steve Bahmer (pictured right) was honored to serve as the keynote speaker at the groundbreaking event. Also on hand were J. David Yoder, Sunnyside Village Executive Director, and Alex Maliwacki, Sunnyside Village Health Services Administrator (both pictured left). Read more...

Source: Business Observer, May 24, 2018

Member Updates

Edgewater Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Celebrates 25 Years

Edgewater Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at Waterman Village celebrated its 25th Anniversary with an event held earlier in May. In attendance were (pictured from left to right): Andrew Dujon, Waterman Village CEO; Florida State Representative Jennifer Sullivan (R-District 31); Mount Dora Mayor Nick Girone; Florida State Senator Denis Baxley (R- District 12); and David Nwogu, Edgewater Executive Director.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

MAY

30: Pharmacy Services F755 & F761 Review Webinar
This webinar will focus on pharmacy services F-Tags with a review of the regulation and an analysis of the associated Interpretive Guidance. A review of survey procedures for pharmacy services and/the Surveyor Probes used to guide the investigative process will be discussed. Actual citation examples will be shared and discussed. Tools to assist the facility interdisciplinary team in monitoring compliance and incorporating into the facility QAPI processes will be discussed.

JUNE

27: Comprehensive Care Plans F656, F657 and F658 Review Webinar
This session will focus on the Comprehensive Care Plan Regulations including, but not limited to, F-Tags F656, F657 and F658, with a review of the regulations and an analysis of the associated Interpretive Guidance. A review of survey procedures used to guide the investigative process will be discussed. Actual citation examples will be shared and discussed. Tools to assist the facility interdisciplinary team in monitoring compliance and incorporating into the facility QAPI processes will be discussed.

JULY

25: Unnecessary Drugs F757, F758 Review Webinar
This session will focus on the Unnecessary Drugs Regulations including, but not limited to, F-Tags F757and F758, with a review of the regulations and an analysis of the associated Interpretive Guidance. A review of survey procedures used to guide the investigative process will be discussed. Actual citation examples will be shared and discussed. Tools to assist the facility interdisciplinary team in monitoring compliance and incorporating into the facility QAPI processes will be discussed.

VALUE 1ST

As your Florida Value First representative, I stand ready to assist you in saving money on goods and services that you purchase for your community. Through our partnership with Vizient, (formerly MedAssets) and an expanding portfolio of vendors, Value First can help you realize cost-savings in all four purchasing categories – Medical, Food, Environmental/Janitorial/Sanitation and Office Supplies

Our program works in concert with your purchasing, finance and leadership teams to analyze current expenses and provide a price comparisons on exactly how much you can save. Additionally, we can assist you with obtaining capital equipment quotes; just provide the specifications, and we will contact our partners to get the best prices available at that time. You receive ALL of this, at NO FEE TO YOU. Look at Value First as an extension of your staff.

Currently, more than 225 LeadingAge Florida members are using Value First partners regularly, and we look forward to assisting as many LeadingAge Florida members as possible in 2018. To email me, click the photo above, or call me at either of the numbers below. I look forward to speaking with you and visiting your community

Robert "Bobby" Bernal
Director of Business Development, Florida Value 1st Representative
P: (850) 671-3700 | C: (850) 509-8112

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Our Partners:

Since February 1, 2018, a significant number of food cost studies have been conducted under our agreement with Sysco and US. Foods, each yielding a COST SAVINGS to the community.

Forbo Flooring Systems manufactures highly functional flooring solutions tailored to providers of senior living environments that help to improve the health, well-being, safety and hygiene of the community, its residents and staff. Learn more about Forbo in the case study on Mease Manor. Also, Forbo has worked on new construction/renovation projects with Value 1st's construction program. Contact Kris Keller via email or phone at (407) 405-4904.

Fleet Utility Carts 2018 utility vehicles and golf carts are now available at amazing prices for LeadingAge members. Contact Cameron Conway via email or phone at (281) 217-0660 for more information. Click on Fleet's logo to see these great vehicles and amazing pricing.

Medline is accepting pre-orders to reserve your community's vaccine supply for the 2018-19 flu season. Click the Medline logo for more information and to contact their representatives. Value 1st is pleased to have partnered with Medline to get you the highest quality medical products, supply chain, business solutions and clinical expertise.

Sherwin-Williams has group-buy savings for April! Purchase paint, applicators, tools and/or equipment using the Sherwin-Williams Healthcare Savings benefit through Value 1st. They offer a variety of high-performance coating systems for walls, floors, roofs and concrete surfaces, available in many popular styles and colors. These products are ideally suited for long-term care communities. Click on the Sherwin-Williams logo for more information for the May and June Group Buy SPECIALS.