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Colleagues,
Thanks to those of you who were able to attend the webinar, An Introduction to COLLAGE, 2012 earlier this month. Several questions were posed during the event -- more complete answers to some of them are below.
Q: How much time realistically does it take to interview each resident using the COLLAGE assessment system?
A: Presently, the Community Health Assessment (CHA for short) coaching conversation takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. There are a handful of coaches who can do it well in 45 minutes. When the new "streamlined" Core Assessment tool is available, we expect it to take about 20-30 minutes based on some live test assessment interviews completed. The new Core Assessment includes about one fourth of the items in the assessment currently being used. Remember, like many other things there is a learning curve -- as you complete more and more assessments, your speed, dexterity, accuracy and focus will improve.
Q: How does COLLAGE interface with the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)? When you use this in a CCRC, do you also assess residents when they go to SNF?
A: Presently, the COLLAGE assessment system does not interface with a skilled unit/facility. (To use the tool in a SNF environment that requires the Minimum Data Set (MDS) doesn't make sense as it would be a duplication of effort and inefficient. In addition, the look back periods are different.) However, staff in the skilled area may be given authorization to view assessments previously completed in the software and run reports. Authorization simply means that individuals are given a unique ID and password to access the web software portal. The bottom line is that generally, residents are not assessed using the COLLAGE assessment system in SNFs. We have had organizations use the tool in rehabilitation situations when it was clear that someone needed a short-term stay only, though it's uncommon.
Q: Is this assessment interview optional/voluntary for residents or is everyone expected to participate?
A: Every community that joins COLLAGE makes this decision based on their unique interests and chosen business process. Most communities have made participation optional. However, organizations know that with a high percentage of residents participating it means they have a significant leg up on improving healthy aging outcomes more successfully. Often, COLLAGE organizations have an unwritten expectation that everyone will and should participate. While it is expected that there will be a small percentage of residents who opt out, COLLAGE communities find creative ways to motivate folks to want to be involved in improving their healthy aging and quality of life.
Q: Am I understanding correctly that the new streamlined, 20-minute Core Assessment will include answers that the resident supplies?
A: No, not exactly, if we're understanding your meaning. The new streamlined Core Assessment will include dimensions that have been determined through testing and evaluation to be the most salient to evaluate function and challenges quickly and accurately. It will include evaluating items under the following categories or dimensions:
- Cognition/comprehension
- Social
- Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Capacity
- Physical Activity
- Mood
- Clinical Conditions and Instability
You may be getting the Wellness Assessment (WA) confused with the new Core Assessment tool. The WA really is a "lifestyle" assessment and whatever the resident says (or "supplies" in your words) is what is recorded in the software.  | 
