2011 AL Performance Measure Survey and 2010 Employee AL Vacancy, Retention and Turnover Survey
NCAL Connections
The National Center for Assisted Living is pleased to launch its two surveys under its Advocating Care Excellence program for the second year. The 2011 NCAL Performance Measures Survey is available only to NCAL members while the 2010 Employee Vacancy, Retention and Turnover (VRT) Survey is open to assisted living providers nationwide. NCAL again has the support of the three other assisted living provider associations, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, American Seniors Housing Association, and the Assisted Living Federation of America for the VRT survey. Both surveys may be found by clicking at the top of this page on the SDALA link, then follow the NCAL link and click on the section entitled "Be Heard." The deadline for completion and submission of both surveys is March 31, 2011.
In order to acquire meaningful results for benchmarking, it is imperative that NCAL has the highest response rate possible from each state. All information submitted for both the 2010 Employee Vacancy, Retention and Turnover Survey and 2011 Performance Measures Survey will remain confidential and all results will appear only in aggregate form.
Thank you in advance for your participation in both surveys. Questions about the surveys may be directed to Shelley Sabo at ssabo@ncal.org or 202.898.2848.
NOTE: NCAL has brought it to our attention there was a technological error attached to the survey. The result is that the data was not captured for those members who completed the survey from January 11 through January 21. The error has been resolved and the data is being collected and saved as it should. NCAL asks that if your facility completed the survey during this timeframe to please resubmit your answers.
Keeping The Elderly Upright and Mobile
USA Today
Growing older does not have to be associated with falling and losing mobility. New guidelines in the January issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society outline how the elderly and their health care providers can work together to prevent falls.
"When approaching the topic of falls, it's best to talk about how to maintain independence and mobility rather than couching it (a fall) as failure," says physician Mary Tinetti, a Yale University professor and co-chair of the panel that produced the guidelines.
Finding ways to reduce falls becomes even more important as Baby Boomers move into the ranks this year of older adults. Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among people 65 and older. The guidelines stress improving gait and strength, monitoring drugs that can cause dizziness, checking home safety and managing heart rate.
Physical therapy, tai chi (a form of gentle exercise and meditation) and activities such as dancing can bolster balance, Tinetti says. "More adult communities are offering tai chi classes. Or you can do these exercises at home."
Avoid Sitting To Have A Good Heart, Waistline
The Times of India
Get up and move around as often as you can, for it's good for your heart and waistline, says a new study.
The study links the total amount of time spent sitting down and breaks in sedentary time with various indicators of risk for heart disease, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and inflammatory processes that can play a role in atherosclerosis.
Even people who participated in moderate to vigorous exercise, READ MORE...
First Guidelines For MRSA Treatment
UPI.com
The Infectious Diseases Society of America has released new guidelines for the treatment of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Among the suggested strategies: not using antibiotics to treat less dangerous forms of MRSA. "MRSA has become a huge public health problem and physicians often struggle with how to treat it," Dr. Catherine Liu of the University of California, San Francisco, and the study's lead author said in a statement. "The guidelines establish a framework to help physicians determine how to evaluate and treat uncomplicated as well as invasive infections. It's designed to be a living document, meaning the recommendations will evolve as new information and antibiotics become available."
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2011/01/05/First-guidelines-for-MRSA-treatment/UPI-88641294279322/
Newspaper Clippings
There are many articles published in Newspapers throughout South Dakota that are worth taking a look at! Click Here to see if your facility made the news. Not finding an article that made your local paper regarding your facility? Send us a copy to review.
National Nursing Home Week 2011 Theme And Dates
AHCA has announced its theme for the 2011 National Nursing Home Week (NNHW) observance: "Fulfilling the Promise." National Nursing Home Week will be celebrated across the long term care beginning Mother's Day, May 8, and continuing through May 14, 2011. This year's theme was selected to honor those who are "Fulfilling the Promise" every day by serving others and giving their all to the cause of elder care and care for persons with disabilities or recovering from injury or illness.
NNHW shines a spotlight on both residents and staff. AHCA is developing a planning guide and branded promotional products for this special week. Many facilities take this opportunity to sponsor a staff awards luncheon. The planning guide activities will be designed to foster intergenerational connections, strengthen relationships with family members, recognize all staff members, and volunteers who demonstrate exceptional care giving.
For more information, visit www.sdhca.org and click on the National Nursing Home Week icon.
Adults Over 60 Should Get Shingles Vaccine, CDC Recommends
USA TODAY
Everyone over 60 should be vaccinated against shingles, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends.
Nearly one out of three people in the USA will develop shingles, a painful and potentially serious condition also known as herpes zoster, the CDC says. Yet only 10% of those 60 and older - the group most at risk for shingles - got the vaccine (Zostavax) in 2009.
A Kaiser Permanente study of 300,000 patients, reported by the Journal of the American Medical Association and co-written by the CDC, shows the vaccine reduces by 55% the risk of developing shingles, which afflicts more than 1 million people a year.
The CDC made a similar recommendation after a smaller study of the vaccine was completed in 2006, but it appears few people got the word.
Not all insurance or Medicare plans cover the $150-$300 cost, which may be the reason so few get it, the CDC suggests in another report.
And not all doctors keep the vaccine on hand because it has to be frozen until minutes before it's administered.
Adults who had chickenpox as a child are at risk for shingles, which is caused by the same virus. It starts as a numbness, tingling or itching and develops into a rash. The rash eventually blisters and can sometimes lead to a painful condition known as post-herpetic neuralgia. In severe cases, the virus can also affect the eyes and cause
blindness.
Pain Management Calculator Available Online
AHCA
The Pain Management Calculator is an easy-to-use mechanism for tracking the number of residents experiencing pain during their quarterly care plan conference.
The Pain Management Calculator is an easy-to-use mechanism for tracking the number of residents experiencing pain during their quarterly care plan conference. Now available online,the tool is an Excel spreadsheet template that includes a navigation guide, FAQs, forms to enter weekly data and graphs and data summary features.
All the Advancing Excellence tools are located under the "New" section on the website.
Letters: Holidays Made Beautiful
Pam L. Anderson · Sioux Falls
This is the second Christmas my husband has been at the Good Samaritan Society Center in Sioux Falls, and I would like to thank the staff, volunteers and auxiliary at the center as well as the staff at CNA Surety for making the holidays such a beautiful time for the residents and their families.
CNA Surety hosted a Christmas party and provided each resident with a generous gift, ranging from blankets to long underwear to sweaters and pants. The Good Samaritan center staff, volunteers and auxiliary decorated the center beautifully and provided fun activities, special treats and a festive atmosphere.
I would like to acknowledge and thank all of the center's staff - reception, laundry, housekeeping, rehabilitation, ministry, administration, dietary, maintenance, activities, medical, nursing and certified nursing assistants (and those I don't know about or inadvertently am forgetting) for the hard work they do all year with such dedication and caring.
As the South Dakota Legislature convenes and discusses proposed cuts to Medicaid in the state, please take time to visit your local long-term care facility and find out what those cuts will mean to those who care for your relatives, friends or neighbors (and who one day could be caring for you).
Medicaid cuts will have a drastic ripple effect on the community and its economy.
Celebrate Pride In Food Service Week
February 7-11, 2011 is designated as Pride in Food Service Week. Take time to recognize those in your Dietary Department. Tips for celebrating can be found at www.dmaonline.org.
