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Virginia Health Care Association | Virginia Center for Assisted Living

Assisted Living Symposium Recap

Assisted Living Symposium Recap

Upon reflecting on the day, Tom May, Administrator at the Village at Gordon House remarked, “I was really impressed with the AL Symposium. The quality of the programs, knowledge of the speakers, and organization of the entire day far outweighed my expectations. This was one of the best symposiums ever.” In addition to being inspiring, speakers offered attendees practical compliance advice and information quality improvement.

Greg O’Brien Gets Personal

Award-winning journalist and author Greg O’Brien captivated attendees as he shared his experience in learning about and living with Alzheimer’s disease. O’Brien explained how he has had to cede control and let others care for him as his disease progresses. Using humor has helped him, as well as a deliberate shift in his mindset to focus on what is, not on what was.

Compliance with ALF Standards

“We are taking care of people,” Michael Hoback, DSS associate director, Adult Licensing Programs reminded attendees at the Assisted Living Symposium. In reviewing the top 10deficiencies, Hoback offered advice on how to comply with the Standards for Assisted Living Facilities.

Hoback advised the following:

  • Establish a good medication management system
  • Follow physician orders
  • Train you staff to know what your policies are
  • Monitor the med pass

Hoback went on to review the most-cited deficiencies which include:

  1. 22 VAC 40-73-680-D. Administration of medications and related provisions
  2. 22 VAC 40-73-450-C. Individualized service plans
  3. 22 VAC 40-73-870-A. Maintenance of buildings and grounds
  4. 22 VAC 40-73-640. Medication management plan and reference materials
  5. 22 VAC 40-73-450-F. Individualized service plans
  6. 22 VAC 40-73-680. Administration of medications and related provisions
  7. VAC 40-73-320-A. Physical examination and report
  8. 22 VAC 40-73-450-E. Individualized service plans
  9. 22 VAC 40-73-870-E. Maintenance of buildings and grounds
  10. 22 VAC 40-73-550-G. Resident rights

Medication Management Tips

William Vaughan, RPh, vice president, education and clinical affairs at Remedi SeniorCare shared advice on safe medication practices by reviewing case studies. The case studies emphasized that any symptom in an elderly patient should be considered a drug side effect until proven otherwise.

How to Tell Your Assisted Living Story

Rachel Reeves director of communications for NCAL explained why and how ALFs should share their stories. Doing so can positively Influence perception of long term care, increase your company’s brand awareness, help you market to potential customers and recruit quality employees.

Reeves added that helping your community of residents and families to help share those stories is important. She also reminded attendees that the press is not the enemy if you are disciplined about controlling your message and are a reliable source.

NCAL Membership Benefits

Katherine Preede, NCAL senior director of membership and business development reviewed what NCAL does for members. She outlined NCAL’s priorities:

  • Protect state regulation of assisted living
  • Protect Medicaid for HCBS
  • Increase participation in quality & data solutions (LTC Trend Tracker, the Quality Initiative for Assisted Living, and The National Quality Awards program

How Applying for a Quality Award Makes a Difference

Pamela Doshier, administrator of The Orchard shared how the outcomes focus of the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award application process strengthened her team. Team members gained a sense of inclusion in process improvement and were able to identify all the positive things happening in the facility.