They are also setting up payment plans if needed. Visit ApplewoodRetirement.com, and contact Sara Guzman at: sara@applewoodretirement.com /503-588-1022.
Archives
Proposed Medicaid Cuts Imperil Vulnerable Populations and Caregivers
Last night, DSHS submitted a 2021-2023 biennial budget proposal to OFM that would decimate facility-based long term care, leaving thousands without critically-necessary services. Under the DSHS proposal, which is the first step in a protracted budgeting process, changes to client eligibility and across-the-board rates reductions would be significant and detrimental to the very settings embroiled in the battle against COVID-19.
Functional Eligibility Changes: Proposed changes to client eligibility standards would eliminate 12,000 individuals from receiving long term care supports and services. Click here for the DSHS analysis that details these and other reductions:
- The client caseload for SNFs is reduced by 30 percent under the DSHS plan, resulting in a $444 million funding cut for the biennium.
- The client caseload in assisted living is reduced by 38 percent under the DSHS plan, for a savings of $40.6 million for the biennium.
- Caseloads for ARC/EARC and specialized dementia care are also reduced by 22 percent because of these eligibility changes, equating to a $32.6 million funding cut for the biennium.
Across-the-board Medicaid rate reduction of 3 percent for all provider types beginning July 1, 2021. If the eligibility reductions are simultaneously implemented, rate reductions would become 2.4 percent. The anticipated ALTSA rate cuts equate to $145 million over the 2021-23 biennium, of which WHCA members would see the following in reduced funding levels due to rate cuts:
- SNFs = $38 million total funds
- AL/ARC = $8 million total funds
SNF annual rebase with direct care and indirect care inflation: In addition to proposed cuts, the Department proposal seeks $23 million additional funding for the biennium to continue annual rebase with inflation for direct care and indirect care rates. Under the proposal, inflation is calculated at 2.53 percent.
Next steps: From here, the Office of Financial Management is charged with determining the final 2021-2023 biennial budget proposal. The Governor is charged with releasing a budget proposal in December; the House and Senate will follow by releasing proposals in early 2021.
While this is the beginning of a lengthy state budget process, we must strongly object to the DSHS proposal with the Governor’s Office and state legislators.
We ask that you strongly encourage your teams to oppose funding cuts proposed by DSHS. Click here to access our electronic advocacy site, where you can send a message to Governor Inslee and your legislators.
If you have questions or need additional information, please let me know.
Robin Dale
President/CEO
Washington Health Care Association
(800) 562-6170, ext. 101
Kaiser + Path Announces Grand Opening of The Canyons’ Modern, Accessible Apartments
Kaiser + Path, a group of real estate developers, architects and builders who believe sustainable design is the right thing to do, announces the September 15 grand opening of The Canyons, a new 70-unit apartment complex in Portland, Oregon, that elegantly combines eco-friendly construction with accessible design to meet the unique needs of active adults and anyone with limited mobility.
The Canyons’ open house will take place on Tuesday, September 15th, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Prospective tenants may sign up for a 30-minute, self-guided tour. All visitors must RSVP and are required to observe COVID-19 safety protocols, wear a mask and socially distance during the event.
“I was inspired by my own aging father’s changing needs to envision The Canyons—an affordable, intentional community for active adults ready to unburden themselves of home ownership while staying connected to city arts and culture,” said Ben Kaiser, owner and principal, Kaiser + Path. “The 24-hour concierge provides a wide range of services and curates event programming for all residents while the Wellness Room and Fitness Center prioritize health and well-being.”
The entire building goes beyond compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) such that the entire building is 100% barrier-free and flexible to meet each tenant’s individual needs—from height-adjustable kitchen counters to curbless showers to expansive widths in all common spaces.
“What’s important about The Canyons project is that the designers started with the premise of making the space inclusive to more needs,” said Hannah Silver, an inclusive design educator at Informal Function, LLC. “It was the first time I’d seen a typical developer addressing the needs of an aging and disabled population through their design.”
Kaiser + Path constructed The Canyons using cross-laminated timber (CLT), an engineered wood product made from the region’s most renewable resource. Stronger than steel and lighter than concrete, CLT offers excellent seismic resilience and fire resistance. The six-story building boasts a unique open-air atrium in its center that circulates outside air throughout the structure, and each apartment has its own HVAC system to give every resident control over their climate and ensure they’re always breathing fresh air. Each open-plan, light-filled unit offers efficiency-forward appliances, high ceilings and a wood-centric design that has been proven to lower stress, increase productivity and improve feelings of well-being.
Located at 3450 N. Williams Avenue, The Canyons offers pet-friendly studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments, and is situated beside The Alley, a hyperlocal, outdoor marketplace that will feature boutiques, restaurants and wellness practitioners. The Canyons receives a Walk Score of 88 and a Bike Score of 94, is easily accessible by public transit and is only 20 minutes from Portland International Airport.
The Canyons is a joint venture among Portland-based developer Kaiser Group, their sister firm Path Architecture, and the Tokyo-based Hoosiers Corporation.
For a full list of amenities and options, please visit the Amenities page. Tenants who sign a lease by September 30, 2020 are eligible to receive two months of free rent.
To find out more about the open house, email Jennifer Dillan or call her at 503-239-9610 for more information. Visit the website to schedule a private tour of a model unit. COVID-19 safety precautions are in place, and all attendees are required to wear a mask at the open house and during private tours.
Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/
RSVP link: https://calendly.com/
The Canyons At-a-Glance
● Completion: Sept 1, 2020
● Size: 110,000 square feet
● Units: 70 barrier-free units; studio, 1- and 2-bedroom options
● Location: 3450 N. Williams Ave, Portland Oregon 97227
● Owner: Hoosiers Corporation and Kaiser Group, Inc.
● Architect: Path Architecture
● Developer: Kaiser Group, Inc.
● General Contractor: R&H Construction
● Structural Engineer: Catena Consulting Engineers
About Kaiser + Path
Kaiser Group and Path Architecture include real estate developers, architects, and builders who believe sustainable, responsible development is not only the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do. We’re at the forefront of the movement to use renewable, resilient cross-laminated timber (CTL) in mid- and high-rise urban buildings. https://www.kaiserpath.com/
New Community in Southcenter, Tukwila WA
Holden Southcenter will be the 1st Assisted Living & Memory Care Community in Tukwila WA, located in the Southcenter neighborhood. The Community is on the Green River Trail with Mt. Rainer views and is conveniently located near 300 shops, restaurants, theaters and medical offices. Holden Southcenter offers Chef prepared meals served in our luxury restaurant, along with a Bistro/bar area as a second option for light dining. We will feature studio, one bedrooms, two bedrooms and Memory Care apartments. Currently pre-leasing for Spring 2021 opening.
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Karen Satterberg
Director of Sales and Marketing
Holden Southcenter
206-420-3967
dsm@
2020 Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s Calendar Updates
CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENT
2020 ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S
Participants Will Walk as Individuals, Families or Small Teams on Sidewalks, Tracks and Trails across Salem in Wake of COVID-19.
Portland, Ore. – August 2020 – The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® Salem will take place on October10.
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s Greater Salem, which will raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease, will look different than anticipated, due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Instead of hosting a large gathering, the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging participants to walk as individuals or in small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails across Salem.
On Walk day, an Opening Ceremony will feature local speakers and a presentation of Promise Flowers to honor the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, all delivered to participants’ smartphones, tablets and computers.
More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 16 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Oregon alone, there are more than 69,000 people living with the disease and 188,000 caregivers.
To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimers, visit: alz.org/walk.
Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association® mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Association®
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
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Scott Warden Named Executive Director of The Springs at Missoula
Missoula, MT – September 1, 2020 – Scott Warden has been promoted to executive director of The Springs at Missoula. Warden will oversee all aspects of the senior living community, which provides nearly 100 local jobs and offers seniors a range of services, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care.
Warden joined The Springs Living in 2IAN017 as the director of community relations at The Springs at Carman Oaks in Lake Oswego, Oregon. In addition to his commitment to this position, Warden has spent the past 16 months completing the company’s Executive Director in Training (EDiT) program, which prepares high-potential employees for the responsibilities of an executive director, including upholding the company’s high standards for serving its residents, exemplifying its value-based culture, and managing its daily operations.
“Having recently completed our comprehensive Executive Director in Training program, Scott is well equipped to lead the already thriving team at our community in Missoula,” said Brenda Connelly, chief operations officer of The Springs Living. “Scott’s commitment to service, pursuit of excellence, and positive attitude make him a perfect fit to lead The Springs at Missoula into its next chapter.”
Prior to joining The Springs Living, Warden worked on the sales team for another local retirement community in Lake Oswego, Oregon. There, he worked in various positions with seniors for 15 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in administrative studies from The University of Western Ontario in London, Canada and a master’s degree in divinity from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
Built in 2003, The Springs at Missoula was The Springs Living’s first Montana-based community. The Springs at Missoula sales office, located at 3710 American Way, is offering tours for a variety of homes within the senior living community, which feature on-site amenities such as a fitness center, mercantile, beauty salon and barbershop, and multiple dining venues—indoors and out. The sales center also offers virtual tours, allowing potential residents to visually experience the floor plans to see the colors, architecture, and flow of the community.
Founded in 1996, The Springs Living is a privately owned senior housing company. Focused on offering seniors continued care, living options in most communities include independent living, assisted living, and memory care. For more information about The Springs Living, visit www.TheSpringsLiving.com.
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Media Contact:
Tracy Darchini
(503) 435-2323
tdarchini@thespringsliving.com
2020 Pierce County Alzheimer’s Conference
Many health conditions come on with clear symptoms such as pain, weight gain or loss, persistent cough, fever, discomfort, bleeding and the like. With Alzheimer’s, symptoms often come on gradually, almost imperceptibly. Often those symptoms can be hidden.
The annual Alzheimer’s Conference is usually held in-person. But the 2020 Pierce County Alzheimer’s Conference will be an online event because of COVID-19. The conference will provide useful information and practical skills for individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The conference will offer one-hour sessions at 1:00 p.m. on the four Thursdays of September. This event is free but advance registration is requested at: www.PierceCountyWA.gov/ALZ or by calling (253) 798-4600. Event link and phone numbers will be provided at registration.
“These are incredibly hard times for families dealing with Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources. “Now more than ever they all need support, information and resources. The Pierce County Alzheimer’s Conference has moved online to be safer and more accessible for the thousands of people in our community who manage with the disease day in and day out.”
The conference will be composed of four presentations:
Sept 3 – “Isolation During the Pandemic” with Marysusan Gibson-Iotte, Certified Dementia Educator
Sept 10 – “Dementia Friendly Activities” with Benjamin Surmi, Director of People and Culture at Koelsch Communities
Sept 17 – “How to Handle Challenging Behaviors” with Laura Vaillancourt, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Geriatric Mental Health Specialist
Sept 24 – “Legal and Financial Planning” with Meredith Grigg, attorney with the Northwest Justice Project and co-author of the “Dementia Legal Planning Toolkit,” and Bryana Cross Bean, local attorney with focus on estate planning, long-term care planning, elder law, and probate
Each presentation will be one-hour and include time for questions and answers. Recordings of the presentations as well as supplementary resources will be available at www.PierceCountyWA.gov/ALZ.
More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. In addition, many more are living without knowing they have the disease. Supporting them are over 16 million family members and friends who provide unpaid care at home. Their care is valued at nearly $244 billion by the Alzheimer’s Association. Between 2000 and 2018 deaths from Alzheimer’s has increased 146% and is now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia. Dementia is a loss of thinking, remembering, and reasoning skills that interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older people. Other types of dementia include Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and vascular dementia. The information provided at the 2020 Pierce County Alzheimer’s Conference will be appropriate to all forms of dementia as well as Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias – in addition to conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and developmental disabilities – can cause cognitive impairment. A few commons signs of cognitive impairment include: memory loss; frequently asking the same question or repeating the same story over and over; not recognizing familiar people and places; having trouble exercising judgment, such as knowing what to do in an emergency; changes in mood or behavior; vision problems; and difficulty planning and carrying out tasks, such as following a recipe or keeping track of monthly bills.
Alzheimer’s disease is currently ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Researchers do not yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease in most people. However, they continue to study a complex series of age-related brain changes, along with genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors to better understand the disease.
Just because a family member has Alzheimer’s disease does not mean that others in the family will get it, too. Genetic factors can make people more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, but there is no guarantee someone will get it.
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Several drugs have been approved to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, and certain medicines and other approaches can help control behavioral symptoms. Scientists continue to develop and test possible new treatments.
The 2020 Pierce County Alzheimer’s Conference is sponsored Pierce County Aging & Disability Resources in collaboration with the Health Care Providers Council of Pierce County, a local non-profit organization. For more information about the conference call the Aging & Disability Resource Center at (253) 798-4600 or (800) 562-0332.
Family Pilot Program with elovee
WHAT IS ELOVEE?
Elovee (el-o-vee) is a healthcare company dedicated to eliminating loneliness and isolation for seniors living with dementia. Our solution provides 24/7 comfort and support to seniors living with dementia by creating a digital version of their family members that they can talk to over the phone or video calls, whenever they need. The digital family member looks and sounds like you and communicates using dementia care best practices developed by memory care experts.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
We are running a 10 week pilot program starting at the end of July where we will work with you to understand how you communicate with your loved one and how we can create a conversation that best meets their needs. We will do this by first learning how you talk to your loved one, then teaching you conversational frameworks based on dementia best practices to better communicate with them.
We anticipate the total time commitment for the 10 weeks being around 20 hours total:
- Record 1-2 calls between you and your loved one each day when they are fixated on a certain topic (5-10 minutes each day)
- 1 weekly check-in call with us (30 mins)
- 1 call for you to learn how to better communicate with your loved one (1 hour)
- 1 final call at the end of the pilot (1 hour)
HOW WE WILL THANK YOU
- You will learn how to better communicate with your loved one by using conversation methods developed and used by leading dementia experts.
- You will receive $400 as compensation for your time.
- You will have the option to use elovee in the future, free of charge
Visit elovee.com/join or email support@elovee.com to schedule a call with us
Virtual AAIC 2020 Has Begun!
President and CEO Update from the Alzheimer’s Association…
Each year the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference reaches new heights and 2020 is no different in that respect. Because of the global pandemic, the Association quickly established a global platform hosting AAIC in a virtual format at no cost to the global science community and so many others. And, as of Monday, July 27, we have a record setting more than 26,500 registered attendees for this year’s conference, representing 155 countries. For the first time, 62% of attendees are women and 73% of attendees are doing so for the first time. We had nearly 2,900 poster submissions.These numbers speak to the power of the global research community and the Association’s leadership to convene and drive research forward.
We are so pleased that so many staff, board members, donors and volunteers have registered to attend the conference. I am confident that you can find research related news and information of interest to you.
Every day of AAIC has a theme this year:
- Monday, July 27: Basic Science and Pathogenesis.
- Tuesday, July 28: Biomarkers.
- Wednesday, July 29: Clinical Manifestations; Drug Development.
- Thursday, July 30: Public Health; Dementia Care and Psychosocial Factors; Dementia Care Practice.
- Friday, July 31: Professional Development.
Click here to see a list of recommended sessions for staff and volunteers to attend. I hope you take the time this week — and in the next 30 days — to attend the live and on-demand sessions. It’s not too late to register here.
The devastating impact of dementia has not slowed because of COVID-19. In fact, it’s been exacerbated by this pandemic, highlighting the needs of the estimated 50 million people with dementia worldwide, their caregivers & everyone in long-term care. I continue to be so impressed by your dedication and resilience in finding new ways to advance our cause during this crisis.
Thank you so much for everything you do to make AAIC and the underlying science possible, as we advance the research that will lead to new methods of prevention and treatment, plus improvements in early detection, diagnosis and care.
Oregon Senior Referral Agency Association on OAR 411-050
July 10, 2020 from Oregon Senior Referral Agency Association
OAR 411-050* (see below) restricts people from visiting their loved ones living in long-term care communities. And, facilities must provide technology assisted socialization – “virtual visits” for their residents.
But, not all communities can afford the added expense of purchasing new equipment. Some long- term care communities operate on a limited budget, especially those accepting residents on Medicaid. Also, with the COVID-19 move-in restrictions, facilities have experienced higher vacancy rates. Revenue is down during this pandemic.
We discovered that caregivers are using their own personal smart phones and tablets to comply with the “virtual visits” mandate. This doesn’t seem right.
So, the Oregon Senior Referral Agency Association (OSRAA) has purchased several laptops/tablets to gift to communities who need them.
Who is Oregon Senior Referral Agency Association? OSRAA is an association of registered senior referral agents. We provide referrals, education, and resource information to consumers so seniors can successfully transition to a long-term care setting. These include retirement communities, assisted living, memory care, and adult care homes. We refer facilities that best fit an individual’s care needs, cultural preferences, and budget constraints.
Nominate a community today or inquire about how to receive a device. Contact us in the general inquiry page at www.OSRAA.com while supply lasts.
Order issued by Oregon Department of Human Services, March 16th 2020
*In consultation with the Oregon Health Authority, based on its public health recommendations and under the authority of Executive Order 20- 03 issued by the Governor on March 8, 2020, the Oregon Department of Human Services is adopting policies to:
- Restrict and limit entry to nursing facilities, adult foster homes licensed under OAR 411-050, residential care facilities and assisted living facilities, including those with memory care endorsements;
Visitation and socialization promotes emotional wellness for residents. As such, facilities must provide guidance and technological solutions for “virtual visits” using tools such as FaceTime and Skype to both residents and potential visitors who are being denied entry.