WALA News for April 25, 2007

  1. ACTION ALERT - Stop RCAC Ombuds Expansion, Support LTC Funding
  2. "Training The Non-Nurse" Coming Up Fast!
  3. OQA Is DQA, Assisted Living Gets A Bureau
  4. Learn About Alzheimer's Care With WALA

1) ACTION ALERT - Stop RCAC Ombuds Expansion, Support LTC Funding

NOW IS THE TIME to make your voice heard on the 2007-09 State of Wisconsin biennial budget. The Governor has proposed extending the Ombudsman program into RCACs, which WALA opposes. WALA is also part of a broad coalition of long-term care providers supporting a 5% rate increase in ALL long-term care programs, including COP and Medicaid Waiver. In order to make our goals happen, it is absolutely crucial for you to contact your legislators.

RCAC Ombudsman Expansion

WALA opposes RCAC Ombudsman expansion because we believe it erodes the line between RCACs and more regulated settings like CBRFs or Adult Family Homes. The RCAC model was established in 1995 to give consumers a choice. RCAC residents have their own kitchens, are able to control who enters their home, and enter into care and risk agreements themselves.

5% Across-The-Board Increase For Long-Term Care

The 5% increase is important because providers have seen their rates frozen since 2001. Although Family Care will eventually expand statewide, many parts of the state will not see the program in place for up to five years. Our direct caregivers and those we serve cannot continue to "try and survive" without giving up the standards of quality care we all believe in.

What To Do

We need you to call legislators and let them know how important it is to take RCAC Ombudsman expansion out of the budget, and how crucial it is not to leave providers and consumers in the lurch while we wait for Family Care. [More Details and How To]

2. "Training The Non-Nurse" Coming Up Fast!

Our Health Care Regional Workshop in May will present "Training the Non-Nurse to Identify and Respond" around the state in all 5 OQA regions. This session will be a hands-on, interactive, all-day program designed to provide tools for assisted living owners, operators, managers and team leaders to train their caregivers on their role in prompt and adequate treatment. Clinical issues are taken directly from the OQA list of top forfeitures and will include proper interventions for non-licensed staff. We will also begin with a regulatory update from WALA. The schedule is as follows:

Mention this Blast and receive the Early Bird rate of $125 for WALA members and $175 for non-members.

3. OQA Is DQA, Assisted Living Gets A Bureau

In just six short months, the profile of assisted living has increased considerably within state government. What was last year a bureau is now the Division of Quality Assurance. Otis Woods will continue to head DQA as its Administrator. Further, the Assisted Living Section has become the Bureau of Assisted Living, with Kevin Coughlin as bureau chief.

Remember-it's DQA, not OQA, not BQA...DQA, not OQA, not BQA...

4. Learn About Alzheimer's Care With WALA

Jo Huey, national presenter and author of Alzheimer's Disease: Help and Hope, will present "10 Absolutes: Simple Solutions For Dementia Care," a powerful, interactive and motivational workshop on how to improve daily interactions with those with Alzheimer's. An exceptionally enlivening speaker, Jo has developed The 10 Absolutes, communication tools proven to achieve dramatic results.

Besides working with your residents with dementia, you will be able to use this tool to create positive communication in any difficult situation and manage even the most difficult tasks in less time than it has ever taken before.

Put these proven tools to work in your facility today and make a difference!

"10 Absolutes" will be presented on Tuesday, June 19 at Oak Park Place in Madison. The cost for this full-day seminar is $100 for WALA members and $150 for non-members, with a 10% discount for attendees coming from north of Highway 10. Breakfast and lunch are included.

 


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