STATE NEWS

Kansas Board of Nursing Waivers Reminder
KSBN recently sent out a reminder about provisions that impact nurses supporting a healthcare facility’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read all about it.   

Weekly KDHE COVID-19 Update for Local Partners
The slides and Q&A for the 12-3-20 COVID-19 Update for Local Partners webinar are now available.

You can access the recording of the webinar here.

The next COVID-19 Update for Local Partners will take place Thursday, December 10 at 10am CST. You can register for the webinar here.

Password: KDHECOVID

FEDERAL NEWS

CMS Announces Updates to Five Star Quality Rating System
On December 4, CMS announced that the health inspection domain would be unfrozen with the January 27, 2021 quarterly refresh. Domain ratings will be recalculated and will include data from infection control-focused surveys. The method for calculating these data will be consistent with methodology for calculating complaint surveys and will be available in an updated Five Star Technical Users’ Guide expected by January 15, 2021. Of note, this domain update will impact certain related programs. Facilities will see changes to the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, including SFF candidates, as well as the abuse icon. Learn more.

LEADINGAGE KANSAS NEWS

Join Us for the Popular Friday Webinars
Stay up to date on what is happening at the state and federal level regarding all things COVID-19. Here is the link to register for future weekly webinars.

Coping with COVID Group Meeting – Mondays and Wednesdays
We are gaining momentum with our Coping with COVID group meetings. Any member’s employees can participate each Monday at Noon by registering here or Wednesdays at 7 PM by registering here.

This is a free member benefit to everyone who works in a LeadingAge Kansas member.

The structure of the group meetings includes sharing and education. The groups loosely build upon each other and will be repeated at some point, so you can jump in and out of them as your schedule permits.

Direct questions to Dana@leadingagekansas.org

Outbreak?  
Let Dana dana@leadingagekansas.org know if you are experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak and we have not reached out to you, yet. We want to be here for you.

LEADINGAGE NEWS

Vaccine Education and Equity Project
As the coronavirus vaccine becomes available, education and equity will be key to ensuring the public is ready and willing to receive the vaccine. LeadingAge has partnered with over 60 organizations on the Vaccine Education and Equity Project, led by the Alliance for Aging Research, Healthy Women, and the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging. To address the skepticism around vaccines that exists among many people and in many communities, the project seeks to:

  • Provide education on, and advocate for, adherence to a gold-standard regulatory review process.
  • Promote the impact of widespread COVID-19 vaccination uptake in protecting individuals, families, and communities.
  • Raise awareness around the importance of COVID-19 vaccination for public health, the economy, and broader society.
  • Lead a conversation that helps ensure equitable access to authorized and approved vaccines through equitable access to information and dialogue.

Learn more and access materials to help you communicate about the vaccine at the project website. And be sure to join today’s Online Coronavirus Policy Update to hear more about the project from Karyne Jones, CEO of the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging and LeadingAge board member. The 3:30 p.m. ET meeting will also include an update on the CDC Pharmacy Partnership program from Dr. Ruth Link-Gelles, epidemiologist in the CDC Viral Vaccine Preventable Disease Branch. Register now.

RESOURCES

 Advance Care Planning Resources

In the face of COVID-19’s latest surge, advance care planning is more important than ever. We’ve gathered materials and resources to help you have conversations with residents, clients, and patients who are at high risk for serious complications of COVID-19. Visit our Serious Illness, Grief, and ACP Resources page for trusted resources offering tools, tips, advice, and best practices focused on COVID-19.

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Nicole Schings
Nicole Schings is the Director of Member Services and Business Development. Nicole joined the association in 2018, and oversees our Member Services program, our Partnership and Associate Member relationships, and our online education system. A graduate of Washburn University, Nicole uses her 22 years of experience in the association world to enhance the support of our members, problem solve their issues and bring new partners into the LeadingAge Kansas family. Outside of work, Nicole is passionate about geocaching and moments spent with her dog, Blu. You can reach Nicole directly at 785.670.8048.

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