07/10/2020

Today's COVID-19 Report: Friday, July 10, 2020

Friday, July 10, 2020

Here are the latest need-to-know updates for Friday, July 10 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advocacy in Action Calls Return on Monday, July 13, at 10:00 a.m.

The LeadingAge Ohio advocacy team will resume monthly Advocacy in Action calls, beginning this Monday at 10 a.m. The calls will feature a host of advocacy-related topics, from the latest statehouse news to tips on engaging with legislators in your district.

Grassroots advocacy looks different during the COVID-19 pandemic. LeadingAge Ohio will be scheduling briefings with state legislators over the summer months and into the fall election season to keep policymakers informed of how the pandemic is playing out in their local districts. As always, participants will leave with a step they can take to advocate for a better system of long-term services and supports.   

To join Monday's call, dial: (646) 558-8656; meeting ID: 915-089-7248.

One-touch dial:16465588656,9150897248#,,,,#

Advocacy in Action calls are held at 10 a.m. on the second Monday of each month; the call features LeadingAge Ohio advocacy staff and member advocates. 

ODA to Resume Friday Calls

After a month-long hiatus, the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) has restarted its regular Friday webinars with Ohio area agency staff, service providers, and other stakeholders this month. The free webinars will be held every two weeks and highlight COVID-19 related policy changes, service guidelines, best practices and more.

The first of these webinars was held this morning, and covered visitation guidance for nursing homes, ODA’s plans for reopening adult day and other congregate sites, and emergency rules that have now been filed to allow flexibility in ODA-administered programs. The remaining webinars will be held on the following dates:

• July 24, 2020 - 10:00 a.m.
• August 7, 2020 - 10:00 a.m.

Register here for these upcoming webinars.

ODM Shares NF Rates

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) has completed its calculation of nursing facility per diem rates for July 1, and will be sending rates directly to providers in the coming days. LeadingAge Ohio encourages members with questions to reach out to Susan Wallace, Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs at swallace@leadingageohio.org.

CMS Shares "Five Things About Nursing Homes During COVID-19"

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently shared “Five Things About Nursing Homes During COVID-19,” part of an ongoing series by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

CMS reminded providers that safeguarding the health and well-being of the most vulnerable and fragile Americans is a top priority for the Trump Administration. Watch to hear from Administrator Seema Verma about 5 things CMS is doing to stop the spread of coronavirus in nursing homes.

Green House Project and Project Echo Shares New Series for Nursing Homes

The Green House Project and Project Echo (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) have announced a new initiative aimed at identifying and sharing COVID-19 lessons learned in the preparedness, management, and treatment of the novel coronavirus in nursing homes. 

The COVID-19 Best Practices in Nursing Home tele-ECHO will meet twice-monthly to examine topics that range from acquisition of PPE and medication management to reopening guidance and end-of-life decision making amid COVID.  All sessions are free of charge to long-term care providers, thanks to a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  Practitioners and providers are able to meet via video in real time to share information regarding specific topics.  Subject experts will discuss the subject matter, provide a case study, and facilitate discussion.  Participants can learn, share and gain knowledge that can be applied immediately. 

To register, visit COVID-19 Best Practices in Nursing Homes.
Session dates are scheduled for July 15, July 29, and August 12 at 3pm. 

LeadingAge Need to Know: COVID-19 – July 10, 2020

LeadingAge shares the latest coronavirus news and resources with members twice each weekday. This morning's update featured information on a webinar about reopening the workplace and recap of Wednesday's day of remembrance. 

Check out the full report here. 

Questions

Please send all questions to COVID19@leadingageohio.org. Additionally, members are encouraged to visit the LeadingAge Ohio COVID-19 Working Group facebook group to pose questions to peers and share best practices. LeadingAge is continuing its daily calls for all members.  To participate in these daily online updates, members should register at here.