COVID-19 Updates

In light of the challenges brought on by COVID-19, it is even more essential to celebrate National Assisted Living Week (NALW) this year which will take place September 13- 19, 2020.

The theme, “Caring is EssentiAL,” is more relevant today than in recent years and highlights the incredible care provided by essential caregivers in assisted living communities across the country.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provided important updates to coverage and billing guidance impacting assisted living (AL) residents related to COVID-19 Section 1135 waivers. The new waiver expansion FAQs are listed in Section FF. Outpatient Therapy Services on pages 70-71 which finally clarifies that telehealth technology can be used to furnish PT, OT, and SLP services under Medicare by any office- or facility-based outpatient therapy provider.

AHCA/NCAL has prepared a resource to help providers continue to keep residents connected to their loved ones. As visitation restrictions and social distancing continues, we need to find ways to keep people connected in-person when possible. Using an infection prevention and control mindset can help generate innovative methods to engage residents and families and fellow residents.

CDC released a fact sheet on Supporting Loved Ones in a Long-Term Care Facility providers can share with residents’ families. The fact sheet includes ideas on how to keep in touch and ways providers are supporting communication between residents and their families.

Following on Hilton’s effort with American Express to donate up to a million rooms to frontline medical professionals, Hilton and its owners would like to further show their support to these healthcare heroes by continuing to offer rooms at a significant discount through June 30th. As a gesture of gratitude for AHCA/NCAL’s members and the leadership you have demonstrated in the COVID-19 response, Hilton is offering the discount at thousands of hotels throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

Every year we look forward to gathering together at the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented the long term and post-acute care profession with extraordinary challenges, and you and your staff have been working tirelessly to protect the residents in your care. This will likely continue until there is an effective vaccine, viable therapeutic, and/or an organized contact tracing program.

AHCA/NCAL’s expanded version of its popular Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO Version 2) in now available. The online training is recommended for individuals responsible for infection prevention and control in all long term care settings, including assisted living.

AHCA/NCAL has the online courses to help administrators, directors, and nurses meet their continuing education (CE) needs! The AHCA/NCAL 2019 Convention Education sessions are available to members and non-members in a package offering 70 online NAB and ANCC (nurses) approved courses.