Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare ​​“Established by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) in 1995, National Assisted Living Week® provides a unique opportunity for residents, their loved ones, staff, volunteers, and the surrounding comm​​unities to recognize the role of assisted living in caring for America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities. The…… Continue reading National Assisted Living Week ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​September 10-16, 2023

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Tuesday, July 11, 2023. The Joint Commission, in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, launched Memory Care Certification for Assisted Living Communities(ALCs) on July 1. The voluntary, specialty certification recognizes Joint Commission-accredited ALCs that meet its standards to support the delivery of high-quality care for residents diagnosed with…… Continue reading The Joint Commission, in Collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, Launches Memory Care Certification for Assisted Living Communities

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The Lewin team, on behalf of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), seeks stakeholder comments on the following concept under development: TITLE: Discharge from Inpatient Facilities to Home for Medicaid Participants DESCRIPTION: This concept assesses the percentage of discharges of Medicaid participants 18 years…… Continue reading Discharge from Inpatient Facilities to Home-Based Settings for Medicaid Participants: Public Comment Framing Document

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare On April 23, 2023, the legislature released the anticipated conference budget. Based on our review, funding was not provided to implement a new 1915(i) benefit on July 1, 2023 (as described in the message below). Based on budget language, the Health Care Authority anticipates a new implementation date…… Continue reading Washington State: Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living Facilities and Enhanced Services Facilities Timeline of Transitions to Behavioral Health Personal Care (BHPC) Delayed

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reminding consumers and health care providers about bed rail safety. Adult portable bed rails intended for medical purposes are medical devices, including those intended to assist individuals who are disabled, injured, or recovering from surgery or hospitalized with…… Continue reading FDA Issues Adult Portable Bed Rail Safety Message

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare “The COVID-19 pandemic had a big impact on assisted living (AL), a vital setting in long-term care (LTC). Understanding the strengths and opportunities for improvement through practice, policy, and research are essential for AL to be prepared for the next pandemic and other challenges. AL communities…… Continue reading COVID-19 in Assisted Living: Protecting a Critical Long-Term Care Resource

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare ​​Established by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) in 1995, National Assisted Living Week® provides a unique opportunity for residents, their loved ones, staff, volunteers, and the surrounding comm​​unities to recognize the role of assisted living in caring for America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities.…… Continue reading National Assisted Living Week: September 11-17, 2022

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare On July 27, 2022 the CDC increased access to testing via Operation Expanded Testing.  Assisted living centers now have access to free COVID-19 testing for their staff and residents through December 31, 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Operation Expanded Testing (OpET) program…… Continue reading CDC Program Expands Free COVID-19 Testing to Assisted Living Facilities

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare “Effective January 1, 2023, The Joint Commission approved 4 new and 14 revised requirements for the Assisted Living Community (ALC) accreditation program. The updates span multiple chapters and address infection control, dementia care, staffing, staff wellness, and resident well-being. The changes to the requirements reflect…… Continue reading Upcoming Updates to Assisted Living Community Accreditation Requirements – The Joint Commission

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Date: Thursday, December 9, 2021 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Topics:               1) Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care updates                              2) Food code updates and common survey…… Continue reading Minnesota: Assisted Living Teleconference Call