May 19, 2020

In this Issue:

1. CMS Issues Memo and FAQ on Recommendations for Reopening Nursing Homes
   
2. Apply for the Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes
   
3. Register for the Joint Webinar Series on Advocating for Nursing Home Residents; Materials Available from Last Week's Webinar
   
4. Nursing Home Best Practices Toolkit from CMS
   
5. Webinar Series - COVID-19 and Ombudsman Programs: Understanding How Trauma Impacts You, Residents, and Your Advocacy
   
6. New Flyer Highlights Ways Older Adults Can Stay Connected to the Community During COVID-19
   
7. Consumer Voice and NASW Webinar on Supporting Residents, Caregivers, and Social Workers During COVID-19
   
8. Resource Sheet on COVID-19 Related Scams
   
9. Save the Date: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15th
   

CMS Issues Memo and FAQs on Recommendations for Reopening Nursing Homes
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a memo - Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations for State and Local Officials, QSO-20-30-NH.  In the memo, CMS provides recommendations to help determine the level of mitigation needed to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in nursing homes. 

CMS is recommending a phased approach to reopening and provides specific recommendations regarding:

• Criteria for relaxing certain restrictions and mitigating the risk of resurgence;
• Visitation and Service Considerations; and
• Restoration of Survey Activities.

CMS has also provided Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations Frequently Asked Questions.  The FAQs cover questions related to reopening, visitation, and testing requirements.

Apply for the Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes
Nominations are now being accepted for the Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes.  You can nominate yourself or encourage others to nominate themselves.

President Trump announced the Commission on April 30th.  Its focus is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the nursing home response to the COVID-19 pandemic and provide independent recommendations to help inform immediate and future responses to COVID-19 in nursing homes.  

Nominees to the commission are being solicited from a diverse group including: residents, patient advocates, family members, medical ethicists, infection control and prevention professionals, advocacy and consumer organizations, industry experts, and other stakeholders.  

Submit your nomination on the Nursing Home Commission Nomination website.  (You can also find additional information there about the Commission.)

The deadline for submissions is May 22, 2020 at 5pm EDT. Submit your nomination »

Register for the Joint Webinar Series: Advocating for Nursing Home Residents; Materials Available from Last Week's Webinar
Join Consumer Voice, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Long Term Care Community Coalition, and Justice in Aging the next two Fridays - May 22 and May 29 - at 2pm ET for additional webinars in the series "COVID-19: Advocating for Nursing Home Residents."  The landscape of COVID-19 response in nursing homes continues to evolve rapidly at the federal and state levels. These webinars review the latest updates, issuances from CMS, legislation, and strategies for advocates and families. Register for one or more webinars »

Materials are available from last week's webinar. Watch the recording and see the slides »

Nursing Home Best Practices Toolkit from CMS
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a new toolkit developed to aid nursing homes, Governors, states, departments of health, and other agencies who provide oversight and assistance to these facilities, with additional resources to aid in the fight against COVID-19 within nursing homes. The toolkit includes best practices from a variety of front line health care providers, Governors’ COVID-19 task forces, associations and other organizations, and experts, and is intended to serve as a catalogue of resources dedicated to addressing the specific challenges facing nursing homes as they combat COVID-19. See the toolkit »

Webinar Series - COVID-19 and Ombudsman Programs: Understanding How Trauma Impacts You, Residents, and Your Advocacy

In partnership with the Colorado Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, Consumer Voice and NORC are offering a four-part webinar series regarding the impact of trauma due to the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term care residents and Ombudsman programs.

The webinar series will highlight important themes related to trauma-informed care, person-centered care, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. The series will include case studies, self-reflection activities and exercises, and materials for attendees.

The first webinar on Wednesday, April 29 addressed trauma-informed, person-centered care. View the recording and materials here. The next webinar tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20, 3 - 4:30 ET will address compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. Attend additional webinars in the series on June 17th and July 20th.  Register »

New Flyer Highlights Ways Older Adults Can Stay Connected to the Community During COVID-19
Eldercare Locator and engAGED (The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults) have created a flyer describing ways older adults can stay connected to their communities—with and without technology. To help older adults who may not have access to or familiarity with technology, the flyer highlights activities that can help foster and enhance a broad range of social connections. Some of the activities highlighted in the flyer include making a phone call to a friend or family member, taking an online exercise class and attending a virtual concert. See the flyer »

Consumer Voice and NASW Webinar on Supporting Residents, Caregivers and Social Workers During COVID-19
Join Consumer Voice and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) for a webinar on Tuesday, May 26th at 2:00pm ET - Supporting and Advocating for Nursing Home Residents, Family Caregivers, and Social Workers During COVID-19.  COVID-19 has exacerbated challenges faced by nursing home residents, social work staff, and family caregivers. Learn about those challenges and discover strategies and resources to enhance resilience, as well as information about national-level advocacy to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on nursing home residents, social work staff, and family caregivers. The Consumer Voice network can use discount code: AGINGSPKR1 to attend the webinar for free. Register »

For assistance with registration, please use the “Contact Us” chat button on the right side of any page of the Social Work Online CE Institute Web site; submit a detailed support request; or call NASW Member Services at 1-800-742-4089.

Resource Sheet on COVID-19 Related Scams
The Institute on Aging has created an FAQ and resource guide on COVID-19 related scams.  Scammers are exploiting the fear and isolation people are feeling during COVID-19.  The resource sheet warns of scammers posing as government officials, bank employees, or health professionals asking for money or sensitive personal information. The FAQs are available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian. See FAQs »

Save the Date: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15th
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is June 15th.   Join the Administration for Community Living, National Center on Elder Abuse, Elder Justice Initiative at the Department of Justice, Social Security Administration, Security and Exchange Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the National Center on Law & Elder Rights for a national conversation about prominent elder justice issues, trends and resources available to promote awareness on Monday, June 15th at 1:00pm ET. Registration information is forthcoming. Find more info about WEAAD »