01/28/2021

Today's COVID-19 Report: Friday, January 29, 2021

Friday, January 29, 2021

Here are the latest need-to-know updates for Friday, January 29 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and other topics of importance.

A REMINDER TO ALL MEMBERS

Check LeadingAge's FAQs and Resources on COVID-19 Vaccines and Issues Surrounding Vaccinations frequently. The most recent update includes Q&A on implications of mandating the vaccine for staff.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has released a preliminary toolkit that has been developed with talking points, language tips, social media language, and trusted resources to help providers better communicate information regarding the COVID-19 vaccines. 

In Today's Report

• Long-term Care Facilities: no first vaccine doses in third clinic
• Self-insured LeadingAge Ohio Members: deadline to submit expenses extended to February 28
• LeadingAge shares CDC guidance
• Dental research in Nursing Homes: opportunity to participate
• Ziegler releases "SNAPSHOT! Senior living stats and more"
• LeadingAge diversity, equity, and inclusion survey: Multi-site and Life Plan Community input needed
• LeadingAge Need to Know

Long-term Care Facilities: no first vaccine doses in third clinic

Many members are preparing to host their third COVID-19 vaccination clinic with pharmacy partners soon to administer outstanding second doses. Attached here is a message about these final clinics from Director Ursel McElroy of the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) and Director Stephanie McCloud from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). In brief, no first doses will be administered at the third (or last) clinic. This means that only second-round vaccines will be administered at the third clinic.

Self-insured LeadingAge Ohio Members: deadline to submit expenses extended to February 28

This morning, an EIDC announcement noted that the deadline for self-insured providers to submit COVID-19 testing documentation for reimbursement has been extended until February 28, 2021. The submission portal is currently unavailable, and ODA reports that it is updating the website to ensure it is more user-friendly, such as allowing the entry of multiple lab names. Once the portal is again live, providers will receive more detailed instructions on use, as well as a document of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers.

LeadingAge shares CDC guidance

Each week, members of LeadingAge’s team in DC meet with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to address a host of questions LeadingAge receives from LeadingAge Ohio and other state associations. LeadingAge Ohio received these three updates from LeadingAge’s CDC meeting yesterday:

• There won’t be any changes to the advice on masks – that is, double masking is being reported in the media, but there will be no change in CDC guidance.

• CDC is anticipating putting out guidance at some point on boosters and Pharmacy Partnership LTC clinics, should additional boosters be needed to address new strains.

• The announcement of a Retail Pharmacy Program is expected very soon (days? weeks? – not clear yet, but CDC notes “soon”). Once this is up and running, anyone will be able to go into the CDC website, find a pharmacy (including as many as 40,000 pharmacies nationwide; and LTC pharmacies) and arrange an onsite clinic.

Dental research in Nursing Homes: Opportunity to participate

LeadingAge Ohio is seeking member facilities willing to support dental research in long-term care settings. Oral Health Ohio (OHO) reached out to LeadingAge Ohio to seek nursing homes that would write a letter of support (i.e. indicate a willingness to participate). At this stage, OHO is simply completing the application for CMP funds. Should the application be accepted, late 2021 is likely the earliest the research would begin. The FAQ attached notes that this is not intended to be another ‘to do’ on already burdened staff, but it does require training. An outline of the training modules provides the scope of the program.

If your organization is interested/willing to provide a letter of support, please direct to Kathryn Brod at kbrod@leadingageohio.org.

Ziegler releases "SNAPSHOT! Senior living stats and more"

LeadingAge Ohio partner Ziegler has just released its annual Senior Living Z-News “Snapshot! Senior Living Stats and More". Included in this annual snapshot of statistics are:

• Life Plan Communities: Monthly Fee Increases
• CPI Changes
• Staffing/Unemployment Rates
• Average FTEs per Resident in LPCs
• Total number of LPCs

The complete Senior Living Z-News can be read here.

LeadingAge diversity, equity, and inclusion survey: Multi-site and Life Plan Community input needed

LeadingAge (national) is embarking on a major strategic plan initiative to help members achieve greater diversity in their organizations.

On January 19, LeadingAge sent multi-site organizations and life plan communities a 5-minute survey to help gauge members’ current reality and practices with respect to diversity and inclusion. LeadingAge plans to use the survey results to begin charting strategy to develop resources and supports to help members who are striving to make their organizations more inclusive. 

Please check your inboxes for the survey and complete it today!

LeadingAge Need to Know: COVID-19 – January 29, 2021

LeadingAge shares the latest coronavirus news and resources with members twice each weekday. This morning's update featured information on Monday's Coronavirus Policy Update and a CEO/ED roundtable on "Ethics and Equity in a Pandemic".

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 here.  

LeadingAge Ohio is working to ensure that the information in our daily alerts, on our website, and all coronavirus-related communications is as accurate as possible. However, LeadingAge Ohio makes no guarantees about the accuracy of the information.