Reconnect with colleagues, make new friends and enjoy informal networking with fellow aging services providers at LeadingAge Ohio’s Regional Network Gatherings this December. These casual get-togethers are a great opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, share ideas and strengthen relationships with others who understand your work.
LeadingAge Ohio President and CEO Susan Wallace will share a brief statewide update, followed by remarks from event sponsor Link-age Solutions. Drinks and appetizers will be available!
Choose the gathering that works best for you:
Northeast Ohio – Cleveland: Dec. 1, 2026 | 4–6 p.m. at Great Lakes Brewing Company, 2516 Market Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113.
Northwest Ohio – Toledo: Dec. 3, 2026 | 4–6 p.m. at Maumee Bay Brewing Company, 27 Broadway St., Toledo, OH 43604.
Southwest Ohio – Cincinnati: Dec. 8, 2026 | 4–6 p.m. at Firehouse Grill, 4785 Lake Forest Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45242.
Registration is free for LeadingAge Ohio members! Associate firms and partners are also welcome to attend for a small fee.
Advance registration is required, so save your spot today! Select the date above for your preferred gathering to register. Questions? Contact Corey Markham at cmarkham@leadingageohio.org.
Bring a colleague, reconnect with a friend and join us for a fun afternoon of conversation and connection! Top You Asked: Can produce grown in a facility garden be served to nursing home residents?
We Answered: Yes. Under §483.60(i)(1), nursing homes may serve produce grown in facility gardens, provided applicable safe growing and food-handling practices are followed. This includes vegetables, fruits, and herbs grown on the facility's premises.
Facilities must have and follow policies and procedures for maintaining and harvesting their gardens. These procedures should address safe growing and handling practices, including following manufacturers' instructions when applying pesticides, fertilizers, or other topical or root-based plant preparations. Compliance with applicable state and local requirements must also be maintained.
The Ohio State University offers a Food Safety While Preparing and Maintaining the Garden Module, and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment provides a sample Long-Term Care Facility Garden Policy. Facilities could consider using these resources in collaboration with their local health department when reviewing or developing their own garden policies and procedures. Top LeadingAge Ohio is now accepting applications for the 2027 cohort of the Leadership Academy, a 7-month program designed to build the next generation of leaders in aging services.
Fellows explore their authentic leadership style, strengthen their ability to manage team dynamics, and develop innovative approaches to care. This program was created in partnership with nationally recognized leadership expert Michele Holleran, Ph.D., and senior leaders from LeadingAge Ohio member organizations who are alumni of the Academy.
Since 2013, Leadership Academy has graduated over 150 leaders. The program is open to employees of LeadingAge Ohio provider and associate member organizations, regardless of job title or background. Selection is based on leadership potential, commitment to aging services, and dedication to lifelong learning. Applications are due November 30, 2026, with fellows notified by the end of the year.
Learn more about the Leadership Academy here.
Questions may be directed to Corey Markham, Director of Education and Business Development, at 614-545-9015 or cmarkham@leadingageohio.org. Calling all members with event space! LeadingAge Ohio is looking for host sites for our 2027 STARS celebrations, and we’d love to celebrate with you!
As the STARS program continues to grow, we’re excited to bring these celebrations to communities across Ohio. Hosting is a great way to support the program and help us recognize the outstanding people making a difference in aging services.
Host sites must be able to accommodate at least 100 guests, provide audio capabilities and provide meals for the celebration. Don’t worry about coordinating all the details—LeadingAge Ohio will manage event logistics, reimburse meal costs and work closely with hosts throughout the planning process.
Celebrations are expected to take place between mid-March and May 2027, depending on venue availability. The Awards Committee will review applications and determine the best approach for hosting celebrations across the state. Applicants will be notified of decisions by December 4.
Interested in hosting? Apply by October 30! We’d love to partner with you to make the 2027 STARS celebrations special!
Questions? Contact Molly Homan at mhoman@leadingageohio.org. On this episode of LeadingAge Ohio’s Another Word for Living, host Susan Wallace welcomes Amy Kotterman of United Church Homes to discuss dementia care and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) GUIDE Model.
GUIDE, which stands for Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience, is designed to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia while providing support for their unpaid caregivers. The model emphasizes coordinated care, caregiver education, care navigation and respite services.
Tune in as Amy shares insights on dementia care and explores how the GUIDE Model can help individuals and families navigate the challenges of dementia. Listen to the latest episode of Another Word for Living to learn more! LeadingAge Ohio members should update their PSR information by Friday, Oct. 23, to ensure 2027 membership dues are calculated accurately. Nonprofit organizations should report PSR from line 9 of Form 990; organizations with for-profit tax status should provide total operating revenue from their most recent fiscal year income statement. Organizations that do not submit updated PSR information will be assessed a delinquency fee.
While updating your Company Profile, please also review employee listings and confirm contact information, including the billing contact who will receive the membership invoice. Access is limited to key contacts, billing contacts, and authorized contacts who may add additional authorized users through the profile. Questions may be directed to Molly Homan at mhoman@leadingageohio.org. The first month of LeadingAge Ohio’s brand-new Shop Talks is nearly complete! If you missed our first two sessions, you can catch up with the recordings of the Nursing Facilities and Assisted Living Shop Talk from Oct. 6 and the Home Health and Hospice Shop Talk from Oct. 13. Next up is our first Affordable Senior Housing Shop Talk, Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 11:30 a.m. Members can register now to join the conversation.
And if you haven't participated yet, there's plenty of opportunity! Shop Talks are a new monthly benefit for LeadingAge Ohio members, held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays: nursing facilities and assisted living on the first Tuesday, home health and hospice on the second, and affordable senior housing on the third. Each session brings members together for timely policy and operational updates, questions and discussion with peers and experts. Join us each month for the conversations most relevant to your organization. There’s always something happening at LeadingAge Ohio. View upcoming events and mark your calendar today.
- October 20, 11:30 a.m. - Shop Talk: Affordable Senior Housing
- October 21, 2 p.m. - Home Health & Hospice Subcommittee
- October 22, 2:30 p.m. - DON Networking Meeting
- October 25, 5:30 p.m. - State Night Out at SPIN! Philadelphia
- November 3, 11:30 a.m. - Shop Talk: Nursing Facilities and Assisted Living
- November 3, 1 p.m. - Membership Committee
- November 5, 9 a.m. - LeadingAge Ohio Budget & Finance Committee
- November 5, 10 a.m. - Advocacy Committee
- November 6, 10 a.m. - Marketing Roundtable
- November 10, 10 a.m. - Awards Committee
- November 10, 11:30 a.m. - Shop Talk: Home Health & Hospice
- November 10, 11: 30 a.m. - Uniform Grant Regulations’ Changes: How You can Prepare for What’s Next
- December 1, 4-6 p.m. - Cleveland Regional Network Gathering
- December 3, 4-6 p.m. - Toledo Regional Network Gathering
- December 8, 4-6 p.m. - Cincinnati Regional Network Gathering
Top The 2026 LeadingAge Annual Meeting is just over a week away, and there is still time to register. From Oct. 25-28, more than 6,000 aging services professionals are expected to gather at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia for four days of education, networking and new approaches to care and services. For LeadingAge Ohio members, the national meeting offers an opportunity to learn from nonprofit providers across the country, bring new ideas back to their organizations and spend time with colleagues who share their commitment to mission-driven care.
The education program features more than 140 sessions addressing technology and artificial intelligence, workforce challenges, leadership, quality improvement and operational priorities. Keynote speakers include Ethan Mollick, who will discuss artificial intelligence, and Emma Heming Willis, who will share her experiences as a family caregiver. Beyond the sessions, the E2 Experience Expo offers hands-on demonstrations, technology solutions and opportunities to meet potential partners. This year's expo features Philadelphia-inspired gathering spaces, live interviews at LeadingAge LIVE, short presentations at the Brain Bar and research discussions in the Ageing Commons.
LeadingAge Ohio members can also start the week with State Night Out on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at SPIN Philadelphia. Hosted by LeadingAge Ohio, LeadingAge Indiana and LeadingAge Kentucky, the event offers an informal evening with colleagues from all three states. Registration is open through Oct. 21, with tickets priced at $50 for provider members and $150 for business firms.
Register for the 2026 LeadingAge Annual Meeting by 8 a.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 23. On-site registration will also be available Oct. 24-28. A new LeadingAge article examines how the Technology First movement can help aging services providers use technology to support older adults’ independence, privacy and personal choice. The approach encourages organizations to consider technology as a primary support option based on individual needs and preferences, rather than beginning with a specific device or platform.
The article emphasizes that successful technology adoption requires staff training, ongoing support and careful consideration of privacy and consent. Tools such as medication dispensers, smart home devices and remote monitoring systems can support greater independence when matched to individual goals. Providers can explore SHIFT’s Technology First education programs for guidance on assessment, implementation and staff development. Twelve LeadingAge and Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) members received honors at the 2026 McKnight’s Excellence in Technology Awards on Sept. 16. The awards recognized technology initiatives supporting quality care, resident safety, workforce retention and operational efficiency. LeadingAge member Jewish Home earned the Best in Show award for its artificial intelligence (AI) development initiative, while LCS and Helpany received three awards each and Zemplee earned two.
LeadingAge and CAST members received recognition in 11 of 14 award categories, including AI, falls prevention, electronic health records integration and resident engagement. The winning projects demonstrate how aging services providers and technology partners are applying new tools to improve care delivery and organizational operations.
Read the original LeadingAge article, “12 LeadingAge and CAST Members Receive McKnight’s Tech Awards,” for the full list of recipients and their projects. Top State lawmakers visited Buckeye PACE in Youngstown on Oct. 9 for a roundtable discussion on senior care, learning how the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) helps older Ohioans remain in their homes and communities while coordinating the services they need.
State Sen. Al Cutrona and Reps. Tex Fischer, Lauren McNally and Monica Robb Blasdel heard from Buckeye PACE representatives about the program’s comprehensive approach to care. PACE coordinates medical services, medications, transportation, meals, therapy and adult day health services through a single organization, helping participants receive care in their homes, at a PACE center or in the community.
The model is designed to support older adults who meet nursing facility level-of-care criteria but can continue living safely in the community with appropriate services. By coordinating medical and supportive services, PACE can also help avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and nursing facility placements.
The discussion included House Bill 750, legislation intended to expand PACE into Ohio counties that do not currently have a program. Cutrona said he would support the legislation if it advances out of the House, while McNally expressed support and highlighted the challenges facing residents in areas without access to PACE, describing them as “healthcare deserts.”
Buckeye PACE also shared its hope to expand services into Columbiana County, which would extend the program’s reach to additional older adults in the Mahoning Valley region.
Expanding PACE is an ongoing policy issue for Ohio’s aging-services community, as lawmakers and providers consider ways to increase access to coordinated, community-based care.
Read WFMJ’s coverage of the roundtable. The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) completed the statewide rollout of the Next Generation MyCare program on Aug. 1. As members continue transitioning to the program, providers should be aware of requirements for contracting, claims submission and eligibility verification.
Provider contracting requirements
Providers may continue serving members who are changing plans or newly enrolling in MyCare for a limited transition period without contracting with a MyCare plan. After that transition period, providers must be enrolled with ODM and contract directly with the applicable MyCare plans to continue providing services.
Providers enrolled through the Ohio Department of Aging (AGE) may continue providing services and submitting claims during this period but must contract with the plans if they have not already done so.
Providers can review ODM’s Credentialing Guide and Requirements and Provider Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.
Submitting claims
MyCare claims must be submitted through the applicable health plan’s portal using Direct Data Entry (DDE) or through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
ODM has published a Provider Claims Submission One-Pager to help providers understand the process. Providers can also view ODM’s claims submission instructional video and consult the department’s HIPAA companion guides for additional guidance.
Verifying member eligibility
Providers should confirm a member’s Next Generation MyCare enrollment before providing services and submitting claims. ODM recommends two steps:
- Check the member ID card for the Next Generation MyCare program logo. Review the department’s member ID card guide for an example.
- Verify eligibility through Provider Network Management (PNM).
If enrollment cannot be verified after completing these steps, providers should contact Member Services and consult ODM’s existing billing guidance.
Need assistance?
Providers with questions about claims, prior authorizations, contracting, member eligibility or other provider-specific functions can contact the ODM Integrated Helpdesk at 800-686-1516 or IHD@medicaid.ohio.gov. The helpdesk is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.
For additional information about where to direct questions, consult ODM’s Provider Help Desk One-Pager. Top The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced up to $27.8 million in funding on Oct. 9 to expand falls prevention programs nationwide over the next three years. Administered through the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the investment will support early identification of fall risks, expand evidence-based prevention programs and improve coordination between health care providers and community organizations.
What You Need To Know
- Three initiatives funded: The awards support clinical-community partnerships, statewide expansion of prevention programs and national training and technical assistance.
- Evidence-based programs: Funding will expand the CDC's STEADI initiative for assessing fall risks and the Stepping On program, which addresses balance, strength, medication safety and home hazards.
- Funding recipients: The National Council on Aging received two awards, while eight organizations received funding to expand statewide prevention efforts. No Ohio-based organization was named among the statewide recipients.
- Why it matters: One in four adults age 65 and older experiences a fall annually. The investment supports prevention efforts that can reduce injuries, preserve independence and help nonprofit providers coordinate services with community partners.
What Happens Next
- Three-year implementation: Funded organizations will expand screening, referrals and community-based prevention programs.
- Provider resources: The National Falls Prevention Resource Center will offer training, tools and technical assistance to organizations implementing prevention programs.
- National coordination: Federal agencies will work together to expand access to proven prevention approaches and evaluate results.
What to Do
- Review current practices: Evaluate falls screening, risk assessments and referral processes within your organization.
- Explore available tools: Use the CDC's STEADI resources to support staff education and screening.
- Identify community partners: Connect with local health systems, area agencies on aging and community organizations offering evidence-based prevention programs.
- Monitor resources: Follow ACL's Falls Prevention Program for training and implementation assistance. The announced grants have already been awarded.
Read the full HHS announcement, including funding recipients and program details. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an update to the Risk-Based Survey Procedure Guide. Updates include clarification on what procedures surveyors should undertake for general ombudsman concerns that are not specific to an individual resident and concerns regarding residents who have been discharged. While this update does not impact members’ procedures, reviewing the resource will be helpful in understanding the process should an issue like this arise during a Risk-Based Survey at your organization. The updates to procedures can be found on page two of the guide, which is located in the Surveyor Resources folder in the Downloads section here. Top A decline in a resident’s range of motion (ROM) or mobility may result in a citation under F688 when the facility fails to demonstrate that appropriate assessments, interventions, and services were provided to prevent an avoidable decline. Changes identified through the Minimum Data Set (MDS), including a decline in functional range of motion, may prompt surveyors to further investigate whether the facility provided necessary care and services.
For residents admitted without a limited ROM, surveyors will evaluate whether the facility provided services and/or treatment to prevent reduction in ROM? For residents admitted with a limited ROM and/or mobility, surveyors will evaluate whether appropriate treatment, services, and equipment were provided to improve or maintain function and prevent further avoidable decline. These interventions must be based on the comprehensive assessment, person-centered care plan, resident preferences, and professional standards of practice.
For a decline to be considered unavoidable, documentation must reflect the attempts made by the facility to implement the care plan and revise interventions to address the changing needs of the resident.
The Long-Term Care Survey Process instructs surveyors to ask the resident and/or resident representative the following:
- What limitations in ROM or contractures are present, how long have they existed, and what interventions are being provided? Has ROM, mobility, or positioning improved or declined?
- Were you involved in developing your care plan, does it reflect your preferences and choices, and is it being implemented as written?
- Are prescribed splints, braces, and other adaptive or assistive devices provided and used appropriately? When are they applied, what instructions were provided, and are there any related skin concerns? If so, how are these addressed?
- Do you experience pain or discomfort during exercises, treatments, transfers, or positioning? Are you comfortable in bed or while seated? How are concerns addressed?
- Are you encouraged and able to participate in exercises, mobility, and positioning? What assistance, instructions, or modifications are provided when needed? Are you given sufficient time without being rushed or having staff unnecessarily complete tasks for you?
- If receiving PT/OT, were treatment goals and interventions discussed, including the type, frequency, and duration of services? Do they reflect your preferences and choices?
- Is needed positioning assistance and equipment provided, and does it meet your needs for comfort, safety, and proper alignment? How are unmet needs addressed?
- If you declined interventions, why, and did staff discuss or attempt alternatives?
Facilities should routinely review changes in ROM and mobility, ensure interventions are consistently implemented, and maintain documentation demonstrating efforts to prevent avoidable declines. Refer to the Positioning, Mobility & Range of Motion critical element pathway for additional insight into the surveyor’s investigative process. LeadingAge will hold a special Nursing Home Network call on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 3 p.m. to review the nursing home section of the LeadingAge Policy Platform and gather member input. The discussion offers nursing home providers an opportunity to contribute to LeadingAge's policy priorities.
The special session will not replace the regularly scheduled Nursing Home Network call on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Current network members will receive login information by email. LeadingAge members who wish to participate can join the Nursing Home Network using their LeadingAge login. Top Congratulations to LeadingAge Ohio member Springfield Masonic Community on the continued progress of its major expansion project, which will expand assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. In a recent interview with Dayton 24/7 Now, Springfield Masonic Community President Annette Turner shared construction milestones, including completed concrete work and basement walls, along with progress on the building's framework. Interior finishes, furnishings and plans for a new kitchen have also been finalized.
The expansion will include 104 assisted living accommodations, with 24 dedicated to memory care, and a 72-bed skilled nursing facility divided equally between long-term care and rehabilitation. The project represents a significant investment in care and living options for older adults in the Springfield area. LeadingAge Ohio congratulates Springfield Masonic Community on this important milestone and looks forward to seeing the completed project.
Watch the Dayton 24/7 Now interview with Annette Turner. Top On Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., LeadingAge Ohio will host AI for Senior Living: Practical Tools, Compliance, and Competitive Advantage at Quest Conference Center in Westerville with Hartman Executive Advisors. The full-day program will cover AI use cases, implementation, data and predictive analytics, cybersecurity, governance, privacy and compliance, followed by a panel of Ohio providers discussing how their organizations are using AI, where they remain cautious, and what they have learned. View the full agenda and register for Technology Day. Reimbursement is revenue. Every missed clinical detail can mean dollars left unclaimed, while coding that is not fully supported by documentation can put already-earned reimbursement at risk. LeadingAge Ohio’s 2026 Reimbursement Day will focus on both sides of the equation: capturing the full clinical picture through accurate MDS and PDPM coding and building the documentation needed to protect those dollars when Medicare, Medicaid or a contractor starts asking questions.
Set for Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Quest Conference Center in Westerville, this full-day program will follow the money from the factors that drive reimbursement through coding, documentation, medical review and audit response. Attendees will work through real-world scenarios and common vulnerabilities, including what happens when reimbursement opportunities are missed and what providers need when CGS comes calling.
Review the agenda and details for 2026 Reimbursement Day: Maximizing Reimbursement — Coding, Documentation and Audit Readiness and plan to bring the team members responsible for capturing, supporting, and defending reimbursement. Enrollment is now open for the Winter 2027 session of the Core of Knowledge, a program designed for Administrators-in-Residence that fulfills the academic requirement set by the Board of Executives of Long-Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) for qualifying to sit for the state licensure board examination to become a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA).
The three-week course will be held January 11–28, 2027, Monday through Thursday, at the OCLC Conference Center. This is one of only two opportunities to complete the required coursework in 2027.
The deadline to register is December 11, 2025. Learn more and register for the 2027 Winter Core of Knowledge. For additional information, contact Corey Markham at cmarkham@leadingageohio.org. LeadingAge Ohio holds valuable education webinars and in-person events throughout the year. Opportunities are added weekly. See the complete Schedule of Events. Top Join LeadingAge for the next Assisted Living Network call on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. ET. The group will be discussing hot topics in AL with time for member sharing. Please email any questions or topics to be raised on the call to Jodi Eyigor jeyigor@leadingage.org. The Assisted Living Network meets on the third Wednesday of every month and is open to any interested LeadingAge members, state partners, and staff. Not yet a member of the Assisted Living Network? Register here. Top
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