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December 19, 2017
Materials Available from Nursing Home Closures Webinar
Materials are available from the recent webinar "When Nursing Homes Close: Learn the Federal Rules." This webinar presented information on the federal closure regulations, as well as the revised transfer/discharge nursing home regulations that apply to every closure.
Find powerpoint slides and the recording here. You can also find materials from Part 1 of the series on our website.
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Webinar on Elder Financial Exploitation
Join the National Center on Law and Elder Rights for a webinar on Tuesday, January 9th at 2:00pm ET entitled "Legal Basics: Elder Financial Exploitation." The webinar will provide an overview of what financial exploitation is and how to recognize, prevent and respond to it effectively. The webinar will cover types of elder financial exploitation and its extent and cost; victim characteristics; detection tools; action steps and ethical issues; and remedies and system change opportunities.
Register here.
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Policy Update: CMS Memo on Changes in Special Focus Facility Program
On March 2, 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a memo to State Survey Agency (SA) directors addressing changes in procedure for the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program for Fiscal Year 2017.
The memo focuses on: (1) the number of approved SFF slots and candidates for each state, (2) process of the initial selection notice, (3) requirements for graduating from the SFF program, and (4) authority for termination for SFFs.
In the memo, CMS reiterates that each state will continue to have the same number of slots and candidates for the SFF program as mandated on May 1, 2014. However, the initial selection notice for the program now requires the SA to inform a facility in writing of its SFF selection.
The requirements for graduating from the SFF program have also been revised. A facility in the SFF program has to complete two consecutive standard surveys with no deficiencies cited at a scope and severity of “F” or greater (or “G” or greater for the Life Safety Code [LSC] deficiencies) in between those two standard surveys to graduate from the SFF program.
The final change that the memo highlights is the CMS Regional Offices' (RO) authority for termination. The memo states that a RO has complete discretionary authority to terminate a SFF (or any facility) if it significantly compromises the residents’ health and safety.
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Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Featured on Nashville News Channel
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program was featured on News Channel 5 in Nashville, TN. Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman Richard Robinson discusses the functions of the Ombudsman program. The segment discusses residential options for seniors, resources to successfully stay in your home as you age, and the costs for these options.
Watch here.
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Spotlight on Resources
The Consumer Voice and the National Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) have a multitude of resources available online covering a wide range of long-term care topics. Visit the Consumer Voice website and the NORC website to explore all the available resources. Take a look at this week's highlighted resource:
Involuntary Transfer and Discharge Fact Sheet provides an overview of transfer/discharge, information on regulations, and residents' rights.
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In this Issue
Materials Available from Nursing Home Closures Webinar
Webinar on Elder Financial Exploitation
Policy Update: CMS Memo on Changes in Special Focus Facility Program
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Featured on Nashville News Channel
Spotlight on Resources
Combined Federal Campaign
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Calendar of Events
Tuesday, Jan. 9: Legal Basics: Elder Financial Exploitation, 2:00pm ET
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