CCLD Adult & Senior Care Reorganizatiion

Community Care Licensing Division just posted an announcement on their website about their plans to reorganization the ASCP assignments to CCL staff.  Click here to view the map.  Here is a copy of the statement:

"The Adult and Senior Care Program (ASCP) is reorganizing to maximize its ability to meet its mandates and protect health and safety. The reorganization will generalize facility category assignments so that all ASCP employees will work with both the adult and senior care facility categories. The reorganization will also realign the current Adult and Senior care regional lines to combine them and more equitably distribute workload. These changes will improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase flexibility.  

 

These improvements will provide greater assurance of health and safety to vulnerable persons residing in or receiving services at adult and senior community care facilities. Implementation is planned for early 2012. Please check back periodically for updates."

New SSI/SSP Rates

Many of you have asked us about the new SSI rates.  Since there seems to be such a big interest we've posted this information on our website so you can refer to it as often as you need it.  Take note of the paragraph at the bottom of the webpage that details when you can charge an additional $20 to recipients who have additional income.

Also, be sure your admission agreement reflects the regulations in Title 22, 87507(c)(4)(A).

The link is here.

http://www.communitycareoptions.com/ssi_ssp_rates.html

Happy New Year!

Another year is ending and we would like to share our gratitude to all of you for using Community Care Options as your continuing education provider.

Thank you to all of our loyal members and new members alike.

Thank you to vendors who have sponsored and professionals who have spoken at our conferences.

Please have a Happy and Safe New Year.  We look forward to more in 2012!

Fingerprints

I've been getting this same question about the Background Clearance Listing page on CCLDs website lately.

The question is "I'm used to seeing two clearances for people, what if I only see one?"

The answer is that only one is required because those clearances posted have been reviewed by CCLD and are therefore cleared to work.  Please review the Background Clearance Listing page for a complete explanation.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Depression and the Holidays

We're all aware of it.  We hear about it, we take classes about it, but we forget to do anything about it.  Depression.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that nearly 13.5% of older adults receiving some kind of residential or home health care are depressed.  In contrast, only 1% of older adults in society are depressed.  What does this mean?  People who live in our facilities are at a higher risk of becoming depressed.  It means that we have our work cut out for us.   What do we do? 

Clinical depression can set in over time do to biological changes in the brain.  Look for weight loss, talk of being worthless, extreme changes in appetite, or talk of dying for starters.  When it does seem like depression then the best advice is to seek medical attention.

Before depression sets in we can help prevent "the blues" by considering these ideas:

• Help residents feel needed or that they have a purpose.
• Look them in the eye and tell them why they are important to you.
• Share a special memory with them.
• Seek their advice or opinion on holiday plans
• Smile

Maybe you and your staff have some additional good ideas to share.  Join us on Facebook and leave your comments or ideas.  

Good information on Depression HERE.