Donating Unused Medications Follow Up on SB-1329

As of January 1, 2013 the billed called SB-1329 allows RCFEs of 16 beds or more to participate in the donating of certain unused medications.  Naturally there are very specific guidelines and documentation that must be adhered to.  Information on this bill can be found on page 15 of the newest change to the Evaluator's Manual.  Please download the change to learn more.

So, you want to participate in SB-1329?  If so, a non-profit group called SIRUM.org offers a good way to do so.  They make it very easy to donate unused medications and will teach you what you need to know.  We have invited them to attend the RENO 2013 conference in May as well. 

Activity-Based Care

There is more to good care than just handing out medications, assisting with showers and providing nutritious meals. What makes one facility stand out against others is often the level of activity that is visible to your visitors. So, understanding how care and activities work together can be a big part of making a facility successful. The fact is activities are not all games and crafts, especially in RCFEs providing dementia care and ARFs with highly active individuals. Activities can include dressing, grooming, meal prep, meal clean up and when appropriate, community outreach. Keep in mind that activities should be whatever is best for the individual and should not be what best serves the community. Please view the link for more considerations on Activity-Based Care. 

Football, Concussions & Dementia

We should start this week by saying that even though our 49er's didn't win Super Bowl XLVII they played an amazing second half and a great season.

Continuing with football, Tom Dempsey, the legendary NFL kicker who had no toes on his right foot, is suffering from dementia.  He is part of a study conducted by the well-known brain specialist Dr. Daniel Amen.  Some of us at Community Care Options had a chance to see Dr. Amen speak a few years ago and he addressed this issue around contact sports and brain injury.  Dr. Amen is beginning to see a connection between amongst retiring NFL players.  I've linked an article from the N.Y. Times below for you to enjoy.

For Former Kicker, the Price of Fearlessness

Educational Resources

We're always looking for new sources for information on aging and dementia.  One website that I consistently use for information when developing a new training is ALZ.ORG.  The Alzheimer's Association has a wealth of research news, caregiver techniques, and support information for families and professionals.  Please have a look at their website whenever you do an "in service" training with your staff.  Specifically look at THIS PAGE for professional care providers.

SSI / SSP Rates for 2013

I just wanted to make you all aware of the updated rates for SSI/SSP.  Please  refer to this Evaluator's Manual change for the specifics OR continue reading below.

SSI/SSP Rates

---

Non-Medical Out-of-Home Care (NMOHC) Payment Standard

Effective January 1, 2013

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)	$710.00
State Supplementary Payment (SSP)	$412.00 _________
Total NMOHC Payment Standard	$1122.00*
The NMOHC Payment Standard includes the following components:
Room and Board	$482.00
Care and Supervision (maximum)	$511.00 _________
Amount Payable for Basic Services	$993.00**
Personal and Incidental Needs Allowance (must be provided to the recipient) (minimum)	$129.00 _________
	$1122.00

* Amounts are double for SSI/SSP couples

** NOTE: Recipients who have income in addition to their SSI/SSP check (for example, a pension, Social Security retirement, or disability benefits) can be charged the $993.00 amount for basic services plus an additional $20. Because federal rules do not count the first $20 of a recipient's income against his/her SSI/SSP grant, an SSI/SSP recipient with other income has an extra $20 that people who receive only an SSI/SSP check do not have. Neither federal nor state law restricts the recipient in how this additional $20 is spent. Thus, if the recipient agrees in the admission agreement to pay the additional $20 for basic services, the facility may charge the additional amount.