Per state law, Chapter 19A, Section 43, all providers who contract with or receive funding from EOEA, ASAPs, MassHealth OLTSS and those whose services are certified by EOEA must ensure that all current employees complete training on caring for and supporting LGBTQ seniors and their families.

The staff and residents of the German Centre in West Roxbury celebrated National Skilled Nursing Care Week with a special visit from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Emily Shea, the City of Boston’s Commissioner of the Age Strong Commission.

In a memo by MSCA General Counsel Mark Reagan of Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, Attorney Reagan noted that nursing facilities across the country are receiving requests from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG), concerning a review of Provider Relief Fund (PRF) spending and infection control practices, and join us for next week’s Putting Patients First Webinar.

Mass Senior Care is reminding members that the full June LTC Medicaid payment will be made on the normal payment schedule, Massachusetts State Court Issued a narrow temporary restraining order in regard to involuntary transfer of residents resulting from DPH’s implementation of de-densification requirement, the Berkshire Eagle published an op-ed today by Tara Gregorio, President of Massachusetts Senior Care Association calling for the Legislature and Governor Baker to approve and fund $238 million for a vital workforce investment proposal.

Today, the DPH released revised guidance on Antigen Rapid Point of Care COVID-19 Testing for Long-Term Care (LTC) Facilities, skilled nursing facilities that participate in the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (QRP) must have the weekly health care personnel COVID-19 vaccination summary data entered into the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) by May 16, 2022​ for the 2021 Quarter 4 (October 1 – December 31, 2021), and as noted in the CMS FAQs for In-Person Visitation Aids, Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment funds are available to certified nursing facilities to add portable fans and portable room air cleaners with high-efficiency (HEPA H-13 or H-14) filters to increase and improve air quality in nursing homes.

MassHealth requires that nursing facilities and chronic disease and rehabilitation inpatient hospitals account for the balances of personal needs allowance (PNA) account funds.

CMS will be holding a webinar on May 25th at 2:00pm on the “Culture Change in Long Term Care.

Hamel-Lydon Chapel & Cremation Service of Massachusetts, an Associate Member of Mass Senior Care Association, appreciates the special care and dedication that frontline healthcare workers provide to patients on a regular basis. We understand that the same compassion is required when we serve families and their loved ones under our professional care.

Nominations for the 2022 ACHA/NCAL awards programs are now open! AHCA/NCAL members are strongly encouraged to nominate those in their community who go above and beyond to provide exceptional service in the long term care profession.