Today DPH announced updated guidance allowing LTC facilities to request BinaxNOW test kits from DPH through August 2021 and the next weekly DPH call with providers is scheduled for Wednesday, May 26 at 11:00 a.m.

Members are informed on DPH update to Caring for Long-Term Care Residents During the COVID-19 Emergency, COVID-19 vaccine safety message from CDC, requesting PPE from DPH, a pause in the distribution of Bamlanivimab/etesevimab and NHSN vaccine module training.

A memo on the Legislature sending Governor Baker a bill to address (1) DUA Solvency Assessments and (2) COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Program.

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, House Speaker Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy) and State Representative Tackey Chan (D-Quincy) visited South Cove Manor at Quincy Point. Li Chen, Administrator, Bill Graves, CEO and Helen Chin Schlichte, Past Chair of South Cove Manor at Quincy Point (photographed) discussed the incredible dedication of their nursing facility staff and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic and their efforts to provide vaccines to their residents and dedicated staff.

Zimmet Healthcare, a Mass Senior Care Associate Member, is hosting its live event, Reimbursement-Con, August 11 & 12, 2021 at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

The final two education webinars of the spring are quickly approaching, register now! Please click on the links below to register or email lnguyen@maseniorcare.org if you have any questions.

More than 800 nurses were nominated for this year’s “Salute to Nurses” sponsored by the Boston Globe — the most in its history. Here, you’ll find the letters from those whose lives were touched by a nurse’s compassion, including 57 nominations for long term care nurses. Each story shows how, even in difficult times and in ways big and small, these everyday heroes rise to the occasion.

Earlier this year the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI) and the MassCyberCenter, two divisions of the MassTech Collaborative, partnered with Massachusetts Senior Care Association and other statewide associations to assess the cybersecurity needs of healthcare organizations and inform improvement strategies over the coming year. One of the core learnings from this assessment was the desire for a monthly healthcare cybersecurity call where representatives from the public and private sectors could provide a threat update and lead a discussion around cybersecurity best practices for provider organizations. Registration is open.

Mass Senior Care Association continues to work with our member long term care facilities to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among residents and staff. Achieving a high rate of resident and staff vaccinations is critical to our fight against COVID-19 and ensuring the safety of our residents and the entire caregiving team. In addition, vaccination rates will be key drivers in rebuilding census and increasing consumer confidence in long term care services.