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Inside Scoop December 2021

Senior Care Task Force Update

Your Circle of Care membership allowed KABC to attend the Kansas Senior Care Task Force meetings on December 6th & 7th. The Task Force heard presentations and program updates from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) related to the nursing home survey process, and from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) about psychiatric medications and step therapy requirements. The task force also heard presentations about the Kansas Guardianship Program and updates from the three KanCare managed care organizations (MCOs).

Camille Russell, the Kansas Long Term Care Ombudsman, brought written testimony from a number of residents of nursing facilities and their families. Most expressed concerns about the quality of the care they receive, especially staffing shortages and COVID-related issues. 

There was much discussion throughout both days about how to address workforce issues, in facilities and the lack of direct care workers for older adults living at home. Workforce shortages are receiving direct attention from a number of legislative committees and will be a priority legislative issue during the upcoming 2022 session.

The task force drafted recommendations for its first report to the Kansas Legislature in January. Those recommendations will include the availability of broadband services particularly in rural areas, mental health services, community services, workforce shortages, the return of the “temporary nurse aides” and training among nursing facility staff. The report will be available soon after the legislature returns Jan. 10. 

The task force has divided its members into smaller workgroups to address some of the issues in more detail. KABC sits on the Workforce Workgroup. 
All meetings are public and can be viewed on the Kansas Legislature’s YouTube channel. 

Training

December marks the final month of Kayleigh McCoy's student internship with KABC. Kayleigh has been an amazing advocate and an incredible help in accomplishing KABC's work over her 5 month internship including research, grant proposals, and creating educational resources for training events. Kayleigh thanks you for supporting her advocacy education while at KABC, and would like to share the following message in her departure:

 

"My experience interning at KABC has provided me with endless opportunities to grow, gain more knowledge, and expand my experience. My time spent at KABC has better prepared me for future experiences in my career. I completed various projects that allowed me to gain a better understanding of KABC and their mission. I was able to expand my writing skills, communicate with individuals inside and outside of the office, and expand my professional skills needed for my future career. Each individual at KABC was very informative, helpful, and easy to work with making my experience more adaptable and rewarding. I am sad to see my time at KABC come to an end, but I am thankful for the experience I gained and the individuals I met while interning."

Information & Referral Services

Your December Circle of Care donation helped 28 Kansans like Josephine.  

 

Josephine's husband Frank has been in a nursing facility for several years, and when COVID-19 hit, she was unable to visit him in person - only window visits.  This was incredibly hard on both of them, especially Frank.

Josephine was so happy when the visitation ban was lifted by CMS and by Kansas as well, and decided to go to visit him with lots of Christmas decorations in tow.  She felt that would lift his spirits as well as others in the facility.

 

She was approached by a nurse who told her she couldn't be there because  COVID guidelines were still in place.

 

Josephine was terribly upset and turned to KABC for advice.  KABC staff was able to talk through CMS visitation guidelines updated November 12th.  The facility had no active cases of COVID, so there was no reason for her to be refused entrance to see her husband.  We also referred her to the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman's office for help as needed.

 

Because of YOU, Josephine stood her ground, and was able to re-establish visits with her husband!

 

Thank you so much for your continued and generous support!

Thank You For Making Elder Care Better Every Day Of 2021!

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