The similarities between Hollywood and Healthcare are uncanny – both are highly sensitive to demographic trends and consumer preferences. Cinema and Skilled Nursing were also hardest hit by the pandemic and share similar challenges on the road to recovery. The target audiences may be different but share the desire to “stay home and chill” – Home & Community Based Theatre is here to stay.

In response to a recent Mass Senior Care Education Program survey, we are pleased to announce several new seminars designed to help providers refresh their skills and improve their clinical knowledge. We plan to offer virtual QAPI and Director of Nurses Leadership Training so please check our website frequently for updated program offerings.

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Mass Senior Care members were finally able to reconnect in-person at the Association’s Spring Conference & Trade Show held at the DCU Center in Worcester this past week. While still observing COVID-19 safety protocols, attendees, exhibitors and sponsors were delighted to gather and share their experiences, take a few minutes to laugh and relax during the morning session, learn about new strategies for recruitment and retention in the afternoon and view products

From May 8-14, 2022, National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW), formerly known as National Nursing Home Week, provides an opportunity to recognize the role of skilled nursing facilities in caring for our seniors and individuals with disabilities.

The Massachusetts Senate is in the process of developing its FY 2023 state budget and your continued and sustained advocacy is needed to respect and protect nursing home caregiver wages. Massachusetts Senior Care Association’s FY2023 Vital Workforce Investment Proposal would provide $238 million to ensure quality resident care and address our workforce crisis.

Members should anticipate receiving the May 2022 MassHealth COVID-19 supplemental payment on May 10th, yesterday, MassHealth issued the February 2022 Staff Surveillance Testing Payment, and register now for the Putting Patients First Webinar.

Join the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI) and the MassCyberCenter on May 12 at 10 am for their monthly health care provider cybersecurity call. The call will be joined by representatives of CISA New England and the Massachusetts State Police and Commonwealth Fusion Center who will provide updates on recent cyber threats and trends.

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. The DPH can approve applications that meet the defined CMS parameters without review by CMS.