At today’s virtual Spring Conference, Mass Senior Care President Tara Gregorio and Board Chair Tom Lavallee shared the Association’s successes and challenges as we begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. “For the past 14 months, our members have courageously battled to protect their residents against this insidious virus with great skill, compassion and fortitude,” said Gregorio. “Thanks to your extraordinary work, encouraging data show significant declines in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths among Massachusetts nursing home residents and staff and this is something we can all be proud of.” As the long term care provider community moves forward with its rebuilding and recovery plans, Gregorio noted that addressing the extreme workforce challenges facing members is one of the Association’s top priorities and outlined strategies currently being implemented to help members attract and retain qualified workers.
Following Gregorio’s remarks, Steven Littlehale, Chief Innovation Officer at Zimmet Healthcare Service Group and Chief Clinical Officer-Emeritus at PointRight, shared an update on the changes in the CMS Five-Star system during the pandemic and their impact on nursing facilities.
Board Chair Tom Lavallee noted that “as we move forward in our new normal, our efforts now shift to rebuilding our census and restoring consumer confidence.” Lavallee shared that the MSCA Board of Directors is laser focused on the priority issues including helping to build a system that adequately funds nursing home care, built upon continued government investments, accountability and transparency, and recruitment and retention of staff. “I continue to be enormously impressed by the efforts of our 45,000 staff members. All of you, in all departments, continue to be heroes. You are what motivate us all to continue to fight for a living wage to help ensure that our residents receive exceptional care and services.”
The morning’s final presentation featured David Wilkinson, Executive Director of the Tobin Center at Yale University, who shared a new web-based data tool, www.ProtectNursingHomes.org, which shows how nursing homes are connected to one another by the staff that they share. It can be a helpful tool in outbreak management for COVID as well as other infections that more routinely challenge nursing homes. It shares the degree of connectivity for each connected home to help inform management on when to take elevated precautionary measures to prevent infection. This is a free tool and we encourage all providers to utilize this important data.
The conference concluded with an afternoon presentation by Martha Hayward on The Conversation Project, a public engagement initiative with a goal that is both simple and transformative: to help everyone talk about their wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected. Martha’s presentation marks the start of a quality improvement initiative designed to provide our staff with tools necessary to enhance resident centered care and well-being and help ensure that staff are asking the very important question, “What matters to you at the end of your life?” and then acting, to the extent possible, on those wishes. Over the next 6 months, the Association will be offering monthly programs on topics related to end-of-life conversations, including how to start the conversation, prognosis awareness, developing rituals, cultural awareness, overcoming language barriers.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Mass Senior Care is grateful for the continued support and generosity of our Sponsors. Please view the Sponsor Guide, and take a moment to connect, network and thank them for their support.
CLA, Premier Sponsor
CLA exists to create opportunities for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit, tax, and consulting services. With more than 6,200 people, 120 U.S. locations and a global affiliation, we promise to know you and help you. For more information, visit CLAconnect.com.
Contact: Mark Cummings, 617.984.8154 | Mark.Cummings@claconnect.com
HealthPRO Heritage, Quality Leader Sponsor
HealthPRO Heritage is a premier provider of therapy & strategic consulting services to the post-acute market. Strategically, the business spans the continuum positioning customers well for today's provider networks while aligning sophisticated data analytics and a visionary perspective on the future of healthcare, innovative programming, and evidence-based outcomes. For more information, visit https://www.healthpro-heritage.com/.
Contact: Linda Senecal, 978.914.2065 | lsenecal@healthpro-heritage.com
Marcum, Educational Partner
Marcum LLP is one of the largest independent public accounting and advisory services firms in the nation with a strong New England presence and offices located in downtown Boston. The firm's experience within the Healthcare industry covers the full continuum of care with a special focus on long-term care and post-acute care providers. For more information, visit http://marcumllp.com/.
Contact: Matthew Bavolack, 203.781.9680 | Matthew.Bavolack@marcumllp.com
Thank you to our Lunch Sponsors!
Atlantic Charter/Sallop Insurance
Since 1990, Atlantic Charter Insurance Company and Sallop Insurance Brokerage have worked side by side providing the senior care industry with unparalleled service and expertise in the area of workers’ compensation. Now, as we face a global pandemic, we are committed to helping you navigate new regulations and protocols and will remain your trusted partners. For additional information about our exclusive workers compensation program, or any other property and casualty insurance need, please reach out to Sallop Insurance’s Managing Director, Elizabeth Finn Elder.
Contact: Elizabeth Finn Elder, 617.488.6613 | efinnelder@sallop.com
Geriatric Medical
When you choose Geriatric Medical, you are partnering with a progressive leader and one of the largest independent medical supply companies. We are not just a medical supply delivery service; we are an essential link in the health care supply chain. Our employees embrace our mission and are committed to delivering the products and services essential to the success of our Post-Acute Care Providers. For more information, visit https://www.geriatricmedical.com/.
Contact: Gary Sklar, 781.760.1931 | gary.sklar@gerimed.com
Navigator Group Purchasing, Inc.
Navigator Group Purchasing, Inc. is the largest and most experienced full-service GPO exclusively focused on senior living. Access a full range of programs, tools, and services to help achieve resident and financial goals. For more information, visit https://www.navigatorgpo.com/default.aspx.
Contact: Mary Ann Travers, 603.548.8040 | MaryAnn.Travers@navigatorgpo.com
ProCare LTC Pharmacy
ProCare LTC Pharmacy is a leading pharmacy services provider throughout the Northeast US. We currently operate pharmacies in MA, CT, NY (2) and Ohio. We now services facilities in 8 states. Long Term Care is now more challenging than ever. ProCare LTC Pharmacy now offers the most complete range of services and pricing available in the marketplace.
ProCare LTC Pharmacy is strong supporter of Massachusetts Senior Care Association and we welcome the opportunity to continue working with the membership. For more information, visit https://www.procareltc.com/.
Contact: John Enos, 508.439.9330 | jenos@procareltc.com