CMS officials have announced that all nursing home staff must be vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition of participation in the Medicare and Medicaid program. Additional details are expected to be announced.

As efforts continue to increase staff vaccination rates in long term care, AHCA/NCAL has created new materials to help support long term care providers. Three new handouts cover common questions raised by staff members when considering whether to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Mass Senior Care Association is looking forward to our first in-person event – the 2021 Leadership Convention at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club in Brewster on Cape Cod. Please join us at this premier conference destination that offers a unique forum to exchange ideas, share experiences, earn CEUs and network with long term care professionals. Steven Littlehale is the featured speaker and will present on CMS Five-Star Success: Enhancing Quality Improvement and the Resident Experience.

Over 50 member long term care providers joined the week-long Massachusetts Virtual Job Fair through the MassHire system. The Baker administration and MassHire Career Centers hosted the virtual job fair to connect jobseekers and employers. The virtual job fair consisted of two general job fairs and three industry-specific job fairs.

Nine Massachusetts skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers serviced by Marquis Health Consulting Services are collecting much-needed supplies for victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti, many of whom were left homeless and bereft. Items, including acetaminophen, gauze, syringes, bandages, bacitracin, cough medicine, flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, clothing, and shoes. Learn more at the drop off locations.

Mass Senior Care is offering a robust calendar of upcoming educational program to provide long term care staff with the most up-to-date information on clinical, regulatory, financial and legal issues. The programs below are now open for registration, please info@maseniorcare.org if you need additional information.

Marcum will be hosting a virtual two-part 2021 Long-Term Care Symposium on September 13-14, 2021. Click to get more information and registration.

AHCA/NCAL is excited to announce that the 2022 National Quality Award Program year is now open and application packets are available! We encourage members to begin planning this month.