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Tell Congress Not to Cut Aging Services Programs
Congress will take its first steps on the fiscal year 2009 budget this week as both the House and Senate will vote on budget resolutions that set spending targets for broad categories of federal programs. While the resolutions do not set specific funding levels for individual programs, the House measure does call for a six-year, $750 million cut in Medicare. Now is the time to contact your legislators to remind them of the long-term care and aging-services needs of a rapidly growing senior population. Contact: Marsha Greenfield, (202) 208-9488.
| More information and sample letter. |

AAHSA Chair-Elect Takes to the Hill
Winthrop Marshall, the chief financial officer of Christian Church Homes of Northern California and AAHSA's chair-elect, made the rounds on Capitol Hill while he was in Washington last week. He took the opportunity to discuss senior housing and long-term care financing issues with key staff to Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). Contact: Nancy Libson, (202) 508-9447.

See What's In Store for Your Visits to Capitol Hill
We eagerly await your arrival for the Future of Aging Services conference, and we prepared information on current issues for you to use in planning your visits to Capitol Hill on April 1. Congress will still be in the midst of budget and appropriations activity, so your meetings on the Hill will come at an opportune time. Materials include Public Policy Priorities and Issue Briefs, which discuss issues in detail, Talking Points to help you prepare your comments, and a handy one page Advocacy-at-a-Glance covering all topics. Contact: Louise Maus, (202) 508-9487.
| See the materials. |


MedPAC Research Accords with Our Medicare Payment Reform Proposals
Better targeting of payments for drugs and similar non-therapy ancillaries in the Medicare skilled nursing facility prospective payment system. An outlier payment for patients whose cost of care far exceeds the average. Separate reporting of nursing expenditures on Medicare cost reports. These Medicare reforms have been among our top public policy priorities for years, since they would tend to result in higher reimbursement to non-profit nursing facilities and would show policymakers and the public which facilities are putting their resources into high-quality care for residents. Now these proposals also appear among the draft recommendations MedPAC is considering for its June report to Congress. The research on which the draft recommendations are based will reinforce our work with members of Congress to make these important reforms in the Medicare payment system for nursing facilities. Contact: Barbara Manard, (202) 508-9435.

Latest Affordable Housing News
In this month's Housing Report get the latest on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) subsidy payments, service coordinator funding, the budget process, the House subcommittee hearing on special needs housing. You'll also find new Quality First guidelines. Contact: Alayna Waldrum, (202) 508-9476.
| Read the report. |

CDC Health Advisory Encouraging Influenza Antiviral Use
Because of recent increases in influenza cases, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a Health Advisory, "Influenza Antiviral Use for Persons at High Risk for Influenza Complications." The advisory re-emphasizes the importance of considering antiviral medications for use in the treatment or prevention of influenza. The two prescription antiviral medications recommended for treatment or prevention of influenza include oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). Contact: Evvie Munley, (202) 508-9478.
| Read the advisory. |

For Stimulus Rebate, Your Residents and Clients Must File Tax Return
The Internal Revenue Service asked aging-services providers to help make low-income seniors aware that even though they may have no income tax liability and may not have filed a return for years, they must file a return this year in order to get the rebate just enacted in the economic stimulus legislation. They should use Form 1040 A, since Social Security income is not reportable on the EZ form. Contact: Barbara Gay, (202) 508-9489.
| Get more information from the IRS. |


AAHSA Conference Offers Solutions to Your Workforce Challenges
Attending AAHSA's 2008 Future of Aging Services Conference, March 31-April 2 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., will be the most valuable investment you make for your organization this year. There, join 1,300 of your colleagues for three days of interactive education programs and workforce solutions demonstrations. You'll walk away with strategies and tools for your organization now and in the future. Click here to visit the event Web site and register today! Contact: AAHSA@Laser-Registration.com, (514) 228-3159.
| Visit the conference Web site. |
| Register for the conference. |

Upcoming AAHSA Audioconferences

Section 8 Contract Renewals: Changes, Insights and Options for AAHSA Senior Housing Providers
Need clarification on the revisions to the Section 8 Renewal Guidebook issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development? Join our audio conference on April 10 from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Eastern Time to gain a better understanding of the updated policies and provider options when renewing your Section 8 contract. Contact: Nataki Goodall, (202) 508-9471.
| Register online for the audioconference. |

Save The Date …
For these upcoming AAHSA Audio Conferences: April 17 - The Importance of First Impressions: Are Your People Ready? Contact: Nataki Goodall, (202) 508-9471.

Advancing Excellence Pressure Ulcer Webinar Audio Recording Available
Approximately 5,000 nursing home staff members from across the nation listened to the Advancing Excellence pressure ulcer webinar held at the end of February. If you missed it, you can access the audio recording and PowerPoint presentation . The next Advancing Excellence webinar in April will address consistent staff assignment. Look for the announcement in the News box. Contact Karyn Downie, (202) 508-9410.
| Learn more about the Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes Campaign. |

Zegler CFO Conference Offers Latest on Financing
The National Senior Living CFO Workshop we are cosponsoring with Ziegler will give your chief financial officers (CFO) the most up-to-date information and expert advice on innovative financing techniques, accounting issues, strategies for capital planning and building investment portfolios, and financial risk management. They will also get to participate in discussions of issues such as aging in place, social accountability, and equity CCRC models. Contact: Steve Maag, (202) 508-9498.
| More information and registration. |

London's Calling…
And so is International Association of Homes and Services for the Ageing (IAHSA). IAHSA recently opened the call for presentations at its 8th International Conference, to be held from July 20-22, 2009, at the Queen Elizabeth II in London, England. At the conference, you'll get the chance to showcase your expertise, innovations and organizational successes with your peers from around the world. The conference also offers a great forum for exchanging both practical knowledge and new ideas for creating the future of our field. Visit the IAHSA Web site to submit your proposal today. Contact: Alysha Liljeqvist, (202)508-9468.
| Submit your proposal. |

CASP Hosts Spring Institute
From May 12-17, join your peers at the 2008 Certified Aging Services Professional (CASP) Spring Institute at the St. Petersburg College Downtown Campus in St. Petersburg, Fla. This educational institute is designed to offer beginning to mid-level aging-services professionals the knowledge they need to deliver housing, supportive and community services that meet the needs of the people they serve. Contact: clas@unt.edu, (940) 565-2733.
| Learn more about the 2008 spring institute. |
| Register for the institute. |

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3,400 Covenant signers! Have you signed yet?

New Consumer Participation Resources Now Available
Visit the recently updated "Consumer Participation" section of the Quality First Web site. There, you'll find information about including consumers and residents in committees, developing residents/family councils and conducting satisfaction surveys. Contact: Maggie Flowers, (202) 508-9421.
Check out February's Most Popular Tools and Top Viewed Resources on the Quality First Web site.


Need an AAHSA Homecoming Week Event Idea?
Take some inspiration from Manors Retirement Communities in Saginaw, Mich. They are hosting an afternoon of activities that promote healthy living for its residents and elders in the community, including a 5-k walk, a healthy salad tasting and a chance to work out using a Nintendo Wii. Find more event ideas in AAHSA’s homecoming toolkit. Contact: Keesha Atkins, (202) 508-9440.


Deadline Extended for State of Seniors Housing Survey
To maximize your opportunity to participate in the 2008 State of Seniors Housing Survey, the deadline has been extended to March 28. If your organization received the survey, it is important that you complete and return it so that we will have accurate data on which all senior housing providers can rely. For completing the survey, you will receive a complimentary copy of The State of Seniors Housing 2008, which compiles the survey results for comparisons to your own operations. Contact: Colleen Blumenthal, (941) 363-7502.

Prepare For Older Americans Month
Older Americans Month 2008 materials are now available on the Administration on Aging Web Site. The theme for Older Americans Month 2008 which is Working Together for Strong, Healthy and Supportive Communities. Contact: Peter Notarstefano, (202) 508- 9406.
| Learn more and find planning materials. |

AAHSA Money-Saving Programs: Beyond Savings

Don't Miss Out on More Choice or More Savings
You've heard the news by now. To help you save money in increasingly tight economic times, we expanded and enhanced our Group Purchasing Program by aligning MedAssets Supply Chain Systems to form the AAHSA-MedAssets Group Purchasing Program. We are now the largest buying pool of not-for-profit aging services providers. You now have access to more than 400 vendors. Chances are, you are already purchasing from one of our vendors, so just request to use the AAHSA-MedAssets pricing when you are ordering. If you're not yet a participant, you can easily enroll on our Web site. Contact: Toni Lindsay, (800) 827-4771.
| Learn more about our program. |
| View the Contracted Vendors. |

 
New Opportunities Available on AAHSA's JobMart
Several career opportunities in aging services are now available and listed on Job Mart. Take a look. Pass along the news. If you have a job to post, consider using AAHSA Job Mart. Contact: Phillip Blackmon, (202) 508-9404.
Use the downloadable form to post a job.

Jobs posted in the past week (Feb. 29 - March 6):

Administrator
Administrator - NHA - Northern Virginia
Nursing Home Administrator - Cumberland, R.I.

CEO/President/Executive Director
Regional Director of Operations - Bingham Farms, Mich.

Finance
Vice President of Finance and CFO - Redmond, Wash.
CFO - Houston, Texas

Marketing/Sales/Business Office
Sales Counselor - Mt. Kisco, N.Y.
Sales Associate - Bethany Beach, Del.
Sales Assistant - Bethany Beach, Del.
Director of Community Relations - Bethany Beach, Del.
Director of Marketing - Newnan, Ga.
Sales & Marketing Representative - Pittsboro, N.C.
Corporate Director of Marketing - Sandy Spring, Md.

Nursing/Healthcare
Assisted Living/Residential Care Manager - Woodstown, N.J.

Other
Human Resources Manager - Baton Rouge, La.
Housing Manager - Cincinnati, Ohio

Review the jobs online

Administrator
CEO/President/Executive Director
Finance
Marketing/Sales/Business Office
Nursing/HealthCare
Other
Wanted


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American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
2519 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
phone 202.783.2242, fax 202.783.2255