Publication - California Assisted Living Association

2013
year in review
CALA’s mission
The California Assisted Living Association (CALA) is an
organization devoted to the betterment of Assisted Living by
providing:
• Leadership to Assisted Living providers and other
stakeholders in the Assisted Living field
• Advocacy to protect the interests of providers and the
consumer-focused service they provide
• Education to support the provision of high-quality
programs and services
This year, we have upheld this mission by defending and
protecting the Assisted Living model of care, informing and
educating providers about best practices and new opportunities,
promoting and showcasing Assisted Living as a positive force
in the state, and building and connecting our community of
organizations dedicated to quality care for California’s seniors.
Message from the President
CALA members deliver personal and
personalized service to thousands of
Californians who call an Assisted Living
community their home. Those services
allow residents to thrive in environments
that capitalize upon their abilities and
provide support for their frailties, as well as
afford peace of mind for family members all across the country.
Unfortunately, our members’ daily successes and positive
outcomes were not what drove this year’s media coverage. We
were saddened by the sensationalized stories that portrayed
an inaccurate representation of life in Assisted Living, and we
continue to get the real story out—the story of compassionate
and well-trained caregivers, of continuous attention to quality,
and of incredibly high resident satisfaction.
Our work this year cast a wide net through CALA’s advocacy
and educational efforts; the two are inextricably woven together
as policymakers focus on this model of care. This Year in
Review provides a synopsis of what’s been done on behalf of
the CALA membership in 2013, but CALA’s work is not separated
by dates on a calendar. In the weeks and months to come, we
will continue to educate the public and future employees, to
provide ongoing learning opportunities for CALA members, and
to impact the future of Assisted Living.
Sally Michael
President
Legislation that Protects Consumers,
Employees, and Providers
CALA successfully sponsored AB
261 to bring clarity to billing practices
after a resident has died, prohibiting
advance notice for terminating the
signed admission agreement due to death
of the resident, requiring that fees
stop once the belongings have been
removed, and providing a timeframe for any refund that
would be due. This new law provides clarity to licensees
and gives families flexibility to manage the moving process
as they choose and on their own timeline.
AB261
In addition, CALA worked
collaboratively with a large
stakeholder group to ensure that
legislation regarding CPR in California
signed workplaces (AB 633) respects DNRs,
enables employers to designate
trained responders, and provides liability protection for
employees and employers.
AB633
CALA supported AB 663, legislation
which will add LGBT sensitivity
training to the administrator
certification course; RCFE
signed administrators will now have more
tools to build a culturally-sensitive
environment for residents. And,
with amendments obtained by CALA, new laws regarding
domestic workers and home care organizations will not
affect Assisted Living providers.
AB663
The Rapid Response Team
RCFE Regulatory Reforms
The Rapid Response Team was introduced this year as a
new way for CALA members to directly inform public policy.
Pertinent policy, operational, and regulatory questions
are routinely emailed to team members for quick email
responses. The answers gathered help CALA’s policy
team gauge members’ perspectives and support research
for in-house use or for use in discussions with CCLD and
legislative offices. The team has steadily grown over the
course of the year and has significantly contributed to our
policy efforts.
Looking ahead, CALA will work to ensure appropriate
regulatory framework and oversight to preserve and
promote quality, innovative, resident-centered care. Our
proactive approach will include sponsoring legislation to
ensure that all licensees have the appropriate commitment
to staff training and administrator qualifications. In
addition, we will continue our commitment to increased
state inspections by supporting legislation ensuring
inspections at least once every two years.
Person-Centered Positions
In Defense of Choice
Anticipating the need for strong, consistent statements on
positions which preserve Assisted Living’s service-oriented
model, CALA prepared for the year by developing and
promoting three briefing papers. Throughout the year, we
used these papers to inform the public, policymakers, and
media about the Assisted Living regulatory environment,
CALA’s call for increased inspections, and the consumercentered policies promoted by CALA over the years.
CALA believes strongly that variety is one of the most
important elements of Assisted Living. We will continue
to defend consumers’ ability to choose an environment
that they consider attractive, a community that meets their
needs, and pricing that works for them.
Throughout the year, these briefing papers have helped
clarify for readers where CALA stands on these important
issues and, more importantly, why. We will continue to inform
the public about our positions on these issues and how they
help protect our person-centered model of care.
Doing so means defending against proposals to impose
nursing home rules on Assisted Living. In the upcoming
year, we will oppose the imposition of a SNF civil penalty
scheme (ranging up to $100,000 fine) on Assisted Living,
as well as any legislation to establish strict liability and a
private right of action.
Next year, we will also protect the variety of Assisted
Living organizational structures, from large multicommunity organizations, to small independent providers.
And, we will look for ways to ensure that online consumer
information regarding licensing inspections is accurate,
timely, and useful to consumers.
defending & protecting
The Next Chapter of Assisted Living
Over 1200 Assisted Living professionals attended CALA’s
conferences in 2013. In addition to core topics addressing
resident care, day-to-day operations, legal issues, and
regulatory topics, a variety of forward-looking sessions
examined timely issues that will affect the future of Assisted
Living.
zz The Affordable Care Act and related issues:
Attendees learned how health care reform will
affect their communities in sessions such as “Are
You Ready? The Real Story of the ACA in Assisted
Living,” “Increasing Care Needs and the Interface
with Healthcare,” and “Measuring Clinical Outcomes
to Improve Quality of Care.”
zz The latest advancements in dementia research and
care: As dementia care needs are anticipated to
increase, sessions such as “Help and Hope in
Alzheimer’s Care and Science,” “Researching Ways
to Make Memories Last a Lifetime,” “Innovations in
Advanced Dementia Care,” and “New Tech for a
Healthy Brain” helped attendees prepare to provide
that care.
zz Clinical considerations: A variety of sessions with a
clinical focus, including “Beyond Ativan – Behavioral
Interventions to Address Agitation,” “Medication
Management FAQs,” and “Turn Up the Music and
Put Down the Drugs,” gave attendees the tools and
strategies needed to care for current and future
residents who may have higher acuity levels.
Keynote speakers also addressed the next chapter of
Assisted Living by examining how the workplace will change
and innovate. Futurist and business forecaster Mary O’HaraDevereaux shared how work and organizational life will
be reshaped over the next 10 years, while Joe Gerstandt,
Co-Founder of Talent Anarchy, posited that a combination of
diversity and inclusion drives innovation.
Preparedness
Preparedness was an important theme in CALA’s educational efforts. An updated
Disaster Prep webpage gave members the tools to review and refresh their emergency
preparedness plans. In addition, the Spring 2013 issue of CALA News & Views, “Planning,”
informed readers on strategies and best practices for topics such as strategic planning,
helping residents plan for a move to Assisted Living, and preparing for media scrutiny. And,
in response to OSHA’s increased focus on Assisted Living, CALA partnered with Care and
Compliance Group to offer a webinar entitled OSHA Readiness - Are You Prepared? The
90-minute webinar explored strategies to support OSHA compliance and offered clarity
regarding administrators’ responsibilities.
Informed Consumers
The content and design of CALA’s Consumer Disclosure Statement were updated with the
help and input from a CALA-member workgroup. A general guide to help consumers make
informed choices about the care and services provided in different RCFE settings, the
Consumer Disclosure Statement can be customized by CALA members to further inform
potential residents and their families of practices and services unique to communities.
Medication Donation
For the first time this year, RCFEs were able to participate in medication redistribution
programs, thanks to a new law. Donation of unused medication decreases a community’s
carbon footprint, reduces pollution, and helps those who would otherwise be unable
to afford medication. CALA was proud to partner with SIRUM (Supporting Initiatives to
Redistribute Unused Medicine) to educate members about this program in 2013. We got the
word out through our online communications, and SIRUM representatives attended CALA
trade shows to explain the donation process.
Leadership Development
Because we know that great employees are essential to providing quality care for residents,
we support leadership development and growth within the profession. Next year, with an
eye toward executive directors and others looking to advance their careers, CALA will
partner again with Care and Compliance Group to offer the advanced Leading in Assisted
Living one-day workshop in Irvine on March 6.
informing & educating
Reaching a Wider Audience
The CALA blog got a new look and a new name—
The Hearth—to go with its new focus: showcasing
the positive effects of Assisted Living on the larger
community, sharing new resources with consumers
and providers, and celebrating CALA members who
are leaders in service, innovation, and advocacy.
In addition, CALA’s “Friday Reflections from Residents
and Family Members” were visible to all who liked our
Facebook page—over 500 fans and counting. The
weekly posts in this series featured an actual quote
from a resident or family member. All year long, these
inspirational quotes highlighted the amazing work that
Assisted Living staff members do on a daily basis.
Moving forward, we will continue to grow our online
audience in order to promote positive stories and
information about Assisted Living. To help in those
efforts, we have been busy working on a rewrite and
redesign of the CALA website so that it will be more
user-friendly and optimized for use on mobile devices.
Look for a launch of the new website in early 2014.
Website
2013 Growth
32%
Blog
2013 Growth
99%
Facebook
2013 Growth
17%
CALA Update
2013 Growth
10%
Informing Legislators through Resident Art
Residents, family members, and staff from various communities visited
the show and were greeted by their respective legislators and legislative
staff. Since the Eureka Room experiences extra foot traffic during the
bustling end of session days, there were many other casual visits from
legislators, staff, and other members of the Capitol community.
The California Inspires! art show, sponsored by the
Assembly Committee on Aging and Long Term Care,
was displayed in the State Capitol’s Eureka Room from
August 19th through September 13th. Close to 100
pieces represented each resident artist’s unique life
story and interpretation of what California means to
them.
The show and its artists were the subject of press coverage, including
stories in local California newspapers, a local TV station, a senator’s
newsletter, and features on CALA-member websites. Furthermore,
multiple legislators visited communities in their districts to personally
congratulate resident artists. The art show conveyed to all the message
that, no matter our age, our lives are enriched by engaging in creative
endeavors.
promoting & showcasing
Introducing Students to Assisted Living
Celebrating Outstanding CALA Members
In response to the need for a robust workforce and access
to the next leaders, CALA’s workforce development initiative
has made great strides this year. In April, three CALA
members participated in a facilitated panel discussion
with gerontology graduate students at San Francisco
State University (SFSU). The Carlisle’s Tom Berry, Vintage
Coventry’s Ali Christensen, and Aegis of San Francisco’s
Sylvia Chu shared advice about starting a career in
Assisted Living and promoted the benefits of this growing
profession.
The 2013 Assisted Living
– Innovations in Quality
award was presented
to Merrill Gardens at
the Spring Conference
& Trade Show, for their MG Achieve program. This cuttingedge program provides activities that promote an engaging
lifestyle suited to residents’ interests, while offering the added
incentive of earning individual or community “degrees” and
encouraging participation of family members, team members,
prospective residents, and the greater community.
In addition, CALA introduced a student scholarship, with
sponsorship support from member companies. Scholarship
recipients from Gerontology graduate programs at SFSU
and CSU Fullerton attended sessions suited to their areas of
interest at both conferences. And representatives from the
sponsoring companies attended an invitation-only gathering
with the students.
Recognizing the importance of developing a caring and
capable workforce, and the need to make greater inroads
with varied university programs, a board member-led
Workforce Development Committee was formed to take
these efforts to the next level in 2014.
“
After this wonderful experience I am truly
convinced I have found my niche. Now I can take all
this knowledge and go out in the field and truly make
a difference in the lives of our elderly population.
“
”
Kimberley Cusson, Masters of Gerontology Candidate
Our company was happy to participate in
sponsoring students and acquired an enthusiastic and
talented intern at one of our local communities as a
result. Thanks for the opportunity and we look forward
to sponsoring again next year.
”
Jason Engelhorn, Divisional Vice President of Operations,
Integral Senior Living
The 2013 recipients of the Excellence in
Service award go above and beyond their
job descriptions and showcase the very
best that Assisted Living has to offer the
seniors of California. Congratulations to:
Outstanding Caregivers
Daniel Perez
Vista Village
Betty Gunderson
Aegis of Napa
Outstanding Team Members
Kathleen Benton-LeValley
Chancellor Place of Lodi
Reyes Hernandez
Park Plaza
Outstanding Department Directors
Stephanie Howard
Regency at Evergreen Valley
Alan Graza
The Gardens of Santa Monica
Outstanding Executive Directors
Sondra Roberts
Merrill Gardens of Citrus Heights
Brian Grandbouche
Valencia Terrace
Advocacy in Action
Relationships with End-of-Life Providers
CALA members continue to generously share their time,
voices, and knowledge of Assisted Living to advance
our advocacy efforts. A multi-pronged approach, CALA’s
Advocacy in Action efforts help connect CALA members with
policymakers to better inform future legislative efforts.
To stimulate a positive resident experience through the end
of life, CALA fosters close working relationships between
Assisted Living and hospice providers by hosting quarterly
meetings with the California Hospice and Palliative Care
Association. Moving into 2014, this group will expand to
include representatives of the California Association of Health
Services at Home. And, as an active member of the California
Coalition for Compassionate Care and its POLST Task Force,
CALA continues to support efforts to promote advance care
planning and respect for end-of-life choices.
This year’s turnout at the annual Assisted Living Advocacy
Day was the largest to date. CALA members from all over
the state visited more than 80 legislative offices to discuss
general Assisted Living topics and advocate for increased
licensing inspections. The incredibly positive feedback from
Capitol offices in the days and weeks following Advocacy
Day demonstrated how the visits helped to develop and
enrich relationships with legislators and staff.
Events in Legislative districts are foundational to CALA’s
grassroots efforts. This year, the addition of a new CALA staff
member allowed our office to increase support for grassroots
matters and coordinate more contact with legislative offices.
As a result, more Day in Your District participants than ever
before had the opportunity to meet with Assemblymembers,
Senators, and legislative staff in their district offices.
Additionally, the number of legislators visiting communities
increased significantly. Since visiting communities has a
proven, successful track record in educating legislators about
Assisted Living and building CALA rapport with members, we
maintain our commitment to helping our members open their
doors to legislators and their staff.
Health Care Partners
Throughout the year, CALA’s Health Care Reform Task Force
met with health system representatives, including Dignity
Health, Brown & Toland, and the California Association of
Physician Groups. The two-fold goal of the task force was
to learn how health care providers are adjusting to changes
in the health care system as a result of the Affordable Care
Act, and to introduce Assisted Living as a potential partner in
supportive services.
In direct response to these meetings, task force members
developed the Acute Care Transfer Log program. Modeled
on the INTERACT tool, this program gives CALA members
the ability to track a community’s ER visits, hospitalizations,
and, most importantly, readmissions. During the year, CALA
collected quarterly rates from participants and has provided
them with a set of preliminary data, including an attractively
low average rate of readmissions. Participants can use this
data to demonstrate the value of partnership to hospitals and
other health care providers.
building & connecting
Trade Show Connections
The CALA 2013 trade shows provided great opportunities
for providers to meet with exhibitors and CALA associate
members, and to learn about a variety of products and
services offered to Assisted Living. This year brought several
new exhibitors who were excited to learn more about Assisted
Living and the challenges and needs of providers.
In a recent CALA survey, associate partners expressed
how their participation in the CALA trade shows not only
provides them with the opportunity to showcase their
products and services to prospective clients, but also allows
them to meet with current customers and be part of a team
providing services and care to residents. Several members
expressed their appreciation to CALA provider members for
acknowledging their participation at the trade show and their
support of CALA through membership.
Growth and Sustainability
As Assisted Living has grown, so has CALA
membership. Associate membership has
become of great interest to companies who
serve Assisted Living providers. CALA associate
partners support CALA through memberships,
advertising, trade shows, and sponsorships.
This year, CALA received 36 new associate
members, including two Sustaining Partners and
nine Supporting Partners.
CALA also welcomed 49 new provider
members this year. These new communities
joined because they know that CALA can
help ensure compliance with laws not yet in
regulation, give them access to education,
resources, and technical support on issues
impacting day-to-day operations, and allow
them to play an active role in shaping the future
of Assisted Living. With the help of both new
and continuing members, we can continue
to sustain a strong and influential CALA
community.
36
New Associate Members
49
New Provider Members
Thank You
to CALA’s 2013 Board of
Directors and Committees
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Don Petersen, Chair
Sheila Garner, Vice Chair
Todd Shetter, Treasurer
Vicki Clark, Secretary
Sue McPherson,
Immediate Past Chair
Doug Armstrong
Michel Augsburger
Bart Bolt
Dale Boyles
Michelle Egerer
Larona Farnum
Joel Goldman
Paula Hertel
Rick Jensen
Chris Kasulka
Danielle Morgan
Terri Novak
Nancy Schier Anzelmo
Jeff Slichta
Collette Valentine
Brant Watson
Patricia Will
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Todd Shetter, Chair
Michel Augsburger
Vicki Clark
Rick Jensen
Don Petersen
Collette Valentine
CALA PAC BOARD
Dale Boyles, Chair
Terry Ervin, Secretary
Vicki Clark
Kathy Greene
Rob Henderson
Ginny Reefer
Brant Watson
Patricia Will
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Paula Hertel, Co-Chair
Nancy Schier Anzelmo,
Co-Chair
Michel Augsburger
Lorraine Borden
Gail Cimini
Ken Claire
Mary Eaton-Campbell
Larona Farnum
Daizel Gasperian
Jeffrey Harris Bilson
Bruce Hoggan
Cheryl MacGregor
Polly Miller
Carlene Motto
Roselynn Muzzy
Kathy Naber-Jordan
Joan Tincher
Glenda Zarbock
PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE
Sheila Garner, Chair
Josh Allen
Michel Augsburger
Bart Bolt
Deanna Cason
Wayne Curtin
Ana de la Cerda
Joel Goldman
Kathy Greene
Christian Holland
Chris Kasulka
Sue McPherson
Danielle Morgan
Doug Pancake
Don Petersen
Todd Shetter
Jeff Slichta
Patricia Will
California Assisted Living Association
455 Capitol Mall, Suite 222
Sacramento, CA 95814
Tel: (916) 448-1900
Fax: (916) 448-1659
www.CAassistedliving.org