The Latest COVID-19 Updates | February 22, 2021
Monday, February 22, 2021
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Posted by: Julianna Ems
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LTC PROVIDER RESOURCES DURING AN EMERGENCY
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Long-term care providers impacted by the current severe weather event should be implementing emergency management plans. LTC providers in need of resources or assistance during an emergency, such as the current severe weather, are reminded that you can:
• Contact your LTCR regional office regarding events that are affecting residents (such as no heat, evacuation, frozen fire sprinkler systems, etc.). They can initiate an emergency request.
• Contact your local emergency management or Regional Advisory Council, who can initiate a STAR request.
• Contact your local power company if you are having power issues. Nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and inpatient hospices should inform the power company that you are a LTC provider, as those providers are prioritized for service restoration per the Public Utility Commission rules.
• Contact your Texas Department of Emergency Management District Coordinator if you are having challenges getting generator fuel.
If you need guidance or assistance in relocating residents, work with your LTCR Regional Director. All requests to exceed licensed capacity must be approved by the Director of Survey Operations. If your facility is projected to exceed its licensed capacity because it is accepting residents who have been evacuated from another facility, email Renee Blanch-Haley and include State Capacity Increase Request in the subject line.
Please refer to Provider Letter 2018-19 (PDF) as applicable and to your program’s rules for additional important information regarding emergency preparedness. If you have any questions, contact your LTCR regional office, email LTCR Policy Rules and Training or call 512-438-3161.
LTCR Waivers For Severe Weather Event
Long-term Care Regulation has published Provider Letter 2021-06 LTCR Waivers During Severe Winter Weather (PDF). The letter describes state rules and statutes suspended by the Governor during the disaster declared on February 12, 2021 resulting from severe winter weather.
LTC Community Providers & Clients Encouraged to Report Storm Impact to TDEM
LTC community providers and clients are encouraged to report impacts from the February 14-19 winter storms to help the Texas Division of Emergency Management identify storm-related damage and the impact to the state. TDEM will share this information with FEMA to help guide emergency response.
Individuals and businesses experiencing storm damage or loss of utilities can access the survey here.
Individuals in need of a warming center can find access an interactive map of available locations here.
Winter Storm Federal Disaster Assistance Update
In response to Texas’ request for a federal disaster declaration related to the recent winter storm, the Office of the Governor announced that the President has approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance in 77 counties and for Public Assistance (Emergency Protective Measures Only) in all 254 counties.
The following counties were approved for Individual Assistance:
Angelina, Aransas, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Brazoria, Brazos, Brown, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Collin, Comal, Comanche, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, DeWitt, Ellis, Falls, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gillespie, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hood, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lavaca, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Maverick, McLennan, Montague, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Nueces, Orange, Palo Pinto, Panola, Parker, Polk, Rockwall, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Scurry, Shelby, Smith, Stephens, Tarrant, Travis, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wharton, Wichita, Williamson, Wilson, and Wise Counties.
Individuals and business owners in counties included in the President’s declaration who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585.
For more information on presidential disaster declarations, including the distinction between Individual and Public Assistance, see FEMA.gov.
In addition, the Office of the Governor and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) are encouraging Texans to complete the Self Reporting Damage Survey to help the state identify damages across Texas and help emergency management officials gain an understanding of damages that occurred during the recent winter weather. This data is also needed to provide information to FEMA and highlight the need for federal disaster assistance for individuals in all 254 counties, including the ones that have not yet been included in the President’s disaster declaration.
Businesses and individuals are encouraged to fill out the Self Reporting Damage Survey. The voluntary survey, available in both English and Spanish, can be accessed by visiting www.TDEM.texas.gov/warm. (NOTE: Reporting damage to the Texas Division of Emergency Management is a voluntary activity, is not a substitute for reporting damage to an insurance agency, and does not guarantee disaster relief assistance.)
WEBINARS | Emergency Preparedness in Long-Term Care Facilities
These webinars are appropriate for nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, ICFs/IID, day activity and health services facilities, home and community support services agencies, and prescribed pediatric extended care centers.
Feb 24 • 1:30 - 4:30 pm | Register
Mar 5 • 1:30 - 4:30 pm | Register
Mar 16 • 1:30 - 4:30 pm | Register
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Additionally,
• Direct Supply has a network of service providers that can help with plumbing repair as a result that the weather challenges within Texas this week. Their providers prioritize our senior living customers first, but it is still dependent on availability. Members would be able to submit requests to their TELS Building Services providers at (800) 634-7328. As you can imagine, this team is working 24/7 to meet the current demand.
• USI Southwest has provided advice for filing insurance claims regarding to property damage from frozen pipes.
Lastly and always, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team.
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UPCOMING EVENTS & EDUCATION
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Weekly COVID-19 Discussion Calls
Tuesdays • 1 - 2 pm CT • Zoom Meeting
Join us tomorrow and every Tuesday for our weekly COVID-19 Discussion Calls. Tomorrow's call will feature Perry Smith, USI, who will provide advice and speak on filing insurance claims relating to property damage from the storm.
Past session recordings, PowerPoints, and additional materials are available here.
Learn more and register >>
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LeadingAge Coronavirus Calls This Week
Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday • 2:30 pm CT
With the House back and working on the next big relief bill, possible movement in the Senate on the bill, and Xavier Becerra’s hearing set in the Finance Committee, there’s sure to be lots to talk about this week. Today, LeadingAge will talk with Dr. Bill Mansbach who will talk about employee mental health and share ideas on how we can combat mental fatigue over the pandemic. Wednesday LeadingAge will have returning expert, Dr. Monica Gandhi who will be on hand to talk about the new COVID-19 variants and what is ahead with the virus and vaccines, as well as herd immunity, and then on Thursday we discuss how COVID-19 has made a differential impact on older adults with dementia with Dr. Rebecca Edekmayer from the Alzheimer’s Association.
Learn more and register >>
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SNF Compliance & Ethics Programs—Essentials of the Facility Risk Assessment and Work Plan
Mar 2 • 1 - 2 pm CT • Webinar
The third session of the Cultivating LTC Leaders Webinar Series reviews key components of an effective SNF Compliance & Ethics Program with emphasis on conducting a facility Risk Assessment to drive development of the facility-specific Compliance Work Plan. A sample Risk Assessment template will be provided, as well as examples of prioritizing facility-specific risks and establishing targeted work plan goals and program activities. New and seasoned leaders will develop skill in operationalizing critical Risk Assessment and Work Plan development steps as part of the SNF Compliance & Ethics Program.
Learn more and register >>
Register for the full series to save >>
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LeadingAge Texas 2021 Virtual Lobby Days
Mar 2 - 4
Join your fellow members for the 2021 Virtual Lobby Days to advocate for those you serve and their caregivers. Legislators need to hear from you so they understand, promote, and protect the programs and services your communities provide for senior Texans. Your credibility as an industry expert and as a provider makes you an ideal advocate for your community and the seniors you serve!
Virtual lobby days gives LeadingAge Texas aging services members an opportunity to connect with your State Representatives and Senators to share your experience and concerns related to the field and your organization. It's time for LeadingAge Texas members to unite and ensure our 2021 Legislative Priorities get the attention they deserve!
Learn more and register >>
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Reducing Infections in Long-Term Care Facilities
Mar 16 • 1 - 2 pm CT • Webinar
The third session of the Standards of Care Webinar Series will review regulatory requirements and best practices for reducing infection rates and managing outbreaks with a focus on standards of care, staff competency focus areas, and critical nursing assessment principles. Through lecture and case study analysis we will identify critical nursing assessment and documentation principles to apply in your daily practical operations to promote resident well-being and minimize potential risks.
Learn more and register >>
Register for the full series to save >>
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Selling During a Pandemic (And We are ALWAYS in a Pandemic!)
Apr 21 • 12 - 4 pm CT • Webinar
Make plans to join us for a deep-dive session into the critical role of selling in the senior living industry. Not marketing, but SELLING. Specifically, we will seek to change our behavior to adopt a “Selling to the Individual” model versus “Marketing to the Collective” model. The participant will learn to develop relationships of trust with both internal and external customers. In addition, effective communication skills will be discussed which again lead to trust-based relationships.
Learn more and register >>
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HCS & TxHmL Provider Responsibilities: Death Notifications & Investigation Reports Webinar
Feb 25 • 1 - 3 pm CT
Register
Ethics and Equity in a Pandemic
Feb 25 • 10:30 am - 2 pm CT
Register
MEP Building Systems: Mitigating Infectious Disease Transmission
Mar 10 • 1 - 2 pm CT
Register
Shared Learning: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion—A Way Forward
Mar 23 • 12 - 2:30 pm CT
Register
Texas Rent Relief Webinar Fridays
12 - 1 pm CT
Register
Targeted COVID-19 Training for Frontline Staff and Management
Register
Ziegler Financial Markets & Sector Update Webinar #20
Session Recording
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LATEST UPDATES & RESOURCES
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AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network
The AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network is recruiting nursing homes from across the country to participate in a virtual community of practice for improving COVID-19 preparedness, safety, and infection control. The deadline has been extended to February 28, 2021. To learn more, visit the AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network. If you have any questions, contact Janine Finck-Boyle.
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Transitioning from the Long Term Care Pharmacy Partnership to the Retail Pharmacy Program
Dr. Ruth Link-Gelles from the CDC shared information about the sunsetting of one partnership and ramping up the next. Read a summary of the interview here. Here’s the link to the CDC Retail Pharmacy Program.
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Medicare Part B Rate Calculator Available
The member-only Medicare Part B rate calculator is now available here. The tool allows a member to identify their location specific rates for Part B services including therapy. It accounts for the rate changes from the year-end legislation that increased rates from those published in the final rule.
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Vaccine Allocations Roll Out to Community Health Centers
Affordable senior housing communities may have another vaccine partner resource in community health centers. The week of February 15, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the CDC launched a program to directly allocate a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine to select HRSA-funded health centers. More information is here.
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LeadingAge Housing Advisory Group
Join the LeadingAge Housing Advisory Group calls on Mondays at 11:30 am CT to hear the latest updates and connect with other housing providers. Email jbilowich@leadingage.org or lcouch@leadingage.org to join.
Upcoming Housing Advisory Group Call Schedule:
March 1 – HUD staff to join call and discuss Service Coordinator renewal guidance.
March 8 – Grief support/End of Life planning expert to join call and discuss resources for affordable housing providers.
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HUD opens 2021 Service Coordinator Renewals; HUD staff to join LeadingAge call
On February 19, HUD opened the application period for Calendar Year 2021 Service Coordinator program renewals in GrantSolutions. Under a compressed timeline for the delayed grant renewals, applications are due by March 22, with disbursements projected for June or July. HUD staff overseeing the grants program will join a LeadingAge call on March 1 to discuss the renewal guidance, go over key dates for the program, and answer questions from members. To join the call with HUD, email jbilowich@leadingage.org. For more information about the CY21 renewal guidance is available here.
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USDA issues updated COVID-19 FAQs for Rural Housing Providers
In a new set of COVID-19 FAQs, Rural Development’s Multifamily Housing, which oversees rural rental assistance programs, provide guidance for rural housing providers on annual financial reports, reserve draws, RTOs, and income recertifications. Among other updates, the agency declined to issue an automatic extension of the due date for annual financial reports, but allowed approved extensions on a case by case basis. The FAQs also cover extended tenant income loss and suspend handbook requirements related to zero-income certifications. The full set of FAQs is available online here.
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COVID-19 TESTING, PPE, & RE-OPENING SOLUTIONS
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For more information on PPE and/or if you are in need of additional PPE items we have not yet provided, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Ann Castro, Director of Business Development, at (817) 680-5471 if you have any questions
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512.467.2242 • www.leadingagetexas.org • info@leadingagetexas.org
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