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LTSS Training and Technical Assistance Center
Visit the online LTSS TA Center for videos, best practices, toolkits, a resource library, and a step-by-step planning roadmap.
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Emergency preparedness for tribal LTSS programs
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The Yukon Koyukuk Elder Assisted Living Facility |
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Preparing elderly and disabled populations for natural disasters like Hurricanes Harvey and Irma is a top priority at the Yukon Koyukuk Elder Assisted Living Facility in Alaska, says Agnes Sweetsir, the facility’s administrator.
Sweetsir says it is important for long-term care facilities to have emergency plans for a hurricane, flood, or power outage. “What I learned is that evacuation and being displaced raises a lot of issues and escalates others,” she said.
“Make sure each person has a substantial supply of medication on hand. If they have vices, such as tobacco, make sure they have those; this is not time to be without what they need to get through the stress,” Sweetsir said.
A comprehensive disaster plan helps ensure the Laguna Rainbow Nursing Center can protect elders during an emergency.
“We plan for at least a 7-day supply of food, medication, and other supplies,” said Executive Director Sheila Wiggins. The facility’s emergency plan also includes a receiving location in case of an evacuation.
The Archie Hendricks, Sr. Skilled Nursing Facility is located on the Tohono O’odham Reservation, 2 hours from the nearest city. Because it is isolated from emergency assistance, the facility plans to update its emergency plan to include transportation.
Debbie Dyjak, Education Coordinator at the facility, says that CMS regulations, a communication plan, and emergency training among LTSS staff are needed for emergency planning and disaster preparedness.
“Disaster plans are important to the elders for their safety, foremost,” Wiggins said, before adding, “Having an organized plan that the staff know how to execute should give them peace of mind that they will be protected.”
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Emergency planning tips
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Tribal nursing home leadership offered these tips to other nursing homes serving AI/AN populations:
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Hold regular emergency trainings and trainings on the evacuation plan
- Plan for each resident and work with the residents’ families
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Take any early warning seriously
- If your facility has a generator, make sure it has fuel
- Communicate with family as soon as possible
- Count for all people, including staff
- Adopt the Nursing Home Incident Command System
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Many emergency planning resources are available to help you develop or improve an emergency plan:
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Upcoming conference on dementia in Native Americans
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The 13th Annual Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia in Native Americans will bring together health care providers, caregivers, community educators, and tribal leaders to discuss dementia among AI/AN elders. The conference will provide tools and information for managing dementia care and promoting the wellbeing of AI/AN elders with dementia.
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Thursday, October 19
Casino Del Sol Resort
Tucson, AZ
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Protecting elders against financial harm
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To help protect elders from identity theft, CMS is developing a fraud prevention initiative. As part of the new initiative, CMS will begin mailing new Medicare cards to beneficiaries in April 2018. Social security numbers will be removed from the new cards and replaced with a unique Medicare number.
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Share the CMS Medicare card messaging guidelines (PDF, 106 KB, 3 pp) so LTSS staff can start a conversation with elders. Share CMS’s Guard Your Card PSA with elders to remind them to guard their Medicare cards and only discuss personal information with their caregivers.
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New video: Financing LTSS
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In a new series of videos, Kiowa-Choctaw artist and filmmaker Steven Paul Judd describes ways tribes can provide long-term care to elders and people with disabilities.
The video, “Financing Tribal Long-Term Services and Supports,” highlights ways tribes can pay for home-based, community-based, and nursing home care through grants, Medicaid, Medicare, and other funding sources. Find additional information on LTSS financial planning, comparing reimbursement rates, applying for grants, and working with your state to fund LTSS on the LTSS Financing page of the LTSS TA Center.
Find other LTSS videos on traditional foods, dementia, home-based care, and support for caregivers in the Tribal Leaders section of the LTSS TA Center.
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Building LTSS through Title VI program: Billing Medicaid
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Wednesday, September 27
Finding funding can be one of the most challenging aspects of providing LTSS in tribal communities.
Join this webinar to learn how to build LTSS program offerings through Title VI of the Older Americans Act and Medicaid.
Title VI funding can be an important funding source for home- and community-based services, including caregiver support, nutrition services, and transportation. Billing Medicaid for these services allows tribes to stretch their dollars further to serve more people.
Presenters
Elaina Seep
Chief Operating Officer
Red Earth Consulting Group
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Please note your
location's call-in time:
8 a.m. Hawaii
10 a.m. Alaska
11 a.m. Pacific
11 a.m. Arizona
12 p.m. Mountain
1 p.m. Central
2 p.m. Eastern
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Tips for caregivers
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Stay organized—Compile health information of your loved one and make copies for other health care providers. Delegate tasks to other family members or friends.
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Set up calls with providers—Schedule calls with doctors or other care providers when making important caregiving decisions.
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Be present—While visiting your loved one, suggest an interactive and relaxing activity, such as gardening or painting.
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Join the conversation on LinkedIn
Want to learn more about or discuss LTSS in Indian Country? Looking to connect with others working in the same field? Join the Tribal Affairs Group on LinkedIn and join the conversation.
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Send Us Your News
Do you have news to share about LTSS in Indian Country? Send it to ltssinfo@kauffmaninc.com, and we’ll include it in a newsletter. Contact us with other comments or feedback, too.
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About the Newsletter
Long-Term Services and Supports Solutions is published monthly by the CMS Division of Tribal Affairs to share information, funding opportunities, and resources with LTSS planners, tribal leaders, and supporters.
Download Adobe Reader for the best reading experience with PDF files.
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