January 6, 2025

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The Latest News

TOMORROW! Reminder-Virtual KDADS Regional Round Tables January 7th, 2025


Please join survey certification and credentialing commissioner Lacey Hunter and assistant commissioner Dawne Altis for a virtual session of Adult Care Home regional round tables, January 7th, 2025, from 10am-12pm.

Topics will include:

  • State Licensed Only Involuntary Discharge Reporting (Assisted Living, Residential Health Care, Home Plus)
  • Changes to CCRC since July 1, 2024
  • Receivership - what is it and how do you apply for it
  • Top deficiencies cited • Survey consistency
  • CMPs and Other Enforcement
  • NATCEP Bans and Waiver Process 
REGISTER HERE

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar


As you no doubt have heard, but hopefully not experienced either personally or in your facility, Norovirus is on the increase again this year. This week, Cathy Ciolek, from AHCA sent out some important information to the AHCA State Affiliates. The tools sent out have both clinical “best practices” but also really good educational information. There are also Clinical Scenarios to use in education of staff.  READ MORE


AHCA Clinical Scenario Acute Outbreak

AHCA/NCAL Infection Preventionist Tips for Outbreak Management

In Case You Missed It

A Message from the Office of the State Fire Marshal: Cold Weather Preparedness


Each winter, Kansans can count on at least one major winter storm. KSFM would like to remind facilities that while resident or patient safety is always top priority, facilities must also remain in compliance with CMS and Life Safety Code Requirements. When extreme cold conditions are forecast, take the time to review your Emergency Preparedness plan. Make sure that all information is up to date and ensure that all staff are prepared and know what actions to take during an emergency. READ MORE

Annual CNA/HHA Employment Verification— Begins January 1, 2025- Deadline March 31, 2025


*First- To update your current employee list, as well as update a person’s CNA/HHA certification, you will need to go to your employment list.

To do this please follow these steps:

Go to www.ksnurseaidregistry.org

Select “Facility Access”

Enter Facility ID number (Can be located on your facilities license, Example: N000000)

Once logged on select “Employment Verification Page”


*Next-On the right-hand side there are “Yes and No” buttons for each employee. Please follow the guidelines, to determine which option would need to be selected per individual.


Active Certified Individuals-- select “Yes” if the CNA or HHA has worked at your facility at least 8HRS the prior or current calendar year, even if they are no longer working at your facility. This will renew their CNA/HHA for additional two years.


Certified Individuals not working as an aide- leave the “Yes” and “No” unchecked if individual is currently working at your facility but in a non-certified position and did not work at least 8HRS as an CNA or HHA within the prior or current calendar year. This will keep them on the employee list and hours worked won’t be reported towards their certification.


Non-Certified—Two options available, if currently employed you can select “Yes” or leave “Yes” and “No” unchecked. Both options will keep an individual on the employee list.

Certified/Non-Certified --select “No” if the individual did not work at your facility the last calendar year or currently working. This will remove an individual from the employee list.

***At the very bottom make sure you select “Update and save changes” before you exit the page.

Any questions, please email kdads.certification@ks.gov

President Biden Signs the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act Into Law


​President Biden signed the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act into law on January 2, 2025. This bill creates a pilot program for eligible veterans to receive assisted living care. NCAL is part of a broad coalition of senior advocacy, veterans service, homeless prevention, and health and aging services organizations that has long supported the bill.  


We thank NCAL provider members for their advocacy over the past several years on this matter and their efforts to get this important pilot program across the finish line. Read more about NCAL provider member and coalition advocacy around the bill here


You can read more about this pilot here, under section 127.  

Senior Living Leaders Discuss Potential Challenges For Providers In 2025


McKnight’s Senior Living (1/3, Bowers) reports on responses from "leaders of organizations serving the" senior living industry that were "consulted for insights into potential challenges that will face providers in the new year." For instance, NCAL Executive Director LaShuan Bethea said, "I believe a foreseeable challenge facing assisted living will be managing the growing needs of a population that is entering assisted living with more chronic conditions. ... This means that assisted living communities must adapt to help residents manage these chronic conditions effectively." Bethea added, "Population health management will be essential in helping seniors stay healthy and also enabling providers to offer more personalized and preventative care for seniors who require assisted living services," highlighting the role of integrated technology such as wearables. 

Alzheimer’s Association releases new dementia diagnosis guidelines 


The Alzheimer’s Association has updated its guidelines for diagnosing dementia, leaving them broad but giving room to integrate new and upcoming developments in dementia diagnosis. READ MORE

Upcoming Education Offering with Interim Healthcare Topeka: Long-term Care Medicaid and Division of Assets


This will be on ZOOM or in-person on January 9th at 12:00PM

Emily Donaldson, CELA with Stevens and Brand L.L.P.

Will speak on: Long-term Care Medicaid and Division of Assets.

This will be 1.0 CEU.


Link for ZOOM:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtc-CuqTkpHtel6Z7VwY2RgQ87uaoBEqsm


In-person RSVP to:  ajpatterson@interimhealthcare.com

Call for presentations


An essential service to our association is offering high quality training and education to our members. We invite you to join us in our commitment to delivering timely, relevant, and engaging information as we prepare for our 2025 Education Calendar.


We are looking for topics that fit skilled nursing, assisted living, home plus and residential health care communities.


Click here to learn more on our needs and how you can submit a proposal.

Education Spotlight

Webinar: Survey Trends in Assisted Living


January 23, 2025 at 1:00PM


This webinar will focus on KDADS most recent survey statistics reports for Assisted Living Facilities, Residential Health Care Facilities and Home Plus. In addition to these statistics Joan Hudson, LNHA, RN-BC will review the top 10 deficiencies cited and discuss what is required to meet the regulation and/or avoid the citation. You won’t want to miss this 75 minute webinar packed full of information! There will be time during this webinar for questions. LEARN MORE

Upcoming Education

Free Webinar - Preparing for Upcoming CMS Guidance Changes starting February 24, 2025: Key Updates and Action Items for Compliance


On Demand


Click here for more details.

Webinar: F689 - Free of Accident Hazards/Supervision/Devices


1/14/25 - 1:30PM-2:30PM


Click here for more details.

Webinar: LTC Provider Lawsuit Primer


1/21/25 - 1:30PM-2:30PM


Click here for more details.

Webinar: Survey Trends in Assisted Living


1/23/25 - 1:00PM-2:15PM


Click here for more details.

Adult Care Home Operator Course - February 2025


2/12/25 - 2/25/25


Click here for more details.

Life Safety Code Boot Camp


2/26/25 - 2/27/25


Click here for more details.

Administrator in Training (AIT) Program

Looking for an AIT Program? Click here for more details on KHCA's Program.

Questions? Email Teresa Keating at tkeating@khca.org
Kansas Health Care Association and the Kansas Center for Assisted Living
1100 SW Gage Blvd. | PO Box 4770 | Topeka, KS 66604
PH: 785-267-6003 FAX: 785-267-0833