Coalition Meeting Recap 9/12/18

DC Coalition on Long Term Care

Date and time: September 12th, 2018; 12pm-2pm

Location: Iona Senior Services, 4125 Albemarle St., NW Meyer Conference Room, 2ndFloor

Special Guest

Shahab Kaviani, Director for AARP Foundation’s Social Connectedness Impact Area led a presentation on their research, innovations, and grant funding opportunities for evidence-based programs. Shahab described two key innovations underway: theFriendship Line which is a program that recruits volunteers to call individuals at risk and Voice Buddy in which older adults are trained to use the Amazon Alexa.

Research is also underway on the effects of providing unlimited Lyft rides to chronically ill patients on appointment attendance and social isolation.

Updates from DHCF-Staff

New director of Medicaid, Melisa Byrd, starts on October 22nd2018. No updates on Service My Way program.

Updates from ADRC-Staff

There are two new employees joining the team: Tamara Moore, Information, Referral and Assistance Supervisor and Wanda Tolliver, clinical social work.

Update on BON Activities

Judy Levy, LTC coordinator, attended BON meeting on 9/5/2018. Dr. Brian Amy from the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Administration (HEPRA) and Aisha Williams, Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST) Coordinator, presented on the DC Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment Program (MOST). This program will replace the Comfort Care Program/Do Not Resuscitate (DNR Program).

The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program was discussed in the 9/5/18 meeting and health practitioners were asked to encourage their patients to register.

Update DC Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment Program (MOST)

This program is in place and forms are available for use. An authorized healthcare professional (MD,DO,APRN) must sign the form. Form includes options on life-sustaining measures in addition to CPR, intubation, antibiotic use, and feeding tubes.

Several members brought up questions about the efficiency and reality of the intended form registry that DC Government is planning on creating.

Update on Revision of Assisted Living Regulations

On August 16th, 2018 an emergency rule was adopted in order to address gaps in emergency preparedness, fire prevention, requirements for operating an ALR, and to protect the rights of residents.

Revisions to rulemaking should be made in groups in order to speed process along.

Judy is meeting with the Assisted Living Residence Focus Group on 9/18/18 to discuss select assisted living residence rulemaking provisions and to relay compliance expectations for the implementation of those rules.

Meeting concluded at 2pm. The next meeting will be on October 10th, 2018!