PRESS RELEASE

 

May 12, 2016

Contact: Jim Suydam, 512-542-9955

 

Texas nursing homes back Scott Cosper in May 24 runoff

THCA PAC endorses Killeen Mayor in race for State House of Representatives District 54

 

(AUSTIN, Texas) — The Texas Health Care Association Political Action Committee is proud to announce its support of Killeen Mayor Scott Cosper in the May 24 runoff for Texas House District 54.

 

THCA PAC leaders cited Cosper’s support for senior health care and his understanding of the need to address the serious staffing and funding issues in the long term care sector.

 

“As Killeen Mayor, Scott Cosper learned firsthand how important skilled nursing care is to both central Texas seniors and the central Texas economy,” said Kevin Warren, Texas Health Care Association president. “The Texas Health Care Association PAC knows Scott Cosper is able to work with community leaders, understands the needs of his district’s most pressing issues and will stand as a committed advocate for his constituents.”

 

The Texas Health Care Association represents skilled nursing providers across the state and is one of the Capitol’s most powerful advocates for senior citizens.  

# # #

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

May 10, 2016

Contact: Jim Suydam, 512-542-9955

 

Texas nursing homes back Barbara Gervin-Hawkins in May 24 runoff

THCA PAC endorses San Antonio businesswoman in race for State House of Representatives District 120

 

(AUSTIN, Texas) — The Texas Health Care Association Political Action Committee is proud to announce its support of San Antonio businesswoman Barbara Gervin-Hawkins in the May 24 runoff for Texas House District 120.

 

THCA PAC leaders cited Gervin-Hawkins’ support for senior health care issues and her understanding of the need to address the serious issues in staffing and funding in the long term care sector.

 

“Barbara Gervin-Hawkins’ involvement in the East San Antonio community and her background as a successful businesswoman taught her firsthand how important skilled nursing care is to San Antonio seniors but also to the San Antonio economy,” said Kevin Warren, Texas Health Care Association president. “The Texas Health Care Association PAC knows Barbara Gervin-Hawkins is able to work with community leaders, understands the needs of her district’s most pressing issues and will stand as a committed advocate for her constituents.”

 

The Texas Health Care Association represents skilled nursing providers across the state and is one of the Capitol’s most powerful advocates for senior citizens.

 

# # #

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

 

 

 

Contact: Jim Suydam
512-417-5382

 

Dedicated caregivers fleeing underfunded Texas nursing homes

Turnover rate one of highest in the nation, Medicaid reimbursement one of lowest

 

(AUSTIN, Texas April 6, 2016) — Dedicated caregivers are fleeing low-pay, high-stress jobs in Texas nursing homes at record rates, a long-term care expert told members of a House Appropriations subcommittee.

The Lone Star State is home to one of the lowest care payments for medically dependent seniors, and has the toughest regulatory system in the nation for nursing homes.

“Registered nurses in Texas nursing homes have a 94-percent annual turnover rate,” said Scot Kibbe, director of government relations for the Texas Health Care Association. “These are the folks who take care of most of our parents or grandparents or, even most of us, eventually.”

Kibbe warned lawmakers of a brewing crisis as nursing homes provide more medically extensive care to a more challenging patient mix and cope with the additional administrative burdens of moving to a managed care model as required by the state.

“Nursing homes in Texas struggle to keep dedicated, caring staff because Texas has the third lowest Medicaid reimbursement rate in the nation,” Kibbe said. “They are not just leaving their jobs, they are leaving the industry.”

Most Texans — more than 85-percent — in a Texas nursing home depend on Medicaid and Medicare. But by the state’s own estimates, the costs of taking care of these residents are more than the state reimburses the homes. And that gap continues to widen.

The result is low pay for the nurses and nursing assistants who are the very heart of long term care. Topnotch nurses are leaving the industry in record numbers for higher paying jobs with less stress every day.

“Working at a nursing home isn’t for everyone, but those who choose this vocation are some of the most caring people you will ever meet,” Kibbe said. “They are dedicated to making sure vulnerable and elderly Texans live with dignity, but we are not making it easy for them.”

And as Texas nursing home owners struggle to find and keep dedicated caregivers, the state’s over 65 population is set to triple. Kibbe encouraged lawmakers to do all they could to close the Medicaid funding shortfall.  He also suggested creating financial incentives for nursing homes that provide high quality care and investing more to educate a larger workforce.

“I think most Texans would agree we have an obligation here,” Kibbe said. “These are our parents and grandparents who have taken care of us and who now depend on us. Let’s make sure they are getting the care they deserve.”

 

# # #

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

 

 

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                     Contact: Rebecca Reid          
March 31, 2016                                                                                                                                   410-212-3843

 

Texas Health Care Association PAC Endorses Justin Holland in the District 33 Republican Run Off Election for the State House of Representatives

 

Skilled Nursing Providers Praise Candidate for His Business and Community Leadership

 

(Austin, TX) – The political action committee (PAC) of Texas’ largest association representing nursing home providers across the state, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA), announced its endorsement today of Justin Holland in the Republican run-off election for the District 33 seat in the Texas House of Representatives.  THCA leaders cited Holland’s leadership in his community and his outstanding achievements in support of local businesses and economic expansion for Heath residents.

“Justin Holland has demonstrated leadership as a member of the Heath City Council working on behalf of local constituents and representing community interests,” said Kevin Warren, CEO of the THCA. “That same dedication can be seen in his concern for senior health care issues and nursing home providers are confident he will be an effective legislator and smart policymaker.”

# # #

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

 

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                               Contact: Rebecca Reid
March 2, 2016                                                                                                                                               410-212-3843

 

Texas Nursing Homes Continue to Outpace the Nation on Progress to Reduce the Use of Off Label Antipsychotics

 

Long Term Care Leaders One a Month Campaign Urges Providers To Explore Strategies to Replace Use of Antipsychotics with Alternative Interventions

 (Austin, TX) – According to recently posted data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) indicates Texas has improved its national rank in reducing the use of antipsychotic medications in its nursing homes.  Data through October 2015 indicates that Texas has improved the reduction of antipsychotic use by 7.99% while the national improvement average was 6.44%.

“The concerted efforts by all long term care stakeholders in Texas is reflected in the steady progress providers continue to make in the reduction of the use of antipsychotics in nursing home care,” said Gloria Bean-Williams, RN, CDP, Director of Clinical & Quality Services, Texas Health Care Association (THCA). “Texas nursing home providers are improving quicker than the nation. That is encouraging news and we intend to keep up the momentum.”

In partnership with federal and state agencies, along with nursing homes and stakeholders across the country, CMS launched the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes in 2013 with an initial focus on reducing  the use of antipsychotic medications.  As part of this effort, CMS set a goal of 25% reduction in 2015 and 30% reduction by the end of 2016.

Committed to achieving the goals set forth as part of this national initiative, long term care leaders across Texas have embarked on multiple initiatives intent on reducing the reliance on the use of antipsychotic medications.

In October 2015, long term care stakeholders and providers from across Texas launched the One a Month campaign to commit to transitioning at least one resident a month off of these medications by using nonpharmacological interventions.

In addition, THCA supported the Texas Reducing Antipsychotics in Nursing Homes (T.R.A.I.N.) seminars, developed by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, and encouraged long term care providers and caregivers to attend the educational sessions and learn the latest techniques and strategies proving effective in reducing the use of off-label antipsychotics.

THCA continues to focus on future learning opportunities, including the April 5-7^th 2016 “Commitment to Care” THCA 2016 Spring Conference & Resource Fair where several sessions are dedicated to the improvement in care and activities provided to those with Dementia as well as strategies for the safe reduction of antipsychotic medications.

THCA also encourages participation in the Eden Alternative grant funded opportunity titled “Creating a Culture of Person-Directed Dementia Care.”  This project involves delivery of a unique educational package that includes Dementia Beyond Drugs, an Eden Alternative training featuring award-winning author and geriatrician Dr. Al Power. Dr. Power will provide participants unique insight and a deeper dive into caring for those with Dementia. An additional project option also features the opportunity to experience an 8-week online training called the Care Partner Workshop that deepens and supports the person-directed practices shared in Dementia Beyond Drugs.

Long term care leaders look to 2015 4^th quarter data that will reflect reduction efforts since nursing home providers actively engaged in One a Month and the T.R.A.I.N. initiatives.

 

# # #

 

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

To learn more about Commitment to Care, please visit txhca.org/quality-care/commitment-to-care. For ongoing Twitter updates and information, follow @TXHCA and the #Commit2Care hashtag

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                     Contact: Rebecca Reid          
February 26, 2016                                                                                                                               410-212-3843

 

Texas Health Care Association PAC Endorses State House of Representatives Democratic Candidate Tomas Uresti in the Primary Election for District 118

 

Skilled Nursing Providers Lend Support to Candidate on the Eve of March 1^st Election

 

(Austin, TX) – The political action committee (PAC) of Texas’ largest association representing nursing home providers across the state, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA), announced its endorsement today of Tomas Uresti, Democratic candidate for the District 118 seat in the Texas House of Representatives.  THCA PAC leaders cited Uresti’s support for senior health care issues and his understanding of the need to address the serious issues in staffing in the long term care sector.

“Tomas Uresti has made senior issues a priority of his campaign and that aligns with nursing home providers who see the health and well-being of seniors as a top legislative priority,” said Kevin Warren, CEO of the THCA. “It is clear that candidate Uresti is able to work with community leaders, understands the needs of his district’s most pressing issues and will stand as a committed advocate for his constituents.”

# # #

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

 

 

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                              
February 18, 2016

Contact: Rebecca Reid
410-212-3843

 

Texas Nursing Home Leader Cautions Instability in Caregiver Workforce and Lack of Future Potential Workers
Threatens Consistency in Care for Elderly

State’s Largest Nursing Home Provider Association Tells Legislative Committee
Survey/Regulatory Process Needs to Expressly Aim at
Assisting Providers in Improving Care Quality

 

(Austin, TX) – In a hearing before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on the Interim Charge of Healthy Aging, the President and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association (THCA), underscored present and future warning signs that building and maintaining a stable, consistent direct-care workforce in nursing homes continues to be one of the greatest challenges providers face in a statewide effort to improve the quality of care for the elderly.

“The numbers don’t lie,” Kevin Warren, President and CEO of the THCA, told committee members. “As Texas’ aging population continues to rise, the number of people leaving the long term care profession and those choosing not to enter it is also rising and that is a perfect storm we need to vigorously work to prevent.”

Warren noted that according to the AARP Public Policy Institute, the proportion of potential caregivers for persons 80 and above was 7 to 1 in 2010. That number will fall to 4 to 1 by 2030 and 3 to 1 by 2050 when all baby boomers are 80 years or older. Today, the annual turnover rate in Texas nursing homes is one of the highest in the country and nearly 50 percent of Registered Nurses (RNs) identified as working in a nursing home or extended care facility in 2009, were no longer working in either environment as of 2014, according to the state’s Health and Human Services Commission Jan 2016 Nurse Data. Broken down by nursing certification, turnover rate in Texas nursing homes is as follows:

94% Registered Nurses (RN)

86% Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN)

104% Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA)

Warren also asserted that the current facility survey program favors a punitive approach over a process that actually aides the provider in improving care strategies.

“When long time owners of nursing homes leave the business due to the strains of the survey process and underfunding, that in many ways is counterintuitive to actually facilitating improvement in care delivery performance, it is clear that something is not working,” said Warren.

THCA has stepped up engagement in several initiatives aimed at aiding providers in improving care for elderly residents. Most notably, the association launched the Commitment to Care (C to C) initiative a year ago marking a unified effort to strengthen the delivery of long term care across Texas by reporting quality improvements made by nursing home providers, identifying issues that result in unmet care expectations, and partnering with senior care stakeholders to advance strategies that facilitate the provision of compassionate and effective long term care services. The objectives of the C to C is to:

• Improve workforce stability

• Improve clinical outcomes and care coordination

• Improve survey performance results

• Promote policies that enhance the quality care needs of the frail and elderly

In addition, THCA partnered with other long term care stakeholders last fall to co-sponsor the One a Month campaign aimed to build on recent success by Texas long term care providers in lowering the use of off label antipsychotics in the treatment of some Texas nursing home residents. The effort involves partnering with nursing home providers statewide to commit to transitioning at least one resident a month off of these medications by using non- pharmacological interventions.

In conclusion, Warren emphasized the need to assess the adequacy of the long term care educational curriculums and training programs to ensure that nursing students are both well prepared and introduced to geriatrics and caring for long term care residents. Warren also voiced the association’s ongoing support for a value-based incentive reimbursement program that funds quality based add-on payments to nursing homes and recommended the council established by SB914 on long term care facility surveys and informal dispute resolution identify and examine best practices and protocols in other states and healthcare sectors for opportunities to improve consistency and promote effective quality improvement principles in the Texas’ regulatory system.

# # #

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

 

 

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                               
February 10, 2016

 

Eden Alternative Grant Project Calls on Texas Nursing Homes to Leverage Leadership

 

Strong leadership is essential for long-term care that puts the person first. Through funding from the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, The Eden Alternative® is facilitating a 2-year educational project that will provide nursing home leaders with the skills and tools needed to create an organizational culture focused on individualized care.

 

ROCHESTER, NY (PRWEB) February 09, 2016

The Eden Alternative has received funds from the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services to help Texas nursing homes develop leadership practices that facilitate high employee engagement and support person-directed care practices. Both help reduce staff turnover, increase employee and consumer satisfaction, and encourage and sustain quality improvement in nursing homes.

“With strong leadership, staff motivation and commitment rise exponentially,” says Chris Perna, President and CEO of The Eden Alternative. “Teams develop the ability and flexibility to tackle complex challenges with creativity and confidence. And perhaps most importantly, strong leaders learn to grow other leaders.”

Leveraging Leadership to Drive Sustainable Change prepares leaders to develop an organizational culture based on the practice of person-directed care. Person-directed care is structured around the unique needs, preferences, and desires of the individual in question. Through this approach, decisions and actions around care honor the voices and choices of care recipients and those working most closely with them.

“Leaders, who view person-directed care as a program, tend to separate it from quality improvement efforts. When leaders see person-directed care through the lens of deep systems change, however, they see it drives quality improvement and naturally engages the voices and choices of every member of the care partner team – employees, residents, and family members alike,” says Perna.

“Person-directed values include choice, dignity, respect, support, self-determination, and purposeful living,” says Dorothy Crawford, President of the Texas Culture Change Coalition (TXCCC). Leveraging Leadership is key to the success of any person-centered care journey. TxCCC challenges all Texas nursing homes to participate.”

For this grant-funded project, 100 Texas nursing homes will each enroll a team of 4 formal leaders in a comprehensive educational experience, involving in-person training, online training, self-guided implementation, coaching, and evaluation of project outcomes. During the 2-year project, The Eden Alternative will also work closely with the prestigious National Research Corporation to administer a comprehensive evaluation process that will measure quality improvement strides made by participating organizations.

“Training long-term care leaders in the art and science of person-centered care and culture change will transform the field. This project will create a substantial cohort of leaders that will provide a better model of care for residents for years to come,” says George Linial, President & CEO of LeadingAge Texas.

“There is a palpable shift toward personalized care in long-term care strategies that is yielding better outcomes and quality of life for aging Texans, “said Kevin Warren, President and CEO of Texas Health Care Association (THCA). “Leveraging Leadership will broaden and sustain that progress by investing in the key asset in health care delivery – those who provide the care.”

Registration is now open for organizational teams. Fully-funded registration is reserved for employees of Medicare and/or Medicaid participating nursing homes only. Project space is limited.  To learn more, go to www.edenalt.org.

# # #

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

 

 

 

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                               Contact: Rebecca Reid
January 28, 2016                                                                                                                                          410-212-3843

 

Texas Health Care Association PAC Lends Endorsements Ahead of Primaries in 2016 Election Year to State Legislators Supportive of Smart, Effective Long Term Care Policy

 

Skilled Nursing Providers Unite to Support Incumbent Legislators in Both Chambers

(Austin, TX) – The political action committee of the Texas Health Care Association (THCA), representing nearly 500 nursing home providers across the state, today announced its endorsement of ten incumbent state legislators well ahead of their March 1st primary elections, lending considerable political support from one of the state’s largest healthcare sectors.

“Long term care providers in the state of Texas have a vitally important role in caring for an ever increasing aging population with complex health conditions while facing ongoing challenges in securing a stable workforce,” said Kevin Warren, President and CEO of the THCA. “THCA member providers appreciate the legislative expertise and foundational knowledge these incumbent legislators bring to the health policy debate and we proudly endorse their re-elections to the state legislature.”

The state legislators endorsed by the THCAPAC in their upcoming primaries are:

Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-19, San Antonio
Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr.  D-27, Brownsville
Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-20, McAllen
House Speaker Joe Straus, R-121, San Antonio
Rep. Travis Clardy, R-11, Nacogdoches
Rep. J.D. Sheffield, R-59, Gatesville
Rep. Cindy Burkett, R-113, Sunnyvale
Rep. Jason Villalba, R-114, Dallas
Rep. Sarah Davis, R-134, West University Place
Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-147, Houston

Warren noted that In Texas, Medicaid pays for the care of more than two-thirds of Texas’ nursing home residents and the state Medicaid rate is among the lowest nationally.  The impact of providing care to a patient population largely dependent on both state and federal funding from the Medicaid and Medicare programs is a lack of flexibility most businesses need to compete with market demand for wages that will attract and retain quality employees. According to the Eldercare Workforce Alliance, the long term care industry in Texas employs over 169,000 direct employees, with approximately 56% being direct care staff. Nationally, more than one million additional direct-care workers will be needed by 2018.

“The majority of long term care providers in Texas strive to provide the latest long term care strategies that promote quality of life and positive health outcomes for our elderly,” said Warren. “We need strong leadership in our state legislature that recognizes the value of advancing policy that aids long term care providers in delivering compassionate, high quality care now and into the future as baby boomers enter the skilled nursing care setting. THCAPAC strongly endorses the candidacies of these sitting state legislators and applauds their proven leadership.”

# # #

 

About THCA
Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                               Contact: Rebecca Reid
January 18, 2016                                                                                                                                          410-212-3843

 

The Eden Alternative® Receives CMS Grant to Support Texas’ Reduction of Antipsychotic Use

 

Texas is one of five states that will benefit from national grant-funded dementia care training that puts the person first. The Eden Alternative has received exclusive funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to deliver the training, which ultimately supports a major national effort to reduce antipsychotic medication use.

 

Rochester, NY (PRWEB) January 18, 2016 — The Eden Alternative® is the sole recipient of a grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help reduce antipsychotic use in Texas and four other states. Funds will support the delivery of a unique educational experience featuring Dementia Beyond Drugs, an Eden Alternative training facilitated by award-winning author and geriatrician Dr. Al Power. The goal of this 2-day educational event is to shift the focus of dementia care from managing so-called “difficult behaviors” to, instead, identifying and responding to the unmet needs that are typically their underlying cause. Gone unchecked, unmet needs can lead to distress and the subsequent overuse of antipsychotic medications for those who live with dementia.

 

“In my nursing home work, family members would often tell me that their loved ones looked better than they had in months. They would often ask what pill I had prescribed to cause such an improvement,” says Dr. Power. “But it wasn’t a pill. It was because we had stopped the antipsychotic drug and found other ways of providing support.”

 

A recent report authored by The Eden Alternative revealed that training in person-directed dementia care shifts perceptions that support the reduction of antipsychotic use. The report marked the conclusion of a grant-funded Eden Alternative project in Oklahoma involving the delivery of Dementia Beyond Drugs. The project evaluation process revealed that participants experienced an overall 9% shift toward person-directed perceptions of and approaches to, dementia care – nearly double the project’s proposed outcome of a 5% shift after two days of training. Findings showed that not only did participants make a significant move away from institutional ways of thinking about dementia care, but they also conveyed confidence in their ability to apply the non-pharmacological solutions that they learned.

 

“The impact of our training on the participants exceeded everyone’s expectations. This shows not only the effectiveness of the training, but also the need and desire for change. Shifting perceptions about dementia care is a crucial first step to changing the culture of care and moving away from dangerous overuse of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes across the country,” says Chris Perna, President and CEO of The Eden Alternative.

 

One hundred and thirty nursing homes in Texas will have the opportunity to choose between two distinct educational tracks. Track One of the project offers nine of the participating nursing homes the option to combine Dementia Beyond Drugs training with an online experience of the Care Partner Workshop (Dementia- Specific Focus), also developed by The Eden Alternative. This interactive, team-based training will engage family members, side-by-side with nursing home employees, to strengthen care partnerships and overall well- being   on the team, as a way to collaboratively respond to the needs of those who live with dementia. Track Two of the project gives participants the option to register for Dementia Beyond Drugs training alone. According to August 2015 data from the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes, Texas currently ranks as #50 in the country when it comes to reducing antipsychotic medications.

 

“Texas long term care providers must strive to implement a culture change within nursing homes to reduce the use of off label antipsychotics,” said George Linial, President and CEO of LeadingAge Texas. “Through compassionate care and individualized resident approaches, Texas nursing homes can consistently yield better outcomes in the treatment of nursing home residents. We are thrilled to bring this opportunity to nursing homes in Texas, as we continue to push for better quality of life for individuals living with dementia.”

 

“Many Texas nursing home providers report having made measurable progress over the last few months by committing to the statewide One a Month campaign’s mission to reduce the use of antipsychotics in dementia care, and in some cases, has outpaced the nation in transitioning residents off these medications,” said Kevin Warren, President and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association (THCA). “We appreciate the opportunity to partner with The Eden Alternative for Texas nursing home providers to continuously advance the training and education necessary to implement new dementia care strategies outside of antipsychotic medications and firmly establish Texas as a leader in this effort.”

 

Funded registration is now open for qualifying Texas nursing homes for both educational tracks of this new project. Click here to learn more or go to www.edenalt.org.

# # #

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.