Kansas Advocates for Better Care

If a business can only survive by understaffing and cutting corners on care, it's time to rethink the business model—not the standards. Quality care for #nursinghome residents should never be viewed as an 'existential threat'—it should be a fundamental priority. https://lnkd.in/gZdxhD2e

🌻 Join us for the Caring for Older Kansans panel discussion on Tuesday, November 12th at 5:00 pm, moderated by Jim McLean of Kansas Public Radio! This is an incredible opportunity to hear from experts in #aging about how Kansas is addressing the needs of our #olderadults and what steps we can take moving forward. 🎟 Your $50 ticket includes admission, light appetizers, and the chance to connect with others passionate about older Kansans. Don’t miss this inaugural event! Save your spot now and learn more here: https://lnkd.in/g9dpPgwn

Did you know that KABC offers a FREE "Declaration of My Care Choices" resource? This fillable 4-page document lets you declare your long-term care preferences, helping you make your voice heard regarding your future care. Whether you're planning for the future or adding to your current advance care documents, this is a valuable tool for enhancing your end-of-life planning.

Libby Hastings provided testimony on behalf of KABC to the Bethell KanCare Oversight Committee last Monday, August 26th. Our main ask- the committee's support of the Senior Care Task Force's recommendation to reinstate the "Explore Your Options" resource guide based on the success of the Douglas County Senior Resource Directory. https://lnkd.in/gw8_tCtK

More than 1.3 million individuals reside in nursing homes across the U.S., many of whom are susceptible to infections. A recent OIG audit revealed that 1 in 4 for-profit nursing homes may not be complying with Federal regulations that require the designation of a qualified Infection Preventionist (IP) and specialized training for this crucial role. This is concerning, as it puts both residents and staff at heightened risk. We believe this is further proof of the urgent need for safe staffing standards and stricter regulations in nursing homes. Ensuring that every resident receives proper care should never be optional. It’s time to focus on: ✅ Implementing nationwide safe staffing standards. ✅ Holding facilities accountable for compliance with Federal requirements. ✅ Supporting more oversight to ensure qualified and trained professionals are in place. CMS has concurred with OIG’s recommendations, but we know that implementation and accountability are critical to making a real difference. We stand ready to continue advocating for the safety and well-being of our seniors. 🛑 No more shortcuts. https://lnkd.in/g2iRWNc4

If you’re exploring care options for a loved one in Kansas, you might have come across the term “Home Plus.” But what exactly does it mean? In our newest blog post, let's dive into some details of #HomePlus facilities and what they offer! https://lnkd.in/gNzWAG3k

A sincere thank you to Kim Murphree and KLWN for hosting us yesterday morning. We thoroughly enjoyed discussing the launch of our new Douglas County Senior Resource Directory and our upcoming annual Caregiver Training and Membership Meeting. For those interested in hearing our conversation with Kim, you can listen to the recording here: https://lnkd.in/gpwPtQmV

A big thank you to the Lawrence Times for their article! We're having an AWESOME time distributing the new Douglas County Senior Resource Directory to our community 🎊 https://lnkd.in/g7_kASqN

We are thrilled to announce the release of our Douglas County Senior Resource Directory! 😍 This comprehensive guide was made possible by a generous Douglas County Community Foundation grant. If you would like to order a physical copy or access our online version, visit: https://lnkd.in/gwvjXx9q We extend our heartfelt thanks to the supportive Douglas County community for making this guide possible. As this is our first edition, we ask for your patience and welcome any feedback. If you notice any inaccuracies or have suggestions for additions or edits, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] or 785-842-3088. Thank you for your support, and we hope this directory serves as a valuable tool for you and our community.

We are incredibly grateful to Dot for her powerful letter to the editor in the Lawrence Journal-World, highlighting the critical issue of #understaffing in Kansas #nursinghomes Dot's words resonate deeply: “For residents of Kansas long-term nursing facilities, understaffing too often endangers their health and well-being. I suspect that neither of our senators has ever had to go to bed without brushing their teeth, had their bath or shower rationed to several times weekly, or suffered a bedsore or a fall... In each stay, it was clear that my care was affected by limited staff."