Colorado Assisted Living Association (CALA)

Wow, another 1.5% rate increase!  What are we going to do about it?  I didn’t even know about it until I heard it from another provider.  They continue to expect us to do more with less.  I’m already down $11,000  ($30 a day) for the fruit and vegetables that I supply on a 24×7 basis and now this latest decrease.   I have already frozen my employee’s salaries and now I won’t be giving out Christmas bonuses.  I am going to be looking for cheaper alternatives to the 24×7 food.  Don’t know what yet but…..  So how will you handle the decrease?

I am so excited about the presentation by Dee Rita, surveyor, with the CDPHE in Sept.  I understand that Terry Z. gave a presentation a few years ago entitled “You can do what a Surveyor does” or something similar.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t around for that so I am thankful that CALA is  hosting this one.  There are so many questions that arise on a daily basis at my ALR.  Thank goodness for the surveyor on call line.  But I think this presentation will be a  good opportunity to hear what questions other administrators have and learn from those.

I hope to see y’all there, Maggie

We purchased our facility 2 1/2 years ago.  All of our folks have mental illness.  There was no activity program in place when we started.  We were told that our residents weren’t interested in activities.  We decided to hire a dedicated activity director and he has created a fantastic program.  We don’t get a 100% participation all of the time but there are more and more folks that participate for every activity.  Some of our activities include Chinese tea parties, giant floor puzzles, crossword puzzles, bronco toss (a favorite), BBQs in the park, horseshoes and more. And the activities don’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

I know that everyone is looking for activities in light of the new medicaid regs.  If I can be of any help or if you have any suggestions on improving activity programs, post them here or respond back with your email and I will contact you. I’m am looking forward to everyone’s ideas.

Maggie