HomeMy WebLinkAboutNH CAC Minutes 02012022 Orange County Nursing Home Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes February 1, 2022
5:30pm,Video Connection via "Teams"
1. CALL TO ORDER by Vibeke Talley, Chair
o Members Present: Vibeke Talley, Martha Bell, Jackie Podger, Carol Kelly, Stephanie Boswell,
Autumn Cox, Kelly Kester and Kim Lamon-Loperfido, Thomas Hardin
o Members Unable to attend: None
o Thomas Hardin—New Member Background (Mr. Hardin's computer was unable to be
heard, however, he forwarded the following to the committee and its inclusion was
approved by Autumn. "I live in Efland and am originally from Shelby. I am married with two
daughters and 2 grandchildren. My professional life has been spent in the public safety field. I
have served as a fire chief, a police officer and detective, an EMT and I presently own the
National Association of Safety Professionals. I have always had a heart towards the elderly so
that's why I am a part of your organization."
o Guest: Susan Bone, Ombudsman for Durham Area
2. OLD BUSINESS; Discussion Minutes Jan 11, 2020. Minutes reviewed and approved.
3. NEW BUSINESS
o Membership
■ Election of Chair and Secretary_
■ Chair: Vibeke agreed to continue serving as chair. A co-chair appointment for when
the Chair is unable to attend meetings was discussed. All members agreed this was a
positive step. At this point Jackie Podger agreed to cochair with Vibeke and will
conduct meetings when Vibeke is unable to be present. Carol Kelly agreed to co-chair
for Jackie during those times when needed, and after Vibeke's retirement from her
position both members agreed to continue in those roles if elected.
■ Secretary: Autumn learned it will be permissible for Martha to remain as member and
secretary despite her inability to do facility visits for at least the next 6 months until a
family member completes a health condition recovery. In addition, Autumn will submit
a request for a one-year extension of Martha's committee membership because her term
would also be expiring this year. Martha has agreed to continue as Secretary; members
selected her for the role.
■ Membership Numbers: We are at 7 members (excluding Ombudsman and Dept of Aging
representative; three vacancies.
4. Ombudsman Report (Autumn Cox, Ombudsman)—including updates regarding facilities
staffing, concerns, Covid numbers, Staff and Resident Vaccination Status.
o General Staffing Issues: Over the past quarter Autumn has spoken with all NHAs in Area J
and visited for follow-up to state surveys. All are having difficulties with staffing. (Much like
our community as a whole). Ombudsman's office representatives suggested the following:
rather than noting the staffing issue and/or noting the general complaints by residents and
family members of"short staff," committee members could pose questions about how the
resident's care was impacted by lesser staff numbers. For example: when a meal may be
served cold, unable to be helped to an activity or missing a previously scheduled appointment.
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Members agreed this would be a helpful way to reflect staffing issues from the resident's
perspective.
o Facility Comments (from either state surveys or ombudsman complaints):
■ Peak Resources (Parkview). State Survey done Oct 2021; among items of concern
addressed by Autumn had been return following hospital discharge and missing items.
■ Pruitt Health Carolina Pointe: State Survey done July 2021; items of concern were pest
concerns; facility discharge problems and missing personal items.
■ Signature Health: State Survey Oct 2021; noted were documentation and appropriate
care plan follow-up.
■ Peak Resources: State Survey Dec 2021; valid concern related to dialysis.
■ Carol Woods: State Survey Oct 2021; documentation issues with nursing and dietary.
o Resident and Staff Vaccination Requirements: North Carolina has no mandated
requirement for all staff to receive Covid vaccinations. An Adult Care Home can require
visitors and unvaccinated persons to use a mask, but there are no requirements for proof of
vaccination. According to CMS Nursing Home staff must have vaccinations.
o Facility Dashboard Status: The state updates health reporting of Covid incidents for residents
and staff members,usually posted on Fridays. All facilities in our Area have had continued few
staff and larger number of residents ill and on quarantine Autumn cautions about reading
numbers because many can be incorrect because of reporting and posting date requirements.
Autumn also mentioned most facilities are doing every two-week testing for Covid among staff.
o PPE: The Ombudsman offices will provide approved masks for committee members once
committee members resume visits. Autumn and/or her substitute will ensure all committee
members receive masks prior to resumption of visitation.
o Family Leave for Autumn Cox: Susan Bone, Ombudsman for Durham Area, will be available
during the 12 weeks of family leave taken by Autumn beginning sometime in March. Susan
sat in on our virtual meeting. Autumn will provide contact points for Susan, although she also
mentions she will continue to monitor her email and voice mail issues as possible.
5. Department on Aging (Kim Lamon-Loperfido). All programs mentioned in the January 11, 2022,
minutes remain ongoing. In addition, Kim adds the following program information:
o VITA : httpsHorangecountync.gov/254/Tax-Assistance_is an Orange County NC Volunteer
Connect 55+(VC 55+) volunteer program that provides FREE federal and NC state income tax
preparation to eligible individuals with low-to-moderate income, regardless of age or county of
residence. Due to the Coronavirus, we will again be offering two virtual services:
"GetYourRefund.org by Code for America and MyFreeTaxes.com by United Way. Both services
will be available in February 2022 and are available around the clock.
o 2022 Senior Games: https:Horangecountync.gov/198/Senior-Games. This is a year-round health
promotion program for adults ages 50 plus. Activities include sports and games
competitions/tournaments, social activities, and the SilverArts - including visual, heritage (wood
working, basket weaving, ceramic glass, etc.), as well as local and state competitions. Additional
information is available from Dana Hughes, Orange County Senior Games Coordinator, at 919-
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918-7372. On line registration may be found at https://www.ncseniorgames.org/find-your-local-
games, Early Bird Fee: (fee to be announced) if received on or before Friday, March 4.
Registration fee must be received by the final deadline, Friday, March 18, 2022. (SilverArts
registration deadlines are the same as for Athletic events.) Cost includes Registration Fees
(Sporting Events & SilverArts), participant gift, medals, Silver Arts performance, and reception
and closing celebration event.
6. Reminders:
o Quarterly Activity Reports due April 2022
o Next Meeting: Virtual meeting May 3, 2022, 5:30pm. (Ombudsman office or either Vibeke or
Jackie will inform members of venue changes prior to May 3. Autumn will book a virtual
meeting date as needed prior to her family leave.
Respectfully submitted
Martha Bell, Secretary
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