Assisted Living Management Certification On-Demand

Course Description

This course meets the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) requirements, IAC 481-69.29(5), to certify a participant who successfully completes the course as an assisted living program director. This course is required for the program manager/administrative director; however, it is not necessarily required for the nursing or clinical director.

The ALMC on-demand course is made up of 18 online units and an addition Assisted Living Regulatory Course that can be taken in person (recommended) or on-demand. You must register for and complete the Assisted Living Regulatory Class after completing this on-demand course to be a certified assisted living manager.

Each on-line unit consists of a recorded session from the faculty that teaches our in-person ALMC course. The focus of the course is to identify the essential components of a well-balanced assisted living management program. This management course will prepare participants to develop services and procedures that reflect assisted living values and comply with certification rules. Whether you are new to health care, or simply new to assisted living continuum, this course will give you the skills and confidence needed to manage your community successfully. Nurses and Managers from all levels of your community will benefit from this program.

Course Content

Gerentology
Speaker: Mary Jane Carothers, former VP of Quality and Clinical Services, Iowa Health Care Association

This session has been designed to help the AL managers better understand the geriatric tenant. Discussion will focus on the physical and mental aspects of the aging process and common sensory losses seen with aging. In addition, participants will learn about common mental health issues facing seniors such as depression and dementia and healthy habits for tenants living in congregate settings.

Leadership and Coaching as an AL Manager
Speaker: Briana Hilmer, Former AL Director for Wester Home Communities, Cedar Falls

Successful assisted living facilities rely heavily on effective leaders who can guide their staff to deliver quality service to their residents. This session will review the techniques used by successful assisted living managers covering everything from communication, teamwork and coaching the staff.

Tenant Rights
Speaker: Ken Watkins, Attorney, Ken Watkins Law Firm

Successful assisted living facilities rely heavily on effective leaders who can guide their staff to deliver quality service to their residents. This session will review the techniques used by successful assisted living managers covering everything from communication, teamwork and coaching the staff.

Legal and Liability Issues in Assisted Living
Speaker: Ken Watkins, Attorney, Ken Watkins Law Firm

This section provides an overview of the legal and liability issues that many assisted living facilities face including dependent adult abuse and tenant – landlord issues. A review of actual cases that have been brought to court will be discussed. There will also be a discussion on ways you and your staff can prevent legal and liability issues.

Risk Management in Assisted Living
Speaker: Joy Schultz, Independent Risk Management Consultant

This session will review areas of risk within assisted living communities. Common trends in claim data for A.L. communities will be discussed along with the severity and settlement value. Practical solutions for avoiding claims, suggestions for implementing interventions and systems for ongoing monitoring will be reviewed.

Nutrition and Food Safety in Assisted Living
Speakers: Julie Halfpop, Registered Dietician and Kayla Becker, Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals

Food is one of the most important aspects of the assisted living experience. This section will introduce participants to the following: how to plan a balanced diet, preparing for special diets, purchasing and storing food, proper refrigeration in techniques, cooking, defrosting, and methods of cleaning and disinfecting food preparation areas.

Human Resource Management
Speaker: Michelle Danner, Director of Human Resources, Accura Health Care

This section will cover the important aspects of human resources management. AL managers will learn interviewing techniques; hiring and evaluation processes; writing the job description, staff orientation and training, as well as employee motivation techniques.

Infection Control in Assisted Living
Speaker: Julie Johnson, Nurse Consultant, Assisted Living Partners

This session will review best‐practices for infection control measures for assisted living. Participants will be provided with the policies and procedures needed to provide surveillance; to use infection control and containment practices; and to adopt a proactive approach to preventing the spread of infections in an assisted living community.

Improving the Care of Tenants with Dementia in Assisted Living
Speaker: Barbara Speedling, Quality of Life Specialist and Owner of Innovations of Quality Senior Living

Effective approaches to improving dementia care in assisted living facilities (ALFs) are becoming increasingly important as the numbers of older adults with memory care issues being cared for in these facilities grows. This presentation will focus on the impact of dementia on psychosocial function, mood, behavior and socialization for residents living in assisted living facilities. The session will include a review of strategies for ongoing evaluation, quality monitoring, service plan interventions, and therapeutic activities for residents with dementia.

Mental Health Issues in Assisted Living
Speaker: Barbara Speedling, Quality of Life Specialist and Owner of Innovations of Quality Senior Living

Mental and emotional distress is an increasing issue among older adults who live in Assisted Living settings. Late‐life mental illness and threats to mental health too often trigger a downward spiral of disability. This session will review signs and symptoms of mental distress and illness, which is the first step in resolving problems. Strategies to assess common disorders, adjust the environment, adapt care approaches, and use interventions to enhance comfort, function, and overall care.

Home Health, Hospice, Short Term Stays in Assisted Living
Speaker: Stacy Hejda, Consultant, Assisted Living Partners, LLC

Assisted Living Communities have an opportunity to build relationships with outside agencies such as home health and hospice to provide supportive services to tenants. This session will discuss how such relationships could benefit tenants and the facility. In addition, we will explore short term assisted living stays and how your Assisted Living community could be a bridge between hospital and home.

Life Safety/Fire Safety – Building Standards
Speaker: Kyle Gorsh, Iowa Department of Public Safety, Fire Marshal’s Division

This section will explore fire safety precautions and inspections. Managers will discuss the recognition of fire hazards, fire suppression methods, fire drill instruction, alarm systems and notification of fire procedures. Managers will also learn how to develop an emergency evacuation plan, including special requirements for those with physical and mental disabilities.

Preventing OSHA Violations
Speaker: Chris Downs, Safety Consultant with Iowa OSHA Consultation and Education

This section will review the leading OSHA standards that have been cited in assisted living facilities around the country and in Iowa. All the hot new OSHA issues surrounding Recordkeeping Standards, Needle Safe Act, and the Ergonomic Issues in health care will also be discussed.

Disaster Planning for Assisted Living Settings
Speaker: AJ Mumm, Director of the Polk County Emergency Management Agency

A crisis. Nobody wants to think it could happen to them, but when it does, AL managers must be prepared to handle their residents, their families, the community, referral sources, and the media. This session will provide AL managers a framework for a comprehensive crisis management plan.

Assisted Living Financial Management Overview
Speaker: Jeff Steggerda, President, Brighton Consultant Group

AL managers will not be effective without an understanding of basic accounting procedures, budgeting and analyzing financial statements. Learn from industry experts how to establish successful accounting and record keeping procedures for AL operations.

Improving Care in Assisted Living with QAPI
Speaker: Julie Johnson, Nurse Consultant, Assisted Living Partners

QAPI is not just for nursing facilities! Tracking and trending data about your tenants is vital to assuring that you can manage systems in your program to improve the quality of care you deliver. This session will help you identify how to collect relevant data, conduct root cause analysis, set goals, charter performance improvement teams and subsequently measure your progress in improving care.

Moving In/Moving Out of Assisted Living
Speaker: Mary Jane Carothers, former VP of Quality and Clinical Services, Iowa Health Care Association

This session will cover issues families and tenants face as they move into an assisted living program or need to transition to a higher level of care. The session cover the applicable Iowa laws and regulations pertaining to occupancy, transfer, waivers, and involuntary discharges as well as providing guidance for talking with tenants and families regarding the need for discharge and how to choose a nursing facility when needed.

Developing a Marketing Strategy for Your Assisted Living Community
Speaker: Kara Bernsee, Senior Living Consultant

Marketing is an increasingly important role AL mangers fulfill in their communities. This session explores the issues of high resident turnover, market proliferation and saturation, as well as “affordability” and gives mangers some valuable insight into the science of marketing and developing a marketing plan.

Continuing Education Credit

The webinar is approved for 23 contact hours for:

• Nurses (IBON provider #166)
• NF Administrators
• Assisted Living Managers

Registration Fees

Members:       $575 per person
Non-Members:   $1250 per person

• Training Hours: 23.00