​Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially expanded the application of COVID-19 boosters to those who originally got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine and said that anyone eligible for an extra dose can receive a booster shot from a brand different from their initial dose.

​HCAOA continues to fight against California’s AB 2455 law that requires all home care aides’ personal information, including their home addresses and phone numbers, to be turned over to SEIU to assist with union organizing. HCAOA initially filed the lawsuit in 2019 but the lower court upheld the law, so HCAOA filed an appeal from that decision. 

​HCAOA is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Board of Directors. Board members are elected by the full HCAOA membership and serve a three-year term. The Board meets four times a year in person, and sets the association’s strategic agenda.

​The RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage) Family Caregiving Advisory Council delivered its recommendations to Congress to support millions of unpaid family caregivers who care for older adults and people with disabilities across the United States.

HCAOA’s Caregiver of the Year Award recognizes the best of the best caregivers across the country who bring care home to clients when they need it most – especially during the uncertainty of the past year and a half during the pandemic. Over the past month, we’ve gotten to know our top 10 finalists and have been inspired by their commitment to caregiving and compassion for their clients, whom they treat as family. As we close in on November, which is National Home Care Recognition Month in the United States, we prepare to announce the top Caregiver of the Year next week, so stay tuned. In the meantime, take one more look at the finalists and the full list of nominees.

Among the many new California bills signed into law this session are two that amend the state’s workplace safety laws. Senate Bill (SB) 606 creates new classes of health and safety violations and dramatically increases liability for non-compliant written workplace safety and health programs. Assembly Bill (AB) 654 makes notable revisions to an employer’s COVID-19 exposure notification and reporting requirements.

What does ageism in health care look like? It can be a thoughtless quip that makes an older person feel diminished. Or an assumption that patients are unable to follow a conversation or make their own decisions. Maybe it occurs when a concern is voiced, then discounted or dismissed. Kaiser Health News and The John A. Hartford Foundation held an online discussion last week with some top aging advocates.

​When individuals with complex health needs receive clinically appropriate, home-delivered meals for 13 weeks, their overall medical spend and emergency department use significantly decreased for the next six months, according to just-released results of a pilot program between Mom’s Meals and UPMC for You.

​Last week, CMS launched a new website outlining every state’s plan for how they’ll use new Medicaid funding made available by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) to enhance, expand, and strengthen home and community-based services.

​Many people have already rolled up their sleeves to “get the shot,” however a significant number of others, including caregivers, are still hesitant to get vaccinated. myCNAjobs has created a guide to help home care employers navigate and explore different strategies to talk about the vaccine to inspire new thinking and conversations.

​Two Littler labor law attorneys based in Phoenix are confirmed to present at the HCAOA Arizona Chapter Meeting on Wednesday, November 17 from 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. MT. Josh Waltman and Sarah Watt will discuss legal issues and questions surrounding the COVID vaccine mandate and answer providers’ your questions in real time.

​The HCAOA Illinois State Conference on November 8-9 features a packed agenda, top-notch speakers, and innovative vendors. Reserve your spot today at the special HCAOA member rate before time runs out. But first, refresh your memory about what’s on tap for this great conference…