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May 14, 2009
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Propositions 1A Through 1F Critical for Improving California's Budget Outlook On Tuesday, May 19th, California voters will head to the polls to decide the fate of Propositions 1A through 1F. Polling looks grim for five of the six initiatives. Voter approval is low for all measures except Prop. 1F dealing with elected officials' salaries. It is widely expected that if these initiatives fail, the state budget will be in a much worse position. This puts many state programs at risk, especially services to seniors. Governor Schwarzenegger will release his May Revision to the state's budget today. He will actually release to budgets; one anticipating the approval of the propositions and the other without. This "doomsday budget" is expected to be severe in its cuts to state programs. Aging Services of California urges you to consider the consequences of the failure of the ballot measures. Diverse organizations such as AARP, the California Association of Health Facilities, California Chamber of Commerce, California League of Conservation Voters are urging voters to support all six measures. The initiatives are listed below with a link to obtain additional information:
- Proposition 1A: Rainy Day Budget Stabilization Fund - would establish a "rainy day" budget reserve and limit state spending.
- Proposition 1B: Education Funding - would provide supplemental funding to local schools and community colleges.
- Proposition 1C: Lottery Modernization - calls for modernizing the state lottery and borrowing against future proceeds.
- Proposition 1D: Children's Service Funding - would transfer early childhood development monies out of the California Children and Families Program to the state general fund.
- Proposition 1E: Mental Health Funding - would temporarily transfer funds currently allocated to mental health programs under the Mental Health Services Act to the state general fund.
- Proposition 1F: Elected Officials Salaries - would bar legislative and statewide constitutional officers from receiving pay raises when state is running a budget deficit.
For more information on each initiative, visit the Secretary of State's website or contact Eric Dowdy, Associate Director of Public Policy for details. Be sure to vote on May 19th! |
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May 2009
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News Report
| Policy/Regulation Report | Aging Services Report
News Report
Minor
league pitcher gets unique assist
When pitcher Josh Faiola walks out of the dugout on opening day with the Lake Erie Crushers, he'll already have a large group of fans in the stands - his new roommates at the Belvedere of Westlake assisted living facility. The 25-year-old, who was drafted in 2006 by the Baltimore Orioles and is trying to work his way to the majors, admits he was caught a little off guard when he was told about his new housing situation.
Faiola made his way to the assisted living center in Westlake, Ohio, near Cleveland, with the help of Cindy Griffiths-Novak. She heard the new local baseball team was looking for host families for the players. But because she has a 3- and 4-year-old at home, she turned to her family's assisted living center as an option for Faiola. Griffiths-Novak went to the residents with the idea and they unanimously voted for Faiola to live there.
"I always loved spending time with my grandparents and one of my great-grandparents was in an assisted living home and I remember how excited she was to see us when we went to visit her," Faiola said. "And they are being so nice to open up this place to me, so hopefully I can bring a little bit of joy." (excerpted from CNN, 5-13-09)
Policy/Regulations Report
CMS issues guidance to surveyors on H1N1 virus infection
A new survey and certification letter from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services includes guidance to surveyors, developed in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regarding healthcare facility visual alerts and proper respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette for the H1N1 flu virus infection. There is also a tracking tool to assist state agencies in reporting to the CMS regional office any impact infection with the H1N1 virus has on survey activities and/or health care providers.
Pilgrim Place residents volunteer as health advocates for one another
"Volunteer patient advocates" at Pilgrim Place in Claremont are communicating on behalf of their peers, fellow residents. Their duties include preparing the patient for appointments, taking notes in the examination room, and sometimes debriefing family members on new developments. "The very fact that a retirement community all by itself would have a resident-driven program like this, I think, is really unique," says Sue Likens, marketing director at Pilgrim Place.
Aging Services Report
2009 Annual Conference wraps as 2010 unveils
Sharing with attendees the wide range of issues facing the aging services profession - through presentations that were serious, sublime and downright silly - Aging Services of California challenged its members to "Invent the Future" rather than respond to it.
Three hundred and thirty eight aging services professionals participated in the 2009 Annual Conference and Exposition (May 4-6 in Monterey), 37 of whom were first time attendees. For both veteran conference goers and the rookies, the buzz concentrated on a highly original keynote presentation by Jim Breuer, actor, comedian and former "Saturday Night Live" cast member. Breuer hosted an exclusive work-in-progress preview of his new documentary film, "More Than Me," which chronicles his recent cross-country comedy tour and the challenges he faced caring for his constant companion, his 84-year-old dad.
Plan now for 2010: Aging Services' 2010 Annual Conference and Exposition is slated for May 3-5 in Long Beach. Watch for details online at Aging Services website.
Front Porch and Eskaton win top honor from home builders association
Walnut Village, a new retirement community under construction in Anaheim being developed by Burbank-based Front Porch,
received top honors at the 2009 National Association of Home Builders 50+ Housing Council held during the Building for Boomers and Beyond Symposium, April 28 in Philadelphia. The annual awards program recognizes excellence and innovation in the design, development and marketing of housing for the mature market. Walnut Village received Gold in the "Best Small (up to 200 units) Continuing Care Retirement Community on the Boards" category. It also received Silver in the "Best Direct Mail Campaign for a 50+ Housing Community" award category.
Eskaton, the Northern California senior residences and services organization, also received the Gold top honors from NAHB for its National Demonstration Home in the category "Best Detached Home in an Active Adult Community." The Demonstration Home, which effectively links technology and universal design to promote aging-in-place, opened last fall as a learning center for architects, builders, researchers, academicians, policyshapers and, of course, consumers.
RHF residents tie one on with Tony Orlando
Imagine
the surprise of residents of Southdale Tower, a Retirement Housing Foundation community in Anderson, Indiana, when Tony Orlando walked into their lobby. It was beyond their wildest dreams when a group of the community's residents who are fans of the early seventies pop idol planned their homage to him and his hit song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree." Realizing he would pass by their home on his way to the airport after a nearby performance, the group tied yellow ribbons on trees throughout the community. It turns out Orlando was so appreciative of the gesture that he detoured to Southdale Tower, hopped out of
his limo to say hello and ended up staying for an hour - singing and dancing,
and taking pictures and signing autographs.
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Presidents Report
Spring 2009
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STATE OF PCR
• All BOD positions are currently filled but talk to Denise Barton (Membership Chair) or Patti Michel-Evleth (Nominations) if you have an interest in running for 2010 offices - PCR NEEDS YOU
• The Ethics Chair remains vacant; if ethical issues develop, PCR will consult with WOCN Ethics Committee, WOCN-BOD, or WOCN president
• Judy Harwood was funded to attend NALA (Nursing Alliance Leadership Academy)
• The Fall conference for 2009 was cancelled due to economic changes as approved by the membership - all efforts will go into making the 2010 conference a BIG success; beginning 2010, PCR will sponsor an annual conference - watch the web site!!
• Timely Topics is now available online only - please submit exciting news about yourself or your group to Susan Schardt (PR Coordinator)
• Funds are still available to assist Peer Groups with making projects or community service events a reality - criteria and application form are available on the PCR web site. These funds have been available for 2 years and no one has yet to use them - Is this a fund that should be continued - let me hear your feedback
• The Spring Conference was exciting and thought provoking - thank you Liz Harvey for a great job
• PCR will now assume responsibility for all scholarships sponsored by PCR funds - PCR is coordinating the change in responsibility with WOCN - more to come later
• Bylaws and P&P changes are coming - infrastructure changes are necessary to transition to annual conferences, online nominations and voting - 2009 is the year of change.
• Thanks to your commitment, PCR continues to grow and remains a financially sound organization
• Please submit any comments or suggestions for improvement to www.pcr.org attention Joyce Moss, President. |
Many of your peers are worthy of acknowledging their contributions to PCR and wound, ostomy and continence nursing - GO TO THE WEB SITE AND NOMINATE A WORTHY CANDIDATE TODAY!!! |
Early bird registration ends April 24, 2009 for the 41st Annual WOCN conference in St. Louis, MO, June 6-10, 2009. The topics and speakers are excellent. Register now! PCR will not have a booth in the exhibit hall this year but we look forward to meeting you at the regional networking social on Saturday, June 6, 2009 from 6:30-8:30 pm - all PCR members and family are invited. I am looking forward to meeting and greeting each of you in St. Louis. |
It has and continues to be a pleasure and an opportunity to serve as president of PCR. Sincerely,
Joyce Moss. President
PCR/WOCN |
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2008 Salary Survey results from National
Download PDF
Pacific Coast data by region
starts on page 37 |
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