OHCA The Oregon Caregiver Spring Summer 2021

The Oregon Caregiver SPRING/SUMMER 2021 www.ohca.com 4 For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, we are moving toward a more hopeful future. After a year of restrictions, including regular sanitizing, COVID-19 tests, screening and quarantining, wearing personal protective equipment, and social distancing, staff and residents can see the other side. The COVID-19 vaccines have ushered in a new normal that will require continued infection prevention efforts, but they offer hope and a return to families visiting their loved ones again and other socialization opportunities for staff and residents. This would not have been possible without the diligent work each long term care professional has put into doing everything possible to mitigate this terrible virus to keep our seniors safe. The efforts of caregivers, administrators, and medical staff during the year of a worldwide pandemic, devastating wildfires, and freezing winter storms have been extraordinary. I’m proud to serve OHCA in my new capacity as CEO and president on behalf of all of our battle-tested, resilient members. I look forward to seeing our sector continue to provide vital services for Oregonians long into the future. In this issue of Oregon Caregiver , we focus on looking forward to a more hopeful future for our sector. In our feature article, caregivers and staff from several communities across the state share what the vaccine means to them and how it has positively impacted their physical and psychological well-being. Linda Kirschbaum shares her insights into what a post-COVID world looks like when it comes to quality care for residents. Libby Batlan addresses key public policy updates that will impact our sector. Oregon long term care has seen a decline in COVID-19 cases since the distribution of the vaccine. Walt Dawson explains the curve and key data points to look at for the future. Gwen Dayton addresses commonly asked questions regarding vaccine mandates and guidelines within a community. OHCA’s events calendar has been completely virtual for more than a year. Rosie Ward shares OHCA’s plan to return to safe, in-person events in the coming months and what precautions we are taking. Two OHCA business partners share thoughts on important issues for senior housing and focus on additional vaccine considerations (Lane Powell) and the benefits of maximizing outdoor space (Incite Strategic Partners). In our policymaker profile, Representative Andrea Salinas (D-Lake Oswego) shares how her passion for health care has shaped her career and priorities for the future. Hear from Aubree Schreiner, director of operations for Aidan Health Services, on her career in long term care, which started while she was a student at OSU, in our leader profile. Ron and Eunice Fenchak, residents of The Springs at Greer Gardens, share their experiences under lockdown and what events in their early lives pushed them to get their vaccines in our resident profile. You can read this magazine and all past editions of the Oregon Caregiver on our website, www.ohca.com . Hope Is Here and the New Normal Is on the Horizon 11740 SW 68th Pkwy, Ste 250, Portland, OR 97223 Phone: (503) 726-5260 www.ohca.com OHCA STAFF Libby Batlan • Senior VP of Government Relations Philip Bentley, JD • President & CEO James A. Carlson • Advisor Gwen M. Dayton, JD, CHC • Executive VP & General Counsel Cheryl Durant • CRM Administrator/Accountant Melodie King, CMP • Director of Education Linda Kirschbaum, LNHA • Senior VP Quality Services Brenda Michael • Assistant Controller Lori Mueller • CFO Sara Schouten • Member & Administrative Services Coordinator Catherine Van • Communications Coordinator Rosie Ward • Senior VP of Strategy BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR Steve Fogg, Marquis Companies, Inc. VICE CHAIR Kathy LeVee, Generations, LLC TREASURER Mark Kinkade, Gateway/McKenzie Living IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Fee Stubblefield, The Springs Living NON-PROPRIETARY REPRESENTATIVE JoAnn Vance, Providence Child Center MULTI-FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE Ryan Delamarter, Prestige Care, Inc. BUSINESS PARTNER MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE Gabriela Sanchez, Lane Powell, LLC ALF REPRESENTATIVE Mauro Hernandez, PhD, Hearth & Truss; ITA Partners, LLC MULTI-FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE Jonathan Allred, EmpRes Healthcare Management, LLC INDEPENDENT NURSING FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE Kathleen Parry, Maryville Nursing Home BUSINESS PARTNER MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE Scott Reese, Alliance Insurance Group NON-PROPRIETARY REPRESENTATIVE Mark Remley, Aidan Health Services, Inc. IN-HOME/SENIOR HOUSING REPRESENTATIVE Kevin Call, Adeo In Home Care ALF REPRESENTATIVE Lisa Maynard, The Springs Living MULTI-NURSING-FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE Rick Miller, Avamere Health Services ALF REPRESENTATIVE Tom Stanley, Cascade Living Group, Inc. OC EDITORS Catherine Van • cvan@ohca.com Rosie Ward • rward@ohca.com OC PUBLISHER LLM Publications • www.llmpubs.com Advertising Sales • Ronnie Jacko (503) 445-2234 • ronnie@llmpubs.com Design & Layout • Jon Cannon Phil Bentley President and CEO Oregon Health Care Association LETTER FROM THE CEO Stay connected with OHCA! Contact Catherine Van, cvan@ohca.com , to be added to our email lists.  Improving lives by advancing quality care in Oregon since 1950