OHCA The Oregon Caregiver Fall Winter 2021

The Oregon Caregiver FALL/WINTER 2021 www.ohca.com 4 If there’s one word to describe the long term care sector, it’s resilient. For the past two years, our providers have battled with COVID-19, wildfires, freezing temperatures, and now a critical skilled workforce shortage. While the sector made significant strides over the past year thanks to the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters, external forces have put a strain on labor. However, once again, long term care providers have found ways to persevere as they continue to provide high quality care to the residents and clients in their care. In this issue of Oregon Caregiver , we focus on workforce challenges and the innovative ways long term care professionals are combatting them. In our feature article, long term care professionals throughout Oregon share their struggles and triumphs with retaining staff. In our quality article, Linda Kirschbaum shares the lasting impacts of the pandemic when it comes to infection prevention and control. Libby Batlan, OHCA’s SVP of government relations, addresses how OHCA is proac- tively pursuing workforce solutions and support for members to manage labor short- ages during the pandemic. Boosters and vaccines have proven to be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. Walt Dawson unpacks the data. Gwen Dayton dives into the legal implications of vaccine mandates and its workforce impacts. Catherine Van addresses the critical role diversity, equity, and inclusion plays in staff retention as well as recruitment and OHCA’s commitment to this work on behalf of our members. Save the dates for next year’s upcoming events! Review highlights from the 2021 Annual Convention as well as important events to mark down in the future. Two OHCA business partners share thoughts on how to pivot with limited resources. Incite Strategic Partners focuses on efficient ways to celebrate the holidays, while Summit Cleaning and Restoration lays out how to do more with fewer staff. In our policymaker profile, Senator Kate Lieber shares her vision for advancing equity and quality of services in the long term care sector. We also honor all our 2021 OHCA Award recipients who go above and beyond each day to provide quality care to their residents and clients. You can read this magazine and all past editions of the Oregon Caregiver on our website, www.ohca.com . Preparing for the Workforce of Tomorrow 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 Kathy LeVee, Generations, LLC VICE CHAIR Rick Miller, Avamere Health Services TREASURER Mark Kinkade, Gateway/McKenzie Living IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Steve Fogg, Marquis Companies, Inc. 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 Andy Becker, Sapphire Health Services ALF REPRESENTATIVE Lisa Maynard, The Springs Living 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