The Tripledemic is Here – What We Should Know to Protect Our Residents

The Tripledemic is Here – What We Should Know to Protect Our Residents

With the spread of three different viruses, the flu, RSV and COVID-19, on the rise throughout the country, it is important that everyone does their part to gain knowledge about these viruses and utilize daily infection prevention strategies to maintain the health and wellness of both individuals living in senior communities and their care staff.

1

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

A common respiratory virus that presents as a cold.

Symptoms:
- Congested or runny nose
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Sneezing
- Headache

2

Influenza (the Flu)

The flu is an infectious viral illness.
It is responsible for thousands of illnesses and deaths each year.
Symptoms:
- Sudden onset of fever or chills
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Muscle aches

3

COVID-19

The most contagious of the three respiratory illnesses.
Symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- New loss of taste or smell

With so many similarities associated with the three viruses, it can be difficult to diagnose based on the symptoms observed. It is important that each of us does what we can do to stay healthy.
Suggestions provided by the CDC:

Provide flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
Follow infection prevention protocols to minimize the spread of viruses.
Utilize face masks and other Personal Protective Equipment.
Establish regular cleaning procedures.
Ask direct care staff for feedback on ideas to help foster adherence and awareness of proper practices.
Visual posters and verbal reminders can help keep infection prevention as part of the daily culture.
Regularly re-educate and train staff on containing the spread of infection:
Hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, PPE utilization, medical waste disposal, immunizations.

For additional information on how to minimize the spread of infection, refer to the CDC’s Core Practices for Infection Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/core-practices/.

Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2023

On Thursday, December 29, President Biden signed the provider relief legislation, entitled the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2023, into law. Summary of provisions:

Partial Relief to Fee Schedule Conversion Factor Reduction–CMS finalized a 4.47% reduction to the CY 2023 conversion factor for CY 2023. This law increases practitioners’ payments subject to the PFS by 2.5% for CY 2023 and also provides a 1.25% bump for CY 2024. As a result of this payment increase, practitioners billing the Fee Schedule will still face a 1.97% payment cut for CY 2023.
Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act – During the COVID-19 PHE, HHS provided numerous flexibilities to permit the adoption of telehealth, which are set to expire 151 days after the termination of the PHE. This section would uncouple these telehealth flexibilities from the PHE and would extend them through December 31, 2024.
Sequestration – To assist in paying for the large price-tag of this end-of-year package, the law extends Medicare sequestration, which is currently in effect, for the first six months of FY 2032. Notably, however, the sequestration payment cuts would continue at 2% for FY 2030 and FY 2031.
PAYGO– In 2010, the statutory PAYGO Act established a new budget enforcement tool that intends to limit the federal deficit. At the end of each congressional session, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) determines whether a violation of the PAYGO requirement has occurred. If a violation occurs, the President must issue a sequestration order that implements across-the-board cuts in nonexempt direct spending programs sufficient to remedy the violation by eliminating the debit. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, followed by the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act, deferred the 4% PAYGO cut to Medicare until January 1, 2023. The PAYGO cut would last through FY 2031. To address these cuts, Congress has waived statutory PAYGO for 2023 and 2024. As a result, the 4% across-the-board cut is expected to go into effect in 2025.
Extension of certain home health rural add-on payments – This section extends, for one year through December 31, 2023, the 1% add-on payment provided to certain home health agencies that furnish services in counties with a low population density.
Increasing transparency for home health payments under the Medicare Program – This section requires HHS to conduct an open-door forum or other appropriate mechanism to receive input from home health stakeholders on home health payment rate development within 90 days of enactment. In addition, the Secretary would also be required to publish on the CMS website electronic data files showing the CMS simulation of 60-day episodes under the home health prospective payment system in effect prior to the Patient Driven Groupings Model (PDGM).

Preventing the Post-Holiday Blues

The holiday season is a wonderful time for all of us. We have so much to be thankful for, and it’s nice to take some time off from our daily routine to celebrate with family members and friends.

Seniors have a special time of year all their own, filled with holiday outings, in-home parties, and overnight getaways. It’s the perfect time to get together with friends and loved ones for a memorable time.

After the holidays come and go, it can be easy for us to lose track of our elderly loved ones as we get back to our normal routines of work, kid activities, etc. If you have an elderly parent or loved one who resides in a senior living community or long-term care center, here are some steps to suggest to prevent the post-holiday blues:

Learn Something New – When it comes to seniors, anxiety and depression can be worse when they are idle. Taking up a hobby or learning a new skill provides a challenge that is enjoyable and helps combat negative thinking.
Plan a Trip or Dinner – Booking a small getaway in the upcoming months or simply making plans for dinner on a random Tuesday evening can help lift seniors’ spirits.
Do a Physical Activity – If your loved one is able to hit the gym, now is a good time to take advantage of great membership deals being offered. Physical activity is important for both the mind and body.
Limit the Screen Time – Access to platforms like Facebook is a great way to see how grandchildren are doing. However, the inevitable bad news will always appear on someone’s feed or news channel. Taking a break from the constant newsreel will help ease the mind.

Introducing Encore’s New Podcast:

Coffee Talk with Encore

The Encore Clinical Services Team is delighted to let you know that our new weekly Coffee Talk with Encore podcast is launching Tuesday, January 17th.

Coffee Talk with Encore is a great place to listen in and learn about topics relevant to our professions, the industry, and all things healthcare related!

International Mind-Body Wellness Day

On January 3rd, Encore celebrated International Mind-Body Wellness Day as an opportunity to observe how a healthy mind and healthy emotions mean a healthy body!

Here are three daily activities to practice:

Find your mindful practice

Fill your days with positive experiences that help you reduce stress and cultivate joy. Aim to spend some time each day doing things like meditation, yoga, acts of kindness and service, mindful eating, or practicing daily self-care and appreciation.

Get a good night's rest

Sleep is essential to having a healthy mind and body, so give it some extra TLC by allowing time to decompress away from outside distractions and daily stressors. Aim for at least 6-8 hours of sleep a night.