LeadingAge Ohio members are invited to gather on March 25 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Due Amici in downtown Columbus for the 2026 Legislative Reception and Political Action Committee (PAC) Fundraiser. The evening reception offers members the opportunity to connect directly with legislators of the Ohio General Assembly and have conversations grounded in real-world experience to help ensure legislators understand the impact of their decisions on mission-driven aging services across the state.
Find full event details and registration information here. Top You Asked: How can a facility determine if a specific procedure or activity is within a nurse’s scope of practice?
We Answered: LeadingAge Ohio frequently receives questions about whether a specific activity is within an LPN’s scope of practice or whether a particular task may be delegated to a nursing assistant. Scope and delegation questions are common, especially as facilities work to ensure appropriate staffing, compliance, and resident safety. The Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) has provided an FAQ resource to assist with these determinations.
Additionally, the statutory scope of practice for registered nurses (RNs) is outlined in Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 4723.01(B), and the scope for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is found in ORC Section 4723.01(F). These sections define the legal parameters of nursing practice in Ohio.
To evaluate whether a specific procedure or activity is within scope, the Board directs nurses to use the Decision Making Model available on the Ohio Board of Nursing website. This structured framework helps nurses assess whether the activity is permitted under law, supported by education and competency, and consistent with employer policy. Top Village Connections participants gathered February 24 for “AI in Aging,” a beginner’s guide to AI, led by LeadingAge Ohio Communications and Membership Coordinator Laurinda Johnson. Attendees learned the basics of artificial intelligence, how large language models generate responses, and how to write strong prompts by clearly defining intent, audience, context, preferences, and format.
The conversation also addressed ethical use, including privacy, accuracy, transparency, inclusivity, and sustainability, reinforcing that AI should support human judgment—not replace it. Participants came up with their own examples and were able to see their prompts executed in real-time. Older adult participants, volunteers, and staff left with a better understanding of how to utilize AI thoughtfully and effectively for useful tasks.
If you would like Laurinda to present on AI at your organization, email her at LJohnson@leadingageohio.org. LeadingAge Ohio policy expert and lobbyist, Bridget McAuliffe, has transitioned from Barnes & Thornburg to MAD Global Strategy. McAuliffe has served as LeadingAge Ohio’s contract lobbyist for more than 15 years and will continue to provide her institutional expertise under an independent contract with our association to avoid potential conflict of interest issues with MAD Global.
We congratulate Bridget on this next chapter and thank her for her continued partnership and service to mission-driven providers across Ohio. Read the full MAD Global press release here. The STARS Awards shine a well-deserved spotlight on your frontline, non-management team members who make a difference every single day. From nursing assistants and dining staff to housekeepers, maintenance teams, and program staff, these individuals represent the heart of mission-driven aging services across Ohio.
Each member organization may nominate up to 6 employees per site location to be honored at one of four regional luncheons this spring. We encourage facilities to recognize their outstanding team members whose service reflects compassion, professionalism, and commitment to quality care. Nominations can come from management, coworkers, residents, and resident families.
Find more information on the program, including dates and locations, on the LeadingAge Ohio website and check out the STARS Nomination and Ceremony Guide for eligibility details, deadlines, and instructions before submitting nominations.
Questions can be directed to Molly Homan at mhoman@leadingageohio.org. From group purchasing programs that deliver cost savings on food, office, and medical supplies, to insurance and risk management solutions tailored to members’ needs, LeadingAge offers a range of discounts on valuable services. Members also have access to aging services–specific salary and benefits surveys to help ensure their organizations remain competitive employers. Learn more here. Top Effective leadership shows up in results, stronger teams, better outcomes, and meaningful impact in the community. The LeadingAge Leadership Award recognizes a leader from a member provider organization whose work has made a measurable difference. Nominations for the 2026 LeadingAge Leadership Award are due by February 27 at 10 p.m. Submit a nomination here. LeadingAge submitted its comments to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on February 23, 2026, in response to its Request for Information on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in clinical care.
They expressed enthusiasm for how AI might be used to support providers through reduced administrative burden, increased productivity and more time in direct patient care but cautioned HHS needs to ensure that these AI tools are vetted, tested and transparent. Tools used to deny care or services should have their outputs reviewed by a qualified health care professional and beneficiaries and providers should be able appeal decisions made by AI tools. The full letter can be read here. Top This week, the issue of mandamus back payments was again in the news, this time in an article in statehouse news source, Gongwer News. In the article, Senate Finance Chair Cirino noted, “Right now I'd settle for a number of what the actual settlement needs to be, and we don't have that,” but in earlier comments shared that he believes that the executive branch has the funding to make the payments in its health and human services fund.
LeadingAge Ohio President / CEO shared that despite hearing from the Department of Medicaid in late January that they would be in communication soon to discuss how these payments would be made, the nursing home associations are still awaiting outreach. Said Wallace, “Unfortunately, judging from the testimony during the joint Medicaid committee meeting, it doesn't sound like there's additional clarity from the Department of Medicaid."
LeadingAge Ohio has encouraged its member nursing homes to be in contact with their legislators, apprising them of the impact of the back payments to their individual communities, and provided resources to help members inform policymakers as well as boards on the issue. Questions related to the mandamus action may be directed to Susan Wallace at swallace@leadingageohio.org.
Source: Gongwer News Service. The Ohio Department of Medicaid has issued a correction to its February 13 registration notice for 2026 Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) refresher trainings. Updated session times apply to the March 25 and March 27 offerings. All sessions cover the same content, and participants should register for only one date. The original communication was distributed to all nursing facilities on February 13, 2026.
Training dates are as follows:
- Tuesday, March 17, 1 to 3 p.m.;
- Thursday, March 19, 10 a.m. to noon;
- Wednesday, March 25, 1 to 3 p.m.;
- Friday, March 27, 10 a.m. to noon; and
- Tuesday, March 31, 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern.
Registration links for each session are available in the Preadmission Screening and Resident Review Refresher Training Available notice. Members are encouraged to share this update with appropriate staff to avoid confusion related to the earlier announcement. Top On February 25, Vice President JD Vance and Administrator Mehmet Oz announced new steps to crack down on fraud in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. In the State of the Union on February 24, President Trump announced that VP Vance would be in charge of the Administration's "war on fraud," and that role was referenced in yesterday’'s press conference. LeadingAge recently engaged with the Administrator on fraud in hospice and home health and has been tracking the statements, actions, and potential actions across our continuum of care, including in the Medicaid program.
The Trump administration has directed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to withhold $259.5 million in federal Medicaid matching funds from Minnesota, citing concerns identified in a review of fourth-quarter 2025 spending. The funds reflect services already delivered and reimbursed by the state. Minnesota has 60 days to submit a corrective action plan or risk additional deferrals. In its announcement, CMS identified personal care and home- and community-based services as program integrity risk areas. Vice President JD Vance defended the move, emphasizing federal oversight of appropriated dollars, while CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz indicated other states may face similar scrutiny. Because Medicaid is an appropriated entitlement, Congress authorizes the federal match even though spending is mandatory. LeadingAge anticipates the action could face legal challenge, though no litigation has been filed.
CMS also announced a six-month, nationwide moratorium on new Medicare enrollment for durable medical equipment providers, citing fraud concerns, particularly in South Florida. Administrator Oz said a nationwide pause is intended to prevent bad actors from relocating across state lines and referenced coordination with the U.S. Treasury Department, including the Internal Revenue Service, to address fraud.
In addition, CMS issued a Request for Information on Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare, now open for a 30-day comment period in the Federal Register. LeadingAge will review the moratorium’s potential implications for providers and submit comments on the RFI in coordination with state partners and members.
Fraud in Ohio? Read last week’s article on suspect utilization of Ohio’s nursing home ventilator program here. Top Recent survey activity has included citations related to failure to properly identify and report injuries of unknown source. Under the Long-Term Care Survey Process (LTCSP), surveyors are instructed to observe residents for signs of injury and determine whether those injuries warrant further investigation, including medical record review and evaluation of facility reporting practices. Facilities must ensure staff understand when an injury meets the regulatory definition of “injury of unknown source” and when reporting requirements are triggered.
According to the State Operations Manual (SOM) Appendix PP, an injury must be classified as an “injury of unknown source” when all three criteria are met: the source of the injury was not observed by any person; the source of the injury could not be explained by the resident; and the injury is suspicious based on its extent, location, number, or pattern over time. Suspicion may arise when an injury is located in an area not generally vulnerable to trauma, when multiple injuries are discovered at one time, or when injuries appear to have occurred over a period of time. Facilities are expected to promptly assess newly discovered injuries to determine whether they meet this definition and whether they rise to the level of an alleged violation requiring reporting.
Examples of injuries that commonly require reporting when unobserved or unexplained include fractures, sprains, dislocations, burns, blisters, bite marks, suspicious bruising to the head, neck, chest, or back, unexplained swelling, lacerations, patterned bruising suggestive of hand or object marks, bilateral bruising (including inner thighs), wrap-around bruising, facial injuries such as black eyes or oral trauma, injuries to the genital area or breasts, and any unexplained injury requiring hospital transfer. Even when an injury is explained, if it appears to be the result of abuse, it must still be reported.
Not every injury requires reporting. Bruising associated with recent lab draws, clearly explained injuries without additional indicators of abuse or neglect, and witnessed injuries without suspicious circumstances may not meet the reporting threshold. However, facilities must still assess and monitor the resident, notify the physician and resident representative as appropriate, and thoroughly document the injury and any investigation in the medical record.
Facilities should also remember that if there is a reasonable suspicion of a crime related to the injury, covered individuals must report to the State Survey Agency and law enforcement within required timeframes under F609. Reviewing your abuse prevention policy, retraining staff on the three required criteria, and auditing recent incident reports for proper classification and timeliness can help ensure compliance and protect residents from harm. The Ohio Department of Health PREP team has released a new Preventative Maintenance Manual for Long-term Care Facilities to help providers navigate Life Safety Code requirements adopted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The manual addresses construction, protection, and operational features designed to safeguard against fire, smoke, and panic, and supports the development of a balanced preventive maintenance program aligned with current regulations.
The technical manual is available in PDF format and includes a hyperlinked table of contents for quick navigation, along with technical forms and a glossary. Nursing facilities can access the Preventative Maintenance Manual in the PREP section of the Ohio Department of Health website under Life Safety Resources and Forms. Review the full resource on the Ohio Department of Health website here. The Ohio Department of Medicaid has confirmed that it will use CMS’ updated Long-Stay Antipsychotic Medication (LSAM) measure and revised cut points for purposes of the July 1, 2026 Quality Incentive Payment (QIP) rate setting. As outlined in CMS memo QSO-25-20-NH REVISED, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has incorporated Medicare Advantage encounter data and Medicaid claims data into the LSAM calculation beginning with the January 2026 Care Compare refresh. ODM will rely on the CMS four-quarter average posted on Care Compare at the time of rate setting rather than recalculating an average. Consistent with ORC 5165.26(C)(1)(c), any CMS metric changes in effect at the time of rate setting will be used.
CMS has also revised the LSAM scoring cut points, establishing new decile-based thresholds in the January 2026 update to the Five-Star Technical Users’ Guide. ODM will apply these updated cut points when assigning QIP points. Members are encouraged to review the revised CMS guidance in the QSO-25-20-NH REVISED memo here and the January 2026 Five-Star Technical Users’ Guide here. The updated LSAM cut point table is shown below for reference. Top National Church Residences has opened Berwyn East Place, an 88-unit affordable housing community for adults 55 and older on Columbus’s East Side. The new development combines stable, income-based housing with on-site supportive services that help residents coordinate medical care, access transportation, and manage daily needs. Leaders noted the model is designed to support preventive care and reduce avoidable emergency room visits, while creating long-term housing stability for older adults.
The opening comes as housing affordability remains a pressing issue for older Ohioans, with nearly one-third of households age 65 and older facing a housing cost burden. We congratulate National Church Residences on this investment in affordable housing and integrated services that strengthen health and stability for older adults in Columbus. Read the original coverage from Fox28 here. United Church Homes has introduced Parkvue Pals at The Parkvue Community in Sandusky, pairing residents with students from Perkins High School for one-on-one relationships built on shared interests. The program includes group gatherings and individual visits, creating space for conversation, mentorship, and shared experiences that benefit both generations.
Residents describe renewed purpose and connection, while students report gaining perspective and meaningful friendships. Leaders say the initiative reflects their commitment to abundant living across generations, with plans to expand participation in the coming year. We congratulate United Church Homes and The Parkvue Community for advancing intergenerational engagement that strengthens residents, students, and the broader Sandusky community. Read the original United Church Homes release on their News page here. Judson Senior Living is partnering with Case Western Reserve University on a one-year pilot study testing an AI-powered companion robot, Navi, in senior living.
Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the study will gather feedback from residents, families, caregivers, and staff. Researchers are examining whether robotics can support daily routines, provide reminders and safety cues, and help reduce caregiver strain without replacing human care.
Leaders say the goal is to complement staff efforts and support independence, particularly for residents experiencing early cognitive changes. Findings will help determine whether AI tools could play a practical role in future senior living models. The Oxford Seniors Community Adult Day Service is marking 25 years of continuous adult day programming — the longest-running adult day center in Butler County.
The center supports up to 15 participants each day, with four staff members, volunteers, and interns from Miami University. Daily programming includes a “morning chat” reviewing current events, exercise activities such as mini golf, and cognitive engagement through crossword puzzles, bingo, arts and crafts, and group discussion. Transportation is provided for community outings, including shopping trips and visits to museums and gardens.
Executive Director Emily Liechty said adult day services allow individuals with age-related cognitive or physical needs to remain at home while staying socially and mentally active. The program also provides respite for family caregivers and short-term support for those transitioning to assisted living. Read more about how Oxford Adult Day supports the community with meaningful adult day programming. Life Enriching Communities Vice President of Marketing and Communications Anjie Britton has been inducted into the 2026 Hall of Honor by McKnight's Long-Term Care News as part of its annual Women of Distinction awards.
The Hall of Honor recognizes senior-level leaders who have made a lasting impact on their organizations and the broader aging services field. Britton is one of 20 national inductees in the 2026 class and will be recognized May 4 in Chicago.
Read the full announcement from McKnight’s. Top LeadingAge Ohio holds valuable education webinars and in-person events throughout the year. Opportunities are added weekly. See the complete Schedule of Events. Top
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