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Top You Asked: What are the requirements for obtaining and documenting a resident’s consent before initiating or increasing a medication?
We Answered: In accordance with the requirements at §483.10(c), residents have the right to be informed of and participate in their treatment. Prior to initiating or increasing a medication, the resident, family, and/or resident representative must be informed of the benefits, risks, and alternatives for the medication, in advance of such initiation or increase. The resident has the right to accept or decline the initiation or increase of a medication. To demonstrate compliance, the resident’s medical record must include documentation that the resident or resident representative was informed in advance of the risks and benefits of the proposed care, the treatment alternatives or other options and was able to choose the option he or she preferred. A written consent form may serve as evidence of a resident’s consent to medication, but other types of documentation are also acceptable. If a medication has been initiated or increased, and there is no documentation demonstrating compliance with the resident’s right to be informed and participate in their treatment, noncompliance with §483.10(c) exists and F552 must be cited. Top Jill Wilson, president and CEO of LeadingAge Ohio member Otterbein SeniorLife, has been named the 2026 recipient of the LeadingAge Award of Honor — the association’s highest individual recognition, presented each year to one member from across its nationwide membership. The award recognizes leadership, vision and contributions that have had a significant impact on aging services both within an organization and across the field. Wilson, a past chair of LeadingAge Ohio, has led Otterbein SeniorLife as president and CEO since 2009, overseeing its growth into a multistate nonprofit organization serving more than 10,000 people annually across 23 locations in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan.
Wilson’s career with Otterbein began during a nursing home administrator-in-training program, an experience she credits with changing the direction of her career and her understanding of leadership. Since then, her work has extended well beyond Otterbein through service to organizations across Ohio and the national aging services field. Wilson will receive the Award of Honor Oct. 27 during the 2026 LeadingAge Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. In reflecting on the opportunities ahead for aging services, Wilson told LeadingAge, “The best part of senior living is before us right now.” Read LeadingAge’s announcement about Jill Wilson and the 2026 Award of Honor. LeadingAge Ohio is compiling a list of member organizations with event and meeting spaces available to host future LeadingAge Ohio events.
We’re interested in spaces that could accommodate a variety of gatherings, including board meetings, Leadership Academy sessions, committee meetings, educational programs, and awards ceremonies.
If your organization has a meeting or event space you’d be willing to make available, please share the details with us. We’d love to keep your organization in mind as we plan future events across Ohio.
Have a space to share? Let us know here. Questions can be directed to Molly Homan at mhoman@leadingageohio.org. LeadingAge Ohio welcomes five new members to its Board of Directors and recognizes two outgoing members for their contributions. Board members volunteer their time and expertise to provide strategic oversight and guide LeadingAge Ohio’s work on behalf of mission-driven aging services providers across Ohio.
New Board Members
- Kara Allread, Senior VP & COO, Brethren Retirement Community
- Kendra Urdzik, President & CEO, Judson Services, Inc.
- Andrea Hale, CEO, Valley Hospice
- Laura Farrell, VP of Healthcare Operations & Senior ED of Trinity Community at Beavercreek, United Church Homes
- Kent Anderson, President & CEO, Ohio’s Hospice
Exiting Board Members
- Gayle Mattson, President & CEO, Hospice of Cincinnati
- Ann Conn, CEO, McGregor
- Dave Mannion, CEO & CFO, Copeland Oaks
- Kristi Strawser, Executive Director, Everheart Hospice
LeadingAge Ohio congratulates its new board members and extends sincere thanks to our current board members for continuing to volunteer their time and expertise in service to the association and its members. We are equally grateful to Gayle and Ann for their leadership, counsel and years of service as they conclude their terms on the board. LeadingAge Ohio members have two new opportunities to learn alongside peers from other states this fall. LeadingAge Indiana’s Marketing Roundtable brings marketing and communications professionals together for focused discussion on strategy, branding and engagement across aging services. The virtual format offers a useful space to compare approaches, hear what other organizations are trying and bring new ideas back to your own team. Questions may be directed to Tina Bowman at tbowman@leadingageindiana.org.
For supervisors and managers, LeadingAge Maryland’s Supervisor Skills Boot Camp offers six modules across four virtual sessions on October 9, 16, 23 and 30 from noon to 3 p.m. Topics include interviewing and selection, employee performance, coaching and progressive discipline, employment law, finance and budgeting, and time management. Facilitated by Lyndley Andrews of the Maryland Healthcare Education Institute, the series is designed to give supervisors a stronger foundation for handling the day-to-day responsibilities that come with leading a team. Registration is $299 for members and $499 for nonmembers. The LeadingAge Ohio Political Action Committee (PAC) invites members, partners, and guests to spend Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Golf Club of Dublin for a day on the green that makes a difference.
More than just a round of golf, the annual PAC Outing combines spirited competition, camaraderie, and the chance to connect with colleagues and partners, all while enjoying a beautiful course setting. Every swing supports LeadingAge Ohio’s advocacy, ensuring older Ohioans and the professionals who serve them have a strong voice at the statehouse.
Registration opens at 9 a.m. with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. Both foursomes and individual golfers are welcome, and spots are available through Friday, September 25. Sponsorships are also open for those who want to further champion the PAC’s mission.
View full event details and register. For questions regarding sponsorship, please contact Corey Markham, Director of Education and Business Development, at cmarkham@leadingageohio.org.
Please note that contributions to Political Action Committees must be made by individuals, partnerships, or LLCs, not corporations, and are not tax-deductible. All contributions are voluntary and will not influence membership standing or benefits. Top LeadingAge members can hear directly from U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship representatives during the September 16 Workforce Member Network call at 3 p.m. The interactive session will focus on developing apprenticeship programs, with federal experts sharing guidance and answering questions about apprenticeship strategies.
The session is intended for organizations already operating apprenticeship programs as well as those considering apprenticeships as part of their workforce efforts. The discussion comes as the federal government places increased emphasis on expanding apprenticeships across industries. Register for the Sept. 16 call to participate. LeadingAge members can join a Sept. 21 virtual event at 4 p.m. to learn about efforts to support career opportunities for certified nursing assistants in nursing homes. The discussion will highlight the Moving Forward Coalition’s work with Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Programs, including an apprenticeship program and findings from a national convening focused on CNA career pathways.
Presenters Molly Carpenter, director of workforce strategy and development at the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston, and Alice Bonner, chair of the Moving Forward Coalition, will share information on CNA professional growth, workforce practices and upcoming opportunities for nursing home providers. Register for the Sept. 21 event. Top The Ohio Department of Aging (AGE) hosted the second annual Governor’s Policy Summit on Healthy Aging on September 3, bringing together policymakers, health care leaders, aging-services experts, advocates and business leaders to discuss how Ohio can prepare for a growing older population.
Held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, this year’s summit focused on the intersection of demographic change, economic development and emerging technologies. Sessions examined aging as an economic engine for Ohio, state and federal policies that influence economic participation, responsible use of aging-related data, and the performance of Ohio’s aging-services network.
The summit featured perspectives from organizations including National Church Residences, KFF, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, AARP Ohio, the Center for Disability Empowerment, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Ohio Association of Health Plans. Gov. Mike DeWine also highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for older Ohioans to remain engaged in their communities and contribute to Ohio’s future. State lawmakers and health policy leaders discussed Medicaid oversight, health care costs, artificial intelligence and other potential legislative priorities during the Ohio Chamber of Commerce’s Healthcare Transformation Summit. Attorney General Andy Wilson, Ohio Department of Medicaid Director Scott Partika and Rep. Mike Dovilla, R-Berea, said policymakers should allow recently enacted Senate Bill 315 to take effect before considering additional changes to address Medicaid waste, fraud and abuse. The law, signed earlier this year, will provide new tools to combat Medicaid fraud and misspending when it takes effect Oct. 6. Panelists also emphasized balancing program integrity efforts with avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens on legitimate providers and Medicaid recipients.
A separate panel featuring Senate Health Committee Chair Steve Huffman, House Health Committee Chair Jean Schmidt, House Insurance Committee Chair Brian Lampton and Senate Majority Whip George Lang discussed potential lame-duck and future legislative priorities, including insurance regulations, health care coverage mandates, rural health care, artificial intelligence and health care workforce scope of practice. Lawmakers generally emphasized maintaining human oversight when technology is used in decisions affecting patient care or insurance coverage, an issue also reflected in House Bill 579. Potential workforce changes included expanded roles for nurse practitioners and other health professionals; House Bill 449 addresses related changes for advanced practice registered nurses. Several specific bills were identified as possible areas of lame-duck activity, while broader health policy priorities could carry into the next General Assembly. The Ohio Department of Aging is preparing to launch Systems for Aging (S-AGE), a modernized information technology platform designed to strengthen the infrastructure supporting Ohio’s Aging Network. The department announced that the rollout of the new system is on track to begin Oct. 5, 2026.
S-AGE will bring together five integrated modules:
- Case Management and Provider Oversight System – Replaces the Passport Information Management System (PIMS) and Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) platforms.
- Intake & Screening (No Wrong Door) – Replaces Ohio Benefits Long-Term Services and Supports (OBLTSS).
- Provider Portal – Allows Ohio Department of Aging-certified providers to receive and accept service referrals and submit invoices for payment.
- Provider Certification Wizard (PCW) – Streamlines the provider certification process and launched in 2025.
- PACE Enrollment Management System (PEMS) – Supports Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) enrollment and launched in 2025.
As the October launch approaches, the department is asking stakeholders to continue encouraging staff participation in required eLearning and to promptly raise any operational concerns.
The department will also implement a structured “hypercare” period following the launch. During this period, dedicated support teams will closely monitor system performance, respond to user needs and address issues that arise as providers and other stakeholders begin using the new platform.
According to the department, S-AGE is intended to improve operational efficiency and provide a more seamless, user-centered experience for Ohio’s aging-services network and the individuals it serves.
LeadingAge Ohio members should watch for additional communications from the department regarding implementation, training, and the Oct. 5 transition. Top The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is preparing to update COVID-19 guidance for health care settings, with changes expected to address return-to-work recommendations for health care personnel, outdated staffing-shortage guidance and infection control practices. The revisions could affect how aging-services providers manage staff illness and workplace restrictions.
What You Need To Know
What Happens Next
- Updated clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination for the 2026-27 respiratory illness season are also expected.
- LeadingAge National has advocated for updated CDC guidance that better reflects current understanding of COVID-19 and the operational needs of aging-services providers.
- LeadingAge will continue monitoring CDC action and provide additional information as the recommendations are released.
What to Do
- Continue following existing CDC infection control and return-to-work guidance until updated recommendations are issued.
- Watch for LeadingAge Ohio updates on any changes affecting staffing, infection prevention policies or return-to-work procedures.
- Review LeadingAge National’s original update on the expected CDC changes for additional background.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) recently published a new issue brief providing Congress with an overview of the assisted living sector. The brief examines assisted living’s role within the long-term services and supports continuum and highlights the fact that assisted living is regulated primarily at the state level, resulting in significant variation in licensing, staffing, resident eligibility, and available services across the country.
CRS also outlines how assisted living is financed, including through private funds, long-term care insurance, Medicaid, and other sources. The brief highlights Medicaid’s role in helping some lower-income older adults access assisted living services through home- and community-based services programs and waivers.
The nonpartisan brief does not make policy recommendations. However, it provides congressional offices with background on the assisted living sector that could inform future oversight, hearings, or legislative discussions.
LeadingAge does not anticipate significant federal legislative activity on assisted living in the near term but notes that the publication offers insight into issues that may receive additional attention in future federal policy discussions. Read the full Assisted Living: An Overview brief from CRS. The U.S. Census Bureau has released “An Aging World: 2025,” a new report examining global population aging, demographic trends, and projections through 2060. The report explores the growing share of older adults worldwide, the impact of declining fertility and longer life expectancy, and emerging issues including age-friendly communities and artificial intelligence in health care and employment.
Read the full report from the U.S. Census Bureau. Top Under the Risk-Based Survey (RBS) process, resident screening is targeted toward specific high-risk concerns identified offsite, on the CMS-802, or through surveyor observations onsite. The RBS prioritizes residents with Stage 3, 4, or unstageable pressure ulcers not present on admission; falls with major injury within the past 120 days; and tube feeding with weight loss and/or dehydration within the past 180 days.
Resident screening also includes one resident for each identified hospice, dialysis, or ventilator service across the team. When three or more residents have the same facility-acquired infection and are on Transmission-Based Precautions (TBP), one resident per infection type is included. Residents on Enhanced Barrier Precautions do not meet this TBP screening criterion. Surveyors may also add residents based on serious observations, such as potential abuse or uncontrolled pain.
While surveyors are not required to enter every resident room under the RBS, they are instructed to observe as many residents as possible efficiently, such as during meals, group activities, or while walking the units to identify serious concerns that may warrant further screening. Screening is used to identify the residents with the most and/or most serious concerns that have a high likelihood of resulting in deficient practice. Understanding the RBS resident screening process allows facilities to anticipate which residents on the CMS-802 may meet screening criteria and ensure the information used to identify those residents is accurate and readily available. The Ohio Department of Medicaid will begin State Fiscal Year 2027 Minimum Data Set Exception Reviews in mid-September, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 5165.193. Reviews will cover assessments completed from April 1 through June 30, 2026, and will be conducted by ODM vendor Myers and Stauffer.
Nursing facilities selected for review will receive notice from Myers and Stauffer at least two days before the review begins, including the date and whether the review will be conducted onsite or remotely. ODM and the Bureau of Program Integrity will not release the names of facilities selected for review in order to protect facility privacy and the integrity of the review process. For the past two years, F678, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, has ranked among the top 10 immediate jeopardy citations resulting in resident harm. To help nursing facilities reduce risk and address recurring deficiencies, the Ohio Department of Health’s Provider Resources & Education Program has developed Advanced Directives and CPR in Long-term Care Facilities, a new training focused on identifying gaps in advance directive and CPR practices and meeting Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requirements and Ohio rules.
Facilities can also use a new self-audit tool to examine their current advance directive and CPR practices and identify areas that may need attention. The training is available free of charge and offers continuing education credit for physicians, nurses, social workers, dietitians, and nursing home administrators. Access additional information through the Ohio Department of Health’s PREP resources. Top LeadingAge Ohio congratulates Community First Solutions on its continued growth with the creation of CFS Senior Holdings, LLC, a for-profit subsidiary designed to support senior living acquisitions and management partnerships across the Midwest. Community First Solutions remains a nonprofit organization, with the new subsidiary providing a dedicated platform to expand its senior living operations. The organization has added six campuses to its network over the past three years, including its first communities outside Ohio.
As Community First Solutions expands its reach, the organization says the new structure will allow it to bring its century of operating experience and mission-driven approach to more communities and partners. CFS Senior Holdings will pursue growth opportunities while preserving the culture and commitment to residents and families that have guided Community First Solutions since its founding in 1918.
Additional details are available through Community First Solutions’ recent growth updates. Top From the Benjamin Rose Institute, join nationally recognized aging policy leader Bob Blancato for a nonpartisan conversation about how the 2026 midterm elections may shape policies affecting older adults and caregivers. From healthcare and long-term care to federal funding and aging services, this session will help you understand the issues, opportunities, and challenges ahead. This free webinar is on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at noon. Register here. Certain medications can cause sensitivity to the sun, known as photosensitivity, through two primary biological processes called phototoxicity (a chemically-induced reaction that may depend on the dose) and photoallergy (an immune-mediated reaction that is not related to dose).
This month's DYK article from LeadingAge Ohio Partner, HealthDirect Pharmacy Services, reviews commonly prescribed medications associated with drug-induced photosensitivity and best practices to minimize exposure risk for your residents and how to care for them after a reaction has occurred. The most effective way to address this issue is adequate sunlight protection. Patients who are prescribed the medications listed should be advised to limit their exposure to sunlight by wearing protective clothing and using broad-spectrum sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays when sun exposure is unavoidable. Enrollment is now open for the Winter 2027 session of the Core of Knowledge, a program designed for Administrators-in-Residence that fulfills the academic requirement set by the Board of Executives of Long-Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) for qualifying to sit for the state licensure board examination to become a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA).
The three-week course will be held January 11–28, 2027, Monday through Thursday, at the OCLC Conference Center. This is one of only two opportunities to complete the required coursework in 2027.
The deadline to register is December 11, 2025. Learn more and register for the 2027 Winter Core of Knowledge. For additional information, contact Corey Markham at cmarkham@leadingageohio.org. 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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