"February 16, 2010
Dear Providers:
Recently the Seattle Times newspaper published a series of articles on Adult Family Homes. (You can find the articles at http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seniorsforsale/2010963980_seniors03.html.) From what we understand, there may be more follow‐up articles in the future. The series of articles were not favorable to our industry. They depicted some serious and heart‐wrenching cases of abuse by Adult Family Home (AFH) providers. The stories were awful, horrific and unacceptable practices of certain providers. WSRCC takes these issues seriously. However, the AFHs portrayed in these newspaper articles are not reflective of the entire AFH community. The majority of the homes do a good job and hold themselves to high standards of quality care. AFHs offer positive
solutions for the care of fragile adults and they are a vital component of Home and Community based settings. WSRCC understands the concerns and fears that you may have as a result of the articles. How do these articles affect the future of AFHs and our image? What are we doing to address these issues? We want you to know that
WSRCC is doing their part to be proactive and responsive to these issues. We plan to work collaboratively with the State of Washington to ensure protection for residents of AFHs, while we also support quality inspections of AFHs. And we continue to expand our provider education endeavors. Below is a list of actions we have already
accomplished in response to these articles and we continue to do more for Adult Family Homes: 
 WSRCC immediately engaged in conversation with the Governor’s Office, the Secretary of Department of Social and Health Services, the Assistant Secretary of Aging and Disability Services, as well as the WA Association of Realtors. We will also be meeting with the State Long Term Care Ombudsman to discuss how these problems will be addressed in the future and how we can work together to protect the residents in AFHs.
 WSRCC has formed a stakeholder group with DSHS for rule‐making, for instance the WAC’s.
 WSRCC is talking with a public relations firm to help improve and create a positive image of AFHs.
 WSRCC is hosting a series of educational courses (for more details go to www.wsrcc.org):
 WAC training classes will be offered beginning in March throughout the State of Washington;
 AFH Business Conference will be held in May in Spokane;
 14th Annual educational conference in October in Tacoma;
 Caregiving trainings specifically geared for your staff;
 Geriatric Specialty Certification through the University of Washington’s NW Geriatric School offers
52 on‐line credit courses;
 WSRCC is partnering with Highline Community College to offer business courses specific to AFHs.
 WSRCC has made improvements to our website (www.wsrcc.org) to include more corporate sponsors to offer more resources for providers to help them in their businesses.
523 Pear Street SE • Olympia Washington 98501 • Toll‐free (888) 439‐8999 • Facsimile (360) 943‐6653
 WSRCC’s two (2) full‐time lobbyists continue to advocate on our behalf with legislators.
Being an AFH provider is a privilege. With this calling, come the challenges and responsibilities of running an AFH. As we embark an aging society, known as the “silver tsunami”, consumers are becoming more educated and proactive in their care or loved ones’ care. There is more demand to transform our AFH system to a more caring system. As an AFH professional, we encourage you to be prepared to accept these responsibilities and do your part to ensure our residents are protected and that they continue to live a meaningful quality of life. It is up to you to change our industry for the better and embrace improvements that may be necessary to your standard of care or business practices. With this said, we want to remind everyone of your responsibility and duty to protect the vulnerable adults and seniors entrusted in your care. It is our responsibility to continue to get education and keep learning the skills as an AFH professional. We can always learn more and improve as this industry continues to grow and we become more regulated. You can “stay out of trouble” by educating yourself in this industry and prevent these kind of things from
happening. Obtain a copy of your current WAC’s, read and follow them. Learn, understand and know your WAC’s. Maintain an open communication with your licensors by asking questions, clarifications or suggestions. Seek assistance from your chapters and WSRCC as there is a huge resource base and a wealth of knowledgeable experts who have been running adult family homes for years. Make sure you do the things to keep yourself out of trouble. Be sure to honor resident rights, keep your
assessments and care plans updated. Engage in dialogue with resident family members or their representative by keeping them informed of the resident’s care, address their concerns and don’t take clients that are over your scope of practice or care ability. We encourage you to develop your skills with training, continue to get education, continue to be more knowledgeable, attend the educational trainings and your chapter meetings, and obtain your geriatric certification. WSRCC is dedicated to educate providers and become prepared to handle the on‐going challenges and demands of running an AFH and our residents care needs. As we move forward and face the issues ahead of us, continuing education is vitally important to your success. We ask you to join us in being positive and proactive, and engage in making a difference to our AFH community. Thank you for your continual commitment and dedication for the care of your residents!
To your success and best wishes,
Tammy Stimach, WSRCC Board Chair
 
 
From John Wright:

"Good morning Jo Lyn!
I was reading further and the Internet to the entire series
is located here:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seniorsforsale/
 
Choose the installment you want to see in the left column, and
then select the first bullet in the right column “Read More” to read
that series’ installment.

The headline of the series is a fallacy. AFH owners aren’t promoting
sales of residents – Sound Realty Advisors is. Under the guise of the
sensational headline, which reveals something about the reporter’s
character, he drops some morsels of truth about some honest tragedies.

However, it is difficult to find the truth when it is eclipsed by sleight of
hand, egregious overstatements, and outright omissions of counter
balancing facts.

For example, the reporter says that “thousands of vulnerable adults
have been exploited by profiteers…” This sounds like a statement right
out of a “talking points booklet” from some nursing home association
which is feeling the economic pinch.  

The last time I visited a nursing home I found my loved one sitting in a
pool of urine for hours because the staffing ratio was 1 caregiver
to 15 patients – and the nurse said my loved one wouldn’t urinate
when she was told to. We removed our loved one from the nursing
home industry!

“It should scare people,” said Gary Weeks, director of the Washington
Health Care Authority, which represents nursing homes. 

Yes it should – not adult family homes Mr. Weeks, but the truth
behind the curtain. Reminds me of the Wizard of Oz only there’s
no heart for the tin man in this version."
 
 
To Reporter Michael Berens of the Seattle Times: 
"Michael,
From the calls I've received about your article today - you're ruffling a few feathers and waking people up. That's a good thing - Most people don't pay any attention to Long Term Care issues until they are in a crisis - and then it's an emergency and they don't always make great decisions. Looks like those providers who abused or neglected clients got shut down, as they should.

I'm looking forward to the next 2 installments of your article... I hope you'll be honest and fair.  How about showcasing some excellent homes? 
I can take you around to several fabulous AFH examples - where the system works beautifully for both care providers AND residents.  But then ... I suppose that articles about excellent care don't get as much attention as reports of abuse, do they? 

Adult Family Homes are wonderful businesses - when run properly. 
There's PLENTY of AFH regulations - have you not read them? 

The State didn't want to take the time or money to create the 48 Hour Training Curriculums - they just mandated 12 topics and 48 Hours.  Result - the 48 Hour Trainers and trainings are not all equally as good  - I agree. However, instead of throwing stones, I recommend you register for and attend John Wright's 48 Hour AFH Administrator Training - he uses the QNC curriculum. You'll see some excellence in action there. 

PLUS... there's Fundamentals of Caregiving, Nurse Delegation Training, Mental Health and Dementia Trainings, CPR, 1st Aid, and continuing education to keep us on our toes. We also have great pharmacies that support us in learning medications, delegating nurses, and home health companies that help us in oversight, etc, etc, etc...

I am in agreement about placement agencies - I believe they should be regulated. Don't forget - Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes have their problems and agendas too. Burnout is a continual challenge for caregivers - in any Long Term Care facility.  

People CAN make good money owning/operating an AFH - IF they do it properly.  Not all potential residents are appropriate for AFH living. Many people prefer an AFH to a NH if given the option. And it's true - some AFH providers take on residents they are not prepared to care for properly... and they don't realize it. 

What's on my site and in my training is not hype - it's truth.  I know it and I live it. Just don't take it out of context.  And a good caregiver is worthy of their pay.... as is a good reporter. 

Following up...
Jo Lyn Cornelsen RN
www.qualitynurseconsultants.com
 
 
The AFH Business continues to be a viable home based business, despite the challenges in our economy.  Did you know, you can take in one private pay client without a license?  This can keep the mortgage paid while you work through the licensing process, and give you an excellent opportunity to fine-tune your AFH operating procedures before you get really busy with a full house.   

Want to know how to run a great AFH?  Register for the 48 Hour AFH Administrator Training!  Our next class begins Monday, August 31, 2009.
 
 

Yes, it's true!  New license application fees increase  to $900 in July 2009. Here is is, straight from the State Website:

  "Per recent legislation, the fee to be submitted with the AFH license application is $900, for all AFH applications postmarked on or after July 26, 2009. The $900 fee is based on a $100 licensing fee for first year of licensure, and an $800 application processing fee.  If the applicant is not licensed, the $100 licensing fee will be returned to the applicant, but not the $800 application processing fee."   C  http://www.adsa.dshs.wa.gov/professional/afh/applications.htm

 
 

Need to get the word out about your Care Services?  The internet is here to stay.  Online research for everything is now the norm, and every business or individual service provider needs a web presence.  But how do you get that website noticed?  Through Social Media Networking!  Just be careful... each social network has its own rules of etiquette.  Follow the "rules" of the group, add value to the community,  and you'll find yourself perceived as a leader and expert in your field.  Then, when someone needs the service you offer, they will immediately think of you as someone they can trust, and seek you out. 

Need help creating your own website?  Need to learn about social media networking and other low or no cost marketing methods?  QNC's AFH Business Coaching includes this and more. One of our monthly calls is focused on marketing methods... because you may have the best care business in the world, but if you are unknown, your bank account will remain empty.  Learn to work ON your business as well as IN it. 

 
 

Aaron Mountain, WSRCC President, contacted me today... He has 15 years experience as an AFH Care Provider.  We spoke of online medical records, which he has used in his Care Homes.  My licensor told me that with any online system, the caregivers must be able to print out in paper form at any time.  He corrected that... Aaron said he verified that state law requires that licensors be allowed access to resident records in EITHER electronic OR hard copy form.  That means that when we use online systems, we are not required to print on demand.

Each small piece of knowledge can save a care provider both time and money. It's important to know the ins and outs of your business... one way to keep up is to work with your local AFH Association.  Working as a team benefits everyone.