News

Maine First Lady Ann LePage opened the 11th annual Remember ME Photography Exhibit and Recognition Ceremony held in the Hall of Flags on Friday, April 12, at the State House and personally presented each award to this year’s winners. To a crowd of 300 residents, staff members, friends and family, the First Lady told our long term care residents how much she appreciated all that they’ve accomplished and sacrificed to build the foundations of our country and the great State of Maine. Several legislators also joined us to help present constituents with awards.

Awards were presented to 34 individuals: 15 women and 19 men, ranging in age from 61-107. MHCA President and CEO marked the 11th anniversary of the project by noting that we have now honored 400 deserving individuals since the inception of the program. He told the crowd,

“In some ways, your stories are even more important today as they were when you blazed the trails, fought the wars, and raised your families with conviction. You represent a generation who understands challenge and how to rise above it. Yours is a generation that saw a problem and took matters into your own hands to fix it. You are part of a generation that has wisdom and lessons to share with those who follow so that we might learn from your mistakes and be inspired from your achievements.”

This year’s event was well covered by the media, including Channels 5, 6, and 13. Tune in to the news tonight! The SunJournal newspaper previewed the event this morning; to read coverage of Lewiston/Auburn area recipients, click here: http://www.sunjournal.com/news/1346979

MHCA would like to thank this year’s judges: Ashley Ellis, MHCA Staff Support Specialist; Venise Minkowsky, CEO of Continuum Health Services; and Lori Parham, State Director of AARP Maine. We also thank our sponsors for their financial support:  Maine Veterans’ Homes for program books; First Atlantic Healthcare for breakfast; MHCA Workers’ Compensation Fund for flowers and OfficeMax for awards.

As always, we thank the staff that makes it possible for the residents to attend the event, for we know that they not only provide transportation, they lend moral support and comfort too. Congratulations to all of our honorees – it’s our pleasure to salute you!

Staff Contact:
Nadine Grosso
Vice President & Director of
Communications
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

We are pleased to announce this year’s Remember ME Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.  The judges selected 35 Recipients and 24 Honorable Mention Awards from the pool of 59 applicants.  Award recipients will be contacted regarding a photo shoot over the next two weeks.  Their photos and biographies will be included in the program book and in the Friday, April 12th exhibit at the Hall of Flags, where they will receive their Certificate of Lifetime Achievement. Honorable Mention recipient bios will also be featured in the program book and we will mail their Honorable Mention Certificates of Lifetime Achievement the week of April 15th. Please know that all are welcome to attend the Hall of Flags ceremony, which will begin at 10 am. Please RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at the Association by April 8th.

Lifetime Achievement award recipients

Honorable Mention award recipients

MHCA would like to thank this year’s judges for lending their time and expertise. They indicated that it was very difficult selection process because all of our candidates deserve recognition for their important contributions in their lifetime.

Ashley Ellis, Staff Support Specialist, MHCA Staff Representative

Venise Minkowsky, CEO, Continuum Health Services, MHCA Board Representative

Lori K. Parham, State Director, AARP Maine, Outside Agency Representative

As announced in a previous MHCA E-News, the Division of Licensing & Regulatory Services has scheduled a Licensing Forum for long term care and assisted living on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 1pm-4pm at MHCA.

Please RSVP by April 1, 2013 to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at MHCA via email or via phone at 623-1146.

Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at MHCA by April 1, 2013 if you would like to suggest topics for review at the Licensing Forum.

Who will you nominate to the Remember ME program?

Have you submitted your nomination to MHCA’s annual Remember ME program? We know that every resident has a unique story and narrowing it down to one entry is difficult, but space is limited in the Hall of Flags and the deadline is this Friday, January 25th!  Please visit www.mehca.org/recognition-programs/rememberme to download a nomination form, and send it along with a one-page narrative, to tell us about a resident you believe fits the criteria.

This year’s photography exhibit and recognition ceremony will be held in the State House Hall of Flags on Friday, April 12, 2013. In addition to the display of black and white photographs and biographies, we will honor your residents with Certificates of Lifetime Achievement. Previous participants know firsthand how special this event is for residents and their families. Join us in honoring another round of deserving residents this year!

If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at 623-1146 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sincerely,

Nadine L. Grosso
Vice President and Director of Communications

MHCA Partners with QIO to offer education on Methods for Reducing Hospital Readmissions

In partnership with The Northeast Health Care Quality Foundation, MHCA is pleased to offer the program, Exploring Transitional Care: Methods for Reducing Hospital Readmissions, in four locations after the New Year: January 15 – Caribou Rehab & Nursing Center, Caribou; January 17 – Hilton Garden Inn, Bangor; February 5 – Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport; and February 7 – Maine Health Care Association, Augusta. This workshop has been approved for 6 continuing education units (CEUs) by the Maine Nursing Home Administrators Licensing Board. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the program running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

It is a startling fact that one fifth of all Medicare patients who are discharged from a hospital will be readmitted within thirty (30) days, costing the healthcare system billions of dollars and often resulting in poor patient outcomes. This session is designed to help participants develop a comprehensive understanding of care transitions. You will learn ways to reduce hospital readmissions by adopting evidence based practices. You will discuss techniques for preventing conditions from becoming severe enough to require hospitalization through early identification and assessment of changes in the residents’ health status. You will develop strategies for managing some common health conditions when it is feasible and safe thereby reducing unplanned transfers. Finally, you will discuss best practices for effective communication of pertinent medical information between health care providers. If you’re looking for resources to assist you in establishing an excellent care transition program within your facility as well as facility-based technical assistance, don’t miss this opportunity.

MHCA Partners with the Maine Alzheimer’s Association to Improve Dementia Care

In partnership with The Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, MHCA is pleased to offer the workshop ‘I Already Told You… Don’t You Remember?’ Tips for Becoming an Effective Dementia Educator and Coach on January 30, 2013 at the Augusta Civic Center.   Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the program running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Despite efforts to educate individuals on how best to communicate with residents who have dementia, phrases like these are still all too common:   ‘You can’t go home – you live here now, remember?’ ‘You already had breakfast, remember?’ ‘You know me!  Do you remember my name?’  Would you like to grow your skills as an effective dementia educator and dementia communication coach? Don’t miss this opportunity. This program is designed to offer proven (& fun!) education tools for dementia education including coaching techniques for effective dementia communication and behavior prevention. In addition, you will hear from the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, about resources and services available to you to help you provide good care to residents with dementia.

For more details and/or registration form, click here for MHCA’s current edition of the Education Quarterly.

To register, you may either (1) fax your completed registration form to MHCA at 623-4080 and send the original by mail, along with your payment, to MHCA, 317 State Street, Augusta, ME 04330, OR (2) click here to register online. If you have any questions, feel free to contact MHCA (623-1146).

Good News! The Education Quarterly Publication for January, February and March, 2013 is now available online. This brochure includes updated information about the general education programs, certificate courses and webinars for the upcoming quarter. To download the publication, visit our website.

To register, complete the Registration/Invoice form included in the brochure, fax it to MHCA at 207-623-4080, and send the original along with your payment to MHCA at 317 State Street, Augusta, ME 04330; OR register online.

As part of our continued efforts to “Go Green” watch for increased use of email and the web this year as we do our part to use member resources wisely and consider the environment. To update your contact information and/or add someone to our education email list, please forward the name, job title, facility, and email address to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If you have any questions, feel free to contact MHCA at (207) 623-1146. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Click here for Kennebec Journal article

Rima Daudaraviciene, Cook, Karen Marble, Food Service Director, and Jacob Worden, Food Service Worker II of Maine Veterans’ Home in Scarborough were this year’s winner of the Frying Pan trophy in MHCA’s third annual LTC Culinary Challenge …cooking for a cause, to benefit the Mike McNeil Scholarship Fund (Fund). The team also won the Best Overall Soup/Chowder Award. On Saturday, October 6th at Southern Maine Community College, the Maine Veterans’ Home team, along with 6 other culinary teams representing member nursing homes and assisted living facilities from around the state, showcased their talent and creativity to help raise over $2500 for the scholarship fund!

Teams consisted of two cooks and one team manager who prepared a three-course meal using pork tenderloin supplied by Sysco. Teams had two hours to complete the task and were judged on a 100-point scale by a team of certified chefs, which included Sysco Corporate Executive Chef Gary Sheldon and Phyllis Flaherty, CEC, CCE, Chef Geoffrey Boardman, CEC, from the Southern Maine Community College, Chef Kendra Stanley, Personnel Chefs Inc, Chef Ralph Coughenour, Foodservice Director, Dartmouth College. While the judges were impressed by all the teams’ efforts, Maine Veterans’ Home in Scarborough won the competition with the following menu: Soup/Chowder: Beet Soup/Baked Squash Bowl; Entree: Kale baked haddock served with sautéed asparagus and pumpkin risotto, and a spring mix/jicama salad; Dessert: Baked apple-break pudding.

MVH -Scarborough Team received the MMSF Frying Pan Trophy, a $300 gift certificate to Direct Supply, and a grand prize of two continuing education courses donated by the Southern Maine Community College, one in baking and one in fundamental cooking (one day each). Taking second place and a $175 gift certificate to Direct Supply was the Mt. St. Joseph Team of Dusty Mcarthur, Cook, Scott Pearl, Director of Nutritional Service, and Brian Witham, Assistant Chef. The Third place trophy and a $125 gift certificate to Direct Supply went to Seal Rock/Inn at Atlantic Heights Team of Ramunas Daudaravicius, Chef, Bill Stanton, Director of Food & Beverage, David St. Marie, Executive Chef.

In addition to the Best Overall Soup/Chowder won by MVH-Scarborough, Best Overall Entrée award went to the Mt. St. Joseph team, and Best Overall Dessert, went to Fallbrook woods team of Susan Kezal, Director of Dining & Nutrition Services, David Lindall, Cook, and Patrick Montanese, Cook. Every team received a certificate of appreciation and gift bag.

The Culinary Challenge is proudly sponsored by MHCA/MHCA Business Services and our business partner, Sysco Northern New England, with generous contributions from Southern Maine Community College Culinary Arts program, BerryDunn, as well as Sysco manufacturers Pinnacle Food Brokers and Fusion Sales.

We would also like to thank all the participants for making this event a great success. They are:

Maine Veterans’ Home, Machias: Wendy Candelmo, Nutrition Services Director, Jason Cilley, Head Cook, Brian Davis, Head Cook.
Orchard Park & Edgewood Rehab & Living Centers, Farmington: Donna Boyce, Cook, Bridget Kurts, Food Service Director, John Wilbur, Cook
Russell Park Rehabilitation & Living Center, Lewiston: Kirt Leblanc, Head Chef, Tim Shannon, Cook, Robin Tibbetts, Chef

Each week, we will feature a team from the competition until we have showcased all of the talented food service professionals who contributed to the success of this event.
We offer our special thanks to Sysco Executive Chef Gary Sheldon for donating his time to organize the competition. He not only developed the contest rules, he spent considerable time planning, meeting with the teams, securing judges and managing the event onsite.

Since its inception in 2007, the scholarship fund has enabled 42 individuals to pursue their educational goals in long term care. Eligible fields of study include nursing, physical or occupational therapy, speech pathology, social work, activities and food service. We are especially pleased to note that this year’s event was covered by WMTW Channel 8. Click here to see news story and subsequent online photo album at
Maine-Veterans-Home-in-Scarborough-takes-culinary-challenge-crown and www.wmtw.com/news/maine/portland.

Staff Contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Manager of Business & Information Services

This year, CMS and the American Health Care Association (AHCA) launched a number of new initiatives designed to improve the quality of care for people living in nursing facilities.  MHCA is presenting Reducing Re-hospitalizations and Antipsychotic Drug Use by Effectively Utilizing Quality Improvement Tools and Processes on November 8 at the Augusta Civic Center, which will focus primarily on two of these initiatives, aimed at (1) reducing avoidable inpatient hospitalizations, and (2) safeguarding nursing home residents from unnecessary antipsychotic drug use.  In this session, participants will review the quality initiatives, discuss the evidence base for reducing re-hospitalizations and the use of antipsychotic drug use, explore beliefs and attitudes about these issues, learn about the INTERACT program and tools, develop strategies to apply the quality improvement process to achieve practice changes, plan for the implementation of these practice changes, and more.  This workshop will be a highly interactive day, featuring a series of exercises through which participants will explore and discuss effective strategies for practice change to support positive results. Participants will develop individualized plans for next steps in leading change in their facilities. For more information, please see our Education Quarterly. To register online, click here.