Contact: Jim Suydam
512-417-5382

(AUSTIN, Texas) —

Congressman Pete Olson, (R-Texas) and Seema Verma, the top administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, visited a Houston-area skilled nursing facility Monday to give their support to long term care staff struggling to recover in Texas.

Almost one-third of the nursing facilities in Texas were in the declared disaster counties as a result of Hurricane Harvey. The storm forced thousands of residents to be evacuated from more than 100 nursing and assisted living facilities along the Gulf Coast. Many more nursing facilities were forced to implement emergency preparedness plans and shelter in place.

“I want to thank Congressman Olson and Administrator Verma for taking the time to personally visit Park Manor of Southbelt and talk to the staff as they deal with the aftermath of Harvey,” said Kevin Warren, President and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association, which advocates for long term care providers across Texas. “I am glad they were able to hear first-hand the tales of fortitude and teamwork from some of the dedicated nursing home staff who helped us meet the colossal challenges of this unprecedented storm.”

Long term care facilities across the region are still working to return to normal. But thanks to the efforts of long term care staff across the region putting their residents’ health and safety in front of their own concerns, catastrophe was averted during the crisis.

THCA has set up a Heroes of Long Term Care Hurricane Relief Fund to assist the heroic front-line care staff who themselves were displaced by the storm. To contribute, visit www.txhca.org/harvey.

“We have a long way to go before everything is back to where it should be, but it is heartening to know that we have the support of our federal government as we move forward,” Warren said. “The coordination and early decisions to implement key waivers gave the providers in the affected areas the needed support early to focus their attention on the health and safety of the residents during these most difficult times.”

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Jim Suydam
512-417-5382

FUND SEEKS TO ASSIST LONG TERM CARE STAFF

Employees worked and sacrificed through Hurricane Harvey to provide quality care

 

AUSTIN, TX —While the Gulf Coast was deluged with a record rainfall from Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath, countless Texans stepped up to minimize the suffering.

Among these were hundreds of men and women who work in long term care facilities.

The Texas Health Care Association (THCA), which represents more than 550 long term care and assisted living facilities across the state, wants to help them. Through their Education Foundation, they have created the Heroes of Long Term Care Hurricane Relief Fund to help the staff of their members impacted by the storm, according to THCA President and CEO Kevin Warren.

“Staff in these facilities worked long hours through extremely difficult circumstances to make sure the care of residents was not disrupted and that they were kept safe,” Warren said. “Unfortunately, some returned to find that their homes or other valuable property had been damaged or destroyed. In some of these cases, the damage may have been worse because they were not there to protect their possessions.”

“The Heroes of Long Term Care Hurricane Relief Fund gives us a chance to give back to those who gave so much during Harvey to our state’s most vulnerable residents. We want to help them put their lives back together and show them we are grateful for everything they did.”

To donate, visit the Heroes of Long Term Care Hurricane Relief Fund website at https://txhca.org/harvey

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit https://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

###

Contact: Jim Suydam
512-417-5382

(AUSTIN, Texas) —

Fortitude and team work are helping Texas nursing home staff meet the colossal challenges presented by Hurricane Harvey and ensure vulnerable residents are safe and well-cared for despite unprecedented flooding.

The storm has forced thousands of residents to be evacuated from over 95 nursing facilities and assisted living facilities along the Gulf Coast to inland nursing facilities or other locations able to care for those in need. Many more nursing facilities were forced to implement emergency preparedness plans and shelter in place. With the support of families and local communities, long term care providers are taking care of their residents as well as residents from other facilities in the affected region against incredible odds.

“It is humbling to hear the reports of staff working around-the-clock to care for the residents, putting these men and women before their own needs, despite their own losses,” said Kevin Warren, President and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association. “Times like these really do reveal the true character of people, and I am proud to be a part of the long term care industry and to see the incredible efforts on display.”

THCA has been supporting statewide outreach efforts in coordination with state officials to identify any available beds for the possibility of additional evacuations, should the need arise. In addition, THCA is setting up Hurricane Relief Fund through their Foundation in effort to assist their members’ employees that have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

“The health and safety of the residents is the number one priority for these long term care communities,” Warren said. “Any support and coordination with the state agencies, the business community and volunteers that we can offer, while they work tirelessly, we’re committed to figure out a way to make it happen.”

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit https://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

 

July 7, 2017                                                                                                Contact: Jim Suydam, 512-417-5382

 

Austin Nursing Facility Wins National Honor for Quality

 Recognition is hard-earned given state’s underfunding and heavy regulation

 (AUSTIN) — Riverside Nursing and Rehab Center in Austin has earned one of the highest honors awarded for quality of care, despite struggling with Texas’ chronic underfunding for nursing home care.

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) today announced the names of the 191 skilled nursing care centers and assisted living communities in 43 states that have earned the 2017 Silver – Achievement in Quality Award. The award is the second of three distinctions possible through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program, which recognizes providers across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to improving quality of care for residents and patients in long term and post-acute care centers and communities.

“The staff and administration at Riverside Nursing and Rehab should be very proud — despite the state’s low-budget reimbursement rate they have demonstrated their commitment to provide quality care,” said Kevin Warren, President and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association. “Being able to demonstrate adherence to the demands of the Baldrige criteria and an effective approach to improving quality performance, in spite of the regulatory and reimbursement challenges in Texas is a true accomplishment. Considering all that, this national recognition was hard-earned.”

Riverside Nursing and Rehab Center in Austin was the only Texas recipient of the Silver Award this year.

“Silver award recipients are champions of performance excellence and quality health care outcomes,” said AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson. “I commend their dedication to delivering solutions for quality care to the populations we serve.”

Based on the core values and criteria of the nationally recognized Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, which is also the foundation of the metric-based AHCA/NCAL Quality Initiative, the Association’s Quality Award program challenges member providers to achieve performance excellence through three progressive levels—Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Members at the Silver award level develop and demonstrate effective approaches that help improve performance and quality outcomes.

This year’s Silver recipients can now advance in developing approaches that meet the criteria required for the Gold – Excellence in Quality Award. On June 1, the Association announced the honorees of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award. A full list of Silver and Bronze recipients is available on the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award website here. Gold award recipients will be announced later this summer.

The program is sponsored by AHCA/NCAL Associate Business Members: First Quality, National Research Corporation, and Team TSI Corporation. The awards will be presented to recipients during AHCA/NCAL’s 68th Annual Convention & Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 15-18, 2017.

###

Contact: Jim Suydam
512-417-5382

For Immediate Release
(AUSTIN, Texas) —

Conner Greenspan Chosen as a Future Long Term and Post-Acute Care Leader

Austin, Texas – The Texas Health Care Association (THCA) announced today that Conner Greenspan has been chosen by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) as a future leader in long term and post-acute care. Conner Greenspan will join the Association’s Future Leaders program, a year-long program that offers training and guidance for long term and post-acute care professionals.

“AHCA/NCAL is dedicated to offering skilled nursing professionals who are providing high quality care the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills,” said Mark Parkinson, President & CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “We look forward to seeing Conner and the entire Future Leaders class apply these newly-acquired skills to improve the well-being of individuals within long term and post-acute care.”

“As the long term care sector continues to evolve and balance the needs and expectations of the residents and families being served, it is critical that future leaders are identified and given the support and training for success. Conner is an example for long term care professionals in demonstrating the necessary commitment to our industry,” said Kevin Warren, President & CEO of THCA. “We are privileged to have Conner represent Texas in the AHCA Future Leaders Program and know he will be an asset to the program”.

Conner began his career in long term care in 2013 with HMG Healthcare. He since has been tasked with leading multiple facilities out of financial difficulties as well as initiating innovative specialty programming for HMG. His early successes led to his most recent placement at HMG’s flagship facility in The Woodlands. Conner was also elected by his peers to serve as Region 7 Chair for the THCA Board of Directors.

Since 2004, AHCA/NCAL has hosted long term and post-acute care professionals in the Future Leaders program. Selected participants both demonstrate leadership potential and represent the interests of both state and national long term care providers. The program covers the latest theories and practical applications in quality management, customer satisfaction, and leadership. The year-long program kicks off with a two-day symposium, “Future Leaders of Long Term Care in America,” held each year in Washington, D.C. This year’s symposium will take place September 13 – 15, 2017.

 

ABOUT AHCA/NCAL

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represent more than 13,500 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit www.ahca.org or www.ncal.org.

ABOUT THCA

Since 1950, and in partnership with AHCA/NCAL, THCA represents a broad spectrum of long-term care providers and professionals offering long term, rehabilitative and specialized health care services. Member facilities, owned by both for-profit and non-profit entities, include nursing facilities, specialized rehabilitation facilities, and assisted living facilities. The mission of THCA is to unite, represent, and support professionals who strive to improve the delivery, quality, and integrity of long term healthcare services. For more information, please visit www.txhca.org.

Contact: Jim Suydam
512-417-5382

(AUSTIN, Texas) —

Fifty-five nursing homes from across Texas earned national honors today for proving their commitment to improving the quality of care for seniors and persons with disabilities.

“This is extraordinary, Texas has never had 55 facilities achieve this level of recognition before,” said Kevin Warren, President and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association. “55 Commitment to Quality Awards is proof our efforts to improve nursing home care in Texas are paying off — despite the state’s chronic Medicaid underfunding.”

The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living awarded the 2017 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award to nursing homes who achieved the first of three distinctions possible through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. This program, which began in 1996, honors long term and post-acute care providers across the nation. A total of 520 bronze awards were awarded.

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is centered on the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, which is the foundation of the metric-based AHCA/NCAL Quality Initiative. The program assists providers of long term and post-acute care services in achieving their performance goals.

The program has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Providers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level, where they develop an organizational profile with fundamental performance elements such as vision and mission statements and an assessment of customers’ expectations. Bronze applicants must also demonstrate their ability to implement a performance improvement system. Trained examiners review each application to determine if the center has met the demands of the criteria. Recipients may now move forward in developing approaches and achieving performance levels that meet the criteria required for the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award.

“Bronze award recipients advance our mission of improving lives by delivering solutions for quality care,” said Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “We applaud their efforts to enrich the lives of those in the long term and post-acute care communities we serve.”

AHCA/NCAL will announce the 2017 Silver — Achievement in Quality and Gold — Excellence in Quality Award recipients in the coming months.  The awards will be presented during AHCA/NCAL’s 68th Annual Convention and Exposition in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 15-18, 2017.

A complete list of this year’s Texas recipients of the 2016 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award is below.

Granbury Rehab and Nursing	Granbury
Colonial Manor Nursing Home	Cleburne
Wesley Woods Health & Rehabilitation	Waco
Whispering Oaks Rehab & Nursing	Cuero
Querencia at Barton Creek	Austin
Henderson Health and Rehabilitation	Henderson
Baylor County Hospital District	Henderson
Windcrest Health and Rehab	Abilene
The Plaza at Mirador	Corpus Christi
Crown Point Health Suites	Lubbock
Renaissance at Kessler Park	Dallas
Crowell Nursing Center	Crowell
Northgate Plaza	Irving
Gulf Point Plaza	Rockport
Heritage House of Paris	Paris
Park Manor of Tomball	Tomball
Mesquite Tree Nursing Center	Mesquite
Advanced Rehab & Healthcare of Vernon	Vernon
Community Care Center of Crockett	Crockett
Southeast Nursing and Rehabilitation	San Antonio
Park Manor of McKinney	McKinney
Heritage House of Keller	Keller
William R. Courtney Texas State Veterans Home	Temple
The Stayton at Museum Way	Fort Worth
Advanced Rehab and Healthcare of Wichita Falls	Wichita Falls
White Settlement Nursing Center	White Settlement
Park Manor of Cypress Station	Houston
Pampa Nursing Center	Pampa
Park Manor of Quail Valley	Missouri City
The Buckingham	Houston
Senior Care of Stephenville	Stephenville
El Paso Health and Rehab	El Paso
Briarcliff Skilled Nursing Facility	Carthage
Trisun Care Center – Lakeside	San Antonio
Ridgecrest Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center	Forney
Williamsburg Village Healthcare Campus	DeSoto
The Plaza at Richardson	Richardson
Garnet Hill Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center	Wylie
Pine Grove Nursing Center	Center
Emerald Hills Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center	North Richland Hills
Providence Park Nursing and Rehabilitation	Tyler
Cuero Nursing and Rehabilitation	Cuero
Yoakum Nursing and Rehabilitation Center	Yoakum
Windsor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Seguin	Seguin
SCC at Pecan Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center	San Antonio
SCC at Hunters Pond Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center	San Antonio
Homestead of Denison	Denison
Senior Care at Holland Lake	Weatherford
Accel at Willowbend	Plano
Town East Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center	Mesquite
Lakewest Rehabilitation and Skilled Care	Dallas
Senior Care of Denton Post Acute Care	Denton
Southbrooke Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center	Edna
Bangs Nursing Home	Bangs
Stonebridge Health Center	Austin

# # #

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Contact: Jim Suydam
512-417-5382

May 25, 2017

Long term care funding solution slips away

HB2766 misses an opportunity in the Texas Senate to help state’s elderly

(AUSTIN, Texas) — An attempt to improve nursing home care in Texas fell victim to delays and legislative deadlines as House Bill 2766 failed to get a vote in the Texas Senate early Thursday morning.

“We are profoundly disappointed this smart, practical plan for improving nursing home care in Texas did not pass,” said Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association. “Texas nursing homes will continue to struggle with underpayment and quality of care will suffer. For those of us who have dedicated our lives to improving long term care, this is heartbreaking.”

House Bill 2766 would have boosted long term care funding in Texas without any additional state spending. The bill would have allowed nursing home owners to put up their own dollars to draw down federal dollars Texas now loses. Half of the funds would have been tied to improved quality of care with the remaining funds used to address the shortfall between the cost of care and what the state reimburses. The bill, carried by family practice doctor State Rep. J.D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville) and Sen. Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen) enjoyed broad bipartisan support passing the House of Representatives by a wide margin. It was also supported by AARP Texas.

“The families of the more than 90,000 Texans who will go to sleep tonight in a nursing facility also have reason to be disappointed by the state Senate’s lack of action,” Warren said. “It is regrettable that Texans who rely on our state’s nursing facilities were not one of this Legislature’s priorities. Rep. Sheffield and Sen. Hinojosa and many of their colleagues understand these issues and worked hard to address them. Unfortunately, not enough legislators did and general revenue was once again not available.”

For years, Texas has lagged behind other states in funding for nursing homes. Forty-three other states have programs in place to supplement long term care funding similar to the one that failed to get a vote on Thursday.

The result has been a steady struggle to maintain quality of care while long term care improves across the rest of the nation. “It’s hard to improve when you can’t make investments in training, or facility upgrades, and your staff turnover is more than 90 percent because direct care staff can make more working at a fast food restaurant,” Warren said.

“The dedicated people caring for our frail and elderly Texans will continue to do the best they can with what they have,” Warren said.

“We will not give up. This is too important to too many Texans,” Warren said. “There are residents, families and communities counting on a long overdue solution. We must continue with focus and determination until our political leaders no longer look the other way and finally provide the support that is needed to give our residents the support they deserve. That is our only way forward.”

# # #

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Contact: Jim Suydam
512-417-5382

May 11, 2017

Texas House backs bill to improve Texas nursing homes

Bipartisan effort seeks to avoid potential nursing home crisis

(AUSTIN, Texas) — Members of the Texas House of Representatives took a huge step Thursday toward addressing years of nursing  home underfunding, passing House Bill 2766.

HB2766, by Gatesville family practice doctor Rep. J.D. Sheffield, will create the Nursing Facility Reinvestment Allowance (NFRA), allowing the state to draw down additional federal dollars as well as incentivizing improved quality without additional state spending.

“This is a big step toward enhancing care in nursing facilities in Texas,” said Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association. “I want to thank legislators for embracing this smart, practical solution.”

Texas has lagged behind other states in finding ways to boost funding for nursing homes. Forty-three other states have similar programs in place to supplement health care funding.

The NFRA would accomplish this by implementing a reinvestment allowance on nursing facility operators used to draw down federal Medicaid matching dollars Texas now loses to other states. The NFRA dedicates 50 percent of the additional funds to the achievement of certain quality standards to receive the full benefit of the program. HB2766 statutorily prohibits the NFRA from being passed on to residents.

In addition to improving Medicaid rates, HB2766 would direct 50 percent of the additional funds toward quality-based payment programs. Nursing homes will be required to meet certain quality standards to receive the full benefit of the program.  The NFRA is intended to incentivize nursing home operators to enhance the quality of care they deliver, while also giving them the tools they need to elevate care, facilities and programs.

Warren thanked Rep. Sheffield and members of the Texas House for making senior Texans a priority. 

“Improving the quality of care in nursing facilities is important to all Texans,” Warren said. “The NFRA allows us to enhance long term care in Texas and incentivize improved quality with an innovative approach that doesn’t increase state spending. It’s a solution that all Texans can get behind.”

Companion legislation has been filed in the Texas Senate, SB1130, by Sen. Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen).

# # #

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Contact: Jim Suydam
512-417-5382

April 24, 2017

Bill to avert Texas nursing home crisis gains momentum

HB2766, by Rep. J.D. Sheffield, R-Gatesville, voted out of Human Services Committee

(AUSTIN, Texas) — Texas nursing facilities moved one step closer to better staffing and improving overall quality Monday as the Nursing Facility Reinvestment Allowance, or NFRA, was voted out of the House Human Services Committee.

Authored by family practice doctor Rep. J.D. Sheffield, (R-Gatesville), HB2766 will draw additional federal dollars to improve Texas nursing homes without increasing state spending. It has the support of prominent Republicans, including Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. John Zerwas, (R-Richmond). AARP Texas and its 2.3 million members also endorse the bill.

“The NFRA is about a commitment to improving quality and providing much needed resources to improve care for nursing facility residents,” said Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association. “I want to thank Rep. Sheffield and the Human Services Committee members for acknowledging the funding crisis Texas nursing facilities face and for embracing the NFRA as the solution.”

For decades, Texas has lagged other states in finding ways to boost funding for nursing homes. Texas has one of the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates in the nation. That leads to low wages and high turnover for front line staff and it makes it hard for operators to invest in training and equipment. In fact, the current average Medicaid rate pays less than $6 per hour, per resident to care for nursing home residents. Forty-three other states plus the District of Columbia have programs similar to the NFRA already in place to supplement health care funding.

The NFRA would accomplish this by implementing a reinvestment allowance on nursing facility operators used to draw down federal Medicaid matching dollars Texas now loses to other states. The NFRA dedicates 50 percent of the additional funds to the achievement of certain quality standards to receive the full benefit of the program. HB2766 statutorily prohibits the NFRA from being passed on to residents.

Companion legislation has been filed in the Texas House of Representatives — Senate Bill 1130, by Sen. Juan Hinojosa.

 

# # #

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Contact: Jim Suydam
512-417-5382

June 7, 2016

25 Texas Nursing Homes Earn National Honor for Quality of Care

Commitment to Quality Awards show efforts to improve nursing home care in Texas paying off

(AUSTIN, Texas) — Twenty-five nursing homes from across Texas earned national honors today for demonstrating their commitment to the quality of care for seniors and persons with disabilities.

The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living awarded the 2016 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award to nursing homes who achieved the first of three distinctions possible through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program.

This program, which began in 1996, honors long term and post-acute care providers across the nation. A total of 538 bronze awards were awarded.

“Long term care in Texas is improving every day, thanks to the commitment of dedicated staff and leadership,” said Kevin Warren, president of the Texas Health Care Association. “This award shows that efforts to improve nursing home care in Texas are paying off.”

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is centered on the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, which is the foundation of the metric-based AHCA/NCAL Quality Initiative. The program assists providers of long term and post-acute care services in achieving their performance goals.

The program has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Providers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level, where they develop an organizational profile with fundamental performance elements such as vision and mission statements and an assessment of customers’ expectations. Bronze applicants must also demonstrate their ability to implement a performance improvement system. Trained Examiners review each application to determine if the center has met the demands of the criteria. Recipients may now move forward in developing approaches and achieving performance levels that meet the criteria required for the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award.

“A commitment to always improve the quality of care and quality of life for the residents and families we serve is what this award represents,” said Christine Boldt, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board of Overseers chairwoman. “This year’s recipients have demonstrated that commitment. I commend all of them for their hard work and dedication.”

AHCA/NCAL will announce the 2016 Silver – Achievement in Quality and Gold – Excellence in Quality Award recipients in the coming months. The awards for all three categories will be presented during AHCA/NCAL’s 67th Annual Convention and Exposition in Nashville, Tennessee, October 16-19, 2016.

 

A complete list of this year’s Texas recipients of the 2016 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award is below.

 

Retama Manor Nursing Center / Pleasanton North
Pleasanton

Silver Creek Manor
San Antonio

Senior Care Center of Wurzbach
San Antonio

Winchester Lodge Healthcare Center
Alvin

Medina Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center
Castroville

Matlock Place Health & Rehabilitation Center
Arlington

Park Manor of CyFair
Houston

Peach Tree Place
Weatherford

Summer Place Nursing and Rehabilitation
Beaumont

Senior Care of Regency House
San Angelo

Trisun Care Center-Northeast El Paso
El Paso

Cibolo Creek
Boerne

Vintage Health and Rehabilitation
Denton

Regency Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center at Red River
Clarksville

Green Acres of Center
Center

Allenbrook Healthcare Center
Baytown

Riverside Nursing and Rehab Center
Austin

Senior Care of Harbor Lakes
Granbury

River Hills Health and Rehabilitation
Kerrville

Park Manor of Conroe
Conroe

Senior Care of Crowley
Crowley

Senior Care of Brownwood
Brownwood

Weatherford Healthcare Center
Weatherford

Bandera Nursing & Rehab Center
Bandera

Victoria Gardens of Allen
Allen

# # #

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.