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SEPTEMBER 2015
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
LeadingAge Kansas
Supporting senior care agencies with advocacy and education
LeadingAge Kansas was started 61 years ago to serve as a voice for nonprofit aging services
and providers, and offer education about the latest developments in long-term care; the
agency still does those things today. Member organizations benefit from the opportunity to
come together under the LeadingAge Kansas umbrella, and from the governmental advocacy
the association provides.
A Spectrum of Care
Chief Operating Officer Dana Weaver describes the many levels
of care addressed by LeadingAge Kansas: “We serve not-for-profit
aging services of all types, across the spectrum of care. We have
members that operate assisted living facilities, continuing care
retirement communities, affordable housing complexes, and nurs-
ing homes. We also have members that provide managed care,
adult day services, home and community-based services, Meals on
Wheels, and Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
services. Seniors can take advantage of any of them as needed.”
LeadingAge Kansas has 10 employees, who appreciate the family
environment that includes the office itself as well as employees
of member organizations. Weaver notes, “When we get together
at conferences, it’s like a family reunion. We’ve built close
relationships over the years, and are so pleased to be able to
help them provide great care to the seniors they serve.”
Change Brings Opportunity
With changes in the healthcare field due to the Affordable Care
Act (ACA), providers have some new challenges. Weaver says,
“The healthcare system continues to change, particularly with
the way our member organizations receive funding and get
reimbursement. Some will have to partner with emerging
ACOs in the state.”
Accountable care organizations are groups of providers like
hospitals, physicians, and nursing homes that come together
as a group and provide services. Payment gets reimbursed
from Medicare and Medicaid and gets divided up between the
providers. Weaver notes, “This isn’t new, but will start happening
more in Kansas. Our members will have to link with these
organizations and provide outstanding care to become preferred
providers.” She adds, “Times of change like this provide an
opportunity for our members to offer creative services to seniors.