ALS Hires Managing Editor

Virgo Publishing Inc. promoted Lori Chervenak to the position of managing editor for Assisted Living Success. She was born in Pennsylvania, but lived the majority of her life in Phoenix. She graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University's Honors College and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunications. Chervenak received her bachelor's degree in broadcasting with an emphasis in exercise science. In Phoenix, she contributed her skills as an intern in the investigative news division at KNXV-TV Channel 15 and in the general assignment news division at KSAZ-TV Channel 10 and worked as an associate producer at KTVK-TV Channel 3.

Chervenak's love for journalism and her desire to develop her management skills lead her to a position as editor of a real estate digest for Professional Institute of Real Estate School. In addition to her editorial role, Chervenak became office manager for its three locations and a licensed real estate agent. Concurrently, she wrote for a local fitness magazine.

Having three doctors in her family, Chervenak is familiar with the field of healthcare. "I grew up going to the office with my father and began learning how to read X-rays by the age of 8," she said. Desiring to expand her skills in editorial, and ascertain a broader knowledge of healthcare, she seized the opportunity to work with Assisted Living Success. "It feels like I have finally found the perfect fit for my career. I come to work every morning eager to meet each challenge the magazine has to offer and promote its success."

"Finding the right person to take on the role of managing editor for Assisted Living Success didn't take long," said Associate Publisher Susan Kavanaugh. "Lori's competence, professionalism and passion for her work surfaced quickly when she joined Virgo. I have tremendously enjoyed my time with her and look forward to the coming years of partnership."

Carstens Products Available Through DSSI Network

Long-term-care providers can now access more than 2,000 of Carstens products through DSSI Network. Carstens, Inc., the country's leading provider of medical charting solutions, signed a distribution agreement with DSSI, an e-business network. DSSI is the first web-based purchasing network in long-term-care and provides more than 2.5 million products to healthcare providers. It offers a completely customized procurement and reporting solution which links providers to their supply chain and gives them total control over which product is authorized for purchase. The network acts as a single purchasing and reporting solution and can save a company millions of dollars annually.

For more information call Brian Meehan (262) 789-7630, Ext. 133 or email him at brian@celtic-ads.com

Nonprofit Tax-Exempt Status Faces Challenge

For many years now, the government has established a growing trend of questioning the tax-exempt status of some nonprofit communities. If the courts rule against a community, the facility could be facing a hefty tax bill. However, Fred Tanner of Senior Living Solutions has some tips to combat this trend. A facility should establish a financial assistance program for residents with lower income or create an outreach program, such as meals on wheels, to present a positive contribution to the community. Some nonprofit communities that implemented these programs say it helped them maintain their tax-exempt status.

For more information, contact Fred Tanner at (941) 371-0741, or visit www.seniorlivingsolutions.com.

Excelsior Offers Solutions for Nursing Shortage

According to a report released by the University of California at San Francisco, healthcare providers will probably be facing a large influx of RN retirements in the next five to 10 years. One solution to this dilemma is to educate other healthcare providers, such as paramedics, emergency medical technicians and licensed practical nurses to become RNs.

Excelsior College provides unique, distance-learning program that can educate people without a leave of absence from work. A graduate can be eligible for RN licensure within two to three years or less depending on their previous credits. Excelsior College has the largest nursing program in the United States and is highly rated by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

For more information, call Courtney Erickson at (518) 462-0318, ext. 123, or e-mail ericksonc@sawchukbrown.com

Low-Income ALF Development Funded

NCB Development Corp. (NCBDC) awarded eight states $300,000 each to build low-income assisted-living facilities. The communities will be built in the rural areas of each state. The Corporation used the funds from a $6.5 million endowment from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and will disperse the money over a three-year period of time. The grants are part of NCBDC's Coming Home Program that promotes the development of communities for seniors with incomes below $25,000. The states receiving the money were Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

For more information, visit www.EliResearch.com

People on the Move

Gilmore

Durkan Hospitality promoted Tim Gilmore to vice president of administration for the Merit Carpet division. Gilmore will be in charge of internal operations including product development, sampling and market development.

Cannon Design, a nationally-ranked architectural engineering and planning firm out of Boston, announced that Richard Hrycaj will take over the position of associate vice president. Hrycaj has been with Cannon Design for more than three years as a project manager specializing in healthcare architecture.

Terry L. Chuvala was named vice president of Love Funding Corp. Chuvala has 32 years of experience in multifamily finance and specializes in financing for apartments, assisted-living facilities and nursing homes. He will originate loans from Love Funding's Washington, D.C., office.

Gilda F. Anderson will now serve as associate administrator for the Covenant Village of Florida. Anderson will supervise a staff of 50 healthcare personnel and direct all the departments in the nursing and assisted-living facility. Previously, she served as administrator and assistant administrator of various healthcare facilities in South Florida.

A new state-of-the-art assisted-living facility in Mechanicsburg, Pa., made some new additions to its staff. The Bridges at Bent Creek appointed Linda Acuff as general manager. She will direct overall operations of the facility's internal and external activities. Amy Foreman will serve as social director for the community. Foreman will be responsible for the social programs designed to promote overall resident well-being. The Bridges also hired Millie Arnold, LPN, as resident-care director for supervision of the nursing staff and administration of medication and treatment.

Stuart Ostfeld, the former assisted-living director of Áegis of Shadowridge in California, was promoted to executive director for Áegis of Laguna Niguel. Áegis Assisted Living owns 12 communities and recently awarded honors to its staff. Áegis of Napa received the "Community of the Year" award, and Tom Laborde, who works at the same property, received the "Executive Director of the Year" award for the second straight year.

Products

Sunrise Medical Offers New Line of Casegoods

A new line of casegoods is now available through Sunrise Medical Continuing Care Group, a manufacturer of continuing-care furnishings and equipment. The Joerns^® Heritage Collection features a distinct American design with residential styling and high-quality construction. The pieces have rounded corners and drawer-safety stops making them suitable for senior-living. The collection has 13 different pieces, from bedside cabinets to bachelor's chests and wardrobes.

For more information, call (800) 826-0270.

New Riding Micro-Scrubber Available

Tennant Co., a surface maintenance equipment manufacturer and supplier, introduced the 7100 Micro-Scrubber. The product is for use in congested industrial and commercial facilities needing high maneuverability and productivity. The Micro-Scrubber can pass through a 36-inch doorway and turn in a 6-foot-wide aisle. Its cleaning path covers 43,000 square feet per hour.

For more information, call (888) 727-8237, or visit www.tennantco.com.

Milnor Enhances High-Speed Washer-Extractor

The 30022 H8J, a 55-60-pound-capacity washer-extractor, has been enhanced to deliver better extraction for cotton goods. The unit is made by Pellerin Milnor Corp. and features easy-to-use controls for laundries that need a durable, high-performance unit. The microprocessor controls have 30 programmable formulas, and the door for the unit is ergonomically friendly.

For more information, call (800) 469-3094, or visit www.milnor.com.

Med-Fit Completes 250th Galaxy Commercial Pool Installation

Med-Fit Systems Inc., a supplier of rehabilitation and senior fitness products, recently completed delivery of its 250th Galaxy commercial pool. Med-Fit tile pools can be built in virtually any size, shape or design as in-ground, above ground or partially above ground. Plyometric cants, running cants, Swim Gym current generator, ROM and jet benches, multiple depths and viewing windows can all be incorporated.

For more information and a free CD-ROM catalog, call (800) 831-7665, or visit www.medfitsystems.com.

Focus on Finance

AAHSA Applauds President's New Plan

Though President Bush's new plan to link government money with religious groups and charities has stirred up some opposition, one association is an advocate of the idea. The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging reports that 75 percent of its member are from religious organizations and would, therefore, benefit from this faith-based partnership. Many AAHSA'S members have a tradition of pairing up with federal programs to provide health care and to build and operate housing for low-income seniors.

For more information, visit www.aahsa.com.

HUD Improves Loans for Facility Financing

When it comes to healthcare financing, the debate continues over which type of loan is most desirable. Whether a company chooses a HUD or a conventional loan, both appear to have advantages and disadvantages. HUD loans carry lower interest rates than conventional. HUD financing also allows the borrower a longer term on already existing and to-be-built properties and is presented without personal recourse to the borrower. When compared to conventional loans however, HUD typically takes a longer time to close a deal. To combat this shortcoming, HUD has a new fast-track MAP processing to speed things up, but the program is still in the debugging phase. HUD also has a new policy that guarantees a commitment 60 days from the time it receives a refinancing transaction.

For more information, visit www.NIC.org.

New IRS Regulations Could Be Expensive for Changing Facilities

A new regulation implemented at the beginning of the year was enforced as a tool to penalize nonprofit organizations for abusing their tax benefits. Failure to switch from nonprofit to for-profit status correctly could cause an assisted-living facility to owe thousands to the Internal Revenue Service. Attorney Nancy Ortmeyer Kuhn said when a nonprofit organization shifts to for-profit, the IRS views it as "stealing" from the non-profit unless the organization receives fair-market value compensation. This tax challenge can be avoided, however. A new for-profit company needs to make sure that it is paying enough for the nonprofit company so excise taxes are not owed on the difference.

For more information, visit www.irs.gov.

NOTE: Assisted Living Success seeks current and relevant financial news to assist owners and developers of assisted-living communities. Please submit your news to Lori Chervenak c/o Assisted Living Success, Virgo Publishing, 3300 N. Central Ave., Suite 2500, Phoenix, AZ 85012. You can also send your information to lchervenak@vpico.com.

Must-See Sites

www.himss.org
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society has launched HIMSS WebU. The site offers comprehensive, online learning resources to help healthcare professionals succeed in their careers.

www.innovatix.com
Innovatix has incorporated direct-to-wholesaler links on its commerce site. The links put an end to confusing contract-pricing discrepancies by enabling providers direct access to full product portfolios of major wholesalers. Some good deals can be discovered on its e-bargain page.

www.medical.hear-it.org
This site provides more than 100 pages of news, information and advice about hearing loss. Best of all, Hear-it is a nonprofit organization and does not favor any specific treatment or hearing aids. Its focus is to disseminate knowledge about hearing loss.

New Developments

The Palm Beach, Fla. city council approved plans to build a 301-unit assisted- and independent-living facility. La Posada is on a 22.5-acre site with three apartment buildings, a cluster of cottages, a community center and a healthcare component.

Sunrise Assisted Living Inc., a provider of assisted-living care, recently opened its eighth Chicago area property. The new Crystal Lake community can accommodate up to 70 residents and has 58 suites. The facility offers specially designed programs for those with Alzheimer's and dementia. In addition, Sunrise recently announced it sold 11 of its assisted-living communities, while retaining long-term management contracts. Nine of the properties sold to investment entities were advised by Prudential Real Estate Investment and are owned by a limited partnership formed by Sunrise and Prudential. Sunrise operates the communities and retains 25 percent interest in real estate venture.

Greenfield's Independent Living and Assisted Living Center underwent a $20 million expansion. The Lancaster, N.Y. facility's additions include 92 independent-living units and 49 assisted-living units. An arts-and-crafts studio and movie theater were added to its list of amenities as well.

Benchmark Assisted Living of Massachusetts recently opened three new facilities in the New England area. Greystone Farm at Salem, N.H., a 65-unit facility, opened its doors and includes a dementia-care component. The Birches at Concord opened its 48-unit facility exclusively for people with impaired-memory disorder. The Academy Point at Mystic in Connecticut, formerly an academy school, is now taking care of up to 70 residents.

A new federal push to convert housing for low-income seniors into assisted-living facilities will benefit the Friendship House of Louisville, Ky. The Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced it would award $650,000 to Christian Church Homes of Kentucky to renovate the Friendship House into assisted-living apartments. The average age of residents in the 10-story apartment building was 88 and more than half required assisted-living services.

Construction started on a 34- unit assisted-living facility in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Leesburg, Va. When finished, the one-story Meadow Glen facility will house a total of 40 residents on its 3.4 acre site. A renovated 19th century farmhouse on the property will be used as administrative offices, a formal dining room and library for residents. The facility will open some time this summer.

Village Retirement Communities of Greenville, R.I., broke ground on a facility specifically designed for residents with Alzheimer's disease. The Courtyard will be part of the campus of The Village at Elmhurst in Providence. The new building will consist of 28 private and semiprivate suites for housing up to 42 residents. The Courtyard will feature an area reminiscent of an old town square and a secured outdoor garden.

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