Midwest's Largest Long-Term Care Convention Held in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 3,000 long-term care professionals are meeting in Columbus April 28 – May 1 for the Midwest's largest gathering of personnel from skilled nursing facilities, assisted living residences and facilities for the intellectually disabled population.

The Ohio Health Care Association (OHCA), the state's largest group representing long-term care providers and their residents, is hosting its 68th Annual Convention & Exhibition at the Columbus Convention Center.  The Ohio Centers for Assisted Living (OCAL) and the Ohio Centers for Intellectual Disabilities (OCID), OHCA's affiliate organizations, also participate as sponsors of the event.

The Convention includes nearly 100 educational programs for long-term care personnel during its four-day run, and will feature the distribution of 46 scholarships, Professional Achievement Awards, and an appearance from national medical motivator Dr. Brad Neider.

An exhibition of more than 300 providers of goods and services to the long-term care community – one of the largest long-term care exhibitions in the country – will also be open to registrants at the Association's Convention.  The exhibition hall will include vans and busses for transportation services, furniture, high-tech medical devices, computer systems and software, food and dietary supplements, kitchen and laundry appliances, therapy aids, and pharmacy services, among others.

This year's program, "Simply Quality: Celebrating the Fruits of our Labor," captures the essence of what long-term care providers and caregivers do every day.  Through first-class educational sessions, motivational, social and recreational activities, and world-class vendor previews, the program is designed to provide valuable information that will continue the effort to improve resident care and make professional caregivers lives better. 

The program recognizes the excellence and progress every care provider strives for.  Catering to the variety of careers available in long-term care, this year's event spans the continuum of services, and inspires professionals to the next level of caring for Ohio's elderly, ill, disabled and convalescent populations. 

The OHCA/OCAL/OCID Convention reflects the commitment of caring professionals to meet the expanding and shifting focus of long-term care.  The Associations' premier program highlights the benefits long-term care provides to its residents, employees, community and the economy, even though the profession is faced with the daily struggles of onerous regulations and limited reimbursement. 

Educational programs will be presented for licensed administrators, nurses, therapists, dietary personnel, social workers, activity professionals, housekeeping staff, nurse aides, and other long-term care personnel.  Topics include clinical, operational, administrative and technical aspects of providing care services, as well as personal improvement and motivational sessions.  All programs have been approved for continuing education credit by the certifying agency of each discipline.

A special Awards program is scheduled for April 29 honoring Professional Achievement winners, long-term care volunteers, special heroes, and the 2014 OHCA Pioneer Award recipient.  On April 30 the program will salute students who have made a commitment to long-term care careers with 46 scholarships totaling $119,000.

The OHCA Board of Directors will elect its new President and officers for 2014 – 2015 during the Annual Convention.  The President will oversee the operation of the organization, and lead the 27-member Board in its decision-making process.

The Ohio Health Care Association is a non-profit association of more than 850 skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and providers serving people with intellectual disabilities, caring for over 66,000 individuals. Many OHCA members also provide a variety of home and community-based services.  OHCA is the largest long-term care association in the state, and the only chartered Ohio affiliate of the American Health Care Association, representing more than 12,000 long-term care facilities nationwide.

Detailed Convention information is available at www.ohca.org/2014_convention. 

SOURCE Ohio Health Care Association