The Tennessee Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (TNAHSA) plans to honor Senator Diane Black with the Executive Leadership Award at their annual conference in Nashville on Tuesday, August 5. Black is being recognized for her long history of advocacy for Tennessee’s underprivileged, elderly and disabled, including her work with TNAHSA as sponsor of a bill passed earlier this year, which ensures the availability of hospice care to residents of assisted living facilities. Senator Black was also a member of the Legislative Long-Term Care Advisory Committee that steered the Long-Term Care Community Choices Act of 2008, which was signed into law by Governor Phil Bredesen in June.

The Act reallocates state funding for the elderly and disabled, making home and community-based health care services more accessible and affordable for Tennesseans. Senator Black represents the 18th senatorial district, which includes Robertson County and most of Sumner County, Tennessee.

A Tennessee public official for more than a decade, Black has served as a Senate member of the 104th and 105th General Assemblies and a House member of the 101st through 103rd General Assemblies. She is the current chairman for the Senate Republican Caucus and a member of the Senate Judiciary and Finance Committees and the Senate General Welfare, Health and Human Resources Committee.

Senator Black’s active community involvement includes serving on the boards of The Tennessee Center for Nursing and Volunteer State Community College along with various civic memberships. Black has received numerous awards this year, including the Champion for Seniors in Assisted Living Award, the Tennessee Home Education Association Statesman Award and named the Junior League of Tennessee Legislator of the Year.

“A registered nurse, Senator Black brings impressive insight and understanding to her position and has been an integral player in recent legislation which expands long-term care options for residents of Tennessee,” said TNAHSA Executive Director Carrie Ermshar.

“While many Tennesseans in need of extensive health care have traditionally relied upon nursing homes and long-term care facilities, this Act makes it possible to receive higher level health services at home and in Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), preserving many aspects of the lifestyles residents enjoy,” said Ermshar.

“There is a growing trend of assisted living and CCRCs across the country,” said Larry Minnix, president and CEO of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA). “This new legislation represents a huge step for Tennesseans in need of long-term health care. We applaud the efforts of Senator Black and Governor Bredesen, as well as bill sponsors Senator Lowe Finney and Representative Dennis Ferguson, along with all those who worked with diligence and compassion to make this a reality.”

TNAHSA represents skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, senior housing services and various agencies serving senior adults throughout Tennessee. An affiliate of AAHSA, TNAHSA provides leadership, advocacy, education and communication services. For more information about TNAHSA, please visit www.tnahsa.org or call 615-256-1800.

SOURCE Tennessee Association of Homes and Services for the Aging

This entry was posted on Friday, August 8th, 2008 at 10:17 am and is filed under Nursing Information. Tags: American Association of Homes, Carrie Ermshar, communication services, community-based health care services, Dennis Ferguson, Diane Black, Health and Human Resources Committee, higher level health services, House, Junior League of Tennessee Legislator of the Year, Larry Minnix, Legislative Long-Term Care Advisory Committee, Lowe Finney, Nashville, Nursing and Volunteer State Community College, Phil Bredesen, Robertson County, Senate, Senate General Welfare, Senate Judiciary and Finance Committees and the Senate , senior housing services, Services for the Aging, Sumner County, Tennessee, Tennessee Association of Homes and Services for the Agi, The Tennessee Center. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.