All News
Safe Care in the Age of COVID – Calling all Safe Care Champions
On September 2, 2020 by Julie Apold
Safe Care Champions play an important role in meeting our collective goal of Eliminating Preventable Harm in the Course of Caregiving (which includes eliminating preventable infections during the COVID-19 pandemic).
Tips for Coping with COVID-19 Stress – Hopeful Video to Share with Staff
On September 2, 2020 by Terri Foley
As we move into this next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may want to share this forward-looking video with staff— entitled The Phoenix: When This Will All End.
NAMI-MN Announces Free Online E-Learning for Direct Care Workers
On September 2, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
NAMI-MN has just released its “Minnesota Healthcare Heroes: Self Care for Senior Workers During COVID-19” interactive online e-learning program.
Application for Day Services Grants Released
On September 2, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
Last month, the Legislature approved more than $20M in state CARES Act relief funds to provide retention grants to adult day services providers to address the impact of business interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Housing Support (GRH) Reports on use of COVID-19 Spending Allocation Due by September 30
On September 2, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Legislature approved a one-time appropriation to temporarily increase Housing Support funding through the Department of Human Services for expenses in the months of March, April, and May 2020.
Funds Available to SNFs to Address Infection Control, Staff COVID-19 Testing
On September 2, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
Last Thursday HHS made a distribution from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) to nursing homes, which was half of a total distribution of $5 billion that was announced in July.
Reminder: MDH Has Resumed Standard Nursing Home Survey Activity
On September 2, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
Care centers are reminded that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has resumed standard recertification surveys as of mid-August, consistent with CMS memorandum QSO-20-35-ALL.
Provider Relief Funds for Assisted Living Announced
On September 2, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
LeadingAge Minnesota 2021 Institute Moving to May
On September 2, 2020 by Jenny Prosser
The Executive Committee of the LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors has approved a significant change in our annual Institute & Expo for 2021.
CMS Nursing Home Testing Rule Takes Effect Today
On September 2, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
As all nursing homes are now aware, CMS last week issued an Interim Final Rule requiring facilities to test staff and residents for COVID-19.
Education & Events
On August 26, 2020 by LeadingAge
COVID-19 Coping Room Building Your Own Resilience Roadmap
Webinar – September 2, 2020 – 2-2:45 p.m.
Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum Addresses Important Aspects of COVID-19 in Senior Communities
On August 26, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
The Virtual Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum, Sept. 16-18, features several insightful sessions about the many ways COVID-19 is impacting how we serve older adults.
Sales & Marketing in Senior Living Certificate Program Resumes in October
On August 26, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
Great news for our sales and marketing professionals – the Sales & Marketing in Senior Living Certificate Program that was scheduled for this past spring and postponed due to COVID-19 has been rescheduled for this fall.
2020 Election: Registering to Vote
On August 26, 2020 by Libbie Chapuran
This election year, LeadingAge Minnesota encourages all Minnesotans, including those living and serving in long-term care settings, to actively engage in the election process by practicing their right to vote. But before you can vote, you must register.
DHS Shares Impact of HCBS Settings Rule Timeline Extensions for Minnesota
On August 26, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
On July 14, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance in a letter [PDF] announcing an extension to the implementation of the HCBS regulation timelines.
DHS Amends Licensing Modifications for ADS Providers
On August 26, 2020 by Roni Falck
DHS recently amended licensing modifications for ADS providers, effective August 12, 2020. Except for the changes described below, all previously approved licensing modifications for adult day centers remain in effect.
On-Demand Webinar Features Effective COVID-19 Communication Strategies
On August 26, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
Earlier this week, LeadingAge Minnesota offered a one-hour webinar featuring Covid-19 communications experiences from Bethesda in Willmar, Emerald Crest Memory Care in Burnsville as well as a review of the modified visitation guidelines by LeadingAge Nurse Consultant Kari Everson
Highlights of Second LTC Imperative Short Survey on Testing
On August 26, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
Earlier this week the LTC Imperative completed our second short, one-day survey, which looked at employee and resident testing. Testing is an important aspect of containing outbreaks during the pandemic and the survey results will help inform our advocacy on testing policies and payment.
COVID-19 Coping & Support: Senior Care Staff Hotline and Webinar Announced
On August 26, 2020 by Terri Foley
Being stressed out is a natural reaction to the extraordinary situation we find ourselves in during this pandemic, but after six months we are all struggling with exhaustion and chronic stress.
New CMS Rules Will Require Nursing Homes to Test Staff for COVID-19
On August 26, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
Nursing homes will be required to test staff for COVID-19, and offer testing to residents, under an Interim Final Rule released by CMS August 25. All laboratories conducting COVID-19 testing and reporting patient-specific results
Education & Events
On August 19, 2020 by LeadingAge
2020 Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum
September 16-18
Friday is Annual Meeting Early Bird Registration Deadline
On August 19, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
This Friday, August 21 is the early registration deadline for LeadingAge Minnesota’s virtual Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum. The annual leadership conference spans three mornings
Monthly LeadingAge HUD Regional Call this Thursday
On August 19, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
Please join us for the next monthly HUD Member Regional Conference Call, scheduled for August 20 from 12-1 p.m. CST.
Tell Congress to Finish the Job
On August 19, 2020 by Libbie Chapuran
Join providers across the Nation to call on Congress to provide immediate relief to aging services providers.
We are severely disappointed that Congress did not reach an agreement on the next COVID-19 relief package.
Schowalter Returns as MMB Commissioner
On August 19, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
With Minnesota facing a projected $4.7 billion budget shortfall, Gov. Tim Walz tapped a familiar face and state budget expert, Jim Schowalter, to return as commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget.
Legislature Passes Retention Grants for Adult Day Services Providers
On August 19, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
In a special session last week, the Senate and House passed (and the Governor later signed) Senate File 1, which appropriates more than $20M in state CARES Act relief funds to provide retention grants to adult day services providers to address the impact of business interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
New On-Demand Online Nursing Home COVID-19 Training from CDC/CMS Now Available
On August 19, 2020 by Terri Foley
One-hour training sessions on COVID-19 critical topics such infection prevention, early detection, and managing staffing challenges are now available through the new
COVID-19 Communications Toolkit for Fall 2020 – Media and Visitation Modification
On August 19, 2020 by Terri Foley
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across Minnesota, we have developed a COVID-19 External Communications toolkit to help communicate with the media and other external audiences about the importance of prevention precautions as well as your plan for visitation modification.
CMS Resumes Survey Activity
On August 19, 2020 by Kari Everson
On August 17, 2020 CMS released a memo, QSO-20-35-ALL, describing expansion of survey activity and new guidance around enforcement.
DHS Considering Return to Fingerprint-Based Background Studies
On August 19, 2020 by Kari Thurlow
LeadingAge Minnesota recently learned that Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is proposing to return to fully-compliant, fingerprint-based background studies process sometime in the near future.