All News
Walz Announces 5-Point Battle Plan
On May 12, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Governor Walz last week announced a 5-Point Battle Plan to Protect the Most Vulnerable, which is targeted at seniors and their caregivers in nursing homes and assisted living.
Alzheimer’s Association Offers Project ECHO Series on Emergency Preparedness
On May 12, 2020 by Lori Meyer
In response to COVID-19, the Alzheimer’s Association has developed a special topic Project ECHO series based on their guidance Emergency Preparedness: Caring for persons living with dementia in a long-term or community-based care setting.
Nursing Home Reporting Requirements Take Effect May 8
On May 5, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on May 1 released an interim final rule containing new nursing home requirements for reporting COVID-19 data. We have prepared a summary of the rule (updated May 5), which directs facilities to report information to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) system and to notify residents, resident representatives and families of COVID-related information.
Nursing Home Reporting Requirements Will Take Effect May 8
On May 5, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on May 1 released an interim final rule containing new nursing home requirements for reporting COVID-19 data. We have prepared a summary of the rule (updated May 5), which directs nursing homes to report information to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) system and to notify to residents, resident representatives and families of COVID-related information.
Dementia Care Certificate Program Begins May 28 and June 5
On May 5, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
Our popular four-part Dementia Care Certificate Program begins with two webinars on May 28 and June 5.
Finding Hope – May 7 Webinar Explores Role of Spirituality in Building Resilience
On May 5, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
Join our free webinar, Finding Hope in the Time of COVID-19 – Building Resilience Through Spirituality, on May 7 and explore the role of spirituality in building resilience.
It’s Time for the COVID-19 Resource Round-Up
On May 5, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Each week we summarize and provide links to new tools and resources developed by LeadingAge Minnesota to help you respond to COVID-19. This week we feature tools in the area of workforce, testing and emergency staffing, as well as talking points and promotional materials for next week’s Long-Term Care week.
Caring Careers Start Here: Linking Job Seekers to Senior Care Providers
On May 5, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman
LeadingAge Minnesota is participating in an effort that recruits people interested in long term care using the Caring Careers Start Here platform. Caring Careers Start Here originally began as a campaign from HealthForce Minnesota focused on recruiting students into long term care careers and is now being redirected to recruit displaced workers specifically during the COVID19 pandemic.
Inspections, Testing Top Long-Term Care Priorities of House Task Force
On May 5, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
A new blueprint introduced by the U.S> House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging and Families on will make long-term care and affordable seniors housing a priority for future pandemic relief. The blueprint includes:
Push for Transparency in Assisted Living is Met with Request to Prioritize PPE & Testing
On May 5, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Three members of Congress recently asked 11 assisted living companies to detail their case counts and strategies related to COVID-19, including their use of personal protective equipment, testing, visitation polices, and sick leave, family leave, medical leave and hazard pay offered to employees. LeadingAge and Argentum used this call for information as an opportunity to push the federal government to prioritize assisted living operators for PPE and other resources to combat COVID-19.
Take Action: Contract Congress for Affordable Senior Housing Relief
On May 5, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
Congress is working on its next COVID-19 funding package and now is the time to raise our voices to support affordable senior housing. Join us to urge Congress to provide funding and support for affordable senior housing, including a $1.012 billion package of relief funds for affordable senior housing:
HUD COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting Webinar
On May 5, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) this week delivered presentations on their interim guidance on facility cleaning and disinfecting for COVID-19.
Nursing Homes: COVID-19 Communicative Technology Grants
On May 5, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that, with State approval, Medicaid-certified nursing facilities are eligible to receive up to $3,000 to purchase communication technology that will enable residents to conduct virtual visits with family and friends and to participate in telehealth visits.
State Budget Update Shows Huge Deficit Due to COVID-19 Impact
On May 5, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The State of Minnesota yesterday released an unusual budget update to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state budget. As anticipated, the economic slowdown tied to the COVID-19 response is projected to have an enormous impact with the state now anticipating a deficit of $2.4 billion for the biennium.
CMS Asks Stratis Health to Provide Targeted COVID-19 Infection Control Assistance
On May 5, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
During its April 22 COVID-19 call, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) noted that Stratis Health would be working with selected nursing homes to assess COVID-19 readiness – as a supplement to the infection control focused surveys MDH is doing around the state.
Now Authorized: Alternative Adult Day Services
On May 4, 2020 by Roni Falck
Alternative Adult Day Services received federal approval last week. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has released Bulletin 20-25-01 to provide guidance on Alternative Adult Day Services. These services include:
Caring Careers Start Here: Recruiting Directly for Providers
On April 29, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman
LeadingAge Minnesota is participating in an effort that will soon begin recruiting people interested in long term care through Caring Careers Start Here.
May 20 Webinar: Sales & Marketing During Social Distancing
On April 28, 2020 by Barbara Landeen
Even when you can’t give live tours of your building, there are a lot of things you can still do to keep your prospects engaged and promote the positive stories happening within your senior living community.
Leadership Academy Class of 2020 Announced
On April 28, 2020 by Barbara Landeen
LeadingAge Minnesota’s Leadership Academy 2020 Class of Fellows has been selected and will convene on May 13. In this extraordinary year when nothing is business-as-usual, this cohort will have the distinction of being the first to begin their journey via virtual conferencing technology.
COVID-19: This Week’s Resource Round-Up
On April 28, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
This week we share three links to resources we shared in the past week: Basic Care Aide, a Cohorting Messaging Toolkit, and Responding to Negative Views in a Pandemic.
Looking Ahead: Long Term Care Week Resources
On April 28, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
We are taking over a week traditionally dedicated to skilled nursing and focusing it on all senior care settings! A new resource will help you celebrate caregivers, and support residents and families during Long Term Care Week that takes place May 10-16.
Get to Know Me Information Helpful to Staff Caregivers
On April 28, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
In this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are instances when residents are cared for by new or temporary staff or need to be transferred without family to accompany them. As staff work to provide the best possible care to residents, a brief information sheet about the individual that can be kept in the person’s room or apartment for easy reference can be very helpful.
House Task Force Presses for $100 Million in Long Term Care Funding
On April 28, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
A newly-formed Democratic task force in the U.S. House is pushing Congress to immediately distribute $100 million in funding to aid infection control efforts in senior care settings. Among the priorities:
PPE: Possibly Headed to Nursing Homes, But We Demand More for All Senior Care Providers
On April 28, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
According to a news report, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be direct shipping PPE – masks, gowns, gloves, eye protection – to every one of the 15,400 nursing homes in the nation. While this forthcoming action is welcome, it is not nearly enough. It is unacceptable to not provide PPE to ALL senior care and living providers.
Senator Housley Calls for Universal Testing in Long-Term Care
On April 28, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Senator Karin Housley, chair of the Minnesota Senate Family Care and Aging Committee, called on Governor Tim Walz’s administration to immediately implement guidelines for widespread testing at the state’s long-term care facilities.
MDH Conducting Focused Surveys in HWS/Comprehensive Home Care
On April 28, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is conducting focused infection control surveys in Housing with Services (HWS)/Comprehensive Home Care communities.
PPE: What PPE to Use When – New MDH Chart
On April 28, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Knowing what PPE to use continues to be one of the most frequently asked questions we hear from members. A new chart from MDH brings clarity to this hot topic.
LeadingAge MN Welcomes Kari Everson as New Director of Clinical Care and Nurse Consultant
On April 28, 2020 by Lori Meyer
LeadingAge Minnesota is excited to announce that Kari Everson, RN, BSN, MSN, MHA, LNHA, has officially joined our team as our Director of Clinical Care and Nurse Consultant.
FAQ: Employer COVID-19 Testing Requirements, Workers’ Comp & Return to Work
On April 28, 2020 by Kari Thurlow
As testing COVID-19 testing ramps up in Minnesota, many providers have requested guidance about when and how employers can require their employees to undergo testing.
Basic Care Aide Registration Now Open
On April 28, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman
Efficiently and effectively train caregivers using the new Basic Care Aide Curriculum from EduCare – available at no cost to all providers in Minnesota.