All News
Aug. 20-21 Connect Conference to Detail Legislative Change and Next Step to Assisted Licensure
On May 22, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
The all-new Connect Conference in August combines three previous popular conferences – Senior Living NOW, Assisted Living & Home Care, and Adult Day - into an interactive experience intentionally designed to bring providers across the home- and community-based continuum together to address issues in common and to shape the future of service to older adults.
Workforce Data
On May 22, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Let’s talk about data! Workforce data in our field can tell a powerful story about the need for resources and recruitment in our profession. Consider bringing this information to your leadership team, an all staff meeting, your Board of Directors, a local Chamber, networking group, place of worship, or even the family members and supporters of your organization.
Participate in 2019 Adult Day Services Financial Indicators Study
On May 22, 2019 by Roni Falck
The 2019 Adult Day Services Financial Indicators Study has been launched, and we strongly encourage adult day members to participate. The study, now in its ninth year, offers Adult Day Services members the opportunity to benchmark their individual centers to the rest of the field and determine their financial health and performance.
LeadingAge National Launching Member Survey
On May 22, 2019 by Adam Suomala
LeadingAge National will launch a biennial survey of its members on June 6, and we strongly encourage members to take part in this initiative as it will produce a host of meaningful data that you can use to conduct data-driven planning and decision making. Here are four ways the LeadingAge member survey can help you tell your story:
Survey Preparedness Tip: Life Safety Self-Inspections
On May 22, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The first installment of LeadingAge Minnesota’s webinar series, Top 10 Life Safety Code Violations and How to Avoid Them, focused on preparing for your federal fire/life safety recertification survey.
DHS Announces Grant Opportunities for Care Centers
On May 22, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced two small grant programs for Medicaid-certified nursing homes with applications due by July 1.
3 Ways to Learn More About New Assisted Living Licensure, Older Adult Protection Law
On May 22, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
In the final hours of the 2019 legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature passed landmark legislation that ushers in the next generation of assisted living services. The new framework provides greater clarity and transparency for consumers, strengthened regulatory oversight and consumer protection, and maintains a model of senior living that supports choice, options and the opportunity to age in place. We know you have questions about this legislation and what it means to you, your operations and the people you serve. Here are three immediate ways to learn more and a way to provide us with your feedback:
PDPM: Get Your Interdisciplinary Team Ready for Oct. 1 Implementation
On May 22, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Register your interdisciplinary team today for one of four July workshops, A Team Approach to Operationalizing PDPM, to prepare for the Oct.1 implementation of the Patient Drive Payment Model (PDPM) classification system for Medicare Part A payments. The new system has significant implications for clinical operations, pre-admission screening, IDT documentation, and may even influence the types of individuals you will admit.
Skilled Nursing Facility Staff Competency Toolkit© available to LeadingAge Members
On May 22, 2019 by Sue Boyd
With the need to provide qualified and competent staff in Skilled Nursing Facilities, it may be challenging for a setting to find useable resources and tools to determine competency. LeadingAge excited to announce that the Staff Competency Toolkit© is now available to members.
Proposed HUD Rule on Mixed Status Families Could Force Older Adults Out of Affordable Housing
On May 22, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
More than 4,300 older adults who had found solace and affordability in their HUD-assisted homes will now wonder about the stability of their housing as the result of a new proposed rule that would end the practice of having “mixed status” families in federally assisted housing.
Special Session Update: Nursing Home Cuts Remain on the Table
On May 22, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
The 2019 legislative session came to an end on May 20 with most of this year’s budget bills unfinished, including the Health and Human Services Finance bill. A special session will be required to get these bills across the finish line. What does that mean for us? We just gained the gift of time in our fight to stop the devastating nursing home cuts proposed by Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota House. But time is running out – the special session may take place on Thursday and Friday.
Milestone Agreement Reached on Assisted Living Licensure, Dementia Care Standards & Consumer Rights
On May 15, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
LeadingAge Minnesota has agreed along with its Imperative partner and organizations representing consumers and their families to support an historic compromise bill to enhance regulatory oversight and consumer protection in assisted living settings and nursing homes.
DHS Extends Public Comment Period for HCBS Setting Evidentiary Packages
On May 15, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Human Services has extended the public comment period for the latest round of evidentiary packages written for home and community-based settings (HCBS) across to June 9.
MDH Shares Survey Data and Incident Reporting Updates During Statewide Call
On May 15, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) held a statewide regulatory call for care centers on May 13 and shared updates on commonly-cited deficiencies and other topics. MDH will post a recording and transcript of the call on its webpage shortly. Meanwhile, here are a few highlights from the call:
Care Centers Cuts Still on the Table. Call Today!
On May 15, 2019 by Libbie Chapuran
Unfortunately, cuts to care centers are still on the table at the Capitol. But we still have time to act!
CMS Addresses Questions on Transfer Notices and Hand-Sanitizer
On May 15, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health periodically receives guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on specific regulatory or survey issues, which the Department will forward to LeadingAge Minnesota and other stakeholders when applicable. This guidance typically comes in the form of an email written by the CMS Central Office in response to a question submitted by a state survey agency or a provider. This week MDH forwarded three questions-and-answers (identified with CMS tracking #s), which it described as clarifications from the Central Office.
Safety Alert: Caustic Cleaning Chemicals
On May 14, 2019 by Julie Apold
LeadingAge Minnesota is issuing Safety Alert based on an emerging theme we have identified in the Minnesota Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC) substantiated maltreatment reports. To help members prevent similar harm in their settings, we are distributing this Safety Alert to share learnings from these events and solutions for consideration.
Effective Housing Wait List Management: July 10 Webinar
On May 14, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Learn how to develop a system to create more effective waiting lists for your housing community and keep prospects engaged and committed – and move past the dreaded “I’m not ready yet” objection. m
Connect Conference for Senior Housing, Assisted Living, Home Care &Adult Day Takes Place Aug. 20-21
On May 14, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
This is the biggest conference for home- and community-based providers to hit the state ever. Don’t miss the Connect Conference, Aug. 20 and 21, which brings together providers from the full spectrum of senior housing, assisted living, home care and adult day to discuss the important issues and opportunities that impact us all.
Coming Soon: 2019 Member Value Survey
On May 14, 2019 by Adam Suomala
The LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors will meet for their annual planning retreat in June to review how the Association is meeting member needs. In advance of that, they hope to hear from members in the 2019 Member Value Survey.
Application Deadline Approaching for LeadingAge MN Foundation Scholarships
On May 14, 2019 by Lori Meyer
The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation will distribute over $33,000 in scholarships this year to caregivers and other employees of member organizations who are interested in advancing their education and careers in aging services. There is still time to apply, but the deadline is approaching fast. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 31.
Benchmarking Opportunity for Employee Engagement and Customer Experience
On May 14, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
LeadingAge Minnesota has established a new partnership with Align, bringing you access to an Employee Engagement Solution (manager/supervisor training!), and two Customer Experience Solutions.
Up Your Recruitment on Social Media with Video
On May 14, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Social Media is a key tool for recruiting new staff. Use the two videos below in your recruitment efforts to engage job seekers in your community. When all LeadingAge Minnesota members come together to share a unified message, the impact can be powerful. Share these videos today!
Create an Inclusive Hiring Process
On May 14, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Direct care staff have opinions that matter! When frontline staff know that they will be responsible for training new team members, they are often invested in the people who get hired in the first place and become more invested in the training process. Empower your team by training and including frontline staff in the interview process.
Draft Comment Letter: Proposed Rule on Overtime Pay
On May 14, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
LeadingAge has shared a draft comment letter on the recently issued proposed rule to change the salary threshold for overtime eligibility that would raise the salary level for exemption from the minimum wage and overtime rules.
June District Meetings: Session Outcomes, Organization Impacts
On May 14, 2019 by Adam Suomala
With less than one week to go in the 2019 Legislative Session, there are bills advancing that will result in landmark changes to your operations, staffing and ability to ensure safe, quality affordable care to our fast-growing aging population. Register today for a June District Meeting, where our advocacy team will lead a deep dive discussion on these changes and plan the next steps we will take together as a provider community.
Deficiency Analysis: Are Nursing Homes Getting Better or Worse?
On May 14, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
A new report shows that over the course of a five-year period, 94% of the deficiencies cited on nursing home surveys were in the "less serious" categories defined as F or below on the scope and severity grid. However, the report also noted that 31% of nursing homes had at least one repeat deficiency during the review period.
Registration Open: ALNET Meetings in June
On May 14, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The next meeting of the Assisted Living/Home Care Nurse Leader Network (ALNET) will take place in June at four locations around Minnesota. The agenda, which still being finalized, will feature a legislative update, survey readiness, new MDH survey tools and time for deep dive questions.
Coding Risk for Pressure Ulcers on the MDS: M0100 and M0150
On May 14, 2019 by Sue Boyd
LeadingAge recently released guidance for coding Risk for Pressure Ulcers in section M0100 and M0150 of the MDS, which includes an overview of each section, key definitions, an overview of risk factors and steps for assessment.
Don’t Forget: Review Your Provider Preview Report by May 30
On May 14, 2019 by Julie Apold
The updated skilled nursing facility Provider Preview Reports from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are available for review. Members have until May 30 to review their performance data prior to it being displayed on the Nursing Home Compare site in July.