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A recent analysis of Comprehensive Home Care licensed provider surveys revealed several trends. Of the top 10 correction orders written over the past four quarters, the top two -- Contents of Service Plan and TB Prevention and Control -- have remained constant, eight tags are consistently cited, and only two have entered or dropped out over the last four quarters. Also, there are now only three Tags cited in 50 percent of the surveys currently being conducted.   

The issues our organizations face are complex, the scrutiny is intense, and the stakes are high. It has never been more important for boards to act as partners in leadership with the CEO and senior team. Not-for-profit leaders and board members are invited to attend the Feb. 6 Governance Intensive during the upcoming Institute to explore governance as leadership and adaptive work. 

We know that the toughest workforce crisis is yet to come as the labor force fails to keep the pace with growth in the aging population. The ratio of the working age population compared to those over the age of 85 will decrease by 46 percent over the next 20 years. It is important to start building your future workforce pipeline today!   

Need staff training available anytime night or day? LeadingAge Minnesota has a selection of webinars available for purchase that you can use for on demand staff training. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will provide state survey agencies with a list of facilities with potential staffing issues to support survey activities for evaluating sufficient staffing and improving resident health and safety, according to a Quality, Safety and Oversight Memorandum (19-02-NH) released Nov. 30.  In addition to this survey-related announcement, the memorandum also alerts providers to updates in the PBJ Policy Manual and to the availability of new MDS-based census reports in the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting (CASPER) system. 

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced that Alzheimer’s disease will become eligible for treatment with medical marijuana in Minnesota next year, making it the 14th health condition approved since the state’s cannabis program began in 2015. 

Join LeadingAge Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) on Thursday, Dec. 20 at 9 a.m. for a free one-hour webinar on next steps in the Minnesota Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule State Transition Plan. Register today!  

Thanks to the efforts of the Long-Term Care Imperative, HealthForce Minnesota was given funding from the State of Minnesota to create a senior care career awareness campaign -- Caring Careers Start Here. 

The personal needs allowance for nursing facility residents is increased annually by the social security COLA. In the coming year, social security benefits will increase by 2.8 percent, so the personal needs allowance will increase from $99 this year to $102 for the year starting Jan. 1, 2019.  

Dellwood Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care was recently honored with a 2018 Deubener Small Business Award from the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. The Deubener awards are annually presented to five small businesses that exemplify growth, excellence, risk, diversity and innovation.  

The Bachelor of Science in Health Management at the University of Minnesota Crookston received accreditation approval by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) and the program also received its Health Service Executive (HSE) qualification. Both accreditations were earned under the leadership of Susan Klassen, program director and former member of LeadingAge Minnesota. 

Value-Based Payment, Growth of Managed Care Models, Continued Workforce Challenges, and Repurposing of Skilled Nursing Facilities are just a few of the 11 aging services trends Health Dimensions Group (HDG) has identified for 2019. 

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!  

Aging committees will return in both chambers of the Legislature for the 2019-2020 legislative session.   

The Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators (BENHA) announces the open appointment for one member actively engaged in the practice of professional nursing, licensed in Minnesota. 

The Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators (BENHA) announces the open appointment for one member actively engaged in the practice of professional nursing, licensed in Minnesota. 

The Dec. 6 Quality Conference is next week and today is the last day to pre-register. Over 115 professionals are already registered to attend this full day event designed to help organizations improve the quality of care and services they provide, and ultimately the lives of older adults. Find complete details and register here.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will provide information on the Patient Driven Payment Model, the recently-released Nursing Home Staff Competency Assessment toolkit, and other issues during a Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care Open Door Forum onThursday, Nov. 29, at 1 p.m. 

The fourth set of annual rates to be calculated using the new Value-Based Reimbursement (VBR) system will take effect on Jan. 1, 2019. The rates are now posted to the DHS Nursing Facility Provider Portal.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched efforts to improve patient safety and quality of care in nursing homes. The Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program offers tools, resources and ongoing assistance to nursing home staff.   

The Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging is hosting its annual summit on Dec. 13 and this year’s theme is Forward Progress for Aging Well in Minnesota. Registration for this full-day event is now open. 

A recently introduced bill in Congress would extend soon-to-expire federal spousal impoverishment protections for spouses of people receiving Medicaid home and community-based services.   

Did you see our new Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) web page that launched last week? It contains resources, including new economic impact estimates and training webinars, which will help care centers prepare for the dramatic change in how Medicare pays for services that takes effect Oct. 1, 2019. 

The Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in Long-Term Care and Aging is pleased to announce the Robert L. Kane Scholarship of Excellence in Long-Term Care for 2019-2020. The scholarship provides $25,000 during the 2019-2020 academic year for University of Minnesota Master’s-level or professional doctorate students who are fully committed to pursuing a professional career in long-term care following the completion of their degrees.  

Elderly Waiver providers are encouraged to participate in a Dec. 11 webinar to learn about the EW Residential Services tool. Schedule and topics include:  

LeadingAge has filed comments in support of the U.S. Department of Labor's proposal to eliminate restrictions on the operation of patient lifts by nursing home employees under the age of 18. 

Recruit staff to the field of aging services with brand new videos! Watch and then share the following videos on social media:   

Nearly 40 hospitals and long-term care settings across Minnesota earned a shout out from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for contributing to antibiotic stewardship efforts beyond their walls. 

Thanks to the efforts of the Long-Term Care Imperative, HealthForce Minnesota was given funding from the State of Minnesota to create a senior care career awareness campaign -- Caring Careers Start Here. 

In a recent call with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), LeadingAge learned that there has been a 2 percent increase in the utilization of Adult Day Services by veterans in recent years, compared to 17 percent growth in other services. To turn this around, the VA expects to roll out several initiatives to boost Adult Day Services options for veterans that include: