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Disruption happens when existing solutions can be disturbed by new, innovative solutions ― sometimes quickly and violently. In a new white paper from CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), members can learn more about the tremendous potential for disruption within senior living and the opportunities the trends present to providers. 

“We have met the future, and it is us.” Ruth Katz, senior vice president for public policy/advocacy for LeadingAge, opens the 2018 Adult Day Conference with a look at the evolution of aging services public policy discussions that has new growth opportunities for adult day programs and new initiatives in other states that are helping to fund adult day programs.  

Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson and Attorneys General from 16 states filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the moratorium on civil monetary penalties for deficiencies cited under Phase II of the care center Requirements of Participation.

The deadline for our annual salary survey has been extended to July 27. By taking time today to complete this important survey, you will receive two free reports that will help you judge the competitiveness of your compensation program in this dynamic job market. 

OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training has been available for six months and has enrolled 120 students to date. Based on student outcomes, OnTrack is providing quality training: State Exam results are trending 6 percent higher than the statewide average, with a 90 percent overall pass rate.

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports are now available for review prior to public display of the performance data on the Nursing Home Compare site.

Long time LeadingAge Minnesota member and colleague in serving elders, Trent Carlson, passed away last Friday after a short illness. 

Mark your calendars and plan for the following summer and fall events: 

Falls are one of the top categories of substantiated OHFC reports in Home Care/Assisted Living settings in Minnesota. Members should be taking the necessary steps to prevent falls in their community. Our new Assisted Living Fall Prevention Learning & Improvement Collaborative will give you the tools you need to implement an effective falls prevention program and reduce costs for your organization.  

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has introduced the Americans Giving care to Elders (AGE) Act, which would provide a tax credit for caregivers faced with the difficult task of helping older adults remain in their home. 

The new AgingServicesJobs.Org platform has launched! Want to trial the site by posting a job for free? The first 20 members to contact Jenna Kellerman will get a free promo code to post their next open position! 

Helen Miller, who served as the “face” of the Face Aging MN campaign, passed away on June 17. Helen’s story and her ongoing contributions to Helen’s Corner on the Face Aging MN blog helped raising awareness of issues that accompany our rapidly aging society. Her stories about growing older and advice on what it means to age well and live fully resonated with all audiences and were a key factor in the campaign’s success to date. 

Bring your team to discover new tools and approaches to your strategic planning process. As part of LeadingAge Minnesota’s Performance Excellence in Aging Services platform, the July 19 workshop A Systematic and Effective Approach to Strategic Planning unfolds the strategic planning process from preparation and prioritization to deployment and sustaining the plan.  

Jobs in senior living and care centers will continue to be among the fastest-growing types over the next decade, but wages continue to be a barrier to staff recruitment and retention. 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has contracted with Navigant Consulting, the company that is also conducting studies on Elderly Waiver rates and the role of Adult Day services, to conduct a study of transportation access for home and community-based service enrollees, including both the elderly and disabled populations.  

Argentum is seeking participation from senior living providers that may qualify for its 2018 Largest Providers List. 

OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training has been available for nearly six months and has enrolled 106 students to date! Find out what everyone is raving about – call 651.425.1110 to schedule your OnTrack demo today. 

LeadingAge distributed a critical response to a recent recommendation by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) to lower pay rates for skilled nursing facilities. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) intends to issue guidance clarifying that existing care centers may store and use liquid oxygen in resident rooms without having to meet a fire-resistance enclosure rating. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized revisions to its policies regarding mandatory immediate imposition of federal remedies. Quality Safety and Oversight Memorandum 18-18-NH describes the changes and replaces two Survey & Certification memos previously issued on this topic.  

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has updated and extended the Return to Community initiative.

Wednesday, June 20 is the last day to take advantage of early bird registration fees for the July 17 Adult Day Conference. Representatives from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will share details on a recent report regarding regulatory compliance in adult day settings from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources as well as information how they plan to respond to areas of concern.

This is a final reminder for care centers that your QIIP goal for the rate year beginning Jan. 1, 2020 is due June 30. 

As an affordable housing provider, are you ready for your next physical inspection by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development? Make sure you know your rights regarding scheduling, stopping a review in process, appealing unwarranted deficiency findings and/or responding to exigent health and safety violations by reading LeadingAge’s updated REAC Inspections Fact Sheet. 

Financial fraud targeting older Americans is a growing epidemic that costs seniors an estimated $2.9 billion annually. The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging has released its 2018 Fraud Book on the top 10 scam complaints reported in 2017 against older adults.  

Designed to help improve operations and clinical services, the annual Assisted Living and Home Care Conference is Wednesday, July 25 in St. Paul. The conference is sponsored with the Minnesota HomeCare Association and is packed with education on compliance issues, clinical services and working with clients. 

Managers of Senior Housing and Housing with Services Establishments are often in the position to determine what is considered beyond normal wear and tear when an apartment is vacated, and what will be recovered from a damage deposit. 

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved $44.5 billion for HUD in fiscal year 2019, including $678 million for the Section 202 Housing for the Elderly account and $11.7 billion for Project-Based Rental Assistance that provides the operating subsidy for approximately two-thirds of Section 202 homes. 

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that went into effect on Jan.1, 2018 affects nonprofits both operationally and in their fundraising strategies. 

OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training has been available for nearly six months and has enrolled 103 students to date! Find out what everyone is raving about – call 651.425.1110 to schedule your OnTrack demo today.