News Archives
April 2019 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
When Terminating Tenancy and Services Seems Inevitable
On April 16, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
Housing with Services and Assisted Living providers regularly find themselves in challenging situations, working to meet the needs and preferences of all residents, their families, and communities, while at the same time, assuring safe and secure settings and care, staffing in sufficient numbers and competencies to deliver the care promised, supporting staff to carry out their demanding jobs, and staying tuned to operate in a way that maintains the viability of the organization. As the demands swirl, how do we deal with the challenging situation that presents itself?
Senior Housing Occupancy Flat, New Construction Slows
On April 16, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Senior housing occupancy remains flat and new construction has slowed, according to a new report released last week by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC).
Spread the Word: 2 New Ways to Support Our Legislative Agenda
On April 16, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
When lawmakers return to the State Capitol next week, they will be taking an important vote on issues that matter most to you, your staff and the people you serve. At a time when the State has a $1 billion surplus, our aging population is growing, and we face severe workforce shortages, the House Health and Human Services (HHS) Finance Bill cuts care center funding and fails to invest in housing and supportive services for seniors. We need your help in sharing the devasting impact this bill would have on the people you serve and the dedicated staff who provide them with care and support.
How Do ACOs Pick Skilled Nursing Partners?
On April 16, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
A new toolkit from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides an inside look on how Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) select skilled nursing partners. The report indicates preferred partners are those that consistently provide high-quality care, dedicate staffers to care coordination and demonstrate a willingness to reform service delivery.
MDH Names Michelle Larson Director of Health Regulation Division
On April 16, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has announced that Michelle Larson was named the full-time Director for the Health Regulation Division. She had been serving as the interim director of that division.
Best Practices: Using Social Media to Tell Your Story
On April 16, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Are you promoting your organization on social media? For many, using Facebook and Instagram to build the workforce pipeline is a new concept. The good news is that social media is all about telling your story – and from big to small, aging services providers have so many fun stories to share!
Session Update: Now Is The Time To Be Heard
On April 16, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
The Legislature is on its annual spring break this week, so we thought this would be a good time to update you with where things stand. There are several key issues at stake, with differing approaches taken in the House and the Senate. Now is a critical time for all lawmakers to hear from providers, caregivers, trustees and seniors about the concerns we may have with various proosals. Here is a summary of the key issues:
Enhanced SNF QRP Review and Correct Reports Available
On April 10, 2019 by Julie Apold
The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) review and correct reports are now available. The reports have been enhanced to include the following features:
Special Pricing: Become an Align Early Adopter by April 15
On April 10, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Become an Early Adopter of Align’s Employee Engagement Solution (manager/supervisor evaluation and training!), and/or two Customer Experience Solutions by April 15 and receive special pricing!
On-Demand Webinars
On April 10, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
View our complete library of pre-recorded webinars available for purchase here, including the popular five-part Behavioral Health series applicable to all service settings.
Does Your Organization Qualify to Teach OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training?
On April 10, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
The OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training program continues to see success in its second year of operation, and we see many different types of organizations deploying OnTrack onsite. Does your organization qualify to offer OnTrack?
Nursing Home Cuts – Call Your Representative Today
On April 10, 2019 by Libbie Chapuran
House File 2414, the House’s Omnibus Health and Human Services Bill, contains several sections that would have a serious and potentially devastating impact on senior care. The bill cuts nursing home funding, over-regulates assisted living, expands swing beds and fails to invest in Elderly Waiver.
Webinar on Job Board Upgrades and Recruitment Benefits
On April 10, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
As unemployment rates remain low, the shallow labor pool can constrain your organization's success and growth. We cannot rely on static job boards alone to address talent issues. AgingServicesJobs.org can help tackle your workforce challenges. Join us on April 16 for webinar featuring the latest upgrades for AgingServicesJobs.org. Sign up today!
Connect, Create, Contribute: May is Older Americans Month
On April 10, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
The Administration for Community Living leads our nation’s observance of Older Americans Month each May. The 2019 theme, Connect, Create, Contribute, encourages older adults and their communities to:
Senate HHS Budget Bills: No Cuts to Nursing Homes; Rate Enhancement for Some EW Providers
On April 10, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
The two Minnesota Senate Committees that have oversight over the Health and Human Services (HHS) budgets unveiled their omnibus budget bills this week. We were very pleased that the Senate bills do not include the Governor's proposals to cut nursing home funding or create a new, but seriously flawed, property rate system for nursing homes.
CMS Quality Measure Improvements
On April 10, 2019 by Julie Apold
The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced changes to Nursing Home Compare and the Five Star Rating system that include several changes to the Quality Measure (QM) Domain. Changes to the performance thresholds and methodology in the QM Domain may result in many nursing homes experiencing a decline in their ratings until further improvements are put in place within their organizations. Key QM Domain changes include:
Top 10 Life Safety Code Violations 3-Part Webinar Series Begins April 24
On April 10, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Great training for your interdisciplinary care center team – learn how to prepare for your federal fire/life safety recertification survey and know the top ten K-tags cited in Minnesota and how to avoid them.
Top 10 Life Safety Code Violations 3-Part Webinar Series Begins April 24
On April 10, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Great training for your interdisciplinary care center team – learn how to prepare for your federal fire/life safety recertification survey and know the top ten K-tags cited in Minnesota and how to avoid them.
Changes to Five-Star Ratings and Nursing Home Compare Take Effect April 24
On April 10, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
As noted in an earlier Advantage story, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced key changes to the Five-Star quality rating system and Nursing Home Compare effective April 24. The changes include:
Top 10 Life Safety Code Violations 3-Part Webinar Series Begins April 24
On April 10, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Great training for your interdisciplinary care center team – learn how to prepare for your federal fire/life safety recertification survey and know the top ten K-tags cited in Minnesota and how to avoid them.
Assisted Living Certificate Program Delivers Essential Skills and Knowledge
On April 10, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Now, more than ever, today’s Assisted Living/Housing-with-Services Managers and Home Care nurse managers must have a solid foundation of core knowledge and skills to be successful and serve their clients and customers well. The LeadingAge Assisted Living Certificate program was specifically designed with that in mind.
LeadingAge Recommends Medicare Changes to Congressional Telehealth Caucus
On April 10, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Responding to the Congressional Telehealth Caucus's request for information, LeadingAge recommended several changes in Medicare policy to expand access to telehealth services and remote monitoring, improve patient outcomes, and control health care costs.
Deadline Approaching! HCBS Grant Program Open
On April 10, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Don’t delay -- the deadline for the bonus round of the HCBS Scholarship Grant is April 19. You can find the application here.
Caring for a Person with Memory Loss Conference Announced
On April 10, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
A free conference on caring for a person with memory loss will be held on June 1 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the McNamara Alumni Center. The conference is sponsored by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
Adult Day Services: Strategies to Reduce Absenteeism Webinar April 22
On April 10, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Get practical tools, strategies and resources to help reduce client absences from your program, and the related negative impact on revenue and staffing. Find details and registration for the April 22 webinar here.
HUD Announces New Sec. 202 Housing Funds
On April 10, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
The U.S. Housing & Urban Development Department (HUD) released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for new Section 202 funds. There is $50 million for the construction and ongoing rental subsidy of Section 202 homes. HUD expects to make approximately 30 awards. The deadline to apply is Aug. 28.
Due This Week: Employer Applications for Summer Health Care Internship Program
On April 10, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Employer applications for the 2019 Summer Health Care Internship Program are due April 12. Care centers, home care providers and adult day services providers are encouraged to participate.
Share your “WHY” to Recruit
On April 10, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Do you know about the Golden Circle? As you think about workforce recruitment and retention, explaining to potential new hires what your organization does is easy – and explaining how you do it is helpful. But great organizations are effective at explaining why they exist. Learn how great leaders inspire action by listening to this TED Talk from Simon Sinek explaining the Golden Circle and the importance of your “Why.”
New Safe Care for Seniors Workshop: Owatonna on May 9
On April 10, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Registration is now open for the fourth Safe Care for Seniors regional workshop that will take place in Owatonna on May 9. You may also register for the workshops in Duluth on May 1 and Redwood Falls on May 7. The Detroit Lakes workshop on May 2 is full.
Registration Is Open for May 3 Health Care Engineers Conference
On April 10, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
Registration is open for the Minnesota Health Care Engineers Association (MHCEA) Spring Conference, set for Friday, May 3 at the Grand Casino Hinckley Convention Center.