News Archives
August 2019 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
Public Charge Test Final Rule Expands Hurdles for Older Adults and Long-Term Care Workers
On August 28, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a final Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds rule that goes into effect Oct. 15. This rule applies prospectively to determine the eligibility of persons wishing to immigrate to the US, obtain a green card to authorize employment or to obtain certain visas. It will not be applied to immigrants currently in the country unless or until they seek to change or extend their immigration status.
Annual Meeting: Overflow Lodging Announced; Don’t Miss The Happening!
On August 28, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
The 2019 Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum is Sept. 17-20 at Madden’s in Brainerd. We are sharing an update on lodging accommodations and asking you this important question -- Will You Be at The Happening?
Are You Meeting the Mandatory Dementia Care Requirements?
On August 28, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
There is still time to register for the 2019 Dementia Care Certificate Program, which meets Minnesota’s current mandatory dementia care training requirements for home care agency, Assisted Living/Housing with Services and care center staff.
Infection Preventionists: Deadline Extended to Aug. 30 for Specialized Certificate Training Program
On August 28, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The deadline to register for the Infection Preventionist certificate program, Effectiveness and Core Components for Infection Prevention in SNFs, has been extended to Aug. 30. This program, which takes place Sept. 4 and 5, will help care centers meet the new Infection Preventionist specialized training under the Requirements of Participation that will take effect in three months.
Representation Matters: Feature Team Members in Publications
On August 28, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
There are two things that make your organization special - the people you serve and the staff who serve your people. Make sure to share the great work that is being done every single day!
LeadingAge VA to Release New Playbook to Help Providers Serve the Middle Market
On August 28, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
LeadingAge Virginia will soon release a playbook designed to help senior living and care providers determine whether and how to serve middle-income older adults. The playbook provides a template that can be customized based on your market, your customer and what you need to design a product for the middle market.
Gov. Walz Proclaims Aug. 14 Lawrence Massa Appreciation Day
On August 28, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Gov. Tim Walz issued a proclamation naming Aug. 14 as Lawrence Massa Appreciation Day in Minnesota in honor of Massa’s distinguished career in advance of his retirement Sept. 6. Massa has been the president and CEO of MHA for the past 11 years and served as chief executive officer of Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar from 1994 to 2008.
More Hurdles to Prove Housing Discrimination
On August 28, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
LeadingAge will submit comments to a new proposed rule from the U.S Housing & Urban Affairs Department (HUD) that would make drastic changes to the current process for asserting Disparate Impact.
CMS Final Version to MDS 3.0 and Allowable ICD Codes Available
On August 28, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) last week posted the FINAL version (V3.00.1) of the MDS 3.0 Data Specifications for Skilled Nursing Facilities, which take effect Oct. 1. They also released the file of the allowable ICD codes in item I0020B of the MDS.
CMS to Publish Corrected FY2020 SNF VBP Reports and Host Aug. 27 Call
On August 28, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) notified Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) on Aug. 22 that there was a calculation error in the FY2016 baseline period performance data that excluded certain SNF stays erroneously. CMS will be issuing corrected FY2020 Performance Score Reports no later than Aug. 31.
Register Today for Sept. 5 Webinar on HCBS Scholarship Program
On August 28, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will host a Sept. 5 webinar to help Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) providers learn more about application process for the HCBS scholarship program and provide best practices for completing an application.
Providers Now Authorized to Obtain, Store and Use Epinephrine Auto-Injectors
On August 28, 2019 by Sue Boyd
Nursing homes, board and care, and licensed basic and comprehensive home care providers have been added to the list of authorized entities that may obtain, store, and use epinephrine auto-injectors for emergency administration in cases of anaphylaxis, according to two new bulletins from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
Resources Now Available – Prevent Drug Diversion in Long-Term Care
On August 28, 2019 by Julie Apold
New resources to prevent drug diversion in long-term care are now available. The Minnesota Pathway to Prevent Diversion of Controlled Substances in Long-Term Care features a pathway and support tools to help you increase awareness, assess your processes, create individual plans for intervention implementation, and measure your outcomes.
National Adult Day Services Week: Ending Social Isolation
On August 28, 2019 by Roni Falck
National Adult Day Services Week, which takes place Sept. 15-21, is a great opportunity to highlight the important work these valued providers do every day. Our theme this year is focused on raising public awareness on how Adult Day Services can help prevent loneliness and social isolation.
MN-DONA Conference Registration Open
On August 20, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The 36th Annual MN-DONA “THE FUTURE IS US” Fall Conference, which is designed for nurse leaders in long-term care and assisted living, takes place Oct. 9 – 11 at Breezy Point Resort.
Sept. 5 Workshop Webinar: HCBS Scholarship Grant Application Process
On August 20, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
The Minnesota Department of Health will host a Workshop Webinar on the Home and Community-Based Services Scholarship Program and Application Process on Sept. 5. Make plans now to participate and then apply for tscholarship grants that will help you recruit, retain and create career pathways for your staff.
Care Centers: Moratorium Exceptions Process Webinar is Sept. 11
On August 20, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Need financial support to invest in needed construction at your care center? Join us for a webinar on Sept. 11 that will equip you with the information and resources to apply for the Moratorium Exceptions Process through the Minnesota Department of Health.
Dementia Care Certificate Program Begins Aug. 29 – Register Now
On August 20, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
The 2019 Dementia Care Certificate Program is newly updated and meets Minnesota’s current mandatory dementia care training requirements for home care, Housing with Services/Assisted Living staff and care center staff. This certificate series will not be repeated in 2019 – register now to ensure completion by the end of the year. T
New Certificate Program Helps You Stay Up-to-Date with Changes in Infection Control Requirements
On August 20, 2019 by Sue Boyd
As an Infection Preventionist in a long-term care setting, how do you keep up to date with the changes in infection control and the regulatory requirements? The answer is to attend our new “Effectiveness and Core Components for Infection Preventionists in SNFs” Certificate Program, Sept. 4 -5 at the North Metro Event Center in Shoreview.
The Power of Appreciation
On August 20, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
The power of positive thinking! Mike Robbins, author of Focus on the Good Stuff: The Power of Appreciation, says positive acknowledgement is “a crucial aspect of our being able to celebrate, appreciate, and express gratitude for the people around us.” He offers five ways to positively acknowledge others:
Job Board Price Change Effective
On August 20, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
The rate to post a job on the AgingServicesJOBS.Org, a cutting-edge employment marketplace that matches employers with job-seekers based on skills, interests and job requirements, has changed.
True Innovation is Needed in Senior Living
On August 20, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
A recent article in Senior Housing News highlights that the “dots aren’t being connected” in senior living to get innovation past the pilot stage to make a true impact.
eMenuCHOICE Continues Growth, Adds Service to 5 Senior Living Communities in July
On August 20, 2019 by Guest Contributor
eMenuCHOICE, a leading dining management and point of sale (POS) application for senior living communities, added five new clients in July. The following communities have chosen eMenuCHOICE to support their dining service management needs:
New Rule Could Reduce Immigrants’ Use of Long-Term Care Services
On August 20, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The National Council on Aging has denounced a new inadmissibility rule that could force immigrant seniors to choose between paying for long-term care support and losing their immigration status.
Registration Open for Health Care Engineers Conference
On August 20, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
Registration is open for the Minnesota Health Care Engineers Association (MHCEA) Fall Conference and Vendor Show that takes place Sept. 11-13 at Grand Casino Hinckley.
Housing Support Approved as New Medicaid Benefit
On August 20, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Minnesota seniors and people with disabilities soon will have more help finding and keeping housing, thanks to new services coming to the state’s Medicaid program next year.
Oct. 8 Safe Table: DNR Status and Response
On August 20, 2019 by Julie Apold
Does our staff know how to access a resident’s DNR status in an emergency or what to do – without delay – when they find a resident unresponsive? Are they confident to take those next important steps? Join us Oct. 8 for a Virtual Workshop that will explore those questions and more, as we provide a new systematic approach called Rapid Evaluation Teams to help improve your organization’s process for staff to call for and receive support to rapidly evaluate and address an urgent or concerning situation.
Survey Tip: CMS Clarifies Transfer/Discharge Documentation Questions
On August 20, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Central Office recently shared survey guidance relating to a couple of transfer/discharge documentation issues.
Ban on Flushing of Hazardous Medications Takes Effect Aug. 21
On August 20, 2019 by Sue Boyd
Under regulations enacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hazardous waste pharmaceuticals may not be sewered (flushed or poured down a drain) for disposal after Aug. 21, 2019.
Back to School Specials: Dementia Care Certificate Program; Infection Preventionist Certificate; Drive Occupancy Through Buyer Experience
On August 13, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The final installment of the 2019 Dementia Care Certificate Program is now open for registration; we have more details and registration information on our new Infection Preventionist Certificate Program, and you won't want to miss an October webinar on how to create the buyer experience that will drive occupancy. Get up to speed on these great programs: