News Archives
October 2019 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
U.S. House Passes Older Adults Act Re-Authorization
On October 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The U.S. House of Representatives this week voted unanimously to pass the Dignity in Aging Act, which reauthorizes the Older Americans Act (OAA) and increases funding for vital programs that help aging Americans live independently and with dignity.
Home Care Matters Provider Call Takes Place Nov. 14
On October 30, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will host a Home Care and Assisted Living Program teleconference on Thurs., Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Featured topics include regulatory updates and issues affecting home care in Minnesota.
Making Zero Harm Possible: Activities Team at Divine Providence Community Home
On October 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The Activities Team from Divine Providence Community Home of Sleepy Eye was recently recognized with a Make Zero Harm Possible award from LeadingAge Minnesota.
Dr. Mary Tjosvold Inducted into Minnesota Women Business Owners Hall of Fame
On October 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Dr. Mary Tjosvold, Founder & CEO of Mary T. Inc., has been selected by the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO-MN) as a 2019 inductee to the Minnesota Women Business Owners Hall of Fame.
LeadingAge MN Foundation Seeks Silent Auction Donations
On October 30, 2019 by Lori Meyer
The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is excited to announce our 4th Annual Silent Auction that will take place at the 2020 Institute & Expo. Thanks to your generosity in previous years, we have raised over $25,000 to support the critical work of the Foundation. With your help, we can make this year’s auction even more successful!
CMS Division Director Addresses LeadingAge Conference
On October 30, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
Evan Shulman, national Director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Division of Nursing Homes, offered a Regulatory Update during this week’s LeadingAge national conference in San Diego. Here are a few highlights from his Oct. 29 remarks:
Deadline Extended for State Grants to Elderly Waiver Customized Living Providers
On October 29, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has extended the deadline for responding to the RFP for a grant program to improve the resident experience in Customized Living. The deadline to submit a proposal is now Dec. 9.
Focus on Staff Strengths
On October 28, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Focusing on an individual team member’s strengths is more effective than focusing on improving weaknesses. One study showed a stark difference in engagement scores: 67% were engaged when their supervisor focused on strengths, as opposed to only 30% being engaged when their supervisor focused on weaknesses.
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Legislation to Address Social Isolation for Seniors
On October 28, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Social isolation is a growing epidemic among older adults. Nearly half of older adults feel isolated, alone or left out, and seniors who experience social isolation face a 29% increased risk of mortality. U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) is addressing this challenge by introducing legislation to counter the detrimental and physical effects of social isolation among seniors.
Project ECHO: Free, Innovative Dementia Training Opportunity for LeadingAge MN Members
On October 28, 2019 by Lori Meyer
The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is excited to announce it is now accepting Request for Proposals (RFPs) for the second round of the Project ECHO Assisted Living Communities program. The deadline for submission is Friday, Nov. 15.
Promising Practice - Workforce: Resident Concierge Representatives
On October 28, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Thinking of ways to expose potential employees to your community for possible recruitment? Give the prospective employee – and you – a chance to try out older adult services by creating a new position called a Resident Concierge Representative (RCR). Cassia, an affiliation between Elim Care and Augustana Care, created this new position at a few of its sites and is already seeing positive outcomes in recruitment and retention.
Help Minnesota Develop an Assisted Living Report Card
On October 28, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
Assisted living residents, family members, advocates, providers and other stakeholders can help the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) develop a new Assisted Living Report Card by completing an online survey and/or attending a statewide livestream event in November.
Front Line Staff Behavioral Health Training
On October 23, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Providers in Minnesota have said that one of the biggest needs in communities is training for staff on behavioral health. We listened, and it’s coming soon and it’s free!
Champion Connection: Join Our New Affinity Group
On October 23, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Are you a Safe Care for Seniors Safety Champion in your setting? We need your contact information so you can be a part of our new Champion Connection!
REMINDER: Capitol Hill Insights Call on Thursday, Oct. 24
On October 23, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Get the latest news on federal regulation and legislation on this week’s Capitol Insights Call hosted by LeadingAge. Sign up here for the Thursday, Oct. 24 call that begins a 1 p.m.
Adult Day: November Webinars Focus on Client Care Plans and Vulnerable Adult Act
On October 23, 2019 by Roni Falck
Adult Day Services providers will soon benefit from two new webinars that take place in November – Writing Person-Centered, Measurable Goals for Client Care Plans and Protecting Clients and Maintaining Compliance with the Vulnerable Adult Act.
Making Zero Harm Possible: Matt Johnson & Rob Hendrickson, Perham Living
On October 23, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Matt Johnson, Physical Therapist, and Rob Hendrickson, Occupational Therapist, were recently awarded the Make Zero Harm Possible Award. The award recognizes staff in older adult service settings who demonstrate their commitment to safe, quality care and to treating the people they serve with respect and dignity – always.
Best Buy Poised to Lead Senior Care
On October 23, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
As Best Buy continues its push into healthcare, senior care remains a strong focus—and could make the company the leader in the space. Key to this expansion will be Best Buy’s ability to strike strategic partnerships with payers like Medicare Advantage and Managed Care Plans; but what shouldn't be lost in this push for a competitive advantage is the relationship with senior care providers.
CMS Seeks to Improve Performance of State Survey Agencies
On October 23, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a pair of administrative memos related to State Survey Agencies’ performance in the survey process: Admin Info: 20-01-ALL details results from the State Performance Standards System (SPSS) for FY 2016 – 2018, and Admin Info: 20-02-ALL announces revisions to the FY 2020 SPSS Guidance.
Consolidated RMS Worksheet for Day and Employment-Related Services
On October 23, 2019 by Roni Falck
In response to feedback from partners who requested a simplified process, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has consolidated all Rate Management System (RMS) worksheets for day and employment services into a single form.
Welcome to My.LeadingAgeMN.Org: Community Hub is Now Open!
On October 23, 2019 by Paula Bell
We have launched our new membership database, and are excited to introduce you to a new feature that gives you more control over your user account, event registration, ordering from our online store and more! Meet My.LeadingAgeMN.org. Our new Community Hub is a member-facing online portal that allows you to:
CMS Unresponsive on Consumer Alert Icon, Silent on Phase 3 Implementation
On October 23, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
Despite advocacy from LeadingAge, its members and other stakeholders (see McKnight’s Long-Term Care News for reporting on recent efforts and this opinion piece from LeadingAge CEO Katie Sloan), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will proceed with its plan to use a Consumer Alert Icon on Nursing Home Compare beginning Oct. 23 to identify settings with instances of non-compliance related to abuse, neglect and exploitation. It will also cap the Health Inspections rating under the Five-Star Quality Rating System at two stars for settings that receive the icon.
Why is Staff Recognition Important?
On October 23, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Staff recognition builds morale and increases retention. Research shows it doesn’t have to take a big investment of time, effort or money to recognize team member contributions in a meaningful way. One of the most impactful, low-cost or no-cost strategies is meaningful, personal recognition.
Workforce Shortages: Bold Solutions from LeadingAge
On October 23, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
LeadingAge has just released the IMAGINE Initiative – a bold set of proposals to increase the number of foreign-born aging services workers available in the United States.
Care Centers: Voice Your Concern About CMS Consumer Alert Icon
On October 16, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
As we featured in this week’s Advantage, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will begin issuing a Consumer Alert Icon on the Nursing Home Compare website to identify nursing homes with instances of non-compliance related to abuse, neglect and exploitation and will cap the Health Inspections rating under the Five-Star Quality Rating System at two stars for facilities that receive the icon shown below:
Cultural Competence: Person-Centered Thinking, Planning & Practice Webinar
On October 15, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
Learned how to develop a framework for culture competence at all levels of your organization and explore the integral link to person-centered, thinking, planning and practice in an Oct. 29 webinar.
Are you Listening? Workforce Podcasts available
On October 15, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
The Workforce Innovators Podcasts from the LeadingAge Center for Workforce Solutions brings you interviews with various leaders in our field focused on programs to help address workforce challenges.
Medicare Advantage: 5 Notable Numbers for Senior Living Providers
On October 15, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Interested in the growing Medicare Advantage opportunity? Here are five numbers you need to know: 14, 3-5, 4, $218,000 and 300.
2019 Compensation Reports Available for Purchase
On October 15, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
LeadingAge Minnesota recently mailed out complimentary copies of the 2019 compensation reports for care centers and senior housing providers to members who participated in those surveys. Copies of those reports are now available for purchase by members who did not participate.
Making Zero Harm Possible: Amanda Wik, Ecumen Detroit Lakes
On October 15, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Amanda Wik, Licensed Social Worker at Ecumen Detroit Lakes, recently received the Make Zero Harm Possible Award from LeadingAge Minnesota. The award recognizes staff in aging services settings who demonstrate their commitment to safe, quality care and to treating people with respect and dignity – always.