News Archives
April 2020 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
Caring Careers Start Here: Recruiting Directly for Providers
On April 29, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman
LeadingAge Minnesota is participating in an effort that will soon begin recruiting people interested in long term care through Caring Careers Start Here.
May 20 Webinar: Sales & Marketing During Social Distancing
On April 28, 2020 by Barbara Landeen
Even when you can’t give live tours of your building, there are a lot of things you can still do to keep your prospects engaged and promote the positive stories happening within your senior living community.
Leadership Academy Class of 2020 Announced
On April 28, 2020 by Barbara Landeen
LeadingAge Minnesota’s Leadership Academy 2020 Class of Fellows has been selected and will convene on May 13. In this extraordinary year when nothing is business-as-usual, this cohort will have the distinction of being the first to begin their journey via virtual conferencing technology.
COVID-19: This Week’s Resource Round-Up
On April 28, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
This week we share three links to resources we shared in the past week: Basic Care Aide, a Cohorting Messaging Toolkit, and Responding to Negative Views in a Pandemic.
Looking Ahead: Long Term Care Week Resources
On April 28, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
We are taking over a week traditionally dedicated to skilled nursing and focusing it on all senior care settings! A new resource will help you celebrate caregivers, and support residents and families during Long Term Care Week that takes place May 10-16.
Get to Know Me Information Helpful to Staff Caregivers
On April 28, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
In this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are instances when residents are cared for by new or temporary staff or need to be transferred without family to accompany them. As staff work to provide the best possible care to residents, a brief information sheet about the individual that can be kept in the person’s room or apartment for easy reference can be very helpful.
House Task Force Presses for $100 Million in Long Term Care Funding
On April 28, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
A newly-formed Democratic task force in the U.S. House is pushing Congress to immediately distribute $100 million in funding to aid infection control efforts in senior care settings. Among the priorities:
PPE: Possibly Headed to Nursing Homes, But We Demand More for All Senior Care Providers
On April 28, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
According to a news report, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be direct shipping PPE – masks, gowns, gloves, eye protection – to every one of the 15,400 nursing homes in the nation. While this forthcoming action is welcome, it is not nearly enough. It is unacceptable to not provide PPE to ALL senior care and living providers.
Senator Housley Calls for Universal Testing in Long-Term Care
On April 28, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Senator Karin Housley, chair of the Minnesota Senate Family Care and Aging Committee, called on Governor Tim Walz’s administration to immediately implement guidelines for widespread testing at the state’s long-term care facilities.
MDH Conducting Focused Surveys in HWS/Comprehensive Home Care
On April 28, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is conducting focused infection control surveys in Housing with Services (HWS)/Comprehensive Home Care communities.
PPE: What PPE to Use When – New MDH Chart
On April 28, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Knowing what PPE to use continues to be one of the most frequently asked questions we hear from members. A new chart from MDH brings clarity to this hot topic.
LeadingAge MN Welcomes Kari Everson as New Director of Clinical Care and Nurse Consultant
On April 28, 2020 by Lori Meyer
LeadingAge Minnesota is excited to announce that Kari Everson, RN, BSN, MSN, MHA, LNHA, has officially joined our team as our Director of Clinical Care and Nurse Consultant.
FAQ: Employer COVID-19 Testing Requirements, Workers’ Comp & Return to Work
On April 28, 2020 by Kari Thurlow
As testing COVID-19 testing ramps up in Minnesota, many providers have requested guidance about when and how employers can require their employees to undergo testing.
Basic Care Aide Registration Now Open
On April 28, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman
Efficiently and effectively train caregivers using the new Basic Care Aide Curriculum from EduCare – available at no cost to all providers in Minnesota.
NA Hiring & Training Flexibility Supports a New Position - Basic Care Aide
On April 22, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has issued guidance and clarification relating to nursing assistant training requirements, providing flexibility on hiring and training practices for caregivers in skilled nursing facilities during the COVID-19 emergency. Today we provide clarification on what this means for providers and share news of a new Basic Care Aide position we are creating with a FREE curriculum for members.
Senate Approves $484 Billion in COVID-19 Funding
On April 22, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
The U.S. Senate yesterday approved $484 billion to provide from the effects of COVID-19. The bill includes $75 billion for personal protective equipment, $25 billion for testing and $310 million in additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program. It is no clear at this time whether the funds for PPE will be prioritized for nursing homes and assisted living.
DHS Posts New COVID-19 Reimbursement Form & FAQ
On April 21, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services has posted an updated form and FAQ about reimbursement for COVID-19 related costs on the Nursing Facility Provider Portal.
Weekly Resource Round-Up: COVID-19
On April 21, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
This week we link you to six tools we provide over the past week: Surge Assessment; updated decision trees for the Confirmed Case Checklist and Managing a Resident Admission from a Hospital; a flow chart of E-FMLA and E-PSL; new guide for Independent Living and Housing with Services; and a messaging and letters to the editor for adult day providers.
Humor Helps Us Cope During Stressful Times
On April 21, 2020 by Terri Foley
Adding humor and lightness to daily staff messages or sharing with your residents can help during the COVID-19 crisis. Based on a member request, we’ve found a few resources that could inject some levity into your day and for your team.
$200 Million Available for COVID-19 Telehealth Program
On April 21, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is accepting applications for $200 million in funding through the COVID-19 Telehealth Program.
MDH Announces Moratorium Project Approvals
On April 21, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) last week announced seven nursing homes have been approved for moratorium exceptions construction projects in the latest round of available funding. Ten of the eleven submissions, and six of the seven selected, were LeadingAge Minnesota members so we are excited to see their interest in improving the environment for the people they serve.
DHS Issues COVID-19 Guidance for EW Customized Living
On April 21, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
In a move to support services and staffing in response to COVID-19, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) issued guidance to lead agencies regarding EW customized living rate protocols.
MDH Posts COVID-19 Webinar Login Information for Meetings through June
On April 21, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
All providers are encouraged to attend the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) weekly COVID-19 webinar for Long-Term Care. MDH epidemiologists and clinicians will provide up-to-date information and guidance, answer questions, and address concerns.
CMS Plans to Enforce New COVID-19 Reporting Requirements for Nursing Homes
On April 21, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in an April 19 Quality, Safety & Oversight memo (QSO-2026-NH) that nursing homes will soon be subject to two new reporting requirements – submitting communicable disease data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and providing COVID-related notifications to residents and resident representatives.
Our Gratitude to You. Our Message to Minnesota.
On April 21, 2020 by Gayle Kvenvold
It has been five weeks since COVID-19 came into our lives – five weeks that for many of you probably seem like a lifetime. As new information and guidance pours in nearly every day, I know you have been working with a profound sense of urgency to keep your residents safe and to ensure that their lives, even without visits from family or opportunities to engage in the day-to-day activities of community, are full of love and human connection.
A Message from the Ombudsman for Long-Term Care
On April 14, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
As you are aware, all Ombudsmen staff currently provide a virtual presence to do their part during this time of crisis. Proactive outreach to residents is accepted and supported at the Ombudsmen federal level and programs across the country are pursuing this to fulfill our mandate that residents have regular and timely access to the services provided through the Ombudsman program. This includes support to Resident/Family Councils.
MDH Releases RFP for $150 Million in Emergency Response Funding
On April 14, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) yesterday posted an RFP for $150 million in funding for providers to prepare for and respond to the outbreak of COVID-19. Members are strongly encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Recruiting Displaced Workers
On April 14, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman
Several new resources are available to help your organization recruit displaced workers as COVID19 exacerbates the pre-existing workforce crisis.
Challenging Workforce Picture in Housing with Services
On April 14, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The recently completed Long-Term Care Imperative Housing with Services (HWS) legislative survey showed worse results on both vacancies and turnover of staff than in 2018. The data from this survey is from 2019, so it does not show the likely significant impact of the current COVID-19 statewide emergency on the workforce situation. Key results of the survey include:
CARES Act Temporarily Suspends Federal Student Loan Payments and Interest
On April 14, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The federal COVID-19 relief bill known as the CARES Act includes benefits that go beyond payments to individuals and financial assistance to health care providers. One of the lesser known benefits is a temporary suspension of interest accrual and monthly payments on some student loans.