News Archives
June 2020 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
HUD Urged to Release Millions Earmarked for Affordable Housing for Older Adults
On June 16, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
LeadingAge has called upon the U.S. Housing & Urban Development Department (HUD) to release the $50 million for the Section 202 Housing for the Elderly program and remaining $200 million of Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance funds.
LGBTQ Individuals Get Protection on the Job, But Not for Healthcare
On June 16, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
The U.S. Supreme Court this week ruled that existing federal law forbids job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation of transgender status. The ruling will affect LGBTQ workers across the country, because most states don’t provide protections from workplace discrimination. However, that decision followed a federal announcement stripping transgender health protections from the Affordable Care Act.
LeadingAge Continues Federal Advocacy on PPE
On June 16, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
Six weeks after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that it would coordinate a shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE), totaling a 14-day supply, to Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes across the United States, significant numbers of facilities across the country still have not received a shipment. Some that have received supplies have found them to be low quality, even expired in some cases, or delivered in quantities smaller than expected.
Nursing Homes: CDC Releases Updated Consolidated Testing Guidelines
On June 16, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
Testing a nursing home resident for COVID-19 more than once in a 24-hour period is not being encouraged, according to consolidated recommendations released by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) over the weekend. The updated guidance includes:
DHS Expected to Introduce Housing Stabilization Services
On June 16, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
Minnesota will soon become the first state in the nation to including house stabilization as a new state Medicaid benefit for people with disabilities and seniors.
Federal and State Emergency Response Funding Still Available
On June 16, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The COVID-19 emergency has had significant negative financial impacts on many providers, including loss of revenue as well as higher costs associated with responding to actual and potential outbreaks of the virus. Fortunately, the state and federal governments have both responded with large programs of aid to providers, including the most recent development at the federal level - the Medicaid provider distribution from the CARES Act provider relief fund.
Work Underway to Modify Visitor Restrictions
On June 16, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
As Minnesota starts to see a downward trend in the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19, there is increased pressure from families and loved ones to re-open congregate care settings to visitors and restart communal dining, programming and other activities. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) advises that people should not let their guard down, and we know we must remain vigilant as elders in our settings continue to be at a greater risk than the rest of this population.
COVID-19 Resource Round-Up: Transparency Builds and Cooperation
On June 10, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
If we know one thing to be true during this global pandemic, the media and public will continue to focus on the number of positive COVID-19 cases and deaths related to the virus in long-term care settings. The best way to counter inaccurate media stories and public perception is with consistent transparency of your COVID-19 responsem, including the number of people who have been afflicted by the virus or died from it in your setting.
New Basic Care Aide Registration Website
On June 10, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman
LeadingAge National is hosting the Basic Care Aide through its Learning. All non-EduCare users should have new students login through this portal beginning June 15. EduCare users should continue to access the training through their own EduCare library.
Medicaid Providers: Apply for Provider Relief Funds, Application Portal Opens Today
On June 10, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it will distribute funds to Medicaid providers who do not participate in Medicare, including Assisted Living and Adult Day, through the Provider Relief Fund through a time-limited application process vs. automatic payment. The application portal opens June 10 (today). Here’s what we know so far:
Apply for 5310 Vehicle Grants through MnDOT
On June 10, 2020 by Terri Foley
The 5310-program vehicle grant application process is open for fiscal year 2022 and 2023. Grant awards fund 80% of vehicle purchase cost with the 20% match required from non-Department of Transportation (MnDOT) sources. The program only includes lift-equipped buses.
Disability Services Providers: Can You Engage in Waiver Reimagine?
On June 10, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is considering how best to move forward with previously planned work, including Waiver Reimagine, during COVID-19. DHS is seeking input from disability services providers in their availability to participate in this project.
Expedited Feeding Assistant Curriculum is Available!
On June 10, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman
The Minnesota Department of Health recently agreed to waive the 8-hour training requirement for Paid Feeding Assistants, in accordance with a waiver from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Our partners at EduCare have released the only MDH approved expedited curriculum in Minnesota, which is a 2.5 hour course with competencies. There is no cost to this program.
Nursing Home Survey Results: What You Need to Know and Do
On June 10, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is spotlighting COVID-19 survey results on the Nursing Home Compare home page. The results of surveys conducted since March 4 (complaints and infection control focused surveys) will be listed and available for the public to download, including a spreadsheet summarizing the findings from each inspection.
Facts Not Fear: COVID Data Demands Vigilance
On June 10, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
Events of the past week illustrate the power of data to shape the public’s understanding of COVID-19 and how the virus impacts aging services providers and the people you serve. Unfortunately, these examples are a powerful reminder that inaccurate data or inaccurate reporting can distort that understanding.
MDH Releases Updated Data During Senate Hearing on COVID-19
On June 3, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) yesterday released updated data on the status of COVID-19 in long term care settings during a Senate Family Care and Aging Committee hearing.
CMS to Increase Survey & Enforcement Activity Related to Infection Control
On June 3, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced this week (QSO-20-31-All) that it will expand survey activity and increase enforcement remedies relating to nursing home infection control requirements, effective immediately. Several story lines arise from this memo.
Salon and Outdoor Visit Update
On June 2, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
The pressure is building for nursing homes and assisted living to be able to provide salon services in thier settings and host outdoor visits with residents and families.
Provider Relief Funds: Submit Info Today (June 3)
On June 2, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
If you want to be considered for future Provider Relief Fund payments from HHS you need to register and submit information by the end of today (June 3).
Resource Round-Up: Testing, Advance Care Planning, and Grief and Bereavement Resources
On June 2, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Testing continues to be a focus of our resource development over the past week, and we have also developed resources to help you facilitate discussions that may involve in advanced care planning, grief and bereavement.
Rural COVID-19 Grants – Deadline Extended to June 18
On June 2, 2020 by Terri Foley
We've extended application deadlines for both LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation grant programs to allow for more members to participate during this chaotic and stressful time. We realize everyone is juggling many priorities and there aren’t enough hours in the day.
Activity Tool: Working with Individuals with Dementia during COVID-19 and Beyond
On June 2, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
A new guide from the National Center for Creative Aging, the Creative Caregiving Guide©, is a free, web-based resource specially designed for family and professional caregivers of adults who live with Alzheimer’s disease and related cognitive disorders.
HUD Announces CARES Act Allocation for Project-Based Communities
On June 2, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) this week published a funding allocation update on COVID-19 relief from the CARES Act. Of the $1 billion approved for Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA), HUD will complete $800 million in funding allocations during the week of June 1 to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus through regular operations.
Tell Lawmakers to Prioritize Seniors in the COVID-19 Response
On June 2, 2020 by Libbie Chapuran
Senior services providers are called to join in advocacy for priority personal protective equipment and testing, and the financial support to continue caring for our nation’s seniors now and after the pandemic recedes.
Care Centers: Time to Select New QIIP Goals
On June 2, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services recently prepared the data needed for all nursing facilities in the Medical Assistance program to select a new goal to work on for another round of the Quality Improvement Incentive Payment Program (QIIP). Each year, based on their progress toward the goal they select, care centers receive a rate increase of up to $3.50 per resident day.
Feedback Wanted: 2020 Member Value Survey, Streamlined
On June 2, 2020 by Barbara Landeen
The LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors will meet for a virtual strategic planning retreat on June 17. We are asking each member site to respond to a quick, 3-question survey to inform its work.