News Archives
July 2020 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
MDH Releases Essential Caregiver Guidance
On July 15, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) last week released new guidance that allows the designation of an Essential Caregiver for residents of nursing homes and assisted living. This guidance represents the next interim step in encouraging safe and responsible visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CMS Extends Deadlines for HCBS Settings Rule
On July 15, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
On July 14, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new guidance for states with respect to the home and community-based services (HCBS) Settings Rule. Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS is extending key deadlines for compliance with the Settings Rule, including the final compliance deadline that is now March 17, 2023.
Care Center Occupancy Takes Big Hit from COVID-19
On July 15, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The Long-Term Care Imperative has recently finished a special analysis of occupancy data for the first half of 2020. As anticipated, the results show that the spread of COVID-19 had a major negative impact on care center occupancy in the second quarter. However, the impact varied by region and did not hit every provider at all.
2020 Connect Conference Features “Hot Topic” Programs
On July 8, 2020 by Heidi Simpson
This year’s Connect Conference (Aug. 19-20) features a line-up of timely topics for assisted living, senior housing and home care providers. Join us – virtually! – to hear about the latest developments in the roll out of assisted living licensure, the path to becoming a licensed assisted living director, and how COVID-19 is changing our field.
Resource Round-Up: Whole House Testing Decision Guide
On July 8, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
As we continue to push for a clear, cogent testing strategy and reimbursement process from the State of Minnesota, we know you are faced with many decisions when it comes testing residents and staff. Our new COVID-19 “Whole House” Testing Decision Guide is a workflow process designed to help you consider what approach is best for your setting. It includes links to key resources to guide your decision and implement your plan. Resources include:
Opportunity to Partner for CNA Skills Training
On July 8, 2020 by Julie Apold
Project for Pride in Living (PPL), a nonprofit organization in Minneapolis is looking for employer partners who are interested in working together to customize a NEW training opportunity to help fill CNA positions within long-term care settings in the Twin Cities metro area.
Action Alert: Affordable Housing Provisions Must Be Included in Next COVID-19 Relief Package
On July 8, 2020 by Libbie Chapuran
The $1.2 billion in financial support provided by the Emergency Housing Assistance for Older Adults Act (S. 4177, H.R. 6873) must be included in Congress’ next COVID-19 relief package. Ask your members of Congress to help the more than 700,000 older adults in HUD-assisted housing. S. 4177 and H.R. 6873 would provide key relief for affordable senior housing communities navigating the impacts of the coronavirus crisis, including:
Reminder: Check Exclusions Databases Monthly
On July 8, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
Organizations that participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs are prohibited from employing or contracting with a person or vendor on the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG), List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
Health Care Engineers Association Cancels Fall Conference
On July 8, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Health Care Engineers Association (MHCEA) annual Fall Conference is cancelled this year due to on-going COVID-19 considerations.
BENHA is now BELTSS
On July 8, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators (BENHA) officially changed its name July. The statutory change in the board’s name to the Board of Executives for Long-Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) reflects the changing paradigm of long-term care services and the planned July 1, 2021 new licensure category for Licensed Assisted Living Directors.
Infection Control Survey Results Show Patterns in Nursing Home Practices
On July 8, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently provided LeadingAge Minnesota with statements of deficiencies from 120 focused infection control surveys of Minnesota nursing homes conducted during April and May 2020. To assist members in preparing for future surveys, we have prepared a new resource: Focused Infection Control Surveys in Nursing Homes - Deficient Practices Commonly Cited by the Minnesota Department of Health.
MDH Advances Work on Reopening Recommendations
On July 8, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) continues to work on recommendations for nursing homes and housing with services/assisted living settings to modify general visitation, but there still is not a firm timeline for release of those recommendations.
Adult Day Services Reopening Guidance
On July 1, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has published reopening guidance for Adult Day Centers. The guidance indicates that providers may resume in person services on July 1 upon meeting new requirements. Providers may also continue offering services remotely via Alternative Adult Day Services.