News Archives
October 2021 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
Save the Dates! 2022 Institute Returns to Saint Paul Feb. 9-11, With Virtual Component
On October 28, 2021 by Heidi Simpson
The Institute & Expo returns to RiverCentre in Saint Paul February 9-11, 2022, and virtually Feb. 22-24.
The 2022 Institute will be a blended conference model, with three days of education, events, and exhibits in person at RiverCentre, and additional educational sessions offered virtually later in the month.
Free Nov. 18 Webinar Helps Providers Utilize the CMS 5-Star Report
On October 28, 2021 by Heidi Simpson
Are you using the CMS 5-Star Report to your best advantage? Receiving a better-than-average 5-star rating has never been more important to nursing homes. These ratings are increasingly used by consumers, regulators, insurers, and other payers and provider networks to select which facilities they will consider having relationships with.
Last Chance to Register: CMP Grant Funds Webinar on Oct. 29
On October 28, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman
Care centers have access to an engagement, retention, and leadership building platform for free through a grant for Align’s Employee Engagement Solution. A new grant window opened on Sept. 22 and closes on Nov. 23. Subsequent cycles will open over the next two years.
New Sexual Abuse Training Materials Available to all Minnesota Nursing Homes
On October 28, 2021 by Lori Meyer
To help raise awareness of sexual assault, an issue that can be difficult to address, the State Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Committee has developed a set of materials that you can use to train on this serious topic.
New Gerontology and Aging Care Program Advances Caregivers
On October 28, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman
Looking for a way to grow caregivers within your organization or help staff advance in their career path? Northwest Technical College is offering an online course to advance the specialty of caregivers in aging services. The Gerontology and Aging Care program is a two-semester online course that is appropriate for any staff member. Caregivers, culinary staff, housekeeping, administration, and other team members can benefit from specializing in gerontology.
Argentum Launches New Campaign to Promote PRF Payments for Assisted Living
On October 28, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
Argentum officially kicked off its latest awareness campaign directed at policymakers in the Biden Administration and Congress. The theme of this campaign is "Don’t Leave Assisted Living Behind, Again," underscoring the continued disparities in relief and support that has been made available to senior living and the need to rectify it moving forward, including with the Phase 4 PRF payments.
Loan Forgiveness for Nurses: Applications Open
On October 28, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman
The Minnesota Health Care Loan Forgiveness program cycle opens Nov. 1 and is accepting applications through Jan. 17, 2022. The Loan Forgiveness program is available for various health care professionals serving in high-need areas, including nurses in nursing homes, assisted living, and home care settings.
At the Capitol and Across the State: Lawmakers Visit LeadingAge Sites Throughout Minnesota
On October 28, 2021 by Matt Steele
Since early August, several LeadingAge Minnesota members across the state have invited federal and state lawmakers from both political parties into their communities to raise awareness around the growing workforce crisis in long-term care.
Reflexive COVID-19 Testing Opportunities for Congregate Settings
On October 28, 2021 by Roni Falck
The Midwest Coordination Center, in partnership with U.S. Health and Human Services Department is rolling out a free, federally funded COVID-19 reflexive testing program for congregate setting, including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and adult day services.
Bring Three Good Things to Your Community in November
On October 28, 2021 by Julie Apold
LeadingAge Minnesota has launched the second of six Self Care for Safe Care activities called Three Good Things. We invite you to write down three good things that happened to you each day to practice gratitude and build resilience throughout November and December.
Planning for BCA to NAR Transitions
On October 28, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman
If your organization has utilized Basic Care Aides (BCAs) during the public health emergency, please complete this two-question survey to identify the next steps for BCAs in your organization. The results of this survey will help determine the tools needed to help organizations upskill BCAs as required.
Focus Areas in Early AL Surveys: Postings, Plans, Procedures, Training, and Infection Control
On October 28, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
Findings during initial surveys of assisted living settings show a range of compliance with most providers well underway with incorporating new requirements. Several themes are evident in these initial findings. Learning more about these themes can assist providers in auditing their facilities for compliance.
Hero Pay Conversations Reach Impasse
On October 28, 2021 by Matt Steele
The Frontline Worker Pay Work Group met for the final time yesterday. Unfortunately, the legislators could not find a consensus on a proposal for Hero Pay bonus distribution. After meeting over a dozen times, lawmakers sent a DFL-supported report, known as the majority proposal, and a Republican report, known as the minority proposal, to be reviewed by the legislature if a special session were to be called by Gov. Walz, an increasingly unlikely scenario.
FDA, CDC Approve Moderna and Johnson & Johnson Booster Vaccinations
On October 28, 2021 by Kari Everson
After weeks of discussions, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added booster vaccinations to the emergency use authorization (EUA) for both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. The CDC endorsed recommendations for booster injections.
Last Chance for 2021 Virtual Connect Conference, Oct. 27-28
On October 21, 2021 by Heidi Simpson
This is the last chance to register for next week’s 2021 Connect Conference. The two-day virtual event connects assisted living, senior housing, and home care providers for two days of education, updates, and learning.
Understand the CMS 5-Star Report – Free Webinar on Nov. 18
On October 21, 2021 by Heidi Simpson
Receiving a better-than-average 5-star rating has never been more important to nursing homes. Consumers, regulators, insurers, and other payers and provider networks increasingly use these ratings to determine which providers they will have relationships with.
13 New Members Join LeadingAge Minnesota in September
On October 21, 2021 by Luke Jenkins
In Sept. 2021, 13 new members joined the ranks of LeadingAge Minnesota. Of the new members, ten are housing/assisted living providers, and three are business partners.
Register Today! CMP Grant Funds Webinar on Oct. 29
On October 21, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman
Care centers have access to an engagement, retention, and leadership building platform for free through a grant for Align’s Employee Engagement Solution. A new grant window opened on Sept. 22 and closes on Nov. 23. Subsequent cycles will open over the next two years.
CMS Extends Waiver Window for Facilities Using Fire Safety Evaluation System
On October 21, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
CMS has opened a pressure-relief valve for nursing facilities that rely upon the Fire Safety Evaluation System (FSES) as an alternative means to demonstrate compliance with fire safety requirements of NFPA 101®: Life Safety Code® (LSC). This issue affects only a small number of nursing facilities in Minnesota, but we want to make sure those who may be impacted have the latest information.
ALL Together: New Assisted Living Newsletter Available from MDH
On October 21, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health's Health Regulation Division (HRD) will provide information, news, updates and links to assisted living providers, residents, resident families, and the public through a new weekly newsletter, ALL Together. To subscribe, enter your email address and click submit.
LALD Mentors Needed! Help Train the Next Generation of Assisted Living Leaders
On October 21, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman
Are you interested in advancing the next generation of leaders in assisted living? LeadingAge Minnesota is looking for Licensed Assisted Living Directors (LALDs) to volunteer as mentors for students enrolled in our Assisted Living Director Licensure Program.
Practice Self Care for Safe Care with Three Good Things
On October 21, 2021 by Julie Apold
The Self Care theme for November and December is "Three Good Things." We naturally tend to focus on what goes wrong in our daily lives and rarely, or only briefly, spend any time dwelling on the good things. Gratitude increases how much positive emotion we feel and decreases negative emotion. The Three Good Things Self Care activity is about taking the time to notice those good things in our daily lives and retrain our brains to focus on the positive.
A New Safe Care Resource Available to Address Resident Health & Wellness
On October 21, 2021 by Julie Apold
Keeping our residents safe from COVID-19 has been an all-consuming focus. While we continue to be vigilant in our Infection Control and other safety practices, we see the impact of COVID-19 infection and isolation on residents.
MDH Seeking Information about Out of State Health Providers
On October 21, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is seeking information about out-of-state health professionals who provided services under a State executive order earlier in the pandemic.
Renewal of Determination That A Public Health Emergency Exists
On October 21, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
As a result of the continued consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services took action to extend the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) for another 90 days, effective Oct. 15. The PHE will now be in place until mid-Jan. 2022.
MDH and DHS Seek SNF Assistance with Hospital Decompression
On October 21, 2021 by Kari Thurlow
The Departments of Human Services (DHS) and Health (MDH) are working with hospitals and long-term care providers to quickly identify 4-5 skilled nursing facilities that can stand up "hospital decompression sites" that would allow for increased movement between acute and post-acute settings.
Workgroup at an Impasse on Frontline Worker Bonuses; Prospects for Special Session Grow Dim
On October 21, 2021 by Kari Thurlow
The Frontline Worker Pay Work Group met yesterday—more than a month past its designated deadline for reaching an agreement—and announced that there was still no agreement for distributing the $250 million designated by the legislature for frontline worker bonuses.
Survey Tool for Assisted Living Meals and Menu Requirements Now Available
On October 20, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has made the survey tool for assisted living meals and menus available. The tool provides insight into how compliance with the USDA Guidelines will be interpreted.
Press Release: Long-Term Care Imperative Applauds Health Care Decompression Strike Teams
On October 15, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
SAINT PAUL, MN (Oct. 15, 2021) - Minnesota is experiencing a crisis in caregiving, and it is affecting the entire health care continuum. We applaud efforts to address health care backups through strike teams. Strike teams are very much needed to provide temporary relief and respite to exhausted caregivers. But it will not solve one of the root causes of the problem: staffing shortages in long-term care.
Annual Meeting On-Demand Access is Open for Registered Participants
On October 14, 2021 by Heidi Simpson
Last week our 2021 Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum concluded with a day of exceptional education sessions that covered timely COVID response issues of employment law, liability issues, post-traumatic recovery and growth, SNF reimbursement and more. It capped three days of keynote presentations, general sessions and 17 hour-long breakout sessions on various topics for older adult service providers.