News Archives
March 2022 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
CHAI To Host Panel on LTC Workforce
On March 31, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
In partnership with the Life Course Center, the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation will host an interactive webinar featuring a panel on the topic of the long-term care workforce on April 20 at 12:30 p.m.
Last Chance Until 2024: Sales & Marketing in Senior Living Certificate Program Begins April 12
On March 31, 2022 by Heidi Simpson
Gain the tools and skills to effectively market your community and build occupancy by attending LeadingAge Minnesota’s 2022 Sales & Marketing in Senior Living Certificate Program on April 12, May 10, and June 14 in St. Paul.
Dan Dixon, President/CEO of Guardian Angels Senior Services, To Retire Effective April 4
On March 31, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
Dan Dixon, President/CEO of Guardian Angels Senior Services and an active member of LeadingAge Minnesota, will retire from his position on April 4. Guardian Angels Senior Services has announced that Traci Larson will succeed Dan as the organization’s next leader.
Member Discount Code: National Argentum Conference in Minneapolis on May 16-18
On March 31, 2022 by Luke Jenkins
If you plan to attend the Argentum conference this year, make sure to use the code SP100 to save $100 off the cost of a full conference pass. If you register by April 6, there are additional early-bird discounts. You do not need to be a member of Argentum to attend this very valuable conference!
LeadingAge Minnesota Welcomes Anna Mowry, Director of Workforce Solutions
On March 31, 2022 by Lori Meyer
LeadingAge Minnesota is excited to welcome Anna Mowry as our new Director of Workforce Solutions. Anna comes to us with extensive experience supporting workforce development in long-term care settings.
LeadingAge Minnesota Members Advocate in Washington, DC.
On March 31, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
This week, several members of LeadingAge Minnesota attended LeadingAge's annual Leadership Summit. In conjunction with the conference, LeadingAge facilitated meetings with our state delegation in Congress to discuss several policy priorities to ensure we have enough caregivers to provide safe, quality care for Minnesota's seniors.
State Surpasses Goal of Recruiting 1,000 Certified Nursing Assistants
On March 31, 2022 by Lori Meyer
As long-term care settings face staffing shortages throughout the state, Governor Walz set a goal in Dec. 2021 to recruit and train 1,000 new certified nursing assistants (CNAs) through the Next Generation Nursing Assistant initiative. On Tuesday, Governor Walz joined CNAs and other health care professionals at St. Paul College to announce the initiative surpassed its goal.
Take Action for Support LTC in 2 Minutes or Less; Then Spread the Word
On March 31, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
On behalf of the Long-Term Care Imperative, we are sharing a petition to support an important bill that would help raise your wages and address the staff shortage in senior care.
Norovirus Infections on the Rise
On March 31, 2022 by Kari Everson
Infection prevention and control is a significant focus in our settings, particularly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Minnesota, we are starting to see an increase in another common illness: the Norovirus.
Reviewing COVID-19 Testing Protocols in Assisted Living
On March 31, 2022 by Kari Everson
Testing continues to be an essential component of infection prevention and control in our settings. Questions about required testing continue because of the rapid guidance changes and the different required testing strategies between assisted living and nursing homes. New testing guidance for assisted living communities was updated on March 3.
Mandatory Consultation Confirmation Codes Changing – LTCC Recodified
On March 31, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Senior LinkAge Line will be updating their verification codes, which will have a slightly different look than previously generated codes. The change is anticipated to take effect in April.
Workforce Payment Bill Advances at the Legislature
On March 31, 2022 by Erin Huppert
On Tuesday, March 29, LeadingAge Minnesota testified in support of our bill to provide permanent wage increases to caregivers in the Senate’s Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee.
NHSN to Offer Webinar for Nursing Homes on Vaccination Data Tracking Worksheets
On March 24, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
The NHSN Vaccination Team is providing two webinars on Tuesday, March 29, and Thursday, March 31, at 1 pm to review new “Event-Level COVID-19 Vaccination Forms.” These are currently called the Data Tracking Worksheets that are available to facilities in an Excel spreadsheet format. This worksheet has now been built into the NHSN application for long-term care facilities to manage person-level vaccination data.
Senior Living Staffing: Challenges & Opportunities Webinar
On March 24, 2022 by LeadingAge
Sodexo Seniors and McKnight's Senior Living are hosting a free webinar on the staffing challenges facing senior services on March 30 at noon (CT). Along with Sodexo Seniors CEO (Zeta Smith) and VP Human Resources (Jim Moran), Matt McNeill, Director of Senior Living at StuartCo and a LeadingAge Minnesota member, will be the featured presenters.
Available through April 30 - Virtual Institute On-Demand Content
On March 24, 2022 by Heidi Simpson
There are five weeks remaining to view on-demand content from the Virtual Institute and select sessions from the in-person conference. Access to view sessions and earn CEUs is available online for registered participants through April 30.
Add Your Voice to Virtual Day at the Capitol on April 5
On March 24, 2022 by Matt Steele
We invite you to join your colleagues from all over the state at our upcoming Virtual Day at the Capitol. It is a day filled with information and advocacy.
Strengthen Marketing, Increase Occupancy: Sales & Marketing in Senior Living Certificate Program Begins April 12
On March 24, 2022 by Heidi Simpson
Attend the Sales & Marketing in Senior Living Certificate Program to refresh your marketing efforts, sharpen your sales and closing skills, and increase occupancy. The three-part series is April 12, May 10, and June 14 in St. Paul. It emphasizes the proven, foundational practices to help distinguish your community from your competitors.
Meet Mary Baker, 2022 Spirit of Aging Award Recipient
On March 24, 2022 by Barbara Landeen
Mary Baker, a resident at The Glenn Minnetonka, was honored by LeadingAge Minnesota with the Spirit of Aging Award at LeadingAge Minnesota’s annual Institute & Expo. The Spirit of Aging Award honors an older adult who exemplifies the concept of positive and active aging.
Spring Break Site Visits with Your Lawmaker
On March 24, 2022 by Matt Steele
Since August of 2021, 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
Due April 8 - Employer Applications for Summer Health Care Internship Program
On March 24, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
Employer applications are being accepted for the 2022 Summer Health Care Internship Program (SHCIP). Hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, home care providers and adult day services facilities are encouraged to participate on behalf of qualified students in their community.
HUD On Track with NSPIRE Demonstration Program
On March 24, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
HUD's NSPIRE Demonstration program, which will replace REAC's current physical inspection standards and protocol under the Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS) for the HUD-assisted housing portfolio, is on track to complete over 900 advisory inspections by the end of May 2022. HUD inspectors will continue to work with approximately 4,500 volunteer properties to identify potential adjustments to NSPIRE standards, protocols, and processes, which will then be rolled out to the broader portfolio.
Five Star Quality Measure Rating Thresholds Increase in April
On March 24, 2022 by Julie Apold
Periodically, CMS raises the Quality Measure (QM) ratings’ thresholds in the Five Star Quality Rating System to promote continuously quality improvement. CMS is implementing a new process for raising QM rating thresholds by increasing the threshold for the average rate of improvement in QM scores by 50% every six months. For example, if there is an average rate of improvement of 2%, the QM rating thresholds would be raised 1%.
Fifteen Care Centers Apply for Moratorium Exceptions Process Funding
On March 24, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
The current round of applications for nursing facility moratorium exceptions has closed, and MDH recently informed LeadingAge that fifteen care centers submitted proposals for this round. A review committee will hear the proposals on May 3 and 4, and the MDH commissioner will announce the approved projects by June 22.
ICYMI: Governor Releases Updated Budget Proposal
On March 24, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
Last week, Governor Tim Walz released an updated supplemental budget that proposes to use the state’s more than $9 billion in general fund surplus. The Governor's proposed budget serves as a negotiating position in final budget conversations. Legislators in the House and Senate majorities will also advance their budget proposals in the upcoming weeks.
Bill Authorizing Agency Waivers and Emergency Staffing Pool is Headed to the Governor
On March 24, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
This week the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate approved passage of Senate File 2876, granting certain temporary waiver authorities to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), and authorizing DHS to invest $1 million in an emergency staffing pool.
OSHA Advances Work to Establish Permanent COVID Standard for Healthcare Workers
On March 24, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
OSHA announced this week that it will take new public comment on the emergency temporary standard (ETS) issued last summer in relation to COVID-19 exposure in healthcare settings, and will hold a public hearing on these issues April 27.
Upcoming Changes to Reporting Negative Antigen Results
On March 24, 2022 by Kari Everson
The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updated the reporting requirements for COVID-19 point of care (POC) tests. The update to section 18115 of the Cares Act changes the facility’s reporting requirements for negative point of care (POC) test results.
Assisted Living Survey Data Updates
On March 24, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
MDH recently shared data on surveys of Assisted Living facilities that had been conducted through February 2022. Since the initiation of Assisted Living Licensure, 126 surveys of conversion licensees were completed.
Reporting on Use of Bonus Funds Due to DHS in Less than Two Weeks
On March 24, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
Back in January, DHS distributed $50 million in American Rescue Plan funding to care centers to provide hiring and retention bonuses to staff. Reporting on the use of the funds is due to DHS by end of day on Monday April 4.
LTC Imperative Workforce Bill to be Heard in House Committee Tomorrow
On March 24, 2022 by Erin Huppert
Tomorrow, Friday, March 25, critical legislation being advanced by LeadingAge Minnesota and our LTC Imperative partner is scheduled to be heard in the House Human Service Finance and Policy Committee.