News Archives
May 2022 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
LeadingAge Minnesota Comments on OSHA COVID Standard
On May 26, 2022 by LeadingAge
LeadingAge Minnesota submitted comments this week urging OSHA not to make its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for COVID-19 a permanent part of the regulatory landscape.
Elderly Waiver Disproportionate Share Changes Expand Eligibility
On May 26, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
One of the provisions of the Health and Human Services policy bill that passed on the last night of the session made revenue-neutral revisions to the Elderly Waiver Customized Living (EWCL) disproportionate share program for the 2023 calendar year and beyond.
Remote Adult Day Services Incorporated by MN Legislature as an Available Service
On May 26, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
On Sunday evening, the Minnesota Legislature passed a provision as part of its Health and Human Services Policy bill to allow remote adult day as a service.
Legislative Changes Impact Assisted Living Providers
On May 26, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The 2022 legislative session in Minnesota has come to a close. Although our advocacy for funding to support assisted living providers continues, the Minnesota Legislature passed several policy changes affecting assisted living providers.
Legislature Acts to Extend Background Studies Deadline
On May 26, 2022 by LeadingAge
Although the Health and Human Services conference committee could not agree on new funding measures, the committee reached a consensus on a package of policy changes that passed both the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives on the last day of the legislative session. The policy bill includes two provisions that provide some relief for providers relating to background studies.
Older Adult Mental Health Video Training Series Available
On May 19, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
Mental and behavioral health are increasing challenges for many residents of our settings. Tools to equip staff to serve individuals with these challenges and be knowledgeable in de-escalation techniques are valuable. You can better understand older adult mental illness and learn new skills with this free, three-episode video training series funded by a grant from the Stratis Health Building Healthier Communities Program.
Nursing Homes Action Alert: Write to CMS to Oppose Proposed Payment Cuts
On May 19, 2022 by LeadingAge
We encourage care centers to participate in a letter-writing campaign targeted at payment cuts proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Act Now! Advocacy Essential to Ensure Access to Care for Minnesota’s Seniors
On May 19, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
It’s crunch time on the advocacy front! At the state level, we are in the final days of the legislative session and funding for aging services in still in play. Without our encouragement, funding could easily be left out of a final budget agreement.
MDH Provides Further Clarification and Pathways for Staff Working Under Nurse Aide Waiver
On May 19, 2022 by Anna Mowry
On June 6, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will terminate the COVID-19 waiver that has allowed basic care aides and caregivers to serve seniors without being on the Nursing Assistant Registry.
Knute Nelson Launches Next-Generation Technology for Residents and Staff
On May 10, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
On May 4, Knute Nelson, a LeadingAge Minnesota member, announced a partnership with K4Connect, a mission-driven health-tech company integrating technology to serve and empower older adults and individuals living with disabilities.
Revised Assisted Living Survey Tool for Emergency Preparedness: Appendix Z Posted
On May 10, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
Emergency preparedness plans continue to be an area of concern for providers and are a frequently cited item in assisted living surveys. To assist in developing thorough plans and content for Emergency Preparation by assisted living facilities and as a helpful self-audit tool, the MDH has updated its Emergency Preparedness survey tool and posted it to their Assisted Living webpage this week.
MDH Adds New Resources to Help Renew Assisted Living Licenses
On May 10, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health has new tools to assist providers in completing the license renewal process, which is underway this month. As you prepare for your assisted living license renewal, the Assisted Living License Renewal page has videos, checklists and other resources for providers preparing their license renewal application.
DHS Temporarily Waives Supervision Requirements for Background Study Subjects
On May 10, 2022 by LeadingAge
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is temporarily waiving mandatory direct contact supervision requirements for new hires while their fingerprint-based background studies are being processed. The waiver remains in effect until June 30.
CMS Plans Site Visits to Assess HCBS Settings Rule Compliance
On May 10, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has been notified by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of their plans to conduct site visits of several provider settings this summer to review their compliance with the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule. Site visits will occur the week of July 25.
MDH Releases New Side Rail FAQ for Assisted Living
On May 10, 2022 by Kari Everson
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has recently released new guidance on using side rails in assisted living communities.
Heidi Simpson Announces her Retirement from LeadingAge Minnesota
On May 6, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
After almost 44 years with LeadingAge Minnesota, Heidi Simpson has announced she will be retiring this year effective Aug. 1. While she will be deeply missed, we are also excited for Heidi and her family as they embark on this new journey!
Advocacy Update: LTC Professionals Sound Off to Spur Action
On May 5, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
LeadingAge Minnesota members have been lifting their voices in support of caregivers and the seniors they serve to advocate for higher wages and access to care for Minnesota’s seniors.
Just Two Weeks Until Argentum Conference in Minneapolis
On May 5, 2022 by LeadingAge
There is still time to register for the Senior Living Executive Conference happening May 16-18.
Thousands of senior living professionals, operators, owners, executives, and community leaders will gather in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the next edition of the Senior Living Executive Conference & Expo, the official meeting of Argentum.
Register Today - 2022 Nurse Leadership Certificate Program Starts May 17
On May 5, 2022 by Heidi Simpson
Registration closes soon for LeadingAge Minnesota’s Nurse Leadership Certificate Program – the premier training program for new and emerging nurse leaders in skilled care and assisted living settings. The series begins May 17 and is scheduled over five months, including in-person and virtual sessions.
Annual Membership Survey: Feedback Requested by May 27
On May 5, 2022 by Luke Jenkins
We respect and value your opinion, and we ask you to share your thoughts in our 2022 Annual Membership Survey.
Looking back at the past two years, we can all agree it hasn’t been easy. We faced a global pandemic head-on and continue to work together to address the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and the severe workforce crisis plaguing our settings. But we also must look ahead. Minnesota is now home to one million seniors, and we are seeking new, innovative ways to serve all those who need care in our settings.
Celebrate How Seniors “Age My Way” During Older Americans Month
On May 5, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
May is Older Americans Month (OAM), a national celebration established in 1963 to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, in particular those who defended the nation. We celebrate and honor older adults and all their contributions every day.
Celebrate National Nurses Week and Month this May
On May 5, 2022 by Anna Mowry
Every year, the American Nurses Association (ANA) celebrates National Nurses Week, May 6-12, to promote, support, and honor the varying roles of nurses and the positive impacts they make in our communities every day. This year, ANA expanded National Nurses Week to National Nurses Month in May to show gratitude for the invaluable contributions of nurses all month long.
Safe Care Begins with You in 2022
On May 5, 2022 by Julie Apold
After over two years of COVID-19, we invite you to join us in the latest Safe Care Living the Pledge activity, called “Living the Pledge Every Day.” In a few weeks, we will share easy-to-use tools and resources to refocus on the key components of the Safe Care Pledge through monthly activities that you can bring to your community. They will help your organization celebrate and renew your commitment to respect, dignity, safety, and quality of life for those we serve.
Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Challenge Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Payments
On May 5, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently closed Phase Four of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments to health care providers. Now providers are dealing with both reporting requirements and the last opportunity to review what they have received and request reconsideration of the amount or not being paid.
CDC to Streamline Some NHSN Reporting
On May 5, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
In a recent national stakeholder call, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previewed changes coming to the COVID-19 Long-Term Care Facility module and vaccination reporting module in NHSN. Beginning May 23, reporting in both modules will be streamlined to simplify some reporting.
Reminder: Certain CMS COVID Waivers Expire May 7
On May 5, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
Several of the CMS blanket COVID-19 waivers are expiring on May 7.
In a memorandum released last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will terminate several temporary emergency declaration blanket waivers that have provided nursing facilities and other provider types with flexibilities designed to support the COVID response.
Advance Care Planning For Gun Ownership
On May 5, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
In Minnesota, landlords cannot prohibit a tenant from having a legal firearm. This is, at times, a safety concern within assisted living and housing communities. Several tools have recently been developed that may be helpful in related discussions with residents or potential residents.
Assisted Living License Renewals Now Open
On May 5, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
License renewals for assisted living are now open. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) received 115 applications during this first week. If you have not received your renewal information, contact MDH at health.assistedliving@state.mn.us.
Occupancy Increases Slightly but Held Back by Staffing Challenges
On May 5, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
The Long-Term Care Imperative recently completed an analysis of care center occupancy for the first quarter of this year. Compared to last year, it shows some improvement but nothing close to a return to pre-pandemic occupancy levels.
Nursing Assistant Test Sites Weekly Update
On May 5, 2022 by Anna Mowry
With the 1135 waiver ending on June 6, members will have until Oct. 6 to place Nursing Assistants on the state registry. Minnesota State and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) communicate weekly updates to LeadingAge Minnesota regarding nursing assistant test sites as they open and increase their capacity.