News Archives
December 2022 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
Assisted Living Quality Measures Coming to the Data Portal in January
On December 22, 2022 by Julie Apold
LeadingAge Minnesota's exciting new Data Portal continues to expand to provide opportunities for tracking and benchmarking your performance on key metrics. In January, we will launch the assisted living quality and services measures portal application.
Invest in Your Staff; Join Us at the 2023 Institute and Expo
On December 22, 2022 by Sharon Hollister
The most impactful way to retain your current staff is to invest in their professional development. Institute is the best value for your investment, with the average cost to attend at less than $40 per person per day when you register by Jan. 4.
OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training: A Year in Review
On December 22, 2022 by Anna Mowry
This year, OnTrack had its best year yet, training over 1,800 nursing assistants in member settings around the state.
HUD Outlines Plans to Implement New Housing Inspections
On December 22, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
As HUD readies its new NSPIRE housing inspection protocol, the agency has begun to share details of the Real Estate Assessment Center's (REAC) new protocol implementation, scheduled for October 2023.
CMS’ Nursing Home Stakeholder Call, Jan. 5
On December 22, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will host the first Nursing Home Stakeholder Call of the new year on Thursday, Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. CST. The discussion will focus on post-acute care quality reporting programs. The event is open to the public; registration is required. After you register, you will receive zoom information.
NLRB Decisions Update
On December 22, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or Board) was very busy last week. The Board issued four new rulings that significantly impact labor relations between employers and employees.
Starting Jan. 6, Fingerprinting Requirement for Nursing Home Change of Ownership CHOWs
On December 22, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The Affordable Care Act mandated that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) establish risk categories for Medicare enrollment to determine what level of scrutiny to give provider enrollment applications, which includes initial enrollment, change of ownership (CHOW) applications, and revalidations. Three risk categories were created under 42 CFR § 424.518: limited, moderate, and high. Providers in the limited-risk category are subject to the lowest scrutiny, and those in the high-risk category are subject to the most scrutiny.
CMS to Increase Scrutiny of Psychotropic Drug Use
On December 22, 2022 by LeadingAge
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report outlining the potentially inappropriate use of several psychotropic medications, including antipsychotics, anxiolytics, sedative-hypnotics, and anticonvulsants. As a result, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to increase its oversight of psychotropic drugs and focus more closely on certain drug classes.
COVID-19/Flu Tests Coming Soon to SNFs Throughout the State
On December 22, 2022 by Kari Everson
The Minnesota Department of Health is mailing a combination of COVID-19/Flu A&B rapid test kits to all skilled nursing facilities in the state. Kits should be arriving in the next 2-3 weeks.
Summary Resource for Assisted Living and Nursing Home Infection Reporting
On December 22, 2022 by Kari Everson
LeadingAge Minnesota has developed a new resource for members to help clarify the complex and often confusing infectious illness reporting requirements for our nursing home and assisted living members.
With Session Starting Jan. 3, LeadingAge Minnesota Finalizes 2023 Legislative Agenda
On December 22, 2022 by Erin Huppert
The Minnesota Legislature will convene on Jan. 3, 2023. LeadingAge Minnesota has finalized its member-developed, board-approved legislative priorities for the upcoming session. At the top of the list: ensuring providers across the continuum of care have the resources needed to ensure access to care for Minnesota's seniors and pay caregivers the wages they deserve.
Annual Report: Leading Change This Year and Into the Future
On December 22, 2022 by Kari Thurlow
At LeadingAge Minnesota, we have always considered our members to be our guiding light. As the field of aging services continues to change, our focus on you and your missions of service to older adults is more important than ever. As a member of this community, your guidance helps us chart our direction as an association and navigate the ways in which we strive to fulfill our mission to enhance and transform the experience of aging.
Improving Indoor Air Quality Webinar and CMP Funding for Achieving It
On December 15, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The Harvard Healthy Building Program and the Lancet COVID-19 Commission Task Force on Safe Work, Safe School, and Safe Travel are hosting a free webinar tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. titled "Improving Indoor Air Quality in Long Term Care Facilities: Practical Guidance."
Friends & Co Offers Social Connection Opportunities Across Minnesota
On December 15, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
For over 50 years, LeadingAge Minnesota business partner member Friends & Co has been creating connections and friendships for older adults. Propelled by the pandemic, the organization has expanded services aimed at loneliness and isolation statewide and redoubled its focus on fostering connection and companionship for happy, healthy aging.
DHS Offers Provider Capacity Grants for Rural & Underserved Communities
On December 15, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is conducting a second round of grant funding for HCBS providers supporting rural and underserved communities.
Really Big Book of Nursing Home Regulations – Available for Download
On December 15, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The thirteen edition of the Really Big Book of Nursing Home Regulations is finally here and ready to go! It is now available for order.
Assisted Living Emergency Relocation Notice Template Revised
On December 15, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
We have revised the Assisted Living Emergency Relocation Notice template to include additional information on appeals and to clarify who needs to receive the notice.
Use Our Interactive Map to Get Connected with NextGen Students
On December 15, 2022 by Anna Mowry
Use our new interactive map to find a NextGeneration Nursing Assistant Training Program (NGNA) or the "NextGen" training program near you. The map includes the contact information for each training program to help you get connected with NextGen students.
Coming Soon: LeadingAge Minnesota Compensation Data Portal Provides Valuable Benchmarking Information on Wages
On December 15, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
LeadingAge Minnesota's Data Portal will include an exciting new tool in January – a compensation data portal that allows providers to benchmark their wages for key positions against other providers statewide or a select group of providers in their market area. The compensation data portal also collects information on differentials and bonuses for each position to provide a robust look at overall compensation.
Nursing Home Chow Documents and Process Now Available
On December 15, 2022 by Kari Everson
Whenever a nursing home changes ownership, the new owner must apply for an operating license before taking over the operations of an already licensed organization. Aug. 1 amendments to the change of ownership (CHOW) process took effect. The current licensee remains responsible until the new owner is properly licensed. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has the updated information and forms and process available.
LeadingAge Minnesota Welcomes Kayla Khang to the Advocacy Team
On December 8, 2022 by Erin Huppert
Please join LeadingAge Minnesota in giving a warm welcome to Kayla Khang. Kayla joins the staff as the Manager of Government Affairs and Policy. She will support our policy and lobbying efforts in St. Paul, including leading our organization's return to in-person Advocacy Day at the Capitol on March 13, 2023.
2022 Leadership Academy Fellows Complete Year of Development and Growth
On December 8, 2022 by Barbara Landeen
On Dec. 1, the 2022 Leadership Academy Class of Fellows completed their program year of leadership development. The official graduation for the cohort of 45 leaders will be celebrated at the 2023 Institute & Expo.
Nurses and Hospitals Reach Tentative Agreement on Nursing Contracts
On December 8, 2022 by Mark Schulz
Earlier this week, the Minnesota Nursing Association (MNA) nurses and various hospitals came to a tentative agreement that will avert the planned unfair labor practices strike scheduled to start on Sunday, Dec. 11. MNA nurses will work quickly to vote on the tentative agreement Specifics of the official agreements remain unconfirmed, but MNA has released a statement detailing the tentative three-year contracts.
Initial Recommendations Released from National Nursing Home Quality Coalition
On December 8, 2022 by Julie Apold
The Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality Coalition has issued its first recommendations to address the key recommendations outlined in the April 2022 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report – The National Imperative to Improve Nursing Home Quality: Honoring Our Commitment to Residents, Families, and Staff.
LeadingAge Responds to USAToday Nursing Home Staffing Story
On December 8, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
In response to a USAToday investigative report published on Dec. 1, 2022, examining staffing levels in nursing homes ("Many nursing homes are poorly staffed. How do they get away with it?"), LeadingAge CEO and President Katie Smith Sloan passionately defended the nation's long-term care and skilled nursing operators. She reiterated, "[f]inger pointing and blame helps no one. It's time for a clear-eyed, fact-based approach to ensure older Americans and families can access the quality nursing home care they deserve."
Second Round of Revalidation for DHS Enrolled Providers Announced
On December 8, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Department of Human Services (DHS) will send Provider Revalidation notices to HCBS providers with names beginning with S and T at the end of December. Affected settings provide waiver services in home and community-based settings, including Adult Day Services and Assisted Living (Customized Living).
The Deaf and Hearing Services Division of MDH Offers New Resources
On December 8, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division (DHHSD) at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has created a series of guides to help service providers understand types of hearing loss and possible accommodations:
Updated Nurse Aide Knowledge Test Begins Jan. 2, 2023
On December 8, 2022 by Anna Mowry
Beginning Jan. 2, 2023, there will be an updated Minnesota Nurse Aide Knowledge Test with improved test questions.
LeadingAge Minnesota Workforce Data Portal Provides Valuable Benchmarking Information
On December 8, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
LeadingAge Minnesota's exciting new resource, The Workforce Data Portal, gives members a great way to see how they compare to other providers on crucial workforce metrics. Members who have submitted data for the third quarter (July through September) can view reports that provide custom comparisons.
Largest Surplus in Minnesota’s History: What it means for long term care providers
On December 8, 2022 by Kayla Khang
This week, Minnesota's budget forecast for the 2024-2025 biennium showed a $17.6 billion surplus, the largest in Minnesota's history. Most of the forecasted budget is "carryforward," meaning that about $12 billion of the surplus money will only be able to be spent on one-time investments.