News

In 2023, OnTrack programs enrolled over 2,000 nursing assistants in Minnesota—a new milestone. Since its launch in 2018, over 7,000 nursing assistants have been registered with OnTrack, helping care for seniors in long-term care settings across the state.

Updated Data Portal benchmark reports are available for assisted living quality and services measures. These are one of several benchmarking reports available for LeadingAge Minnesota members in the Data Portal.

LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation, in partnership with Winona State University, is sponsoring a limited number of individuals to become certified instructors of the Mental Health First Aide (MHFA) Training at no cost – a value of $2,895 per participant.

Providers Required to Prepare Distribution Plan

As a result of advocacy by LeadingAge Minnesota and the Long-Term Care Imperative, 2024 rates for Elderly Waiver (EW) services include substantial increases for all services.

The 2023 Legislative Session brought several changes to Landlord-Tenant Laws under Minnesota law (§504B), which governs requirements landlords and tenants must follow in a rental situation. Many of the changes take effect on Jan. 1.

Several new laws or requirements will become effective on Jan. 1. Many relate to employment situations, new regulatory requirements, and healthcare entity transactions.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has made its anonymous survey process feedback results public, with most respondents reflecting a positive survey experience.

The State of Minnesota is conducting annual resident quality of life and family satisfaction surveys in assisted living communities across the state starting in January and lasting most of the year.

This week, senior care providers joined LeadingAge Minnesota in traveling to Washington, DC, to advocate for seniors’ access to care. Leaders from several senior care organizations based in Minnesota completed seven visits over 36 hours, reinforcing concerns from across the state about a pervasive workforce shortage.

Providers must develop an Elderly Waiver (EW) distribution plan and share it with employees as part of the requirements tied to rate increases effective Jan. 1, 2024. LeadingAge Minnesota has developed a template that can serve as the framework for member distribution plans.

As 2023 ends, assisted living settings should consider auditing compliance with required postings and procedures.

We are excited to introduce the Executive Leadership Masterclass for Aging Services Professionals, an exclusive experience for ambitious leaders who aspire to lead their organizations at the highest level.

Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby was recognized for its quality improvement project in LeadingAge Minnesota’s ICan Quality Improvement Contest.

The next cycle for the Minnesota Long-Term Care Nurse Loan Forgiveness Program is now open. The program provides funds to repay qualified educational loans for eligible RNs and LPNs.

Two new additions have been added to our CMS Staffing Standard webpage: LeadingAge Minnesota’s draft comments, which will be filed by the end of the week, and LeadingAge’s final comments, filed earlier this week.

Members can now access a comprehensive grid of over 25 grants, scholarships, loans, workforce development programs, and more funding opportunities for Minnesota senior care providers.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) posted guidance on how Elderly Waiver (EW) providers should develop a distribution plan for the rate increase that starts Jan. 1, 2024.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has tested and will begin utilizing a remote engineer consultation for small residential home assisted living licensees with five or fewer residents.

During regulatory surveys in both assisted living communities and nursing homes, side rails and other bed assistive devices are a continued focal point.

LeadingAge Minnesota and its partner in the Long-Term Care Imperative have developed key messages for you to use to share your organization’s strong track record of advocacy to increase wages for our workforce.