News

Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) held its routine National Nursing Home Stakeholder Call. During this call, CMS staff reiterated several vital facts about the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE).

With our partner in the Long-Term Care Imperative, we recently completed two surveys that look at the operating conditions faced by providers: a workforce survey and a care center occupancy survey. The surveys confirmed that staffing challenges continue to impact access to services for seniors throughout the state.

An updated Uniform Disclosure of Assisted Living Services and Amenities (UDALSA) form is now available from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

A legislative proposal to create a statewide paid family leave program is moving rapidly through the Legislature this year with implications for employers and their employees.

LeadingAge Minnesota is more than an association. It’s a community built on a foundation of meaningful relationships and a common understanding of what it means to be an aging services professional. Our shared experiences help us know deeply the profound impact chronic underfunding of senior care services has on the well-being of professional caregivers, their families, and the people we serve.

Philip Fisher was chosen to receive this year’s Spirit of Aging Award for giving so much to others during his life.

Cindy Meyer, Licensed Practical Nurse and Team Leader at Benedictine Living Community in Crookston, was named the Caregiver of the Year by LeadingAge Minnesota at the organization’s annual Institute & Expo. 

Gail Skoglund, Director of Adult Day Services at Cassia in Edina was honored by LeadingAge Minnesota with the Outstanding Leadership Award at the LeadingAge Minnesota Institute & Expo.

Joe Hanson, Nurse Manager at Walker Methodist Care Suites, in Edina was recently honored by LeadingAge Minnesota with the Rising Star Award. The award recognizes a person who stands out in their recent efforts to transform and enhance the experience of aging.

Leann Wright, Past President of Eventide Senior Living Communities in Moorhead, MN, was recently named Board Trustee of the Year by LeadingAge Minnesota.

Judy Rubertus, a volunteer with Boutwells Landing in Oak Park Heights, MN, has been named LeadingAge Minnesota’s Volunteer of the Year Award. The award recognizes individuals who volunteer in older adult services for their dedication, commitment, and positive impact on the lives of seniors and their communities. 

This week, the House Human Services Finance Committee heard HF 733, a bill that would facilitate raising wages for professional caregivers in aging services. This important legislation is the top priority of our 2023 legislative agenda, and LeadingAge Minnesota was thrilled to work with bill sponsor Rep. Heather Edelson (DFL-Edina) to produce a strong hearing.

On Monday, President Biden announced he will end the public health emergency (PHE) on May 11. This announcement was not a surprise given the shift towards our new “normal” the pandemic has created for everyone. 

We are thrilled to announce that LeadingAge Minnesota has been awarded over $400,000 to launch a statewide campaign to recruit new caregivers.

This week Governor Tim Walz released his budget proposal, a mixed bag for long-term care providers. While it acknowledges and takes steps to address the underfunding of the Elderly Waiver (EW) program, it does nothing meaningful to address the staffing shortages and resulting access problems in the care center sector.

On Jan. 18, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced two initiatives in quality and safety oversight memo 23-05-NH in response to the Biden-Harris administration effort to improve nursing home transparency, safety, and quality. CMS intends to conduct offsite nursing home audits to determine if the nursing home correctly coded diagnoses for residents using antipsychotic medication. CMS will change how citations under dispute are posted.

This morning, Governor Tim Walz released a preview of his proposed budget addressing Minnesota's workforce challenges. This preview covers a variety of sectors and includes some investments benefitting aging services.

The Caregiver Stabilization Act (SF 7) was heard in the Senate Human Services Committee on Monday afternoon.

LeadingAge Minnesota completed a survey of our adult day services members to evaluate their financial health and the challenges they are facing in recovering from the impacts of the Covid pandemic. The results make clear that adult day service providers face many challenges as they attempt to maintain this vital part of the network of services for the elderly and disabled.

The Public Health Emergency (PHE), first declared in Jan. 2020 and extended continually for 90-day periods since then, has been extended for another 90 days until April 11.