News

Efficiently and effectively train caregivers using the new Basic Care Aide Curriculum from EduCare – available at no cost to all providers in Minnesota. 

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has issued guidance and clarification relating to nursing assistant training requirements, providing flexibility on hiring and training practices for caregivers in skilled nursing facilities during the COVID-19 emergency. Today we provide clarification on what this means for providers and share news of a new Basic Care Aide position we are creating with a FREE curriculum for members.  

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in an April 19 Quality, Safety & Oversight memo (QSO-2026-NH) that nursing homes will soon be subject to two new reporting requirements – submitting communicable disease data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and providing COVID-related notifications to residents and resident representatives.

It has been five weeks since COVID-19 came into our lives – five weeks that for many of you probably seem like a lifetime. As new information and guidance pours in nearly every day, I know you have been working with a profound sense of urgency to keep your residents safe and to ensure that their lives, even without visits from family or opportunities to engage in the day-to-day activities of community, are full of love and human connection. 

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) yesterday posted an RFP for $150 million in funding for providers to prepare for and respond to the outbreak of COVID-19. Members are strongly encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. 

Several new resources are available to help your organization recruit displaced workers as COVID19 exacerbates the pre-existing workforce crisis.   

The recently completed Long-Term Care Imperative Housing with Services (HWS) legislative survey showed worse results on both vacancies and turnover of staff than in 2018. The data from this survey is from 2019, so it does not show the likely significant impact of the current COVID-19 statewide emergency on the workforce situation. Key results of the survey include:  

Elder Voice Family Advocates has expressed their thanks and appreciation to those on the front line of keeping seniors safe during COVID-19. 

In the past week, LeadingAge MN has added 5 new tools to our COVID-19 Resource Library focused on surge assessment and preparation, cohorting, dementia care and facemasks. We have also updated two key resources: confirmed case containment checklist and managing a resident admission from a hospital decision tree.   

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last week issued a Proposed Rule that provides updates about the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) PPS rates that will take effect Oct. 1, 2020. CMS will follow up with a final rule on the Oct. 1 rates around Aug. 1.  

Metro Mobility is now providing free door-to-door service from home to work and work to home for any person who works at a healthcare setting, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and various screening requirements imposed upon senior living providers, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is offering communities and other customers three options if there are issues with their current delivery of mail.  

The Minnesota Legislature yesterday passed a bill that will allow first responders, health care providers and childcare workers to be “presumptively eligible” for workers' compensation if they get COVID-19.  

Value First has been researching various suppliers that can fill member needs for critical supplies such as masks, gowns, sanitizer, etc. We believe we have found a viable solution for reusable antimicrobial personal safety masks.  

Argentum and the American Seniors Housing Association have announced a new resource to help workers who have been displaced due to the fallout from COVID-19 find new employment opportunities in senior living: Senior Living FastMatch. As our field expects to fill several hundred thousand positions in the next few months, you are invited to post your available opportunities through FastMatch at no cost through Sept. 30, 2020.  

Students from the University of Minnesota have banned together to offer support to healthcare workers during COVID-19. They are serving both the metro area and central Minnesota, with a toolkit provided to teach students in other areas of the state to start a similar program. Support can be accessed via their website: www.mncovidsitters.org. 

After showing some improvement in 2017, occupancy results for care centers that participated in the Long-Term Care Imperative annual occupancy survey have declined slightly throughout 2018 and 2019. Occupancy for 2019 was the lowest we’ve ever found, 87.1%, and it declined each quarter throughout the year. 

The state Ombudsmen for Long-Term Care resolve complaints, protect rights, and promote access to services for residents before, during and after emergencies like COVID-19. While the Ombudsman has temporarily discontinued in-person visits in long-term care settings under its scope of authority due to COVID-19, residents still have the right to access the Ombudsman program. Below is an excerpt from a letter for Cheryl Hennen, the state Ombudsman, and phone numbers and a brochure to share with residents and families:  

It is with both tears and cheers that we share the news that Adam Suomala will be transitioning over the course of the next two months to an exciting new opportunity in our field as he becomes the Executive Director of the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging (MNCLOA). 

Recognizing the number of update calls you participate in mid-week, we have moved our COVID-19 HUDDLE to Fridays.