News
Category: Featured News
Welcome to the Featured News category. The following news items include major developments in the aging services world, as well as important notifications and timely reminders.
Salary Survey Deadline Extended
On July 10, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The deadline for the annual salary survey, which is a joint project of LeadingAge Minnesota, Care Providers of Minnesota, and the Healthcare Human Resources Association of Minnesota, has been extended until the end of July for those members who have not returned it yet.
Care Center Financial Survey Results Show Slow Improvement
On July 10, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
Despite a continued trend of improved financial performance in care centers that started in 2016, new data from the Nursing Facility Financial Indicators survey makes clear that providers continue to face significant financial challenges.
Conduct Stay Interviews with Your Team
On July 2, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Stay Interviews are a great way to connect with staff. These structured conversations can help leaders touch base with new staff to ensure the onboarding process is a positive experience and also be used with long-standing staff to find out what your organization does well. What keeps loyal staff coming back each day?
New National Advocacy Effort Aimed at Enhancing an Aging Advocates Network
On July 2, 2019 by Libbie Chapuran
LeadingAge national has launched new tools to enhance and expand our aging advocate network.
Save the Date - Drug Diversion Prevention Seminar on Aug. 13
On July 2, 2019 by Julie Apold
Over the past eight months, a diverse group of stakeholders from across the state have created a pathway of drug diversion prevention safety interventions based on learnings from drug diversion cases reported to the State and review of current research and practices. The result of this collaborative process will be unveiled at our Drug Diversion Prevention Seminar on Aug. 13 in Saint Paul.
Last Call: Safe Care for Seniors Pin Requests
On June 23, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Have you ordered your Safe Care for Seniors pins? Don’t wait. Time is running out. LeadingAge MN is placing its final pin order. We need to receive all pin requests by Friday, July 12. Send your pin request to Jodi Boyne at jboyne@leadingagemn.org.
When Change Happens, We’re At Your Side
On June 23, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The Elder Care and Vulnerable Protection Act of 2019 will bring forward the next generation of assisted living and changes in vulnerable adult protection for all providers of aging services. As we’ve been traveling the state and fielding calls and emails, we know you have questions, concerns and ideas on the challenges and opportunities presented by the new regulations. We are here…at your side…ready to help.
MDH Recommendations for Use of Tuberculin During Nationwide Shortage
On June 18, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expecting a three to 10-month nationwide shortage of APLISOL®, which is one of two purified-protein derivative tuberculin antigens that are licensed for use in performing tuberculin skin tests. This shortage will impact assisted living, home care, boarding care, care centers, supervised living facilities, and supplemental nursing services.
LeadingAge MN Featured on MPR Program on Care and Housing for Seniors
On June 18, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
In case you missed it, MPR last week featured a one-hour program focused on the care and housing needs of Minnesota’s rapidly-growing population. Kari Thurlow, Senior Vice President of Advocacy for LeadingAge Minnesota, was a featured guest on the program that also touched upon the new package of legislative reforms to protect elderly and vulnerable adults.
Safe Care for Seniors Workshop – Aug. 5
On June 18, 2019 by Julie Apold
By popular demand, we will hold a Safe Care for Seniors workshop on Monday, Aug. 5 in Saint Paul. Register Today!
Does Your Organization Qualify to Teach OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training?
On June 11, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training progam continues to see success in its second year of operation, and we see many different types of organizations deploying OnTrack onsite. Does your organization qualify to offer OnTrack?
Changes Made to Comprehensive Home Care Fines Help Fund New Maltreatment Compensation Fund
On June 11, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
A maltreatment compensation fund has been established effective July 1, 2019 as a new section of the Comprehensive Home Care Law. The fund, which will be funded by fines for Level 2 through 4 violations, will be available to home care clients with a finding of substantiated maltreatment until it closes on July 31, 2021 when the new Assisted Living Licensure becomes effective.
Allison Floberg, Fair Oaks Lodge, Receives Make Zero Harm Possible Award
On June 6, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Allison Floberg, Social Services Director at Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena, has received the Make Zero Harm Possible Award from LeadingAge Minnesota.
Stay Informed: New Assisted Living Licensure Web Page
On June 4, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
To help you learn more about the new Assisted Living Licensure law and stay informed about the rulemaking process, we’ve created a one-stop web page where you can easily access information about the new law, how it impacts you, ways to engage in the rulemaking process, and resources to help you comply with the new requirements.
Salary Survey 2019 Forms Available
On June 4, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The 2019 version of our annual salary survey was recently emailed to all members and human services contacts. The survey, a project of LeadingAge Minnesota, Care Providers of Minnesota and the Healthcare Human Resources Association of Minnesota, results in two comprehensive reports on employee compensation in care centers and senior housing settings.
“Helicopter Angels” from Minnesota Veteran’s Home Adult Day Receive Make Zero Harm Possible Award
On June 4, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
A team of program assistants from the Minnesota Veteran’s Home – Minneapolis Adult Day Center are the first recipients of the Make Zero Harm Possible award from LeadingAge Minnesota. Olubunmi Gbadamosi, Mary Falkowski, Maggie McGown and Gloria Smith were recognized for their work to reduce falls among clients who attend the Adult Day Center.
What Just Happened? Attend June District Meetings
On May 29, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Not sure how the outcomes of the 2019 legislative session affect you, your staff and the people you serve? Then you won't want to miss June District meetings.
Special Session Ends. Our Work Continues.
On May 29, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
The special session that was required to complete work on the state budget ended in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 25. Given all the challenges of the session, with its focus on addressing elder abuse and assisted living oversight and an unexpected proposal to cut funding for senior care, our successes were only made possible by the tireless and unprecedented grassroots advocacy of our members. In the end, we were able pass the historic Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act of 2019 and hold off rate cuts for care centers and reductions to Elderly Waiver caps. We also know that there is significant work ahead and issues that were largely unaddressed this year, including Elderly Waiver funding reform and addressing the caregiving workforce shortage.
Care Centers Avoid Rate Cuts in Legislative Special Session
On May 29, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The outcome of the short legislative special session last week turned out to be much more positive for care centers than we had feared for the last few months. The proposed cuts in operating rates, which were in the Governor’s budget proposal and the House budget bill, were dropped from the final Health and Human Services (HHS) budget bill due to objections by the Senate.
3 Ways to Learn More About New Assisted Living Licensure, Older Adult Protection Law
On May 22, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
In the final hours of the 2019 legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature passed landmark legislation that ushers in the next generation of assisted living services. The new framework provides greater clarity and transparency for consumers, strengthened regulatory oversight and consumer protection, and maintains a model of senior living that supports choice, options and the opportunity to age in place. We know you have questions about this legislation and what it means to you, your operations and the people you serve. Here are three immediate ways to learn more and a way to provide us with your feedback: