News

At an Assisted Living Licensure Rulemaking Advisory Task Force meeting last week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported that it is hoping to have a complete draft rule prepared and posted to its website and sent to the Revisor by mid-April.  

The development of an Assisted Living Resident and Family Survey and Assisted Living Report Card are well underway, reported Peter Spuit, Home & Community Based Services Program Consultant for the Aging and Adult Services Division at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), at last week’s LeadingAge Minnesota Assisted Living Committee meeting.  

More than 100 nursing homes across Minnesota, including several LeadingAge Minnesota members, have begun kicking off 36 projects to promote better care and quality of life for their residents. The Performance-based Incentive Payment Program (PIPP) projects, funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), range from efforts to improve mental health and social connections to reducing falls and infections.  

Minnesota’s latest budget forecast shows a slight increase in the projected budget surplus - $1.513 billion, up $181 million since November. What does this mean for this legislative session and aging services providers?  

The House Health and Human Services Policy Committee last week heard a bill to expand the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) employee scholarship program to allow loan forgiveness and expenses related to obtaining a licensed assisted living director credential.  

Ecumen advanced legislation last week to launch a pilot project that will provide, short-term shelter, safety and advocacy for older adults affected by elder abuse.  

The Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators (BENHA) has published the notice of proposed rules for the Health Service Executive, which applies to individuals eligible or desiring the national Health Service Executive credential.  

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking proposals to develop and/or provide services for older Minnesotans to live and age in the community of their choice.

A new collaboration of businesses, governments, non-profits and community groups across the state have formed We Count. Minnesota to support a fair and accurate 2020 Census. Why do we need to count every person in Minnesota?   

We hear it from lawmakers all the time: what matters most to them as they weigh issues and make decisions at the State Capitol is their constituents. That’s why your voice matters! It’s time to be heard. Join us at our Day at the Capitol on March 19 to show lawmakers that we are committed partners in our shared goal to assure access to safe, quality care for older Minnesotans in the communities they call home.  

Save the Date: The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will host a statewide Nursing Home Regulatory call on March 9 from 11 a.m. to Noon. 

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Infection Control Assessment and Response Program (ICAR) issued a notice on Jan. 31 to alert care centers that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released interim guidance on the implementation of Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) in July 2019. 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has published a new report related to the development of the Minnesota assisted living report card. Once complete, the report card will measure and report on the quality of assisted living settings across Minnesota.  

A new brochure from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will help consumers better understand Elderly Waiver (EW) services in assisted living, including eligibility and the application process. 

Sometimes data just isn’t enough. Storytelling is the most powerful tool to affect change. We need your help to bring the issues we advocate for on behalf of the people you serve to life. Help us tell the story:  

All rental property owners, managers or operators must provide a Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP) to each person who rented from them during the previous year by Friday, Jan. 31 unless the property is tax-exempt or if the resident's entire care is paid under certain goverment assistance programs. 

The Minnesota Department of Health has released an Informational Bulletin and Consent forms for the Electronic Monitoring law that went into effect on Jan. 1.  

Governor Tim Walz last week committed to making Minnesota an Age-Friendly State during the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging Summit and indicated support for increased, stable funding for programs and services that help Minnesotans age in place. 

The Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators (BENHA) has announced an open appointment to its Board of Directors. As BENHA’s role is expanding to include the licensure of assisted living directors, we encourage members from assisted living and licensed nursing home administrators to apply.  

To help keep adult day services providers informed and in compliance with license expectations, please review the following Q&A regarding Individual Abuse Prevention Plans and monthly progress notes and participation reports.