News

Minnesota Dept. of Vets Affairs Names Eric Meittunen to Deputy Commissioner Role

On June 1, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

Eric Meittunen has joined the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs as Deputy Commissioner - Veterans Healthcare. Eric will lead the Healthcare Division with responsibility for our five current and three new Veterans Homes, Adult Day Center, and Veteran Suicide Prevention initiative.

Annette Greely Named CEO of American Baptist Homes of the Midwest

On June 1, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

American Baptist Homes of the Midwest (ABHM), an Eden Prairie, Minnesota, based not-for-profit provider of senior living and health care, is pleased to announce the appointment of Annette Greely as the new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Mental Health Resources for You, Your Team, and Community

On June 1, 2023 by Anna Mowry

As Mental Health Awareness Month ends, don’t forget the mental health resources and tools you and your teams can revisit throughout the year.

ICYMI: Legislature Adjourns with Historic Funding for Aging Services

On May 25, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

As of Monday at midnight, the Minnesota Legislature has adjourned the 2023 legislative session. After months of tireless advocacy by seniors, their families, and their caregivers, we are proud to report that we have left the session with historic investments in aging services that will help ensure access to care for Minnesota seniors and support caregivers with the wages they deserve.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, Practice Self-Care Through Gratitude

On May 18, 2023 by Julie Apold

Have you ever noticed how it warmed your heart when someone appreciates you?  Research shows that expressing gratitude to someone who has done something to enrich your life (no matter how big or small) significantly impacts both the giver and the receiver.

Keys to Retaining Staff —Driver 2: Feeling Effective

On May 18, 2023 by LeadingAge

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This is the second in a series of articles from contributor Dr. Alyson VanAhn, Associated Clinic of Psychology, featuring tools to improve staff mental health.

In an overview article, I introduced three major factors that can improve staff retention when attended to deliberately by you and the leaders in your buildings—staff feeling valued, supported, and effective. This article focuses on feeling effective.

EEOC Reminds Employers to Review Employee PHE Accommodations

On May 18, 2023 by Mark Schulz

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has revised guidance for employers regarding the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. It reminds employers that they cannot automatically terminate reasonable accommodations provided due to pandemic-related circumstances.

Retention Grants Open for Certain HCBS Employees

On May 18, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Legislature has created a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) workforce development grant program to attract and retain direct care workers who provide HCBS services for people with disabilities and/or older adults.  Workers include those employed in assisted living, adult day services, home care, and other HCBS settings.

Human Services Conference Committee Completes Its Work with Mixed Outcomes for Aging Services Providers

On May 18, 2023 by Erin Huppert

The Human Services Conference Committee closed the conference report on Wednesday with far-reaching implications for senior care. The report, which will proceed to each legislative chamber for final passage, includes mixed outcomes for aging services providers.

2023 Minnesota Legislative Recap and Analysis Webinar Series

On May 11, 2023 by Sharon Hollister

After the Minnesota Legislature adjourns on May 22, join us in May and June to identify changes to state law that will impact the seniors you serve. During June’s session, we will dive deeper to explore the implications for your organization’s operations and the larger aging services sector.

Two Weeks Remain of the 2023 Legislative Session

On May 11, 2023 by Erin Huppert

The Legislature is required to adjourn by May 22. With less than two weeks remaining, LeadingAge Minnesota and its members continue to advocate for funding that will help ensure seniors have access to the care they need when and where they need it

Permanent Remote Adult Day Services Option Available July 1

On May 11, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

Remote adult day services will be a permanent option for licensed adult day services providers beginning July 1.

Practice Three Good Things to Promote Self-Care

On May 11, 2023 by Julie Apold

Three minutes; three good things.  It has been shown that if you write down three good things that happen to you daily, your happiness and positivity increase. 

House Votes on Human Services with Significant Investments for Elderly Waiver

On April 27, 2023 by Erin Huppert

On Tuesday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed SF2934, the House Human Services Omnibus Bill, on a 70-60 vote. The budget bill spends $1.3 billion over the next biennium on services for people needing home and community care, substance use disorder access, disability services and aging services.  As previewed last month, the House position makes essential investments that LeadingAge Minnesota has been advocating for but lacks any ongoing funding for nursing home workers.

Drive Advocacy by Sharing Caregiver and Senior Voices with Your Networks

On April 13, 2023 by Dan Nelson

LeadingAge Minnesota is launching a statewide digital advocacy campaign featuring a series of videos that tell the stories of caregivers and seniors. The goal of the campaign is to drive advocacy at a critical time in the legislative session.

Mark Your Calendars to Attend June District Meetings

On April 13, 2023 by Barbara Landeen

District Meetings are the perfect opportunity to build relationships with your regional colleagues, stay up-to-date on important issues that impact your work and community, and gain helpful resources to make your work easier. They also serve as an essential governance function of your association.

Providers of Remote Adult Day Services Under COVID-19 Waivers Provided Time for Transition

On April 6, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

When Adult Day Service (ADS) sites were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, adult day service providers responded to the needs of their clients by developing a “remote” service. The services were permitted under a COVID-19 waiver, which will expire shortly after the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE).

Stark Differences in Human Services Omnibus Bills as Minnesota Legislators Begin Week-Long Break

On April 6, 2023 by LeadingAge

On Monday, the Senate Human Services Committee passed its omnibus finance bill with key differences from the House’s version.

House Human Services Committee Releases Omnibus Bill with Mixed Results for Senior Care

On March 30, 2023 by Erin Huppert

The Minnesota House Human Services Committee released its omnibus finance bill this week. The budget bill includes some priority legislation like Elderly Waiver funding and a PACE rate study but stops short of investing in skilled nursing care for older adults.

Safe Care Addresses CMS Focus on Patient Safety

On March 23, 2023 by Julie Apold

During National Patient Safety Awareness Week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) highlighted their renewed focus on patient safety because harm is still too common and often preventable in a blog published on its website. Progress in patient safety has significantly declined since the beginning of the pandemic erasing previous patient safety gains.