News

Advocate for Congressional COVID-19 Funding for LTC

On June 2, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

Although the House and Senate are in recess this week, there's no shortage of work left to be done before Congress adjourns ahead of the midterm elections. What began as the Build Back Better plan is now being reshaped into a much narrower, inflation-fighting measure that would amount to a fraction of the spending in the original bill.

LeadingAge Minnesota Comments on OSHA COVID Standard

On May 26, 2022 by LeadingAge

LeadingAge Minnesota submitted comments this week urging OSHA not to make its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for COVID-19 a permanent part of the regulatory landscape.

Elderly Waiver Disproportionate Share Changes Expand Eligibility

On May 26, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

One of the provisions of the Health and Human Services policy bill that passed on the last night of the session made revenue-neutral revisions to the Elderly Waiver Customized Living (EWCL) disproportionate share program for the 2023 calendar year and beyond.

Legislative Changes Impact Assisted Living Providers

On May 26, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

The 2022 legislative session in Minnesota has come to a close. Although our advocacy for funding to support assisted living providers continues, the Minnesota Legislature passed several policy changes affecting assisted living providers.

Legislature Acts to Extend Background Studies Deadline

On May 26, 2022 by LeadingAge

Although the Health and Human Services conference committee could not agree on new funding measures, the committee reached a consensus on a package of policy changes that passed both the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives on the last day of the legislative session. The policy bill includes two provisions that provide some relief for providers relating to background studies.

Older Adult Mental Health Video Training Series Available

On May 19, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

Mental and behavioral health are increasing challenges for many residents of our settings. Tools to equip staff to serve individuals with these challenges and be knowledgeable in de-escalation techniques are valuable. You can better understand older adult mental illness and learn new skills with this free, three-episode video training series funded by a grant from the Stratis Health Building Healthier Communities Program.

Act Now! Advocacy Essential to Ensure Access to Care for Minnesota’s Seniors

On May 19, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

It’s crunch time on the advocacy front! At the state level, we are in the final days of the legislative session and funding for aging services in still in play. Without our encouragement, funding could easily be left out of a final budget agreement.

Knute Nelson Launches Next-Generation Technology for Residents and Staff

On May 10, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

On May 4, Knute Nelson, a LeadingAge Minnesota member, announced a partnership with K4Connect, a mission-driven health-tech company integrating technology to serve and empower older adults and individuals living with disabilities.

Revised Assisted Living Survey Tool for Emergency Preparedness: Appendix Z Posted

On May 10, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

Emergency preparedness plans continue to be an area of concern for providers and are a frequently cited item in assisted living surveys. To assist in developing thorough plans and content for Emergency Preparation by assisted living facilities and as a helpful self-audit tool, the MDH has updated its Emergency Preparedness survey tool and posted it to their Assisted Living webpage this week.

MDH Adds New Resources to Help Renew Assisted Living Licenses

On May 10, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Department of Health has new tools to assist providers in completing the license renewal process, which is underway this month. As you prepare for your assisted living license renewal, the Assisted Living License Renewal page has videos, checklists and other resources for providers preparing their license renewal application.

DHS Temporarily Waives Supervision Requirements for Background Study Subjects

On May 10, 2022 by LeadingAge

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is temporarily waiving mandatory direct contact supervision requirements for new hires while their fingerprint-based background studies are being processed. The waiver remains in effect until June 30.

CMS Plans Site Visits to Assess HCBS Settings Rule Compliance

On May 10, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has been notified by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of their plans to conduct site visits of several provider settings this summer to review their compliance with the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule. Site visits will occur the week of July 25.

MDH Releases New Side Rail FAQ for Assisted Living

On May 10, 2022 by Kari Everson

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has recently released new guidance on using side rails in assisted living communities.

Just Two Weeks Until Argentum Conference in Minneapolis

On May 5, 2022 by LeadingAge

There is still time to register for the Senior Living Executive Conference happening May 16-18.   

Thousands of senior living professionals, operators, owners, executives, and community leaders will gather in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the next edition of the Senior Living Executive Conference & Expo, the official meeting of Argentum.

Celebrate How Seniors “Age My Way” During Older Americans Month

On May 5, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

May is Older Americans Month (OAM), a national celebration established in 1963 to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, in particular those who defended the nation. We celebrate and honor older adults and all their contributions every day.

Safe Care Begins with You in 2022

On May 5, 2022 by Julie Apold

After over two years of COVID-19, we invite you to join us in the latest Safe Care Living the Pledge activity, called “Living the Pledge Every Day.” In a few weeks, we will share easy-to-use tools and resources to refocus on the key components of the Safe Care Pledge through monthly activities that you can bring to your community. They will help your organization celebrate and renew your commitment to respect, dignity, safety, and quality of life for those we serve.

Advance Care Planning For Gun Ownership

On May 5, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

In Minnesota, landlords cannot prohibit a tenant from having a legal firearm. This is, at times, a safety concern within assisted living and housing communities. Several tools have recently been developed that may be helpful in related discussions with residents or potential residents.

Assisted Living License Renewals Now Open

On May 5, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

License renewals for assisted living are now open. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) received 115 applications during this first week. If you have not received your renewal information, contact MDH at health.assistedliving@state.mn.us.

Long Overdue Frontline Worker Bonuses Signed into Law

On May 5, 2022 by Erin Huppert

On Friday, April 29, the legislature passed a bill to provide frontline workers a bonus check for their commitment to serving our community during the height of the pandemic. The measure will use $500 million of federal funds to provide "hero" payments to an estimated 667,000 frontline workers in specified sectors, including long-term care and home care settings like nursing homes and assisted living.

Argentum and LeadingAge Urge OSHA Not to Make COVID Standards Permanent

On April 28, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

In public comments filed last week, Argentum and LeadingAge urged the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) not to make the agency's Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for COVID-19 a permanent part of the regulatory landscape.