LeadingAge Minnesota

Housing Support Program (GRH) Clarifies Meals Policy Relative to AL Statute

On December 2, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

In a recently released memo, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) clarified the Housing Support Program’s requirement to provide three meals a day in relation to the new assisted living contract limitation found in 144G.41, Subd. 1(13)(i)(C), which stipulates that “the facility cannot require a resident to include and pay for meals in their contract.”

MDH Indicates Forthcoming Guidance to Eliminate Assisted Living Visitation Restrictions

On November 18, 2021 by Kari Everson

The Minnesota Department of Health has indicated that the agency will issue guidance for assisted living settings in the coming days, reflecting recent federal guidance for nursing homes and eliminating visitation restrictions in long-term care settings.

Staffing Plans a Focus in Assisted Living Surveys

On November 18, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

The assisted living rule contains specificity regarding several requirements of the assisted living statute, including staffing plans. The rule requires the Clinical Nurse Supervisor (CNS) to develop a staffing plan that considers several vital elements.

Assisted Living Surveys – Food Code and More

On November 4, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

In a meeting with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) this week, staff from the Environmental Health Division provided information on early findings regarding the food code during assisted living surveys. Most findings are in basic food handling safety measures.

Focus Areas in Early AL Surveys: Postings, Plans, Procedures, Training, and Infection Control

On October 28, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

Findings during initial surveys of assisted living settings show a range of compliance with most providers well underway with incorporating new requirements. Several themes are evident in these initial findings. Learning more about these themes can assist providers in auditing their facilities for compliance. 

Last Chance for 2021 Virtual Connect Conference, Oct. 27-28

On October 21, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

This is the last chance to register for next week’s 2021 Connect Conference. The two-day virtual event connects assisted living, senior housing, and home care providers for two days of education, updates, and learning.

ALL Together: New Assisted Living Newsletter Available from MDH

On October 21, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Department of Health's Health Regulation Division (HRD) will provide information, news, updates and links to assisted living providers, residents, resident families, and the public through a new weekly newsletter, ALL Together. To subscribe, enter your email address and click submit. 

LALD Mentors Needed! Help Train the Next Generation of Assisted Living Leaders

On October 21, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman

Are you interested in advancing the next generation of leaders in assisted living? LeadingAge Minnesota is looking for Licensed Assisted Living Directors (LALDs) to volunteer as mentors for students enrolled in our Assisted Living Director Licensure Program.

Survey Tool for Assisted Living Meals and Menu Requirements Now Available

On October 20, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has made the survey tool for assisted living meals and menus available. The tool provides insight into how compliance with the USDA Guidelines will be interpreted. 

Virtual Connect Conference is Oct. 27-28; Registration Remains Open

On October 14, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

The 2021 Connect Conference will be a virtual event on Oct. 27 and 28 and is packed with excellent education and learning opportunities.

Registration remains open and includes both the live broadcast of the conference, and full on-demand access to all session content through the end of the year.

Assisted Living Licensure Closure Form Now Available

On October 14, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Department of Health has added an Assisted Living Licensure Closure Form to their Forms and Self-Audit Tools page under the “notifications” heading. The form provides guidance for the closure process.

Make Connections! Join us for the Virtual Connect Conference on Oct. 27-28

On October 7, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

The 2021 Connect Conference will be a virtual conference on Oct. 27-28. Connect Conference brings together providers of senior housing, assisted living, and home care for two days of exceptional education and connecting with your colleagues from around the state.

Assisted Living Licensees come in all Sizes and Locations

On September 30, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

This week’s report from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) on the status of current assisted living licensees provides a glimpse at the composition of assisted living around the state. Of the currently licensed 1973 assisted living facilities, 1337 of those are in the seven-county metro area, leaving 636 throughout the rest of the state.

Last Chance to Affiliate Background Studies from Home Care to Assisted Living Record

On September 30, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

Starting Oct. 15, non-renewed home care licenses that expired or were closed due to conversion to an assisted living facility license will also have their background study records closed.

Sept. 24 is Connect Conference Early Bird Deadline

On September 23, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

Register by this Friday, Sept. 24 to get early-bird pricing on the 2021 Connect Conference. The conference will bring together senior housing, assisted living, and home care on Oct. 27-28 at Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center.

Do You Have Assisted Living Required Postings?

On September 23, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

As we settle into the new assisted living requirements, it is a good time for self-auditing. According to the new law, an assisted living must post the following:

Connect Conference Early Bird Deadline is Sept. 24

On September 15, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

The 2021 Connect Conference brings together senior housing, assisted living, and home care on Oct. 27-28 at Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center. The early bird registration deadline is Friday, Sept. 24.

Assisted Living Survey Observations Offer Helpful Reminders

On September 15, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

At a meeting last week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) shared initial findings from assisted living surveys that have been conducted.

Fall Conferences Coming in Sept. and October

On September 8, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

Make plans to join us at three signature event conferences this fall – the virtual Annual Meeting and Leadership Forum, the Quality and Patient Safety Conference and Workshop, and the Connect Conference. Registration is open for all events.

Complete Affiliation of AL Background Studies Before Home Care Records Close

On September 8, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

LeadingAge Minnesota encourages all assisted living providers to complete the background study affiliation process before the Minnesota Department of Health closes home care records. If your home care agency is closing, you must act quickly if you have staff to affiliate from your home care agency record.