LeadingAge Minnesota

LeadingAge Obtains CMS Clarification on Emergency Preparedness Exercises

On February 24, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

Under CMS emergency preparedness regulations, nursing facilities are required to conduct two emergency preparedness testing exercises annually – with exercises alternating between full-scale functional exercises and exercises of choice (mock drill, table-top exercise, workshop). 

Resilience Tip: Embracing “Good Enough”

On February 24, 2021 by LeadingAge

Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn from Associated Clinic of Psychology

Today we’re focused on the drive to be perfect (or darn close). It’s not inherently bad; in fact, it has propelled many of us to get to our current status in personal and professional arenas. It can, however, take its toll on our well-being to be in pursuit of perfection versus accepting of “good enough.”

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Progressing

On February 24, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

According to a Minnesota Department of Health survey reflecting data through last Wednesday, 98% of care centers have completed two vaccination clinics, and almost all assisted living settings had completed a first clinic. Additionally, 12% of assisted living had conducted a second clinic, a number which will rise rapidly in the next couple of weeks.

Rural COVID-19 grants Available through LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation

On February 24, 2021 by Terri Foley

LeadingAge Minnesota members operating in rural Minnesota can now access a second round of COVID-19 related grants through LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation (LAMF).

DHS Amends Temporary Modifications for Adult Day Services

On February 24, 2021 by Roni Falck

The Department of Human Services is further amending temporary modifications to certain licensing requirements for Adult Day Services to allow more people to receive services and to allow license holders to increase daily shift hours.

Effective Feb. 17, the following licensing requirements are modified for adult day centers:

LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Receives $475,000 COVID Grant

On February 17, 2021 by Lori Meyer

The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation (LAMF) has just been awarded $475,000 in funding to provide COVID grants to rural LeadingAge Minnesota members.

Congress Continues Discussions on COVID-19 Relief

On February 17, 2021 by Kari Thurlow

Congress is now in the process of considering the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package proposed by President Biden. This legislation, being considered through a budget-reconciliation vehicle that only needs simple majorities in both the House and the Senate and may be passed exclusively with Democratic-votes.

Resilience Tip: Grief & Resilience

On February 17, 2021 by LeadingAge

Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn from Associated Clinic of Psychology

Grief and resilience: you can have both!

You probably understood that going to work in a senior care facility meant you would experience death more often than people working in other environments. However, expecting this and going through it are quite different things – especially when death rates are (sometimes significantly) higher than usual as we’ve seen during the COVID pandemic.

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Progressing and Staff Vaccination Rates Improving

On February 17, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

According to data collected by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), resident vaccination rates remain high and staff vaccination rates are improving.

State Support Still Available for PPE, Testing, Staffing

On February 17, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

While COVID-19 cases in aging services settings have fallen sharply in recent months, we know the virus is still having a serious impact on many providers.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) wishes to remind providers that it continues to have resources available for nursing homes and assisted living providers that need support:

MDH Updates Quarantine Recommendations for Health Care Workers

On February 17, 2021 by Kari Everson

On Feb. 16, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) released a new document COVID-19 Recommendations for Health Care Workers that reviews diagnostic testing of health care workers (HCW), management of HCW exposure to COVID-19, HCW return to work, guidance for ill HCW and travel recommendations for our staff. Additionally, within the guidance document, MDH cites several already existing documents that informed the creation of this resource.

Free Webinar! Optimizing Therapy Services Considering COVID Challenges

On February 10, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

Respiratory disease is one of the leading causes of death and disability. During COVID-19, respiratory therapists are treating even greater numbers of clients with compromised lung function. Two complimentary webinars hosted by Select Rehabilitation provide strategies for treatment interventions and in-room therapy.

Governor Walz visits Jones-Harrison to Highlight Vaccine Successes

On February 10, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran

Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Commissioner Jan Malcolm visited Jones-Harrison to highlight Minnesota’s successful vaccination effort in long-term care settings on the afternoon of Tuesday, Feb. 9.

Resilience Tip: Sleep & Resilience

On February 10, 2021 by LeadingAge

Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn from Associated Clinic of Psychology

You are in good company if you have noticed changes in your sleeping patterns during COVID-19. Because of factors like extra screen time, change in routines and increase in stress, we are prone to poor sleep at this time. Sleep is important not only for our well-being and stability of mood, but it is also linked to immune system function.

CMS Director Joins LeadingAge Call to Answer Questions about Visitation Guidance Changes

On February 10, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran

Evan Shulman, Director of the Division of Nursing Homes, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will answer questions about how CMS is approaching any changes in visitation guidance on Thursday, February 11 at 2:30 on the Coronavirus Update Call hosted by LeadingAge, the national partner of LeadingAge Minnesota.

MAGIC Launches Resource to Address Vaccine Hesitancy

On February 10, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran

This week, the Minnesota Association for Geriatrics Inspired Clinicians (MAGIC) launched a new video resource to help providers address vaccine hesitancy in long-term care settings.

FAQ: Can You Quarantine a New Admission for Fewer Than 14 Days?

On February 10, 2021 by Kari Everson

A 14-day quarantine after admission is daunting for many residents.  Transitions may already be difficult and are now compounded by the necessary infection prevention and control practices in place during the pandemic.

CDC Officially Extends Eviction Moratorium

On February 3, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

Ahead of the Jan. 31 expiration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has ordered the extension of the current eviction moratorium for non-payment of rent.

The order prevents residential evictions until March 31; tenants must self-certify eligibility for the protections. The extension keeps the moratorium largely unchanged, and tenants who previously submitted the self-certification should not have to resubmit.

In the meantime, we are advocating to quickly provide rent relief for senior housing communities impacted by COVID-19.

Resilience Tip: Taking Back Control

On February 3, 2021 by LeadingAge

Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn from Associated Clinic of Psychology

As helpers, we pride ourselves on assisting those who have lost control of their lives in some manner. Residents may have memory loss, an injury, a loss of independence or feeling they’ve lost control of decisions made about their lives. For leaders, it’s important to guide staff with a sense of control that’s flexible and also conveys confidence and security.

Now Enrolling Next AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network Cohort

On February 3, 2021 by Kari Everson

The Hennepin Healthcare ECHO Training Center is recruiting an additional cohort for the AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network. The first session will start Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. They will be enrolling 33 nursing facilities in this cohort.