News

Providers Encouraged to Complete Weekly Vaccination Survey

On January 13, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is urging long-term care settings, both nursing homes and assisted living providers, to complete a short weekly survey that will help the State track progress towards vaccinating residents and staff for COVID-19. 

Resilience Tip: Experiencing Grief

On January 6, 2021 by LeadingAge

Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn, Associated Clinic of Psychology

While senior care staff are aware that their residents may die while in care, losing a resident during these COVID-19 days can be even more difficult. It can affect folks who worked closely with that person as well as those who have less direct contact with residents. 

Special Edition: Clinical Coaching Room on Vaccine Clinics

On January 6, 2021 by Kari Everson

LeadingAge Minnesota members participated in a special edition of the clinical coaching room this morning to discuss their experiences during their vaccination clinics.

Monoclonal Antibody Treatment in Long-Term Care Settings

On January 6, 2021 by Kari Everson

Monoclonal antibody treatment is an IV infusion that, when given to qualifying residents, works to decrease the severity of disease and prevent hospitalization from COVID-19. MDH has a REDCap survey for providers to complete when requesting doses of monoclonal antibody (mAbs) therapy. After completion of the REDCap survey, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will reach out to organizations and ensure they have appropriate protocols in place to safely administer mAbs therapy.

MDH Expected to Post Cumulative COVID-19 Data to Website Next Week

On January 6, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

As we shared in this Advantage story three weeks ago, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) intends to begin including COVID-19 data in its Situation Update that shows cumulative totals for the number staff cases, resident cases, and resident deaths, for all nursing homes and assisted living settings that have had an exposure to COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

New Criteria Should Reduce Number of Infection Control Surveys for Nursing Homes

On January 6, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

CMS issued a revised memo QSO-20-31-ALL-REVISED on Jan. 4 detailing new triggers for focused infection control (FIC) surveys. In addition to the two triggers previously identified, CMS has added 5 additional scenarios that will be used to help state survey agencies more narrowly target FIC surveys. The new criteria are effective immediately and will have the effect of reducing the volume of FIC surveys for many providers.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms in HUD and USDA Housing – Funding included in Bill

On December 23, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry

Included in the passage of the 5,593 page COVID-19 relief and FY21 appropriations bills package is H.R. 1690, which requires HUD- and USDA-subsidized housing to have carbon monoxide alarms in units that have combustion-fueled appliances or a ventilation system that connects them to such units.

Resilience Tip: Holidays in the COVID-19 Era

On December 23, 2020 by LeadingAge

Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn, Associated Clinic of Psychology

You might have a familiar feeling during the holiday season: some feel excited, others may dread it, some are ambivalent, and others feel a mix of everything. Whatever your usual, this year brings new challenges as we all face the holidays without our typical freedom to celebrate (or avoid celebration) as we see fit.

Get Vaccinated - Be a Safe Care Hero

On December 23, 2020 by Julie Apold

Strategies to Boost Vaccination Rates

As the COVID-19 vaccine is becoming a reality, it is important to continue to address barriers that may cause staff or residents to be hesitant about getting the vaccine.  The CDC outlines steps that may increase confidence in the vaccine and boost vaccination rates in your organization. 

Update on Monoclonal Antibody Therapies

On December 23, 2020 by Kari Everson

LeadingAge Minnesota received information this week from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) about the status of implementation of monoclonal antibody therapies for COVID-19, and we wanted to share the lates with members.

Federal Aid Package Faces Uncertain Future

On December 23, 2020 by Jeff Bostic

On Monday evening, the Congress passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package that includes provisions that provide some additional assistance to long-term care providers. However, last night President Trump threatened to derail the bill and called on Congress to send a more suitable bill or wait until the next administration to deliver a COVID relief package.

COVID-19 Resource Round-Up: Vaccine Education Presentations

On December 16, 2020 by Terri Foley

One element of your vaccination education plan with your staff may be a Town Hall meeting or short presentations at staff meetings. Here are two Powerpoint slide decks that you can modify to meet your needs.

Detailed scripts accompany the presentation. They were developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are part of the CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit.

Building Team Resilience: Acknowledgement

On December 16, 2020 by LeadingAge

Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn, Associated Clinic of Psychology

Acknowledging what is right in front of us seems easy enough. We’re living through the shared experience of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.  However, on a regular basis, we tend to move through even the most difficult situations without acknowledging the huge impact it’s having on all of us.

PRF Phase Three Payments Going out to Providers

On December 16, 2020 by Jeff Bostic

Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) started distributing payments to providers who applied for phase three of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) general distribution. Nationally, they are distributing $24.5 billion to more than 70,000 health care providers. The basis for the payments is half of the reported lost revenue and increased expenses from the first half of this year.  Combined with previous PRF payments this is designed to cover the majority of the lost revenue and higher expenses experienced by health care providers through June.

MDH to Post Cumulative COVID-19 Data to Its Website

On December 16, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

The MN Department of Health (MDH) plans to post more data to its website about the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and assisted living settings than it is posting now.

Assisted Living Licensure Technical Changes Legislation Advances in 7th Special Session

On December 16, 2020 by Kari Thurlow

Legislature Adjourns without Bridge Funding for LTC COVID-19 Response

The Minnesota Legislature met yesterday for the seventh special session of 2020, required as the Governor extended the Peacetime Emergency for another 30 days, and to pass the latest round of COVID-19 relief.  A $216 million COVID 19 relief package received bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate and is on its way to the Governor for his signature. The bill includes:

New Confirmed COVID-19 Case Guidance for ADS Centers

On December 9, 2020 by Roni Falck

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently released guidance for Adult Day Centers relating to policies and processes for confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst staff and participants. The new guidance must be added to each center’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plans and includes the following elements:

COVID-19 Resource Round-Up: Vaccination Education

On December 9, 2020 by Terri Foley

Two COVID-19 vaccines are close to being approved for Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA. To help you prepare staff and residents for vaccination availability, here are some tools to customize.

Building Team Resilience During COVID-19: Nurturing for Self and Team

On December 9, 2020 by LeadingAge

Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn, Associated Clinic of Psychology

Our focus this week is on providing small doses of nurturing—for yourself and your team— in order to build resilience for all. In addition to the compliments we discussed in last week’s article, a focus on what’s most nurturing at a basic level can be very helpful to restore a sense of comfort in the most difficult times.

Be a Safe Care Hero: Get Vaccinated

On December 9, 2020 by Julie Apold

Safe Care Vaccine Campaign Underway

The COVID-19 vaccine is coming, but we know that it will not be effective if people don’t get vaccinated.  Over the coming weeks we will be promoting the importance of getting vaccinated through the Safe Care for Seniors Living the Pledge Campaign.