Nov. 6, 2019
Featured
Assisted Living Licensure Language Now In 144G
On November 5, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The Revisor’s Office has updated the 2019 Minnesota Statutes to reflect the changes made during the legislative session as a result of the 2019 Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act. When the law was drafted, the intention was to create a new chapter which encompassed all of the Assisted Living regulations to be called 144I. Instead of creating a new chapter, the Revisor’s Office integrated that language into 144G, which has served to date as the Assisted Living Title Protection Act.
Under current law, the regulations in 144G.01 to144G.06 are Assisted Living Title Protections that still apply to you through Aug. 1, 2021 when the new Assisted Living Licensure takes effect.
There are exceptions in certain cases, including but not limited to the use of electronic monitoring and the prohibition on retaliation, which go into effect before Aug. 1, 2021.
If you are reading the 144G statute, please pay close attention to both the Notes and History sections as they clearly define when a particular provision goes into effect.
If you have questions regarding what is currently in law or when new regulations will take effect, contact Bobbie Guidry for assistance.
Free Tool: Staff Behavioral Health Training
On November 5, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
LeadingAge Minnesota members can now access a new, free tool that will help address one of the biggest needs we hear from providers across the state: behavioral health. The Behavioral Health Training Series: Improving Care With Curiosity and Empathy provides easy-to-understand concepts, practical tips, and professional development that will help prepare staff to work with older adults with behavioral health needs.
In the series, Dr. John Brose, a clinical psychologist specializing in gerontology and behavioral health, provides a video consultation with the viewer. Each video is about 10 minutes long, making it easy for staff to fit in the training during their shift.
Alongside the video, students will complete an eWorkbook that contains supporting information, activities, and on-the-job practice assignments so that students can cement their new knowledge through real-life application.
The modules include:
1. UNDERSTANDING THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONTINUUM
2. WORKING WITH ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN OLDER ADULTS
3. MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
4. PREPARING FOR YOUR DAY
5. ALIGNING EXPECTATIONS WITH REALITY
6. BOOSTING YOUR EFFECTIVENESS
This training is being provided to members at no charge through a LeadingAge MN Foundation workforce development grant. Learn More and Order Today!
Questions? Contact Jenna Kellerman.
Making Zero Harm Possible: Ecumen Diversity & Inclusion Council
On November 5, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The Diversity & Inclusion Council at Ecumen was recently recognized with a Make Zero Harm Possible award from LeadingAge Minnesota. The award recognizes individuals and staff teams in aging services settings who demonstrate their commitment to safe, quality care and to treating people with respect and dignity – always.
“To ensure respect and dignity for everyone they serve, Ecumen has made a priority of addressing the unique challenges of aging among people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT),” said Gayle Kvenvold, President and CEO, LeadingAge Minnesota. “Through their efforts, Ecumen is keeping residents and staff same from all forms of harm, including discrimination based on sexual preferences or gender identity and creating a more welcoming organization for all who live and work in their settings.”
Recognized for their leadership, commitment and dedication were Council members: Lisa Ambli, Wendy Brostrom, Sue Hillstad, Amber Hernandez, Christy Johnson, Corrine McCallum, Shannon Meyer, Carolyn Perron (council chair), Michelle Rivard, Tasha Saengo and Melanie Sullivan.
People over 60 in the LGBT community have lived much of their lifetimes dealing with discrimination because of their sexual preferences or gender identity, and that experience has shaped their attitudes much more than the very recent progress toward acceptance and inclusion. The fact is that many older LGBT adults do not think of senior communities as places where they will be welcomed, respected and treated with dignity.
A frequently cited national study documents the shockingly high percentage of LGBT adults who are fearful of being out and vulnerable in a senior care facility. Fully 89% of respondents predicted that staff would discriminate against an LGBT elder who was out. A majority (81%) also thought that other residents would discriminate and, more specifically, that other residents would isolate an LGBT resident (77%). Directly to the issue of safety, 53% predicted that staff would abuse or neglect an openly LGBT resident.
Ecumen’s Diversity & Inclusion Council is made up of team members from throughout the organization. The Council partnered with Training to Serve, a program of JustUs Health, to offer high-quality training on LGBT sensitivity to all Ecumen team members and to identify ways to be more welcoming to LGBT older adults.
The training sessions feature discussions on biological sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression; historical experiences that shape LGBT older adults’ lives; unique barriers faced by LGBT older adults; and opportunities to support welcoming services for LGBT older adults. The group exercises at the training sessions help participants better understand the world through the eyes of older LGBT people who have experienced a lifetime of discrimination.
To date, Ecumen has held 14 sessions with more than 300 participants. Additionally, Ecumen is hosting voluntary trainer-led discussions at its sites around the state to better acquaint residents with the LGBT community and its culture and challenges, and creating online training for team members unable to attend the in-person sessions.
The Make Zero Harm Possible award is one component of LeadingAge Minnesota’s Safe Care for Seniors initiative, a comprehensive safety and quality improvement program. The program is designed to strengthen the culture of safety, prevent the risk of harm before it occurs, and uncover new opportunities for learning and improvement in the delivery of care and services.
To see all recipients of the Make Zero Harm Possible Award or to nominate someone for the award, visit Make Zero Harm Possible.
State
MSC+ and MSHO Plan Choices Will Be Mostly Unchanged in 2020
On November 5, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
Minnesotans enrolled in Minnesota SeniorCare Plus (MSC+) and Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) will have the same health plan choices in 2020 as they did in 2019, except in Morrison County, Todd County and Wadena County.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has updated its maps of health plan service area by county, which show that MSC+ and MSHO health plan choices will remain the same in 2020 – with the exception that South Country Health Alliance (SCHA) will no longer be a plan choice for these programs in the counties of Morrison, Todd and Wadena.
DHS conducted a Request for Proposals process earlier this year that would have shaken up the coverage map for programs that serve seniors and families and children, but ultimately decided to cancel the procurement in the face of a legal challenge from SCHA objecting to the process the State had followed in awarding 2020 contracts.
As a result, the State has renewed most of the 2019 health plan contracts through 2020 and will conduct a new procurement process next year to determine 2021 health plan choices. We can expect discussion of the health plan contracting process to be one of many health care issues taken up in the 2020 legislative session.
Federal
CMS Extends Quality Reporting Program Deadline to Nov. 18
On November 5, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the submission deadline for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program MDS assessment data for April 1, 2019 – June 30, 2019. All data must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 18.
Providers should run applicable CASPER analysis reports prior to each quarterly reporting deadline to ensure that all required data has been submitted.
Swingtech sends messages to skilled nursing facilities that are not meeting APU thresholds on a quarterly basis ahead of each submission deadlines. If you need to add or change the email addresses to which these messages are sent, email QRPHelp@swingtech.com and include your setting name and CMS Certification Number (CCN) along with any requested email updates.
See SNF Quality Reporting Program Spotlights and Announcement for more information. Information on quality measures, reviewing reports and the CMS procedure to review reports if a skilled nursing facility feels it is inaccurate can be found at Quality Reporting Program – Public Reporting.
Notable
Home Remains #1 Choice for Older Adults; Assisted Living Ranks Second
On November 5, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Receiving long-term care at home continues to rank as the number one preference for adults age 50 or older, but almost one-fifth said they would prefer an assisted living facility.
The poll conducted by the Nationwide Retirement Institute surveyed 1,462 U.S. adults aged 50 or more years, all of whom are either retired or plan to retire within the next 10 years and have investable assets of $50,000 or more. In addition, 516 U.S. adults aged 50 or more years who are or have been paid or unpaid caregivers for family members or friends were polled.
Highlights:
- Age in Place at Home: 74% of respondents said they would prefer to age at home. Of which, 77% of respondents had been retired for 10 or more years, 70% were recent retirees, 75% were future retirees, 76% were classified as affluent (those who have with investable assets of $150,000 or more), and 69% were classified as nonaffluent (those who have investable assets of $50,000 to $149,999).
- Assisted Living: Respondents listed assisted living as their second preferred location to receive long-term care. However, 18% of overall respondents indicated assisted living as their preference. Of which, 18% of respondents had been retired for 10 or more years, 22% were recent retirees, 16% were future retirees, 18% were classified as affluent and 20% were classified as nonaffluent.
- Family Member Home: 5% of overall respondents selected a family member’s home as their preference for receiving long-term care.
- Nursing Home and Adult Day: Each garnered 1% of overall responses.
- Assisted Living Insights: Overall, 30% of survey poll-takers said they expect to receive long-term care in assisted living, but the percentage was higher among those deemed affluent (32%) compared with those described as nonaffluent (23%). Also, expecting to live in assisted living were 32% of those who had been retired for 10 or more years, 35% of recent retirees and 26% of future retirees.
Full results here.
LeadingAge Ziegler 200: New Insights, Top Operators
On November 5, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Minnesota ranks first in the nation for the most not-for-profit independent living and assisted living settings on the LeadingAge Ziegler 200 (LZ 200). The annual listing is a compilation of the country’s largest not-for-profit senior living multi-site organizations, government-subsidized housing multi-sites and single campuses.
McKnight’s Senor Living recently profiled some of the top highlights:
- State with the most independent living facilities on the LZ 200: Minnesota
- State with the most assisted living facilities on the LZ 200: Minnesota
- State with the most continuing care retirement / life plan communities on the LZ 200: Pennsylvania
- Largest not-for-profit multi-site senior living providers based on total independent living units, assisted living units and nursing care beds; and largest multi-site senior living providers ranked by total market-rate and affordable units/beds: National Senior Campuses, Catonsville, MD
- Largest not-for-profit multi-site assisted living provider: Presbyterian Homes and Services, Roseville, MN
- Largest not-for-profit affordable housing provider: National Church Residences, Columbus, OH
- Greatest increase in units from last year’s publication to this year: Ascension Senior Living, St. Louis, MO, 3,098 units
- Greatest decrease in units from last year’s publication to this year: The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, Sioux Falls, SD, 786 units
Read the complete report on Ziegler’s website.
Focus on Meaningful Supports for Your Team
On November 5, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
Our workforce today often faces challenges and complications in their personal lives. Research by the National Human Services Assembly suggests that staff who have stable family lives are more effective at work, as they can focus on work without personal distractions or stress. The Bridging the Gap Toolkit assists you in implementing supports that are meaningful to staff in your organization.
It is necessary for organizations to implement practices that support their staff in these personal challenges, particularly for lower-wage workers. This can positively impact staff by allowing them to focus at work and can reduce concerns like absenteeism, burnout and turnover. Cost savings are also recognized by organizations that impact absenteeism and turnover.
Supportive practices include:
- Flexible schedules
- Safety and wellness promotion
- Referrals to community resources
- Provision of meals at work, or take-home meal options
- Financial advisement
- Personal goal setting
- Child or eldercare resources
- Transportation assistance
- Encouragement to balance work and personal lives
LeadingAge Minnesota offers a Community Supports Resource that guides staff to many community resources that may provide solutions to their challenges or needs. This important tool provides managers, supervisors and leaders the ability to provide referrals as appropriate.
Get more information in the Workforce Center. Questions? Contact Jenna Kellerman.
Member
Dan Lindh Receives LeadingAge Award of Honor
On November 5, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Dan Lindh, President and CEO, Presbyterian Homes & Services, received the Award of Honor from LeadingAge. The Award of Honor is the highest award that LeadingAge bestows.
The Award of Honor is presented to an individual who, through his or her body of work to the present day, has provided nationally significant, transformative leadership in aging services. The person selected for this award is a visionary leader and builder – someone who, quite apart from personal achievements, has made exceptional contributions to the field and raised the capacity of other individuals and organizations to advance the common good.
In accepting the honor, Dan said the challenges in aging services are about to become a whole lot greater and the answers and solutions lies within the leaders and organizations who serve seniors.
“Collectively, we have an opportunity to make a difference in individual lives and society as a whole. Very few people in our world can say that. Very few have an opportunity to invest their lives in a challenging and yet purpose-rich environment like we do,” said Dan Lindh
Join us in congratulating Dan on this incredible honor and watch the ceremony video captured by the Presbyterian Homes & Services team.
Get Engaged in 2020: Participate in LeadingAge MN Committee
On November 5, 2019 by Lori Meyer
Take advantage of the opportunity to learn, sharp and respond to the dramatic changes our field and the work we can do together to improve the aging experience for those we serve. Participate in LeadingAge Minnesota committees!
Through our committees, you will:
- Access valuable information and hear from experts on the issues you care about;
- Connect with your peers to share experiences, best practices and solutions; and
- Play a crucial role in guiding and advancing the priorities of your association.
Our committees include:
- Adult Day Leadership Committee
- Awards & Recognition Committee
- Care Center Regulatory Committee
- Education Committee
- Housing, Home Care & Assisted Living Committee
- HUD/Affordable Housing Committee
- Payment Committee
- Quality, Safety & Performance Excellence Committee
- Workforce Solutions Committee
Take a look at the work our committees will be focused on for 2020.
Getting involved is easy! If you are currently signed up for a 2019 committee, your participation will automatically continue for 2020 unless you indicate otherwise. You may also add or change your committee selections.
Education Solutions
Video Training for Frontline Quality Improvement Projects
On November 5, 2019 by Terri Foley
Looking for ways to energize frontline staff? Try asking them to identify and solve problems that can save time and improve care—using the free quality improvement program called ICan: Quality & Innovation from the Front-Line.
“Every day, staff see ways to make things more efficient and effective, but they are not often asked to share and try out their ideas,” says Julie Apold, Vice President of Quality & Performance Excellence, LeadingAge Minnesota.
In a 30-minute session, you can provide hands-on quality improvement training for direct care teams. Download the ICan program at no charge here.
The ICan video teaches six steps from problem identification to testing of the solution. A Facilitator’s Guide helps plan training sessions and coach ICan project teams. Examples of successful ICan projects have included:
- Improving mechanical lifts by using bigger wheels
- Organizing clients’ personal care and grooming items for efficiency
- Implementing communication boards in resident rooms
- Standardizing first aid kits for easy accessibility
The ICan program is built on the concept of rapid-cycle quality improvement. It teaches the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle of gathering data about a solution and adjusting based on results.
ICan is also a great way to engage front-line staff in Safe Care for Seniors pledge and creating safe, trusted environments for all who live and work in your setting.
The ICan video and materials are free to LeadingAge Minnesota members through a LeadingAge MN Foundation grant.
For more information about how to start an ICan training program, contact Julie Apold.
Save the Dates: LeadingAge MN 2020 Conference and Program Dates
On November 5, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
As Fall arrives each year, LeadingAge Minnesota puts the finishing touches on the dates for its signature conferences and events for the next year. Open your calendars and save the dates for some of our best, biggest and boldest events in 2020:
- Institute and Expo – Feb. 5-7
- Leadership Academy – May 13-14, July 14-16, Sept. 23-24, Dec. 2-3. (applications available Jan. 1)
- Sales & Marketing Certificate Program – March 31, April 28, May 19
- Board Trustee Conference – July 10-12 (in partnership with Minnesota Hospital Association)
- Billing University for Care Centers – Aug. 12-13
- Connect Conference – Aug. 19-20 (for assisted living, home care and adult day)
- Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum – Sept. 15-18
- Safe Care for Seniors Summit – Oct. 29
More information will be released as each conference and event approaches. And please know we will of course have more to offer in terms of education and training through live and on-demand webinars and so much more in 2020! We look forwarding to connecting and collaborating with you in the year ahead.