All News
Living at Home Network Announces New ED; Welcome Katie Boller Gosewisch
On September 15, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
The Living at Home Network has announced that Katie Boller Gosewisch will join the organization as the new executive director.
New Data on Caregiving Workforce
On September 15, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman
PHI has released a new annual report on the caregiving workforce. This report focuses on how job quality in our sector has prevented an effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021 Most Admired CEO Award Provides Platform to Highlight Workforce Challenges
On September 15, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
Gayle Kvenvold, President and CEO of LeadingAge Minnesota, was recently named a 2021 Most Admired CEO by the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. In a feature story published on Sept. 7, Gayle drew attention to the workforce shortages long-term care providers are facing:
Be the Bearer of Instant Joy with Random Acts of Kindness
On September 15, 2021 by Julie Apold
When you do a Random Act of Kindness, the hormone oxytocin (the “feel good” hormone) is produced in your body. Studies show that doing a random act of kindness will:
NHSN Changes Coming: Get your Level 3 Access Now
On September 15, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has informed LeadingAge that changes are coming to the weekly NHSN COVID-19 Vaccination Data Collection Forms for Long-Term Care Facilities that will require Level 3 access for reporting.
At the Capitol: New Minnesota Senate Leadership and Special Session
On September 15, 2021 by Matt Steele
This week, lawmakers have yet to call a special session to allocate the $250 million set aside for Hero Pay bonuses, and new Senate majority and minority leaders have been elected. Here is what you need to know about what is happening at the Capitol this week:
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.
Extended! BCA Grants Available Until Nov.
On September 15, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman
As the workforce crisis deepens due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 1135 waiver remains in place, grant funding for the Basic Care Aide and Paid Feeding Assistant Training programs has been extended until November.
Resilience Tips: Being Confident Through Stress
On September 15, 2021 by LeadingAge
Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn from Associated Clinic of Psychology
Since the COVID era began, we've been witnessing and talking about the traumatic effects of the virus and how to cope as best we can. These things are real and can range from mental distress to physical exhaustion— and can include significant grief and worry.
CMS Updates Nursing Home Testing Guidance
On September 15, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
On Sept. 10, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated QSO-20-38-NH concerning nursing home testing to align with recently updated recommendations from the CDC.
Final Wednesday Edition of LeadingAge Minnesota’s Advantage
On September 15, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
This is the very last week you will receive LeadingAge Minnesota’s Advantage newsletter on a Wednesday. Starting next week, you can expect it to be delivered to your inbox every Thursday afternoon.
Federal Government Releases Additional Provider Relief Funds (PRF)
On September 15, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
Last week the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced that it is making $25.5 billion in new funding available for health care providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many Questions Remain about CMS and OSHA Vaccine Mandates
On September 15, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
As part of a broad COVID-19 Action Plan released late last week, President Biden announced new vaccine mandates for workers across the country. The plan addresses several topics relevant to aging services, including preparation for the delivery of booster shots if approved and recommended by the FDA and CDC, and efforts to build the supply of rapid COVID tests, but the most prominent aspects of the White House plan relate to mandates.
Two Weeks Until Advantage Moves to Thursday
On September 8, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
To streamline and coordinate timing between national and state communications, Advantage, LeadingAge Minnesota’s weekly newsletter, will be sent to you on Thursdays starting on Thursday, Sept. 23. You can expect the same timely content delivered into your inboxes each week, just one day later.
Register Today - Nursing Leadership Certificate Program Begins Sept. 29
On September 8, 2021 by Heidi Simpson
Leadership has never been more critical than it is right now.
LeadingAge Minnesota's highly acclaimed Nursing Leadership Certificate Program begins Sept. 29 and runs through spring. It has a proven, 30+ year track record of developing and supporting nursing leaders in aging services.
Attend Pre-Conference Workshop to Strengthen Your Quality Improvement Program
On September 8, 2021 by Julie Apold
Join colleagues on Oct. 13 to learn and practice approaches to enhance your quality improvement program, use data and information to drive decision-making and develop and implement solutions to address priority issues.
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.
Final Week – 2022 Stars Among Us Award Nomination Deadline is Sept. 13
On September 8, 2021 by Barbara Landeen
Nominations are due Monday, Sept. 13 for the 2022 Stars Among Us Awards.
Award categories include Caregiver, Volunteer, and Board Trustee of the Year, Outstanding Leadership, Spirit of Aging and the new Rising Star Award. Excellence in Practice organizational awards are for performance improvement and Safe Care for Seniors initiatives.
New CMP Grant Window: Employee Engagement with Align
On September 8, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman
Care centers have access to an engagement, retention, and leadership building platform for FREE through a grant for Align’s Employee Engagement Solution. A new grant window is opening soon, just as the previous cycle is wrapping up.
Affordable Housing Members Call on Staffing Issues with LeadingAge National
On September 8, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
Join our LeadingAge, our national affiliate, for a housing call on Monday, Sept. 13 at 11:30 a.m. CT to discuss staffing issues in affordable housing communities.
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.
Promote Random Acts of Kindness for Trauma Resilience
On September 8, 2021 by Julie Apold
Resilience is our ability to bounce back from the stresses of life, and doing Random Acts of Kindness for others is a scientifically proven way to build resilience. Learn more in this 2-minute Self Care for Safe Care video with Dr. Alyson VanAhn from Associated Clinics of Psychology.
BCA Funding Extended
On September 8, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman
As the workforce crisis deepens due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 1135 waiver remains in place, grant funding for the Basic Care Aide and Paid Feeding Assistant Training programs has been extended until November. This support comes from the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation and EduCare. You may continue to register students here, while EduCare users can still access the training in your EduCare library.
COVID-19 Screening in Assisted Living
On September 8, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
Last week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) clarified their interpretation of COVID-19 prevention and infection control in assisted living licensed facilities. Screening of residents by staff is required for each resident who is receiving assisted living services. Residents who are only receiving housing and supportive services may screen themselves and report results to staff.
At the Capitol: Minnesota Lawmakers Working Overtime on Hero Pay Bonus Package
On September 8, 2021 by Matt Steele
Thursday, Sept. 2 marked the final working group meeting for Hero Pay. Since July, lawmakers have been meeting to finalize how the $250 million allocated to reward frontline workers will be distributed. In their final meeting, co-chairs Senator Housley and Majority Leader Winkler indicated that progress is being made. However, they have yet to reach a consensus and will continue the conversation beyond their self-imposed deadline of Sept. 7.
Workforce Survey Results to Inform Key Advocacy to Address Staffing Challenges
On September 8, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
This week, the Long-Term Care Imperative is conducting a survey of workforce conditions faced by care center and assisted living members.
DHS Announces Timeline for Return to Background Studies with Fingerprints
On September 8, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced a plan for moving from emergency background studies back to studies with fingerprints and photographs.
Nursing Leadership Certificate Program Begins Sept. 29, Register Today
On September 1, 2021 by Heidi Simpson
Developing and supporting nursing leaders in aging services has never been more important than it is right now. LeadingAge Minnesota's Nursing Leadership Certificate Program is a proven training ground for the state's most accomplished leaders.
Quality & Patient Safety Conference and Workshop October 13-14
On September 1, 2021 by Heidi Simpson
Registration is open for this year’s Quality and Patient Safety Conference on Oct. 14 in Bloomington, and the pre-conference workshop, Foundations of Quality Improvement, on Oct. 13.
Virtual Annual Meeting is Sept. 22-24, Oct. 5
On September 1, 2021 by Heidi Simpson
The 2021 Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum is being converted to a virtual conference this year. The updated schedule will have half-day virtual programming on the original dates of Sept. 22, 23, 24, and Tuesday, Oct. 5.