News

Workforce Technology Playbook – Resident Vital Signs Technology

On July 6, 2023 by Julie Apold

The Resident Vital Signs Machine Technology Playbook is the third in a series of workforce technology solution playbooks designed to assist you in identifying technology solutions to help address the workforce crisis.

Minnesota Dept. of Vets Affairs Names Eric Meittunen to Deputy Commissioner Role

On June 1, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

Eric Meittunen has joined the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs as Deputy Commissioner - Veterans Healthcare. Eric will lead the Healthcare Division with responsibility for our five current and three new Veterans Homes, Adult Day Center, and Veteran Suicide Prevention initiative.

Annette Greely Named CEO of American Baptist Homes of the Midwest

On June 1, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

American Baptist Homes of the Midwest (ABHM), an Eden Prairie, Minnesota, based not-for-profit provider of senior living and health care, is pleased to announce the appointment of Annette Greely as the new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Mental Health Resources for You, Your Team, and Community

On June 1, 2023 by Anna Mowry

As Mental Health Awareness Month ends, don’t forget the mental health resources and tools you and your teams can revisit throughout the year.

ICYMI: Legislature Adjourns with Historic Funding for Aging Services

On May 25, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

As of Monday at midnight, the Minnesota Legislature has adjourned the 2023 legislative session. After months of tireless advocacy by seniors, their families, and their caregivers, we are proud to report that we have left the session with historic investments in aging services that will help ensure access to care for Minnesota seniors and support caregivers with the wages they deserve.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, Practice Self-Care Through Gratitude

On May 18, 2023 by Julie Apold

Have you ever noticed how it warmed your heart when someone appreciates you?  Research shows that expressing gratitude to someone who has done something to enrich your life (no matter how big or small) significantly impacts both the giver and the receiver.

Keys to Retaining Staff —Driver 2: Feeling Effective

On May 18, 2023 by LeadingAge

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This is the second in a series of articles from contributor Dr. Alyson VanAhn, Associated Clinic of Psychology, featuring tools to improve staff mental health.

In an overview article, I introduced three major factors that can improve staff retention when attended to deliberately by you and the leaders in your buildings—staff feeling valued, supported, and effective. This article focuses on feeling effective.

EEOC Reminds Employers to Review Employee PHE Accommodations

On May 18, 2023 by Mark Schulz

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has revised guidance for employers regarding the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. It reminds employers that they cannot automatically terminate reasonable accommodations provided due to pandemic-related circumstances.

Human Services Conference Committee Completes Its Work with Mixed Outcomes for Aging Services Providers

On May 18, 2023 by Erin Huppert

The Human Services Conference Committee closed the conference report on Wednesday with far-reaching implications for senior care. The report, which will proceed to each legislative chamber for final passage, includes mixed outcomes for aging services providers.

Two Weeks Remain of the 2023 Legislative Session

On May 11, 2023 by Erin Huppert

The Legislature is required to adjourn by May 22. With less than two weeks remaining, LeadingAge Minnesota and its members continue to advocate for funding that will help ensure seniors have access to the care they need when and where they need it

Permanent Remote Adult Day Services Option Available July 1

On May 11, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

Remote adult day services will be a permanent option for licensed adult day services providers beginning July 1.

Practice Three Good Things to Promote Self-Care

On May 11, 2023 by Julie Apold

Three minutes; three good things.  It has been shown that if you write down three good things that happen to you daily, your happiness and positivity increase. 

Drive Advocacy by Sharing Caregiver and Senior Voices with Your Networks

On April 13, 2023 by Dan Nelson

LeadingAge Minnesota is launching a statewide digital advocacy campaign featuring a series of videos that tell the stories of caregivers and seniors. The goal of the campaign is to drive advocacy at a critical time in the legislative session.

Mark Your Calendars to Attend June District Meetings

On April 13, 2023 by Barbara Landeen

District Meetings are the perfect opportunity to build relationships with your regional colleagues, stay up-to-date on important issues that impact your work and community, and gain helpful resources to make your work easier. They also serve as an essential governance function of your association.

Stark Differences in Human Services Omnibus Bills as Minnesota Legislators Begin Week-Long Break

On April 6, 2023 by LeadingAge

On Monday, the Senate Human Services Committee passed its omnibus finance bill with key differences from the House’s version.

House Human Services Committee Releases Omnibus Bill with Mixed Results for Senior Care

On March 30, 2023 by Erin Huppert

The Minnesota House Human Services Committee released its omnibus finance bill this week. The budget bill includes some priority legislation like Elderly Waiver funding and a PACE rate study but stops short of investing in skilled nursing care for older adults.

Safe Care Addresses CMS Focus on Patient Safety

On March 23, 2023 by Julie Apold

During National Patient Safety Awareness Week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) highlighted their renewed focus on patient safety because harm is still too common and often preventable in a blog published on its website. Progress in patient safety has significantly declined since the beginning of the pandemic erasing previous patient safety gains.

Walz’s Revised Budget Addresses Hospital Back-Ups, Not LTC Funding

On March 23, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

Governor Tim Walz recently updated his budget proposal and introduced some new spending initiatives after the most recent budget forecast was released. Unfortunately, those initiatives do not include a rate increase for care centers despite the ongoing staffing and financial challenges. Despite the lack of support from the Governor, the Long-Term Care Imperative continues to work with legislators to advocate for this vitally needed funding.

Legislative Leaders Announce Joint Budget Targets

On March 23, 2023 by Erin Huppert

This week, legislative leaders and Governor Walz announced they had reached global budget targets for creating Minnesota’s biennial budget (FY2023-2025). This agreement sets the stage for the Legislature to spend the state’s $17.6 billion surplus. According to the agreement, human services has been given a $1.3 billion target for the two-year period, and health care an additional $755 million.

Media Round-up: Advocates from Around the State Share Stories with Their Neighbors

On March 16, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran

Around the state, LeadingAge Minnesota members have been lifting their voices and sharing their stories in the media to advance our goal of supporting seniors and their caregivers through legislative action.