News

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.

Dining and Activity Visitor Attendance

On June 1, 2023 by Kari Everson

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently clarified with LeadingAge Minnesota when families and visitors can share a meal with a resident in the dining room or attend activities. According to MDH, organizations should continue infection prevention and control practices and complete a facility risk assessment to determine visitor attendance in congregate dining settings and activities.

New Resource Available! COVID-19 Facility Assessment Policy Template

On June 1, 2023 by Kari Everson

LeadingAge Minnesota has added a COVID-19 facility assessment policy template to the resource library as a companion document to the facility assessment workbook provided last week.

Post-Survey Feedback Opportunity

On June 1, 2023 by Kari Everson

Beginning June 5, onsite surveys and investigations will include an electronic provider feedback form to help provide information for the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) continuous improvement.

New On-Demand Webinars Available

On May 25, 2023 by Sharon Hollister

LeadingAge Minnesota has a selection of on-demand webinars approved for clock hours. Eight new webinars from the 2023 Institute have been added on various topics. Get the training you need without having to leave your setting.

2023 Minnesota Legislative Recap and Analysis Webinar Series – Still Time to Register

On May 25, 2023 by Sharon Hollister

The Minnesota Legislature adjourned on May 22. Join us on June 26 for our webinar, Impact on Seniors: Analysis of 2023 Legislative Session Outcomes. We will identify changes to state law that will impact the seniors you serve and explore the implications for your organization’s operations and the larger aging services sector.

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.

New On-Demand Webinars Added

On May 18, 2023 by Sharon Hollister

LeadingAge Minnesota has a selection of on-demand webinars approved for clock hours. Eight new webinars from the 2023 Institute have been added on various topics. Get the training you need without having to leave your setting.

2023 Minnesota Legislative Recap and Analysis Webinar Series Starts Next Week

On May 18, 2023 by Sharon Hollister

After the Minnesota Legislature adjourns on May 22, join us in May and June to identify changes to state law that will impact the seniors you serve. During June’s session, we will dive deeper to explore the implications for your organization’s operations and the larger aging services sector.

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.

HUD Published NSPIRE Final Rule

On May 18, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

Last week, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published the final rule to establish its new approach to defining and assessing housing quality, the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE). The final rule describes the development of NSPIRE and the next steps from HUD before NSPIRE is implemented on Oct. 1 for multifamily and voucher programs and July 1 for public housing.

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.

Facility Assessment and Broader Use of Source Control Post Public Health Emergency

On May 18, 2023 by Kari Everson

New information released over the last week directs each nursing home and assisted living in conducting a COVID-19 facility assessment to determine whether a broader source control practice is needed. LeadingAge Minnesota has created a sample COVID-19 facility assessment to aid in implementing the new practices.

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.

SBAR Documentation Training Resource – Now Posted in the Resource Library

On May 11, 2023 by Sharon Hollister

The SBAR technique provides a framework for communication between members of the healthcare team about a patient’s condition. Gather your nurses, particularly staff nurses and direct care nurses, to watch SBAR Documentation and our previous Nurse Lunch and Learn recordings and work through the exercises together.

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

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. 

CDC Published Updated COVID-19 Guidance

On May 8, 2023 by Kari Everson

Updated from original content posted on Monday, May 8

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic. The CDC updated sections on recommendations for universal source control and admission testing and added an appendix section to help organizations determine when to implement broader use of source control. In response to the CDC guidance release, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an update to QSO 20-39-NH REVISED, essentially adopting the CDC guidance.

Certified Food Protection Manager Required in Food Code Requirements for Assisted Living

On May 4, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

A licensed assisted living facility in Minnesota is required to comply with the Minnesota Food Code and have a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM).

May 3 Nurse Lunch and Learn: Register Today

On April 27, 2023 by Sharon Hollister

Documentation standards are critical in today’s healthcare settings to provide quality patient care and meet regulatory requirements. The SBAR technique provides a framework for communication between members of the healthcare team about a patient’s condition.