News

Emergency Relocation for Assisted Living – Definition and Requirements

On October 6, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

The assisted living statutes (144G.52) define an emergency relocation and state that an assisted living facility "may remove a resident from the facility in an emergency if necessary due to a resident's urgent medical needs or an imminent risk the resident poses to the health or safety of another facility resident or facility staff member."

Frontline Workers Receive State Bonus Checks

On October 6, 2022 by Erin Huppert

Pandemic frontline workers will begin to see $487.45 in one-time bonuses from the State of Minnesota this week. Applicants who chose direct deposit of their payment should see it in their accounts in seven to ten days. People who choose to be mailed a prepaid debit card should receive them in three to four weeks.

Resident, Staff, and Visitor COVID-19 Screening

On October 6, 2022 by Kari Everson

On Sept. 23, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updates to multiple COVID-19 infection prevention and control practices. One of the areas that required further clarification was screening practices for residents, staff, and visitors. On yesterday's call, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) clarified these practices for providers.

New AL License Requirement Added for Renewals After August 1, 2022

On September 29, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

An announcement from MDH of a new assisted living license requirement has caused some confusion among providers who have just completed their first AL license renewal. The new provision applies to AL licenses renewed beginning August 1, 2022 and requires evidence showing that at least one resident was served during the previous licensing period to the renewal process.

Resident and Family Satisfaction Surveys to Inform Assisted Living Report Card

On September 28, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

In partnership with Vital Research, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Minnesota Board on Aging are preparing for data collection for the Assisted Living Report Card. Assisted living directors will be informed by letter of the plans for this year's statewide assisted living resident quality of life and family satisfaction surveys in early October.

Specialized Equipment and Assistance to Lower Communication Costs Available for Eligible Individuals

On September 15, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

Lifeline and the Telephone Assistance Program are two programs that help make communication services more affordable.

PHI Releases a New Report on the Direct Care Workforce in the U.S.

On September 15, 2022 by Anna Mowry

A new report providing insights and data on the nation's direct care workforce was recently released.

The report, Direct Care Workers in the United States: Key Facts, is released annually by PHI, which researches, supports, and promotes the nation's direct care workforce. The report includes workforce projections and demographic overviews of home care workers, residential care aides, and nursing assistants in nursing homes.

Preventing Ingestion-related Adverse Events

On September 15, 2022 by Julie Apold

LeadingAge Minnesota has recently updated a Property/Grounds Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Tool (Ingestion-related events) as a guide to conduct regular safety checks to ensure that your property and grounds are maintained in a safe and sanitary manner.

Assisted Living Facility Capacity Changes Can Now Be Requested Throughout the Year

On September 15, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

The Health Regulation Division (HRD) of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will now take requests to change the capacity of assisted living settings any time throughout the year. MDH has reversed its previous practice, which limited change of capacity requests to the time of license renewal.

Licensed Assisted Living Director Course Available Online, On-Demand

On September 6, 2022 by Sharon Hollister

LeadingAge Minnesota's Assisted Living Director Licensing Course is available online and self-paced.

Assisted Living Director License Renewal Begins Sept. 1

On August 25, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

Licensed Assisted Living Directors (LALD) are due for their first license renewal in September. The Board of Executives for Long-term Services and Supports (BELTSS), licensing board for LALDs, will issue a notice by the end of this week. It will include directions for licensees on how to renew their licenses.

Variance Request Required for 24-Hour Staffing Rule in Assisted Living

On August 18, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

If your assisted living setting satisfies the 24-hour staffing rule by utilizing staff from another licensed setting, you must request a variance from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to remain in compliance with assisted living requirements.

Assisted Living Bill of Rights Required Notices

On August 11, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

Assisted living providers must issue a new version of the Assisted Living Bill of Rights (144G.91) to all residents and obtain a written acknowledgment of its receipt. The update is necessary because the Minnesota Legislature adopted several changes to the Assisted Living Bill of Rights earlier this year.

MDH Develops Helpful Video Series

On August 4, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

The Health Regulation Division (HRD) at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently released two brief videos to help assisted living providers understand regulatory expectations and prepare for their next survey.

DHS Releases Application for 2023 Elderly Waiver Customized Living Disproportionate Share Program

On August 4, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

DHS recently released the application form for the Elderly Waiver Customized Living (EWCL) Disproportionate Share Program for 2023. 2022 is the second year of the program, which provides a floor rate of $119 per resident day for their EWCL clients in 2023. The Legislature made some changes to the program that start this year, including:

Assisted Living Contract and AL Bill of Rights Changes Effective this Week

On August 4, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

As reported in last week’s Advantage, the Assisted Living Facility HFID must be on new assisted living contracts entered into on or after Aug. 1, 2022. Also, effective for contracts entered into on or after Aug. 1, 2022, the following changes were made to the required assisted living contract content in item (5) in 144G.50, subdivision 2, the (struck-out language deleted, new language in bold):

2022 Legislative Session Report Now Available

On July 21, 2022 by Erin Huppert

Though the Minnesota Legislature adjourned this year with unfinished business, including a failure to provide funding for wage increases for aging services caregivers, a small number of bills were signed into law.

Changes Required to Assisted Living Contracts

On July 21, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

Providers will be required to make a few minor changes to the assisted living contract in the coming weeks. LeadingAge Minnesota is in the process of providing feedback to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) on a draft frequently asked questions document regarding assisted living contract language.

Renew Your Assisted Living License This Week to Avoid Fines

On July 18, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

Current assisted living licenses expire on July 31. Beginning Monday, Aug. 1, assisted living facilities operating without a license will be fined $250 per day.

Update on Changes to Assisted Living Contracts

On July 18, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

LeadingAge Minnesota has received new and welcome guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) concerning changes to assisted living contracts.