News

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.

Reviewing the COVID-19 Data Tracker

On July 14, 2022 by Kari Everson

Providers across the state must utilize data per regulatory requirements to help determine specific COVID-19 protocols, yet many data sources from different regulators can confuse the process.

Safe Care Stories from the Field: Cuyuna Regional Medical Center

On July 14, 2022 by Julie Apold

Cuyuna Regional Medical Center: Shift-to-Shift Team Safety and Dignity Rounds

Today, we highlight a successful Safe Care practice from Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (CRMC) in Crosby – Change of Shift Nursing Team Rounds. Jenny Pederson, RN, Quality Care Coordinator for the Care Center, is leading this new practice. It takes approximately five minutes during shift change and prioritizes residents' safety and dignity.

New Notice Requirement for Assisted Living

On July 14, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

Assisted living providers, effective Aug. 1, need to add specific language to any notice that is issued to a resident or their legal or designated representative due to a requirement in the Minnesota Statute 144G or the Assisted Living Rule 4659 that is required to include information regarding the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care and the Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.

COVID-19 Reporting Changes in Effect

On July 14, 2022 by Kari Everson

Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires nursing homes to report facility resident and staff COVID-19 case numbers to the Center for Disease Prevention and Control’s (CDC) National Health Safety Network (NHSN) weekly.

Using Common Language Can Assist in Opening Doors to Aging Services

On July 7, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

As part of the Opening Doors to Aging Services Initiative, our national partner, LeadingAge, has developed a research-based language guide intended to be used as a resource to aid in understanding aging services’ depth and breadth.

Effective July 1, certain products containing THC are now legal in Minnesota.

On July 7, 2022 by Erin Huppert

One of the final bills to clear the Legislature in May contained a little-debated provision with potentially significant implications. Beginning on Friday, July 1, Minnesotans aged 21 and older can purchase liquids and consumable goods containing small amounts of cannabidiols (CBD) and/or THC. THC is the ingredient in cannabis that produces a “high.”

Election Season Question: Can Political Candidates Access Older Adults in Aging Services Communities?

On July 7, 2022 by Erin Huppert

It's not just the weather heating up: election season is upon us, and candidates seeking elected office in November are hitting the pavement to meet potential constituents. Under Minnesota law, political candidates should be granted access to multi-unit dwellings used as residences, including nursing homes, assisted living buildings, and independent living. Candidates are also permitted to leave materials behind, though nursing homes may require that materials are left at a central location.

Age-Friendly Minnesota Community Grant Program Launch

On June 30, 2022 by Terri Foley

Community grants of up to $99,000 are being offered by the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. As the first step in this process, communities can submit an interest form by Aug. 1. A virtual Responders Conference will be held during the application period to address applicant questions.

COVID-19 Testing: Resource Roundup and MDH Upcoming Changes

On June 30, 2022 by Kari Everson

Testing residents and staff for COVID-19 became a standard throughout the pandemic, and guidance frequently changed, which gives way to uncertainty on current guidance and recommendations for testing requirements, test interpretation, and test procurement.

Updates on DHS Background Studies

On June 30, 2022 by LeadingAge

As we have shared earlier, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) website now confirms the extension of the July 2 deadline by which employees with emergency background studies must clear fingerprint-based studies until the end of the year. Individuals who received emergency studies must have a fully compliant study by Dec. 31 to continue working after that date. Information about emergency studies and ongoing updates about the transition from emergency studies to full compliance.

Seniors Need Leadership from Lawmakers; Ask Them to Finish Their Work

On June 30, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

By now, you know that the Minnesota State Legislature adjourned at the end of last month without spending any of the state's $9 billion budget surplus. Even though negotiations have crumbled, we cannot stop our advocacy!

Sample Side Rail Tools Now Available

On June 30, 2022 by Kari Everson

LeadingAge Minnesota has worked with nurse partners to develop tools to assist members with side rail assessments in assisted living settings.

New Dietary Safety Video Available

On June 16, 2022 by Julie Apold

Are you interested in improving your mealtime safety practices but don't know where to start? LeadingAge Minnesota, as part of Safe Care, has developed a new video demonstrating two essential dietary safety practices – Pre-Meal Huddles and Dietary Safety Pauses.

DHS Confirms Extension of Background Check Resubmission Deadline, Other Flexibilities

On June 16, 2022 by LeadingAge

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) website now confirms the extension of the July 2 deadline by which employees with emergency background studies must clear fingerprint-based studies until the end of the year. Individuals who received emergency studies must have a fully compliant study by Dec. 31 to continue working after that date. 

New Coupon! Promote Your Open Positions with AgingServicesJobs.org at a Reduced Rate

On June 9, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Have you posted your open positions on the AgingServicesJobs.org platform? LeadingAge MN’s job board, AgingServicesJobs.org, is the premier resource for long-term care employers to post their critical to fill positions and get connected with qualified applicants.

​​​​​​​Continuing Education Requirements for Directors of Assisted Living with Dementia Care

On June 9, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

The requirements for assisted living directors of settings licensed as assisted living with dementia care (ALDC) have raised several questions for those seeking to keep their credentials up to date.

With New Booster Guidance, What Does “Up-to-Date” Mean for LTC

On June 9, 2022 by Kari Everson

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated recommendations for an additional COVID-19 vaccination booster (fourth shot) on May 24. The updates provide a recommendation for a second booster for those people 12 and older if they are moderately to severely immunocompromised and individuals 50 years of age and older.

Advocate for Congressional COVID-19 Funding for LTC

On June 2, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

Although the House and Senate are in recess this week, there's no shortage of work left to be done before Congress adjourns ahead of the midterm elections. What began as the Build Back Better plan is now being reshaped into a much narrower, inflation-fighting measure that would amount to a fraction of the spending in the original bill.

LeadingAge Minnesota Comments on OSHA COVID Standard

On May 26, 2022 by LeadingAge

LeadingAge Minnesota submitted comments this week urging OSHA not to make its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for COVID-19 a permanent part of the regulatory landscape.