News

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.

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.”