News

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. 

Resources

On June 13, 2022 by ecitizen

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.

Elderly Waiver Disproportionate Share Changes Expand Eligibility

On May 26, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

One of the provisions of the Health and Human Services policy bill that passed on the last night of the session made revenue-neutral revisions to the Elderly Waiver Customized Living (EWCL) disproportionate share program for the 2023 calendar year and beyond.

Legislative Changes Impact Assisted Living Providers

On May 26, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

The 2022 legislative session in Minnesota has come to a close. Although our advocacy for funding to support assisted living providers continues, the Minnesota Legislature passed several policy changes affecting assisted living providers.

Legislature Acts to Extend Background Studies Deadline

On May 26, 2022 by LeadingAge

Although the Health and Human Services conference committee could not agree on new funding measures, the committee reached a consensus on a package of policy changes that passed both the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives on the last day of the legislative session. The policy bill includes two provisions that provide some relief for providers relating to background studies.

Older Adult Mental Health Video Training Series Available

On May 19, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

Mental and behavioral health are increasing challenges for many residents of our settings. Tools to equip staff to serve individuals with these challenges and be knowledgeable in de-escalation techniques are valuable. You can better understand older adult mental illness and learn new skills with this free, three-episode video training series funded by a grant from the Stratis Health Building Healthier Communities Program.

Act Now! Advocacy Essential to Ensure Access to Care for Minnesota’s Seniors

On May 19, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

It’s crunch time on the advocacy front! At the state level, we are in the final days of the legislative session and funding for aging services in still in play. Without our encouragement, funding could easily be left out of a final budget agreement.

Knute Nelson Launches Next-Generation Technology for Residents and Staff

On May 10, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

On May 4, Knute Nelson, a LeadingAge Minnesota member, announced a partnership with K4Connect, a mission-driven health-tech company integrating technology to serve and empower older adults and individuals living with disabilities.