News

New: Nursing Home Infection Control Survey Tool and Checklist

On September 9, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

As we shared in last week’s newsletter, CMS has changed the COVID-19 Focused Survey for Nursing Homes tool to include the new testing requirements

COVID-19 Resource Roundup: Testing Tools & Support

On September 9, 2020 by Terri Foley

Last week’s CMS Testing Rule generated many new tools for nursing homes on our COVID-19 webpage.

Tips for Coping with COVID-19 Stress: Taking Your Stress Temperature

On September 9, 2020 by Terri Foley

A first step in maintaining your resilience during stressful times is to learn to take your stress temperature. As you notice yourself getting

LeadingAge Advocates for Prioritized Vaccine Allocation

On September 9, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

Last week the LeadingAge national team submitted comments on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Discussion Draft of the Preliminary Framework for Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine,

Federal Eviction Moratorium Added to Renter Protections Already in Place in Minnesota

On September 9, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry

On September 1, 2020 a federal eviction moratorium was announced which is effective through the end of year. The CDC announced an “exceedingly rare” order

Safe Care in the Age of COVID – Calling all Safe Care Champions

On September 2, 2020 by Julie Apold

Safe Care Champions play an important role in meeting our collective goal of Eliminating Preventable Harm in the Course of Caregiving (which includes eliminating preventable infections during the COVID-19 pandemic). 

Tips for Coping with COVID-19 Stress – Hopeful Video to Share with Staff

On September 2, 2020 by Terri Foley

As we move into this next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may want to share this forward-looking video with staff— entitled The Phoenix: When This Will All End.

NAMI-MN Announces Free Online E-Learning for Direct Care Workers

On September 2, 2020 by Heidi Simpson

NAMI-MN has just released its “Minnesota Healthcare Heroes: Self Care for Senior Workers During COVID-19” interactive online e-learning program.

Application for Day Services Grants Released

On September 2, 2020 by Jeff Bostic

Last month, the Legislature approved more than $20M in state CARES Act relief funds to provide retention grants to adult day services providers to address the impact of business interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Housing Support (GRH) Reports on use of COVID-19 Spending Allocation Due by September 30

On September 2, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Legislature approved a one-time appropriation to temporarily increase Housing Support funding through the Department of Human Services for expenses in the months of March, April, and May 2020.

Reminder: MDH Has Resumed Standard Nursing Home Survey Activity

On September 2, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

Care centers are reminded that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has resumed standard recertification surveys as of mid-August, consistent with CMS memorandum QSO-20-35-ALL.  

Provider Relief Funds for Assisted Living Announced

On September 2, 2020 by Jeff Bostic

Late Tuesday, HHS formally announced a private pay distribution from the CARES Act provider relief funds for licensed assisted living providers. 

CMS Nursing Home Testing Rule Takes Effect Today

On September 2, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

As all nursing homes are now aware, CMS last week issued an Interim Final Rule requiring facilities to test staff and residents for COVID-19.

On-Demand Webinar Features Effective COVID-19 Communication Strategies

On August 26, 2020 by Heidi Simpson

Earlier this week, LeadingAge Minnesota offered a one-hour webinar featuring Covid-19 communications experiences from Bethesda in Willmar, Emerald Crest Memory Care in Burnsville as well as a review of the modified visitation guidelines by LeadingAge Nurse Consultant Kari Everson

COVID-19 Coping & Support:  Senior Care Staff Hotline and Webinar Announced

On August 26, 2020 by Terri Foley

Being stressed out is a natural reaction to the extraordinary situation we find ourselves in during this pandemic, but after six months we are all struggling with exhaustion and chronic stress.

New CMS Rules Will Require Nursing Homes to Test Staff for COVID-19

On August 26, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

Nursing homes will be required to test staff for COVID-19, and offer testing to residents, under an Interim Final Rule released by CMS August 25. All laboratories conducting COVID-19 testing and reporting patient-specific results

Tell Congress to Finish the Job

On August 19, 2020 by Libbie Chapuran

Join providers across the Nation to call on Congress to provide immediate relief to aging services providers.

We are severely disappointed that Congress did not reach an agreement on the next COVID-19 relief package.

Legislature Passes Retention Grants for Adult Day Services Providers

On August 19, 2020 by Jeff Bostic

In a special session last week, the Senate and House passed (and the Governor later signed) Senate File 1, which appropriates more than $20M in state CARES Act relief funds to provide retention grants to adult day services providers to address the impact of business interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

New On-Demand Online Nursing Home COVID-19 Training from CDC/CMS Now Available

On August 19, 2020 by Terri Foley

One-hour training sessions on COVID-19 critical topics such infection prevention, early detection, and managing staffing challenges are now available through the new

COVID-19 Communications Toolkit for Fall 2020 – Media and Visitation Modification

On August 19, 2020 by Terri Foley

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across Minnesota, we have developed a COVID-19 External Communications toolkit to help communicate with the media and other external audiences about the importance of prevention precautions as well as your plan for visitation modification.