June 5, 2019
Featured News
“Helicopter Angels” from Minnesota Veteran’s Home Adult Day Receive Make Zero Harm Possible Award
On June 4, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
A team of program assistants from the Minnesota Veteran’s Home – Minneapolis Adult Day Center are the first recipients of the Make Zero Harm Possible award from LeadingAge Minnesota. Olubunmi Gbadamosi, Mary Falkowski, Maggie McGown and Gloria Smith were recognized for their work to reduce falls among clients who attend the Adult Day Center.
The award recognizes staff in who demonstrate their commitment to treat the people they serve with respect and dignity – always, and to keep them safe by speaking up to prevent harm.
Ann Rostratter, RN-Director at the Minneapolis Veteran’s Home – Minneapolis Adult Day Services center, calls Olubunmi, Mary, Maggie and Gloria her “helicopter angels” for their work to know and understand the individual needs of each person they serve and monitor them for when additional assistance was needed to reduce the risk of a potential fall.
“Our staff gets to know our clients so well that they become in tune with them and can be proactive with safety measures,” said Ann Rostratter.
The Make Zero Harm Possible award is one component of LeadingAge Minnesota’s Safe Care for Seniors initiative, a comprehensive safety and quality improvement program designed to strengthen the culture of safety, prevent the risk of harm before it occurs, and uncover new opportunities for learning and improvement in the delivery of care and services.
“It is because of the actions taken every day by dedicated caregivers Olubunmi, Mary, Maggie and Gloria that seniors who participate in adult day programs receive safe, quality care and the support they need as an integral part of a life well lived,” said Gayle Kvenvold, President and CEO, LeadingAge Minnesota. “It is a true honor to recognize these women for going above and beyond in their work to achieve clinical outcomes and enhance person-centered partnerships with the seniors they serve.”
To read more, see Helicopter Angels Receive Make Zero Harm Possible award.
To learn more about the award or to nominate someone from your team, visit Make Zero Harm Possible.
Salary Survey 2019 Forms Available
On June 4, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The 2019 version of our annual salary survey was recently emailed to all members and human services contacts. The survey, a project of LeadingAge Minnesota, Care Providers of Minnesota and the Healthcare Human Resources Association of Minnesota, results in two comprehensive reports on employee compensation in care centers and senior housing settings.
Participants receive a free report when they are produced later this year, so filling out the survey is an excellent opportunity for members to judge the competitiveness of their compensation program in a dynamic job market.
Members can download a copy of the survey forms and instructions on our web site by going to Survey and Survey Results in the Knowledge Center. Survey forms can be downloaded as Word files and then filled out and returned by email to Jeff Bostic.
Stay Informed: New Assisted Living Licensure Web Page
On June 4, 2019 by Bobbie Guidry
To help you learn more about the new Assisted Living Licensure law and stay informed about the rulemaking process, we’ve created a one-stop web page where you can easily access information about the new law, how it impacts you, ways to engage in the rulemaking process, and resources to help you comply with the new requirements.
Visit our new Assisted Living Licensure page where can you access the following resources:
- Video message from LeadingAge MN President & CEO Gayle Kvenvold
- Overview brochure on the new law
- Powerpoint presentation to review and use with your staff teams
- Implementation timeline
- Feedback form to ask questions, share considerations and let us know what resources you need to learn more about these changes.
- Upcoming events where you can learn more about the new law, get your questions answered and help shape the next generation of assisted living.
As always, you can contact Bobbie Guidry with questions, comments or concerns.
State News
Assisted Living Licensure: “True Solutions Need True Partners,” says Governor Walz
On June 5, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
In a ceremonial bill signing that took place today during the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Governor Tim Walz cited the collaboration that took place among stakeholders to draft legislation that will improve the lives of seniors, move Minnesota forward in assisted living licensure, and help ensure safety, respect and dignity for people as they age.
“True solutions need true partners,” said Governor Tim Walz before he declared the Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act of 2019 the law of the land. “This is an acclimation of how democracy works. A group of people identified an issue and banded together to speak and listen to each other, and then led with their hearts and their minds to draft legislation that will improve the lives of people.”
The ceremonial bill signing took place during the 2019 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day conference sponsored by the Minnesota Elder Justice Center. Other people participating in the ceremony included: Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan; Commissioner Jan Malcolm, Minnesota Department of Health; Commissioner Tony Lourey, Minnesota Department of Human Services; Senator Karin Housley; Senator Scott Dibble; and Representative Jen Schultz; LeadingAge Minnesota and the stakeholder organizations that helped draft the final legislation.
Commissioner Jan Malcolm shared the spirit and the philosophy being the bill and acknowledged that while it was not a complete solution to the broader societal issue of elder abuse, it takes steps in the right direction.
“We are building a better system and it took an extraordinary community effort to bring us here today,” Malcolm said.
In her remarks, she credited the voices and passion of the consumer advocacy groups, such as AARP, Elder Voices, Minnesota Legal Aid and the Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota; the leadership of legislative champions such as Schultz, Dibble and Housley; and the commitment of providers, such as LeadingAge Minnesota and Care Providers of Minnesota, to work together to reach a compromise.
“By better understanding each other’s perspective, we found pragmatic, common sense, One Minnesota solutions,” Malcolm added.
Be Prepared: MDH Releases New Assisted Living Survey Forms
On June 4, 2019 by Sue Boyd
As we have been anticipating, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Home Care and Assisted Living Program has released the new and updated survey forms for the Comprehensive and Temporary license. The forms are available on the MDH web site, and members will have a great opportunity to learn more about them and how surveyors will use them to determine your compliance at the June ALNET meetings.
These are the same forms MDH staff use when conducting a survey for Comprehensive and Temporary licensure to determine compliance with state requirements. Reviewing the forms will help providers and their staffs understand what MDH will look at when they visit.
To learn more about what the forms and how surveyors will use them to determine your compliance, attend one of the LeadingAge MN June ALNET (Assisted Living/Home Care Nurse Leader Network) meetings in your area:
- Detroit Lakes: Friday, June 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Lodge on Lake Detroit
- Marshall: Tuesday, June 18 from 11:10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Bella Cucina in Marshall
- Metro Area: Wednesday, June 19 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at LeadingAge Minnesota
- Duluth: Thursday, June 20 from Noon – 3 p.m. at LaQuinta Inn
Register for an ALNET meeting here.
Minnesota home care laws require that MDH survey licensed home care providers at least once every three years. Temporary licensed home care providers will have an initial full survey during the12-month temporary license period. The MDH Home Care Assisted Living Program encourages providers to use the forms to prepare for the surveys. Applicants for home care licensure will also want to use the forms to learn about requirements and understand the survey process.
A note for Medicare certified home health agencies: Home Health Agencies should refer to Medicare requirements as the new state licensing forms do not apply to them.
In addition to the reviewing the new forms, we encourage you to access the MDH Survey Readiness Resources.
Federal News
LeadingAge Drafts Comments on FY2020 SNF PPS Proposed Rule
On June 4, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
LeadingAge comments on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) proposed rule are now available. Members can also access a fact sheet and summary of the proposed.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed rule on April 19. LeadingAge will be submitting comments before the comment period closes on June 18.
The draft is available to members for review and LeadingAge invites feedback for inclusion in our final comments. Please send feedback to Jodi Eyigor by June 7. You may access the proposed rule, the CMS fact sheet, or LeadingAge’s summary for more information.
LeadingAge will post final comments upon submission to CMS.
Providers Say Proposed $35,308 Threshold for Overtime Pay is Reasonable
On June 4, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
While expressing a few concerns, Argentum, LeadingAge and other associations representing older adult services called the federal government’s proposed salary threshold of $35,308, under which executive, administrative, professional and certain other employees would be eligible for overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours in a week, reasonable.
The current threshold, which has been in effect since 2004, is $23,660 ($455 per week).
Both LeadingAge and Argentum agreed that the $35,308 salary threshold seems like a reasonable threshold under the current circumstances but recommended that it not be automatically adjusted every year. Argentum advocated for more time to allow providers to make the necessary adjustments to meet the regulation and raised concerns on the duties test for determining overtime eligibility.
To read more, see Proposed $35,000 threshold for overtime pay ‘reasonable,’ provider groups say, but concerns remain in McKnight’s Senior Living.
Observation Days: Stopping Surprise Medical Bills
On June 4, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
Observation days are gaining some interest in Congress as more and more consumers express concerns regarding surprise medical bills.
The National Observation Stays Coalition, of which LeadingAge is a member, submitted a statement to the U.S. House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee regarding observation stays resulting in surprise medical bill situations and asking for support of Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act.
Kaiser Health News, one of several media outlets that is covering this issue, has a link on its website where people can upload their medical bills and explain their dilemma. In a new project with NPR, Kaiser Health News will select one medical bill each month to investigate what’s behind the numbers and ask providers, insurers and experts for explanation.
For more information, read The New Bipartisan House Bill to Stop Surprise Medical Bills.
Notable News
Can the Gig Economy Boost Recruitment Efforts?
On June 4, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
OnShift and Gallup have both recently published articles on the “Gig Economy,” a concept that has grown in popularity in today’s workforce, providing an opportunity for people to work multiple “side gigs” as opposed to a single, full-time job.
For example, think of companies like Uber, Lyft, Airbnb or TaskRabbit. Each of these companies allows for a person to work flexible hours, autonomously, and to get paid by the gig rather than waiting for a paycheck.
Interestingly, according to Gallup, about one in three Baby Boomers states their primary job is a Gig, which is a higher percentage than either GenX or Millennials. In fact, about half of Uber Drivers are over the age of 61.
In older adult services, many of our career paths can be viewed from the Gig perspective, which may help modernize marketing and recruitment efforts. Think about caregivers, culinary teams or environmental services staff. These positions can often be flexible with the ability to pick up and trade shifts, work a casual or part-time position, and often require staff to work with a great deal of independence.
This is great news! Gig workers tend to look for jobs that “promote the ability to be your own boss and payment flexibility,” according to Lisa Fordyce at OnShift.
However, with the appeal of the Gig Economy also comes a series of challenges, such as employee engagement and legal complications in terms of employee classification.
Looking for more information about how the Gig Economy can help your organization recruit new team members? Read the full articles here:
- How the Gig Economy Benefits Senior Care, by Lisa Fordyce with OnShift
- Put the Gig Economy to Work for You, by Gallup
Get more recruitment ideas in the Workforce Center. Questions? Contact Jenna Kellerman at jkellerman@leadingagemn.org.
Member News
Take the LeadingAge Member Survey, Get a $5 Starbucks Gift Card
On June 4, 2019 by Adam Suomala
Check your inboxes on June 6 for the 2019 LeadingAge Member Survey. The national survey is designed to produce meaningful data that LeadingAge and its members can use to conduct data-driven planning and decision making.
Completing the survey also ensures LeadingAge receives quality data to help design meaningful advocacy efforts that meet your needs and develop relevant programs and services for members.
Member organizations will receive one survey for each of their service lines. Each person who completes the survey by July 5 will receive a $5 Starbucks gift card.
Questions? Contact the Member Survey Team.
Education Solutions
Countdown to Oct. 1 PDPM: Get Your Interdisciplinary Team Prepared
On June 4, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
A Team Approach to Operationalizing PDPM is a full day workshop coming this July to four cities to help your interdisciplinary team get prepared for the Oct. 1, 2019 implementation of Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM).
This new classification system for Medicare Part A payments replaces RUG-IV and has significant changes for clinical, therapy, restorative, admission, assessment, dietary, HIM and social work staff.
Workshop Dates and Locations: July 9 – Bemidji; July 11 – Maple Grove; July 24 – Mankato; July 25 - Shoreview
These workshops are presented by Karolee Alexander or Leah Killian Smith of Business Partner firm and Annual Bronze Sponsor Pathway Health. Find details and registration here.
Additional webinars to help you prepare for PDPM:
- PDPM: Changing the Mindset, Aligning with Nursing and Understanding Coding Best Practices – A FREE WEBINAR on June 18, Noon – 1 p.m. sponsored by RehabCare and LeadingAge MN Savings & Solutions. Register at: https://bit.ly/2wtAsCd
And coming soon…
- Common MDS Coding and Scheduling Errors* – July 31, 11 a.m. – Noon
- Diagnosis Coding for Payment in PDPM* – Aug. 27, 11 a.m. – Noon
*Full details and registration will be available in mid-June.
Get More Out of Your Wait List
On June 4, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Want to know the three most common mistakes communities make in building and maintaining wait lists and how to easily correct them?
Attend Future Resident Program: Effective Housing Waiting List Management, a one-hour webinar on July 10.
Presented by Jacqi Glenn, Sales Manager at Benedictine Health System in Duluth, this webinar will help you better manage your housing waiting list, make simple changes to increase conversion rates and overcome the “I’m not ready yet” objection.
Click here for details and registration.
Connect Conference is Aug. 20-21 for Housing, Assisted Living, Home Care & Adult Day
On June 4, 2019 by Heidi Simpson
Make your plans now to attend the first annual Connect Conference on Aug. 20 and 21 in Brooklyn Center -- designed specifically for senior housing, assisted living, home care and adult day providers to come together to form new connections and work together to build services for those we serve, breaking down silos that separate our work.
This will be an all-new conference experience replacing the former Senior Living Now, Assisted Living & Home Care and Adult Day Conferences. Local businessman and entrepreneur Stevie Ray will kick off this inaugural event in a decidedly unusual and unconventional way through a fun, lighthearted and highly interactive opening keynote presentation.
More details and registration coming very soon – stay tuned.