Jan. 29, 2020
Featured News
State News
New Consumer Brochure Available on EW in Assisted Living
On January 29, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
A new brochure from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will help consumers better understand Elderly Waiver (EW) services in assisted living, including eligibility and the application process.
Elderly Waiver Services in Assisted Living: What You Need to Know is intended for older adults who are seeking EW services and their family members. It was designed to specifically address how to get help exploring options, including the application process to pay for services, common questions and concerns regarding eligibility, and key questions to ask assisted living providers about their EW policies.
Providers may want to have this informational brochure available for prospective or current residents who may be eligible or have questions about the Elderly Waiver Program. The DHS-7935-ENG Elderly Waiver Services in Assisted Living: What You Need to Know brochure is available through eDocs and can be ordered for free at the DHS Bulk Ordering web page. Use “7935” in the search box. If your search engine has trouble accessing the bulk order page in the above link, click here.
DHS will announce the availability of the brochure through the Community Supports for Seniors eList.
Federal News
CMS Announces Integration of Compare Sites
On January 29, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the eight “compare” websites currently operating will be integrated into one streamlined user interface in spring 2020. The move is part of the its efforts to increase transparency and will create a one-stop-shop for Medicare beneficiaries exploring their provider options.
Currently, CMS operates separate compare sites for eight different types of Medicare providers: hospitals, home health, nursing homes, hospices, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, long-term care hospitals, doctors and other professionals, and dialysis facilities.
The eight compare sites vary in their look and what information is available, making navigation challenging for beneficiaries and stakeholders. While some compare sites provide data from customer and patient satisfaction surveys, the information is conspicuously missing from other compare sites. Similarly, some compare sites include information about licensure or certification inspections, while others lack this information.
The new compare website, which will be known as Medicare Care Compare, will allow beneficiaries to access information and compare providers from a single site with a unified, consistent look and feel across providers and care settings.
Medicare Care Compare will not change how quality and other information is collected or measured. For example, the nursing home portion of Medicare Care Compare will continue to display data on nursing home health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, and will maintain existing icons denoting Special Focus Facilities and facilities that have received specific abuse deficiencies. CMS also notes that the website housing the data used in compare sites, currently data.medicare.gov, will also be updated.
CMS is currently working with stakeholders for feedback on the new site. LeadingAge has participated in and confirmed future attendance to several stakeholder preview and feedback forums. Public preview and feedback will begin in spring 2020 when the site becomes available for public use. Existing compare websites will continue to operate concurrently until fall 2020 when the eight existing compare sites are retired and Medicare Care Compare assumes the role of primary integrated compare site.
Watch Advantage for more details on how you can provide input on the preview and feedback forums
Trump Administration Efforts on Fair Housing and Public Charge Pose Concerns for Aging Services Providers
On January 29, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
The Trump Administration is working on three major changes in the area of affordable housing and pathways to citizenship that will weaken obligations to fair housing, lessen resources for affordable housing, and discourage older adults from receiving needed assistance.
The proposed changes include:
- Changing Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) requirements, which would weaken enforcement of the Fair Housing Act,
- Changing the way 85% of the banks covered by the Community Reinvestment Act meet standards to invest in low and moderate-income communities, and
- Making the path to citizenship for immigrants using certain public benefits more difficult.
To read more, including the potential impact to you, your staff and the people you serve, Administration Efforts on Fair Housing, CRA, and Public Charge.
Notable News
Dr. Rahul Koranne Named New MHA President and CEO
On January 29, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Rahul Koranne, M.D., MBA, FACP, has been named president and CEO of the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA). Koranne has served as MHA’s senior vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer since 2015.
As MHA’s first chief medical officer, he increased the engagement of the association’s member clinicians, staff and leaders across the state in the collaborative work that hospitals and health systems do to improve the quality of health care.
“Rahul’s experience includes leadership in both a large health system and one of Minnesota’s smallest critical access hospitals,” said Sara Criger, MHA board chair; senior vice president, Allina Health; and president, Mercy Hospital and United Hospital. “In addition, Rahul brings the leadership qualities the board of directors was seeking as well as a deep commitment to our mission of improving the health of Minnesotans. He will accelerate the association’s strong collaboration with other health care stakeholders in Minnesota.”
“Transforming the delivery of health care will require innovative partnerships not only among health care providers, payers and state and federal government, but also with other key stakeholders, such as employers and community service organizations,” Koranne said. “We owe this to the people we serve and to the dedicated people who work hard every day in health care, from front-line care teams to senior leaders. I am excited to advance the work of Minnesota’s hospitals and health systems to make Minnesota the very best state in the country in which to receive and provide health care.”
To read more, see MHA Names Dr. Rahul Koranne as New President and CEO.
Superior Health Invites Nursing Homes to Participate in Quality Improvement Collaborative
On January 29, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Superior Health is inviting Minnesota nursing homes to participate in a free quality improvement collaborative designed to enhance performance in nursing homes and reduce the burden associated with achieving that quality.
Superior Health is powered by eight organizations with proven success driving achievement of Medicare quality improvement program goals: Illinois Health and Hospital Association, MetaStar, Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Midwest Kidney Network, Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA), MPRO, Stratis Health and Wisconsin Hospital Association.
As part of Superior Health, Stratis Health and MHA will be working with communities, health systems, and nursing home to:
- Improve Behavioral Health Outcomes, including Opioid Misuse
- Increase Patient Safety
- Increase Chronic Disease Self-Management
- Increase the Quality of Care Transitions
- Improve Nursing Home Quality
Through the quality improvement collaborative, Superior Health will provide each participating nursing home with the following:
- data-driven, customized technical assistance
- education, tools and resources to build capability, efficiency, and expertise
- access to subject matter experts
- networking opportunities
- assistance meeting and exceeding regulatory requirements
Superior Health is enrolling nursing homes across Minnesota over the next 2-3 months. To enroll, complete this short enrollment form.
For questions, contact Kristi Wergin at Stratis Health.
Member News
4 Staff from Saint Therese of New Hope Recognized with Make Zero Harm Possible Awards
On January 29, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Doing ordinary things with extraordinary love is the mission of Saint Therese and you need not look further than a receptionist, volunteer and two nursing assistants from that community to see individuals who are living that mission and demonstrating their commitment to their Safe Care for Seniors pledge. Meet the latest recipients of our Make Zero Harm Possible awards:
“The City of New Hope is the first city in Minnesota to be named a Safe Care for Seniors city and it is because of the actions and dedication by people like Mary Forman, Veronica Reyes, Julia Scalze and Lawrence Wills that all who live and work at Saint Therese of New Hope are experiencing a life well lived,” said Gayle Kvenvold, President and CEO, LeadingAge Minnesota. “We are truly honored to recognize these individuals who each serve seniors in different ways for their shared commitment to provide safe, quality care, services and support.”
- Mary Forman, Volunteer: Mary began volunteering at Saint. Therese of New Hope in 2016. She has an extensive background in nursing and nursing management and has utilized those skills and her own personal experience as a caregiver for her mother to help people with dementia. Mary dedicates her time to residents in the memory care unit, where she practices four simple but valuable principles: be present, acknowledge people, pay attention and listen. She is also an inspiration to the families of the loved ones she serves and staff at Saint Therese of New Hope. “Mary zeroes in and can spot a stressed resident who needs some extra attention. She validates the residents and the staff who work with her and makes everyone feel important. Mary inspires me to go the extra mile,” said Jodi Halvorson, Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator, Saint Therese of New Hope.
- Veronica Reyes, Nursing Assistant: Veronica has been employed at Saint Therese of New Hope for four years and in that time has distinguished herself as an outstanding nursing assistant among residents and staff. Her positive attitude radiates through the entire team and everyone knows when she is working because her smile and kindness are contagious. Veronica constantly provides safe and compassionate care to all she serves and makes sure that every resident looks their best before they leave their room for the day.
- Julia Scalze, Receptionist: In her role as receptionist, Julia is the eyes and ears of Saint Therese of New Hope. She always looks out for residents and pays special attention to their comings and goings to make sure they are safe and secure. Julia is also attentive to visitors, making sure everyone is warmly greeted, signs in and has a visitor’s badge so they are known to everyone in the community.
- Lawrence Wills, Nursing Assistant: In the short time Lawrence has been a Nursing Assistant at Saint Therese of New Hope, he has provided compassionate care to all he serves, is known for the professionalism in how he approaches his work and exemplifies the organization’s mission. Lawrence enthusiastic about his work, demonstrates empathy as he goes above and beyond what is expected of him, and as a result has made a greater personal connection with residents and families.
Education Solutions
Drive Quality from the Front-Line: ICan Webinar on Feb. 25
On January 29, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman
Are your staff ready to drive quality and innovation from the front-line? Participate in our upcoming ICan webinar to learn how you can implement this highly successful program in your setting and have the chance to win $500 in our ICan contest.
Register today for the webinar, which takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 10 a.m.
Want to learn more now? Watch this 20-minute video to see how ICan teaches staff to:
- Identify challenges within their scope of practice
- Pull together and lead an interdisciplinary team to solve the challenge
- Identify possible solutions
- Complete the Plan-Do-Study-Act quality improvement cycle
- Track data to demonstrate success of the identified solution
- Speak to others about the successes and challenges of their work
Dozens of ICan projects have been led by frontline staff around the state over the last three years. Past projects have included:
- Increasing the safety of resident transfers by changing the wheels on lifts from a small size to a large size, which reduced the risk of falls, eased movement over floor transitions, made residents feels safer and reduced physical stress on caregivers.
- Implementing an aromatherapy program to promote patient comfort and reduce the use of opioids for pain management.
- Updating the contents, stocking process and efficiency of first aid kits.
- Initiating the use of Communication Boards.
- Improving resident grooming practices and staff accountability.
- Relaunching onboarding and training practices to impact retention of staff.
- And so many more!
Interested in engaging your team in quality improvement? Contact Jenna Kellerman.
Gayle Kvenvold to Host Perspectives on Life and Aging Panel @ Institute 2020
On January 29, 2020 by Barbara Landeen
Better Together means creating a better aging experience with the people we serve. LeadingAge Minnesota President & CEO Gayle Kvenvold will host The View from Here: Perspectives on Life and Aging, a conversation with three consumers of our member communities, during the Friday, Feb. 7 General Session at next week’s Institute & Expo.
“What better way to learn how to enhance the aging experience, than from older adults themselves?” said Kvenvold recently.
Our special guest panel includes Leon Wallace, retired real estate broker and volunteer at Augustana Open Circle Adult Day of Heritage Circle in Minneapolis and recipient of LeadingAge Minnesota’s 2015 Volunteer of the Year Award; Carol McClellan, retired teacher and resident of Episcopal Homes of Minnesota Terrace Apartments in Saint Paul; and Marcia Copeland, retired Director of the General Mills Betty Crocker Kitchens, resident at Trillium Woods in Plymouth.
This event on the final day of the Institute begins with breakfast at 8:15 a.m. Find details and registration at www.LeadingAgeMN.org/institute.