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Humans are wired for genuine social connection. People who are more isolated than they want to be find they are less happy, their health declines earlier in midlife, their brain functioning declines sooner, and they live shorter lives than people who are not lonely. To realize the benefits of our social connections, we need to be our true selves and take off the figurative masks of who we think we need to be and be who we are.

This week, April 17-23, is Careers in Aging Week! The Gerontological Society of American hosts Careers in Aging Week every year to bring greater awareness and visibility to the wide-ranging career opportunities in the aging services field.

Workforce challenges have become even more acute in the wake of COVID-19. One way to retain the caregivers and staff you have is to help them achieve their higher education goals and advance their careers within the aging services field where they are so needed. To that end, the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation offers educational scholarships to eligible caregivers and other employees of our member organizations for 2022.

The latest LeadingAge quarterly survey of affordable housing providers shows lower COVID-19 cases among residents in senior housing communities across the country. However, the survey results also show higher rates of COVID-19 among staff and persistent challenges in hiring and retaining service coordinators and other staff.

Periodically, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) may update the Nurse Aide Candidate Handbooks and Mock Skills to reflect the most current guidance.

Recently members have raised questions relating to resubmitting background studies for individuals hired during the COVID-19 waiver period, and this article addresses some of the common issues we are seeing.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has more than enough funding to cover all currently moratorium exceptions projects proposed by nursing homes across the state.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its test reporting guidance, making reporting negative or inconclusive COVID-19 test results optional for nursing homes.

The Minnesota Legislature returned from a weeklong break on Tuesday, April 19. There are now just five weeks remaining for legislators to complete their work, including passing bonding and tax bills and finding a compromise on spending our state's $9.2 billion surplus.

The 2022 Governance Intensive is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26. The virtual program for executive and governing board teams of our not-for-profit providers will be from 3-6 p.m. Save the date and watch this space for more details as they are confirmed.

New and emerging nurse leaders in skilled care and assisted living settings will learn foundational skills and gain resources by attending LeadingAge Minnesota’s popular Nurse Leadership Certificate Program. Built on an exceptional 30+ track record, the series prepares newer leaders to fully understand the scope and responsibilities of the role and build the skills to be successful.

If you ask anyone what they want more than anything for themselves or their loved ones, they will likely say happiness. We all seem to chase happiness throughout our lives. But did you know that the keys to long-lasting happiness, health and longevity come from these three components: being grateful, being content, and having quality relationships.

The Minnesota Association of Geriatric Inspired Clinicians (MAGIC) completed the 2022 revision to the suggested nursing home standing house orders (SHOs).

Participate in Careers in Aging Week, April 17-23, by posting your organization's open positions to AgingServicesJobs.Org! Post today and receive a reduced rate of $39 per posting using the coupon code Aging2021 (typically $99 per posting). This discount will be available to all members for a limited time as we recognize this critical time in building our workforce.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and Public Consulting Group (PCG) are conducting policy research into the regulatory and financing issues affecting settings providing customized living services exempt from assisted living licensure law. affecting settings providing customized living services exempt from assisted living licensure law. The next step in the study is to conduct a survey to obtain additional stakeholder feedback on the Initial Research Report.

On Sunday, the Star Tribune ran a story covering the long-term care workforce crisis and the dynamics at the Capitol playing out this legislative session. The article outlines the $1 billion spent in Sen. Jim Abeler’s proposed human services bill. Specifically, it highlights the $358 million targeted at increasing the wages of professional caregivers in long-term care settings.

This week the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) provided LeadingAge Minnesota with an update on the status of care center rate notices for the rate year that began on Jan. 1. As expected, they will be releasing metro-area care center rate notices first and then sending out other rate notices as audits are finished.

Last week, the Office of the Ombudsman for Long Term Care (OOLTC) reached out to assisted living settings without a contract copy on file with the OOLTC per the requirement. The OOLTC asked each of these settings to submit a copy of the assisted living contract.

Earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its annual proposed rule for updating the Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). In addition to the rate update, the proposed rule covers numerous topics impacting SNFs, including proposed staffing standards and updates to quality reporting and value-based purchasing (VBP).

Early bird registration for PENworks 2022 ends on April 15. Don't miss this opportunity to gain powerful insights on improving organizational and community outcomes and bring home real methods, tools, and approaches that improve leadership, customer and workforce engagement, and financial and market results. 

Registration is now open for the Minnesota Director of Nursing Administration (MN-DONA) Spring Connection and Annual Meeting on May 4-5.

The 2022 Governance Intensive is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26. The virtual program for executive and governing board teams of our not-for-profit providers will be from 3 – 6 p.m. Save the date and read Advantage for more details as they are confirmed.

LeadingAge Minnesota’s popular Nurse Leadership Certificate Program begins on May 17. This exceptional training for leaders in both skilled care centers and assisted living settings is intended for nurses new or moving into an executive-level position to fully understand the scope and responsibilities of the role and build the skills to be successful.

Anna Mowry has joined the LeadingAge Minnesota team as Director of Workforce Solutions. We asked Anna five questions to help you get to know her.

The Pipeline Dual Training Grant is accepting applications until April 12 for employers interested in leveraging the Minnesota Office of Higher Education’s Pipeline dual training model of pairing on-the-job training with related instruction. Applicants can train workers for one of more than 75 eligible occupations of the Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline, including Senior Living Culinary Managers.

The Pipeline Dual Training Grant Applications will be accepted through April 12 for up to $150,000 in grants to help employers build dual-training programs. The Pipeline Dual Training Grant, managed by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, is available for employers in four select industries—including health care services—interested in leveraging Dual-Training Pipeline's model of pairing on-the-job training with related instruction to generate a comprehensive platform for learning.

The best predictor of your overall health, happiness and longevity is how good your social relationships are. More than 80 years ago, Harvard researchers set out to answer the question "What makes a good life?" by studying the same group of men year after year and decade after decade.

Through Face Aging Minnesota, LeadingAge Minnesota and our partner in the Long-Term Care Imperative are launching the "I am ONE of One Million Seniors" social media photo campaign before/during legislative spring break (April 9-18). We ask for your help to spread the news that Minnesota is now home to over one million adults over 65.

Plastikon Healthcare, LLC is voluntarily recalling three lots of Milk of Magnesia 2400 mg/30 mL Oral Suspension, one lot of Acetaminophen 650mg/ 20.3mL, and six lots of Magnesium Hydroxide 1200mg/Aluminum Hydroxide 1200mg/Simethicone 120mg per 30 mL. 

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted updated interpretive guidance concerning the staff vaccination mandate, with a revision date of April 5. We encourage care centers to review QSO 22-07-ALL (Revised) and the changes to Attachment A.