News

After a successful pilot program, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is expanding in-facility testing to add additional nurse aide test sites around the state.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has developed plans to distribute lump sum payments for care centers approved in the recently completed legislative session.

The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) is now accepting grant request applications for its Workplace Safety Grant Program. The legislature provided DLI with $2 million in one-time funding to establish a temporary grant program to assist impacted employers.

After a year of historic investments in long-term care, LeadingAge Minnesota has compiled a resource detailing several grant programs and other opportunities funded in the 2023 Minnesota legislative session.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) recently announced that they have opened the selection process for all care centers in the Medical Assistance program to select a new goal to work on for another round of the Quality Improvement Incentive Payment Program (QIIP). Each year, based on their progress toward the goal they select, care centers receive a rate increase of $0 to $3.50 per resident day for QIIP. 

Coming later this summer, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is launching the “Nurse Aide Registry (NAR) Modernization Project,” a project to transition the nurse aide registry to a new digital format. This new and improved NAR portal will allow nurse aides and nursing homes to complete all their updates, reports, and communications electronically within the portal rather than via U.S. mail or email.

LeadingAge Minnesota is pleased to share its 2023 Minnesota Session Legislative Report. This written report summarizes what you need to know about the 75 laws sent to the Governor this year impacting aging services, the seniors you care for, when those laws are effective, and the steps you should take next.

Coming later this summer, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced that it is expanding in-facility nurse aide testing.

Today marks the start of CNA Week, an annual celebration of the vital work of nursing assistants. Since 1977, the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA) has observed CNA Week yearly.

Healthcare organizations used N95 or higher-level respirators for all aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) as a transmission mitigation strategy throughout the public health emergency (PHE).

LeadingAge Minnesota updated the COVID-19 Facility Risk Assessment and Workbook to reflect a change in the metrics published by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

Minnesota now recognizes Juneteenth as a state holiday. Employers should review collective bargaining agreements and policies to ensure compliance with the new law.

Beginning June 5, onsite surveys and investigations will include an electronic provider feedback form to help provide information for the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) continuous improvement.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will discontinue the nursing home staff vaccination mandate in early August.

As of Monday at midnight, the Minnesota Legislature has adjourned the 2023 legislative session. After months of tireless advocacy by seniors, their families, and their caregivers, we are proud to report that we have left the session with historic investments in aging services that will help ensure access to care for Minnesota seniors and support caregivers with the wages they deserve.

New information released over the last week directs each nursing home and assisted living in conducting a COVID-19 facility assessment to determine whether a broader source control practice is needed. LeadingAge Minnesota has created a sample COVID-19 facility assessment to aid in implementing the new practices.

The Human Services Conference Committee closed the conference report on Wednesday with far-reaching implications for senior care. The report, which will proceed to each legislative chamber for final passage, includes mixed outcomes for aging services providers.

A proposal to create a regulatory Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board within the Department of Labor is poised to advance this session. The measure recently included in the Jobs and Labor Omnibus Conference Report will allow the Governor to appoint a nine-person commission to adopt rules establishing minimum nursing home compensation standards for nursing home workers.

The Legislature is required to adjourn by May 22. With less than two weeks remaining, LeadingAge Minnesota and its members continue to advocate for funding that will help ensure seniors have access to the care they need when and where they need it

The Dining Robotics Playbook is the second in a series of workforce technology solution playbooks designed to help you identify technology solutions to address the workforce crisis.  Dining robotics can improve efficiency and convenience by reducing step count during food delivery and table bussing and enabling staff to remain in the dining room and be available to residents.