News

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.

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 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.

If you plan to attend the Argentum conference this year, make sure to use the code SP100 to save $100 off the cost of a full conference pass. If you register by April 6, there are additional early-bird discounts. You do not need to be a member of Argentum to attend this very valuable conference!

LeadingAge Minnesota is excited to welcome Anna Mowry as our new Director of Workforce Solutions. Anna comes to us with extensive experience supporting workforce development in long-term care settings.

Since August of 2021, several LeadingAge Minnesota members across the state have invited federal and state lawmakers from both political parties into their communities to raise awareness around the growing workforce crisis in long-term care

Employer applications are being accepted for the 2022 Summer Health Care Internship Program (SHCIP). Hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, home care providers and adult day services facilities are encouraged to participate on behalf of qualified students in their community.

Erin Huppert has joined the LeadingAge Minnesota team as the Vice President of Advocacy. We asked Erin five questions to help you get to know her.

Employer applications are being accepted for the 2022 Summer Health Care Internship Program (SHCIP). Hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, home care providers and adult day services facilities are encouraged to participate on behalf of qualified students in their community.

We are pleased to announce that Erin Huppert has joined LeadingAge Minnesota as the Vice President of Advocacy. She will lead public policy and advocacy strategies on behalf of the organization and its members.

Pre-meal safety checks can help prevent harmful mistakes related to food allergies and modified food textures. A new LeadingAge Minnesota Safe Care resource, Preventing Dietary Safety Events, is available to address these two dietary safety issues that have emerged from analysis of OHFC substantiated event reports and Immediate Jeopardy citations:

LeadingAge Minnesota is offering a new quick guide to help members understand state- and federal-level nursing home quality initiatives.

The Data Sub-Committee of the LeadingAge Minnesota Quality, Safety & Performance Excellence Committee developed Understanding the Quality Measures: A Quick Guide to Federal and State Care Center Quality Measures & Programs.

Want to take your advocacy to the next level? We encourage you to consider attending one – or more – of the upcoming advocacy days at the State and Federal levels.