Caregiving Counts: 2014 Legislative Agenda

Investing in the Quality of Life for Seniors

As more Minnesotans move into retirement and the next stage of their lives, we have a shared responsibility for the planning and care of our aging population. No person should spend their retirement years lacking adequate care. An investment in caregiving will support adequate services throughout Minnesota, so people can live in their communities as long as possible and guarantee that all aging Minnesotans are receiving safe and quality care from experienced caregivers. Increased Investments in Quality Care: 5% COLA for care centers plus additional rate increase to address impacts from an increased minimum wage. 5% rate increase for home and community-based services.

Increasing Quality in Long Term Care Communities

Ensuring a better quality of life for Minnesotas seniors is the top priority of long-term care providers across the state. Increased training requirements will help provide quality care and safe environments for those who cannot live independently, either temporarily or for the rest of their lives. Enhanced Training for Quality Care: Increased training requirements for managers and supervisors in dementia care settings. Increase training requirements for direct care employees and non direct care employees.

Creating a Stable, Experienced Workforce

The workforce crisis in long term care is not a health and human services issue, but a statewide problem that could impact the quality of life for seniors now and in the future. An integrated approach will help retain current staff, attract new individuals to the field of senior care and establish career ladders for individuals in older adult services. Addressing the Workforce Crisis: Increase utilization and effectiveness of Nursing Facility Employee Scholarship Program. Increase participation and effectiveness of Nurse Loan Forgiveness Program. Create new Home and Community-Based Services Scholarship Program. Explore funding for innovative adult training program through FastTRAC or other DEED grants. Create Apprenticeship Rate Incentive program to support new career path ladders.