Aging Services of Minnesota Caregiving Counts 2014 ... · Aging Services of Minnesota Caregiving Counts ... This legislative session, Aging Services of Minnesota will be relying ...

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Aging Services of Minnesota

Caregiving Counts2014 Advocacy Tool Kit

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

This legislative session Aging Services of Minnesota will be relying on you to communicate with your legislators about your role caring for seniors in your community This Advocacy Tool Kit has been designed to help you build and maintain a relationship with your legislators and share your story caring for Minnesotas seniors

Page

RESEARCH Make sure you know who yourlegislators are and what the important issues are

INTERACT Create a relationship with your legis-lators so they know how important you are to the community

BUILD Involve your community and share the importance of caring for seniors

ADVOCATE Engage the media and public on our issues and value

RESOURCES Tools and information you need to successfully advocate

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RESEARCH Make sure you know who your legislators are and what the important issues are

It is important to do your homework to better understand who your legislators are and what issues are important to them There are many online resources to accomplish this You should also get some background on the legislative issues affecting long-term care

bull WhoaremylegislatorsCheckoutour advocacy page to find out who your legislators are

My House member is ________________________________________________________________

My Senate member is ________________________________________________________________

bull UnderstandImportantLegislativeDates(seeResource2)

bull Mylegislatorsrsquocampaignwebsites(useGoogletofindthisinformation) o______________________________________________________________________________________ o______________________________________________________________________________________

bull Whatisthenewspaperinmycommunity o FindtheEditorrsquosphoneandemail Name ____________________________________________________________________________ P _________________________________________________________________________________ E _________________________________________________________________________________

bull Knowtheissuesaffectinglongtermcare o CaregivingCountsLegislativeAgenda(seeResource3) o Long-TermCareImperativeMessagePlatform(seeResource4) o Factsheetsonourkeyissues(seeResource5)

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INTERACT Create a relationship with your legislators so they know how important you are to the community

INTE

RA

CT

The best way to successfully advocate for long-term care issues is to build a relationship withyourlegislatorsReachouttothemcommunicateregularlywiththemvisitthemand ask them to visit you

bull Beginbyemailing your legislators and introducing yourself and what is important to you Continue to communicate via email throughout the legislative session and year

bull AgingServicessendsoutactionalertseachweekduringthelegislativesessionbased on activity at the Capitol This is an easy way to contact your lawmakers Check out our Take Action page

bull ParticipateinDayattheCapitol and visit your lawmakers in person

bull CanrsquotmakeitalobbydayScheduleameetingwithyourlegislatorsonyourown Here is the House directory and the Senate directory or contact the ASM advocacy team to help you

bull Inviteyourlegislatorstovisityourfacility(seeResource8)

5

You are a leader in your community and your community cares about the seniors you take care of everyday Involve key community leaders in your advocacy and share with them your role in caring for the seniors in your community

bull Identifykeycommunityleadersthatcareaboutqualitycareforseniors

o Family member of resident or former resident ____________________________________________________________________________________ o Religiousleader

____________________________________________________________________________________ o Localgovernmentofficiallikemayororcitycouncilmember

____________________________________________________________________________________ o Another business leader

____________________________________________________________________________________

bull Regularlyinformthesecommunityleadersaboutisgoingonforwardactionalerts and other information Create an email list to use to make this easier Feel free to forward along Aging Services newsletters actions alerts and other information we share with you

bull ScheduleregulartimestocommunicateandormeetwithoneanotherThiscould beatyourlocalRotaryorChambermeetings

bull Planacommunityeventatyourfacilityandinvitecommunityleadersandyour legislators(seeResource8)

BUILD Involve your community and share the importance of caring for seniors

BU

ILD

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The media can play an important role in educating the public including legislators about your importance role caring for seniors in your community

bull Writealettertotheeditorofyourlocalpaperremindingthecommunityabout the importance of long-term care for our seniors (see Resource 7)

bull Afteranycommunityeventmeetingorvisitfromalegislatorfollowupwith asubmissiontolocalmediadescribingthemeetingConsiderinvitingthelocal mediatoyourevent

bull Scheduleameetingwithyourlocalnewspaperrsquoseditorialboardandeducate them on your role caring for seniors in your community

bull Usesocialmediatocontinuetodemonstrateyourrolecaringforseniorsin your community (see Resource 9)

ADVOCATE Engage the media and public on our issues and value

AD

VO

CAT

E

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Hereisalistofresourcestohelpyoubesuccessfulasyouadvocateforprovidingquality care to seniors across Minnesota

1 Usefulwebsitesforadvocacy2 Keydatesforthe2014legislativesession3 CaregivingCountsLegislativeAgenda4 Long-Term Care Message Platform 5 Factsheets on our key issues 6 Map of the State Capitol7 Howtowritealettertotheeditorofyourlocalnewspaper8 Keytipsoninvitingyourlegislatorstoyourfacility9 Social media tips to keep the momentum going

RESOURCES Tools and information you need to successfully advocate

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ILD

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Aging Services Public Policy website wwwagingservicesmnorgpublic-policy

MinnesotaLegislaturewwwlegstatemnus

HouseDirectorywwwhouselegstatemnusmembershousemembersasp

SenateDirectorywwwsenatelegstatemnusmembers

LocateyourLegislatorswwwgislegmnOpenLayersdistricts

LegislativeSessionCalendarwwwlegstatemnuscalendardayaspx

Smart Politics httpbloglibumneducspgsmartpolitics

BloisOlsonrsquosMorningTakemorningtakebitlyjoinmorningtake(subscribetodailyemailupdate)

Capitol View httpblogsmprnewsorgcapitol-view

Pioneer Press Political Animal httpblogstwincitiescompoliticsPolAnimal

Star TribuneHotDishPoliticshttpwwwstartribunecompoliticsblogsHot_Dish_Pol-iticshtmlRachelSB

Facebook pages to followwwwfacebookcomMNLTCIwwwfacebookcomAgingServicesMN

Useful Websites for Advocacy

RESOURCE 1

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Key Dates for the 2014 Legislative Session

Spring Break 410-422This is a great time to invite your legislators to visit your facility

2014 Session Ends 519ThisisthedateonwhichtheLegislatureisconstitution-allyrequiredtoadjournHoweverHouseandSenateDemocratshaveindicatedthattheyplantoadjournsooner ndash some say within 6 weeks

2015 Session Begins 162015

Key Dates for Elections

627ndashAbsenteeballotsavailablefortheprimaryelection812ndashPrimaryElection919ndashAbsenteeballotsavailablefortheGeneralElection114ndashElectionDay

2014 Legislative Session Started 225

State Budget Forecast 228The ongoing budget forecasts give legislators a sense of howtaxrevenuesandplannedandunplannedexpensesaretrackingwiththeirexpectationsThisisarefinednumber from the Novemer forecast which showed a size-able surplus This February forecast will be the number theLegislatureworksfromtomakedecisionsinthe2014legislative session

Billsmovingthroughthecommitteeprocessmustmeetthe following deadlines before being voted on by the full House and Senate

bull FirstCommitteeDeadlineis321 o The first deadline is for committees to act favorably on bills in the house of origin bull SecondCommitteeDeadlineis328 o The second deadline is for committees to act favorably on bills or companions of bills that met the first deadline in the other house bull ThirdCommitteeDeadlineis44 o The third deadline is for the House Committee on WaysandMeansandtheSenateCommitteeon Financetoactfavorablyonmajorappropriation and finance billsbull NoteTherearecertainexemptionstothecommittee deadlines

RESOURCE 2

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Caregiving Counts 2014 Legislative Agenda

Investing in the Quality of Life for SeniorsAsmoreMinnesotansmoveintoretirementandthenextstageoftheirliveswehaveasharedresponsibilityfortheplanningandcareofouragingpopulationNopersonshouldspendtheirretirementyearslackingadequatecare

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 bull 5COLAforcarecentersplusadditionalrateincreasetoaddressimpactsfromanincreasedminimumwage bull 5rateincreaseforhomeandcommunity-basedservices

Increasing Quality in Long Term Care CommunitiesEnsuringabetterqualityoflifeforMinnesotarsquosseniorsisthetoppriorityoflong-termcareprovidersacrossthestate

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 bull Increasedtrainingrequirementsformanagersandsupervisorsindementiacaresettings bull Increasetrainingrequirementsfordirectcareemployeesandnondirectcareemployees

Creating a Stable Experienced WorkforceThe workforce crisis in long term care is not a health and human services issue but a statewide problem that could impactthequalityoflifeforseniorsnowandinthefuture

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 bull IncreaseutilizationandeffectivenessofNursingFacilityEmployeeScholarshipProgram bull IncreaseparticipationandeffectivenessofNurseLoanForgivenessProgram bull CreatenewHomeandCommunity-BasedServicesScholarshipProgram bull ExplorefundingforinnovativeadulttrainingprogramthroughFastTRACorotherDEEDgrants bull CreateApprenticeshipRateIncentiveprogramtosupportnewcareerpathladders

RESOURCE 3

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2014 Long-Term Care Imperative Key Messages

Make caregivers a budget priority in the 2014 legislative sessionThestateofMinnesotashouldensurethatallagingMinnesotansreceivesafeandqualitycarefromexperiencedcare-giversNursinghomesassistedlivingsettingsandhomecareprovidersstruggletohireexperiencedqualitycaregiversintheirsettingsdueinparttothelowwagesandbenefitstheyareabletooffergiveninadequatestatefundingCare-giversarethecornerstonetoprovidingqualitycareforMinnesotarsquosseniorsItisuptolawmakerstoinvestinthesejobsandthecaregivingprofessionbypassingrateincreasesthatpayforthelongtermcareservicesandsupportsthatseniors need

Minnesota must maintain its tradition of supporting quality home and community-based care for seniors MinnesotansshouldreceivethecaretheyneedtopreservetheirqualityoflifeforaslongaspossibleinsettingstheycallhomeWhenMinnesotansareabletostayintheircommunitiesforaslongastheyareabletheystayconnectedtofamiliesfriendsandthelifechoicestheyhavemadeLawmakersshouldsupportthespectrumofhomeandcommunitybasedserviceswithadequatefundingandwithoutadditionaleligibilityrestrictions

As more Minnesotans retire and enter the next stage of their lives they deserve a healthy safe and quality life in the place they call home OurretiringpopulationandtheirfamiliesprovidersandthestateofMinnesotaallshareresponsibilityfortheplanningand care for aging Minnesotans Planning for the future is an important first step and new tools are needed to help families understand the costs and options available for the care of their loved ones

Minnesota needs to build a strong caregiving workforce for the futureThestateofMinnesotashouldensurethatallagingMinnesotansreceivesafeandqualitycarefromexperiencedcare-giversSeniorcareprovidersstruggletorecruitandretainexperiencedqualitycaregiversintheirsettingsduetolowerwagesandbenefitsAstableworkforceisakeyingredienttoprovidingqualitycareItisuptolawmakerstoinvestinthesejobsandthecaregivingprofession

The Long Term Care Imperative encourages lawmakers to support our 2014 legislative proposals to ensure seniors have access to quality care and quality caregiving

LTCI February 2014

RESOURCE 4

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Workforce Solutions for Long Term Care

Caregivers must be a priority in the 2014 legislative sessionThe state of Minnesota should ensure that all aging Min-nesotansreceivesafeandqualitycarefromexperiencedcaregivers Senior care providers struggle to recruit and retainexperiencedqualitycaregiversintheirsettingsdueto lower wages and benefits A stable workforce is a key ingredienttoprovidingqualitycareItisuptolawmakerstoinvestinthesejobsandthecaregivingprofession

TheLongTermCareImperativewillpresentacomprehen-sive package of proposals to address the workforce crisis and to highlight the needs of long term care employers to policymakers both within the Health and Human Services and outside this traditional policy arena The package will address three main areas retention of current staff attracting new individuals to the field of senior care and the establishment of career ladders for individuals work-ing in older adult services

Retention of CaregiversNursing Facility Employee Scholarship Program This is a proven program used by nursing facilities to retain employees while they are working and receiving an educationTheLongTermCareImperativewilladvancea package of policy enhancements designed to increase utilizationandeffectivenessoftheexistingprogramincluding

bull RemovaloftheexclusionforRegisteredNurses allowing them to participate in the programbull Reductionofthehourthresholdparticipantsmust workfrom20hoursto15hoursbull Increasetotheallowablescholarshipexpenses(child caretransportation)andbull Establishanoptionalrateadd-onincentive (25residentday)fornursingfacilitiescommitted to establishing or enhancing a scholarship program

Home and Community Based (HCBS) Scholarship ProgramCreateanewHCBSscholarshipprogramExploreprogrammodelsthatdonotrequirefederalmatch and may offer contracted administration by third party(egMHArsquosleadershipoftheSummerHealthCareInternshipProgram)

Attracting New Employees to the Senior Care FieldTargetedfundingtoMinnesotaDepartmentofEmploymentandEconomicDevelopment(DEED)for promotion Propose funding that furthers the advancement of long-term care careers includ-ing grants to employers for employee training and education grants to individuals to seek additional education grants for conferences grants to highlight long-term care career week and grants for funding of innovative adult training programs such as those which help train low-income and under employed individuals funding for mentorship models and funding for simulation centers at local community colleges etc

Target K-12 funding to support Nursing Assistant train-ingentrylevelhealthcarecurriculumwhichcouldincludetraining costs

Higher Education Seek funding targeted to growing gerontological capacity within health care education programming

Nursing Assistant Training Costs Seek funding for reimbursement of Nursing Assistant training costs that employersarerequiredtoreimbursefornewlytrainednursing assistants

Nurse Loan Forgiveness Proposechangestotheexist-ing program to increase participation and effectiveness of this program through policy changes including increased funding and removal of impediments for eligibility such as allowing new graduates to apply for the funds

Support New Career LaddersApprenticeshipRateIncentiveCreateanoptionalrateadd-on incentive to assist organizations in implement-ing leadership and apprenticeship models Modeled after the cost-based reimbursement policies of the Nursing Facility Scholarship Program organizations would report increasedcoststoDHSandrecoupexpensesrelatedtoimplementing higher level staff training and care delivery models built around state-recognized registered appren-ticeship and leadership training programs

RESOURCE 5A

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Help Minnesotarsquos Seniors Live IndependentlyIncrease Funding for Home and Community Based Services

TheLong-TermCareImperativesupportsthegoalsofcreatingafinanciallystablecaresystemthatprovidesqualitycareinahome-likeenvironmentforMinnesotarsquosseniorsFundingforourstatersquosElderlyWaiverprogramiscriticaltomeetingthisgoalA5increaseforHomeandCommunity-BasedServices(HCBS)improves the lives of these individuals and the state of Minnesota

Minnesotarsquos Elderly Waiver Program What is it TheElderlyWaiver(EW)programfundshomeandcommunity-basedservicesforpeopleage65andolderwhoareeligibleforMedicalAssistance(MA)andrequirethelevelofcareprovidedinanursinghomebutchoosetoresideinthecommunityTheMinnesotaDepartmentofHumanServicesoperatestheEWprogramunderafederalwaivertoMinnesotarsquosMedicaidStatePlanCountiestribalentitiesandhealthplanpartnersadminister the program

Investments in the Elderly Waiver program support state budget stabilityThestatersquosElderlyWaiverprogramhelpslow-incomeseniorsaccesshomeandcommunitybasedservicesInrecentyearsthisprogramhasreceiveddoubledigitcutsandthesecutsthreatenseniorsrsquoabilitytoaccesshome and community based services If this trend is not reversed seniors will be forced to seek more expensive alternatives at a higher cost to the state

Funding the statersquos Elderly Waiver program is cost effectiveMinnesota saves $275 million a year by using the Elderly Waiver as an alternative to nursing home care Wecurrentlyservemorethan22000seniorsthroughtheEWprogramversusapproximately17000seniorswho access Medicaid in nursing homes

MinnesotahasbeenrecognizedbyAARPandtheSCANFoundationforprovidingthebestlongtermcareservices in the nation A key reason for this recognition is the availability of a variety of home and community based services

The State of Minnesota must meet its commitment to aging Minnesotans It must treat all aging Minnesotans fairly so they all can live independently for as long as they are able andmustguaranteethatallagingMinnesotansreceivesafeandqualitycarefromexperiencedcaregiversAdequatelyfundinghomeandcommunitybasedserviceshelpsmeetthisgoal

RESOURCE 5B

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BackgroundTheLong-TermCareImperativeispursuinglegislationfornursingfacilitiestoreceivea5percentrateonOctober12014Thisincreasecontinuestherequestfrom2013toaddresstheneedsthathavebuiltupduringthefouryearsoffrozennursingfacilityrates(2009-2012)andtotakeasmallsteptoaddressthehugegap(morethan$34perresidentperday)that has developed between the MA rates and the actual cost of care

Ourrateincreaseproposalfor2014willallowproviderstocontinuetoaddressthecrucialstaffingissuesthataredevelopingasLTCprovidersfallbehindintheabilitytorecruitandretainthestaffthatisvitaltoqualitycareMostofthefundingwearerequestingisrequiredtobespentonemployeewagesandcompensation

Weestimatethatthisrateincreasewillcostapproximately$147millioninstatefundingannually

ProposalUsingthesamemethodutilizedinthe2013increasepassedbytheLegislatureunderourproposalnursingfacilitieswouldreceivearateincreaseaveraging5effectiveonOctober12014Therateincreaseismadeupoftwocompo-nents-oneforemployeecompensationandgeneralcostincreases(375)andonetiedtoqualityperformance(125)

Employees75ofthe375rateincreasefornursingfacilitiesisrequiredtobeusedtocoverincreasesincompensationincludingwagesbenefitsrecruitmentandotherstaffcostsNursingfacilitiesarerequiredtosubmitacompensationplantobeapprovedbyDHSbeforereceivingthisportionoftheincreaseCombinedwiththe25toaddressincreasesinareaslike food and utilities this portion of the increase will allow facilities to address growing costs and position themselves to be more competitive in the labor market

QualityTheremainderoftherateincreaseisaqualityadd-onincreasethataverages125ThisportionoftheincreaseisbasedonMinnesotaNursingHomeReportCarddataandprovidesnursingfacilityrateincreasesrangingfrom00to32Nursingfacilitiesperformingbetteronthefollowingmeasureswillreceivelargerincreases

bull Minnesotaqualityindicatorsscore bull Residentqualityoflifescore bull Stateinspectionresultsscore

Provider Rate Increases

Prepared by the Long Term Care Imperative February 21 2014

RESOURCE 5C

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Investing in the Nursing Facility Moratorium

TheLong-TermCareImperativeisseeking$1000000inannualfundingfornursingfacilityexceptiontothemorato-riumprojectsByprovidingfundingformajorcapitalprojectsonanannualbasistheproposalwillallownursingfacili-ties to continue to improve their settings

Inordertoreceivearateincreaseforaprojectcostingmorethan$1451303nursingfacilitiesmustreceiveapprovalthroughthemoratoriumexceptionprocessThemoratoriumexceptionprocessisfundedbyalegislativeappropriationto the Medicaid funding base If no appropriation is made nursing facilities that need to significantly update or even replace their buildings to prepare to serve the growing senior population will be unable to do so

Becausethestateneedonlyappropriatefundstocoverthestatersquosshareoftheamortizedcostoftheprojectarela-tivelysmallappropriationgeneratesasizablereturninconstructionprojectsInthelastapprovedroundofthemora-torium14nursingfacilitiesthroughoutthestatehad$139361683inprojectsapprovedatannualcostof$1165268tothestatebudgetUsingthesameratioitislikelythat$1000000infundingwillcreatenursingfacilityconstructionprojectsof$120million

Duetothefailuretofundmoratoriumexceptionsprojectsinthelastcoupleoflegislativesessionsandthecontinuedagingofthestatersquoscurrentsupplyofnursinghomesweanticipatethatanannualappropriationof$1millionwouldeasilybefullyutilizedbynursingfacilitieslookingtoupgradetheirphysicalenvironmentsButtheproposalisstruc-tured so that in the event the full amount of a years moratorium round is not spent that the amount carried over to thenextroundislimited

InadditiontoremodelingrenovationandreplacementofMinnesotarsquosstockofnursingfacilitiestheprojectswillalsopositivelyimpactMinnesotarsquoseconomyA$1millioninvestmentinstatedollarswillyieldthefollowingdirectandindi-rect impacts

bull 1854newjobs bull $232millionintotaleconomicactivity bull $74millioninwages bull $67millionofindirectbusinesstaxes

RESOURCE 5D

1GrossEconomicImpactsontheStateofMinnesotawaspreparedforTheLong-TermCareImperativebyECONorthwestusingdata from IMPLAN IMPLAN Professional Version 20 User Guide Analysis Guide Data Guide

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Sample letters to the Editor

Elderly Waiver Should be a Funding Priority

In a mere seven years we will have more citizens in Minnesota that are over the age of 65 then we will have school-agedchildrenThereforeseniorsandtheircaregiversneedtobeatopprioritylookingforwardinMinnesotarsquosfutureOneoftheprogramsthathelpssupportthispopulationiscalledtheElderlyWaiverprogramTheElderlyWaiverprogram(EW)fundshomeandcommunitybasedservicesforindividualsthatareovertheageof65Theindividualsthat this program covers are currently eligible for Medical Assistance but instead choose to reside in their community insteadofanursinghomeorotherinstitutionalsettingEWalsoprovidesseniorswithvariouscareoptionsthatwithouttheprogramrsquossupportwouldnotbeavailableCurrentlytheprogramservesatotalof22358individualsTheprogramisverycostefficientasithastheabilitytoservicethreeseniorsonanElderlyWaiverforeveryoneseniorresidinginanursinghomefacilityInadditiontoitscosteffectivenessMinnesotanssupportthisprogram85ofMinnesotans are in favor of increasing funding for in-home and community based programs in order to allow our seniors to stay independent for a longer period of time Minnesota legislators and the Governor should provide a 5 percent rate increase for home and community based services this year It is the smart thing to domdashfor our seniors and for our state budget

Senior Service Jobs Are Available but Positions Are Still Vacant

In one nursing home in the state of Minnesota the facility is looking to lay away ten available beds This means that theywillturnawaytenpotentialelderlyresidentsinthefutureWhywouldtheydoawaywithtenbedsItisnotbecauseoflackofneedingresidentsndashasMinnesotarsquosagingpopulationcontinuestogrowndashbutratherthatseniorcareservicescannotfindenoughstafftomeettheneedsoftenresidentsCurrentlytherearealmost1500jobvacanciesinMinnesotaCareCentersinonlythreepositionsndashRNrsquosLPNsandNursingAssistantsHoweverweneedtheseworkersbecause in a mere seven years Minnesota will have more senior individuals then school-aged children Therefore by thetimetheyear2020hitsdirectworkersinseniorserviceswillbethelargestneededoccupationgroupintheUnitedStates The reason that these positions have not been filled is simple the wages given to these positions are not high enoughForexampleintodayrsquosworkforceregisterednursesthatareworkingincarecentersmake1707dollarshouror35505dollarsayearlessthanaregisterednurseinhospitalsettingAdditionallynursingassistantsinnursinghomesmake558dollarshouror11606dollarsayearlessthantheircounterpartsinthehospitalsettingsWithoutmorefund-ing for senior services these facilities will face more vacant positions in the long term Therefore seniors and their caregivers need to be a bigger priority in this legislative session

RESOURCE 7

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Inviting your local legislators

Inviting local legislators to your facility is an important way to provide perspective on what the facility means to its residentstheirfamiliesandthecommunityBelowareafewtipstokeepinmindwheninvitingyourlegislators

1 InvitelegislatorstovisityourfacilityearlyinlegislativesessionLegislatorsrsquocalendarsfill-upquicklyandtheyoften run out of meeting time as session draws to a close2 Wheninvitingyourlegislatorsfeelfreetousetheirlegislativeemailbutbesuretomakeafollow-upcallWhether you make a follow-up call to the legislator or their legislative assistant it will go a long way in getting a meeting time scheduled Click here for their email addresses and phone numbers3 WheninvitinglegislatorssetparametersonthetimecommitmentForexampleacknowledgethattheyhavea busyscheduleandoffera30-minutemeetingiftheyarehesitanttocommit4 Bepersistent

DRAFT Email to LegislatorDearRepresentativeSenator

Asthe______________(positionieadministrator)at________________(nameoffacility)in_____________(nameoffacilitylocation)IwritetoyoutodaytoaskthatyouchampioneffortstoprovideagingMinnesotanswiththecaretheyneedtopreservetheirqualityoflifeforaslongaspossibleAsyouknowthelegislatureplaysalargeroleinthelivesofagingMinnesotansandensuringthattheyreceivesafeandqualitycarefromexperiencedcaregiversAsthissessionprogresses please consider my colleagues and myself as a support system for you in the community when it comes to long-termcareWeareheretoassistyouinmeetingoursharedgoalofsupportingMinnesotarsquosagingpopulationastheoutcomeofthislegislativesessionwillhaveamajorimpactonthebothusandourcommunity

To help you better understand our important role in caring for seniors in our community I would like to invite you to visit______________(nameoffacility)duringSpringRecessApril10-22Ourstaffandresidentswouldliketomeetwithyou and share how important our facility is to our community

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Social Media Instruction amp Tips

Visit our Facebook Page httpswwwfacebookcomMNLTCI or by clicking on the image above

bull FirstloginasyourselfandldquoLikerdquoourpagebull HowtoPostpicturesofyourlegislativeencounterandldquotagrdquousinthem o GototheLongTermCareImperativersquospageandclickPhoto at the top o Click Choose File to add a file from your computer o Addanoptionalcaptioninthetextbox o ldquoTagrdquotheLongTermCareImperative o Click on Tag Photo button o ClickanywhereinthephotoandtypeldquoLongTermCareImperativerdquo o Choose the full name of the person you want to tag when it appears o Click Done Tagging o Click Postbull Assumingyourlegislatorisinthephotographbesuretoldquotagrdquohimheraswellbull SendthelinktoyourstaffandcolleaguesinthecommunityandlinktoitonyourpersonalFacebookpage

Visit our Twitter feed wwwtwittercomLTCImperative or by clicking on the image abovebull Firstclickonldquofollowrdquobull TweetaboutyourupcomingLegislativevisitandldquocopyrdquotheLongTermCareImperativebyendingyourtweet withldquoccLTCImperativerdquobull AlsondashcopyyourlegislatorTheyaremostlikelyonTwitterAdirectoryisattachedforyourreferenceoryou maysimplysearchforthemintheldquosearchrdquofieldatthetopofthepagebull EncouragemeetingparticipantstoTweetduringampafterthemeetingwiththeLegislatorndashandincludepicturesbull ToincludepicturesclickontheldquocamerardquoiconwhileTweetingandincludepicturesofthemeeting

RESOURCE 9

2550UniversityAvenueWestSuite350SouthSt Paul MN 55114-1900

P 6516454545 TF 8004625368 F 6516450002 AgingServicesMNorg