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Projects aim to improve quality of life for residents in Minnesota nursing homes

Blooming Prairie Leader - 4/13/2017

OWATONNA - Nursing homes throughout Minnesota are launching a variety of initiatives to improve their quality of care for residents thanks to more than $6.7 million in funding through a Minnesota Department of Human Services program.

Grants for a total of 38 projects in 87 communities will benefit 28 individual nursing homes and 10 nursing home collaboratives with capacity to serve more than 9,500 people. The nursing home initiatives aim for outcomes ranging from fewer infections and injuries, better sleep and less depression to more meaningful activities for residents and higher employee retention.

Under the Performance-based Incentive Payment Program (PIPP), nursing homes sign contracts with DHS to earn higher payments for implementing projects designed to make improvements in key areas that they identify. The funding is for the next one to two years.

"We want to make sure our seniors and all Minnesotans residing in nursing homes have access to the best quality care possible. This program not only helps improve nursing home quality overall, but it also gives these facilities opportunities to respond to emerging care, quality and workforce issues," said Loren Colman, an assistant commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

In this 10th round of PIPP grants, funds will go toward working to improve residents' overall quality of life, such as broadening and improving dining and meal choices, adding new activities and health and wellness initiatives, and implementing staff retention and recruitment practices to keep high-quality employees around longer. For example:

Developing chemical dependency treatment program in Minneapolis ? Andrew Residence in Minneapolis will work to develop a program that incorporates chemical dependency treatment for residents who are diagnosed with both substance abuse and mental illness.

Improving resident services in Cannon Falls ? The Gardens at Cannon Falls will create a new dining service and weight loss program to help improve the quality of life and care for its residents.

Reducing emergency room visits across Minnesota ? Benedictine Health Systems, a collaborative of 17 facilities, will work together to reduce the number of emergency room visits and hospital admissions related to preventable infections.

Expanding wellness and exercise offerings in Osakis ? Community Memorial Home at Osakis plans to create and implement a wellness and exercise program and training for wellness/exercise technicians. This will allow the staff to deliver services more efficiently and ensure residents get consistent exercise and more activities.

Improving quality of care and employee retention in Sleepy Eye ? Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye will use the PIPP grant to improve quality care by promoting higher employee retention. The facility plans to focus on revamping employees' experiences through the onboarding process and creating a culture that makes employees want to stay.

Healthier food options in Ostrander ? Ostrander Care and Rehab plans to develop a new dining program with expanded food choices, allowing residents to request other foods and offering healthy snacks at all times.

Local participants in this round of PIPP grants include facilities in New Richland and Owatonna. A complete list is available on the DHS website.

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