News

LeadingAge Minnesota submitted comprehensive comments to strengthen the State of Minnesota’s application to CMS’ new Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. Our recommendations emphasize workforce solutions, improved access to care, and sustainable models for aging services in rural communities—ensuring older Minnesotans can continue to receive care close to home.

Late last week, we were asked by The Minnesota Star Tribune to provide comment on an article about a supposed trend of more seniors choosing assisted living than nursing homes. Despite our best efforts to obtain more information regarding these “trends,” the piece was already moving toward publication. We chose to provide a statement, which was included in the published article.

Congress did not reach agreement on appropriations for federal fiscal year 2026, and the federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1. HHS, CMS, and CDC have issued contingency and lapse plans outlining which activities will continue and which will pause. HUD has notified LeadingAge that they will be updating their contingency plan, leaning heavily on plans written in 2023.

For nearly 30 years, the Senior LinkAge Line has been Minnesota’s primary aging resource connecting older Minnesotans, caregivers and others to the services and supports they need.

On September 29, MDH sent out and posted a notice related to MDS assessments for new admissions in late September. Because assessments with an assessment reference date of October 1 or later will not get a RUG score, MDH is requiring that providers submit the optional state assessment to the state separately to obtain a RUG score.

DHS has compiled a helpful summary of all changes made in the 2025 legislature that affect providers of Adult Day Services.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has begun issuing the calendar year 2025 Resident Services Coordinator (RSC) grant award notices to renew grants for the current year.

The Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act has been reintroduced – a federal bill that proposes to recapture up to 40,000 previously authorized but unused immigrant visas—25,000 for nurses and 15,000 for physicians.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced updated recommendations for flu vaccination for the 2025–2026 flu season. On August 28, 2025, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved the guidance that will shape flu prevention efforts nationwide.

Our New American Resource Map is an interactive tool that features local resources across the state of Minnesota. All housed in one centralized location, this resource highlights community, cultural, health, education, childcare, legal, food, and workforce resources to support New Americans’ journeys in making MN their home.

Make your voice heard in shaping LeadingAge Minnesota’s community engagement initiatives by joining the upcoming in-person workshop on Monday, Oct. 6, at our Minneapolis office. This full-day session will help providers strengthen connections with local leaders and advance shared priorities. 

During our 2026 Institute & Expo, we’re excited to feature photos of residents centered on our Institute theme of Changemakers.

Feature Your Residents

To achieve this, we’re launching a photo contest to help us shine a light on the incredible individuals living in your communities—residents who are redefining aging, living with purpose, and making a difference in their own unique ways.

Whether it’s someone mentoring others, starting a new chapter in life, advocating for their peers, or simply living each day with vibrancy and intention—we want to see the moments that move you.

Submit your photos here for a chance to win!

What We’re Looking For

If you have upcoming events at your community – whether simple things like exercise classes, or something larger in scale like a community event – these present great opportunities to capture images of your residents. We know you help your residents live meaningful lives as they age, and we’d love to help uplift those moments to inspire others.

Contest Highlights:

• Open to all LeadingAge Minnesota member organizations
• Submit up to three original photographs that reflect the theme of Changemakers
• Include a short description
• Deadline: Oct. 29, 2025
• Voting on finalists will occur during 2026 Institute General Session

Click here to submit your photos.

Data submission for Quarter 3, 2025 is now open in the LeadingAge Minnesota Data Portal. Data submission for all LeadingAge Minnesota Data Portal applications is due by Oct. 31. Take advantage of this opportunity to track your operational performance over time and benchmark your data against others at the state, regional and other comparison groups, such as groups with similar capacity and services. 

Saint Therese has opened the application process for its  annual Youth Volunteer Scholarships. These scholarships recognize and honor the dedication of youth who give their time to enrich the lives of older adults in Saint Therese communities.

LeadingAge Minnesota is pleased to announce a new partnership with Reemo Health, a company delivering innovative technology solutions designed to support older adults and enhance independent living.