All News

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. 

Registration is open for the much anticipated Maltreatment Management Workshop on Dec. 10 and 11. This highly interactive program provides hands-on training on identifying and reporting maltreatment events and navigating the investigation process.

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.

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.

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.

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.

District Meetings Begin Oct. 7.  

Fall District Meetings start Oct. 7 – featuring fire safety preparedness and expanding workforce. Join your regional colleagues for connection, education, and lunch. Includes 2 free CEUs. 

Our brand-new conference is devoted solely to the daily operational tasks and challenges for independent senior living providers - Oct 29 Independent Living Conference: Tackling the Tough Stuff. 

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.

We’re excited to share news from LeadingAge Minnesota member, St. Francis Health Services of Morris. This month, they announced the launch of the St. Francis Legacy Foundation, a new effort to protect access to quality care in Minnesota communities.

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. 

LeadingAge Minnesota is hosting two consecutive webinars on Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 1–3 p.m. to help providers prepare for the Jan. 1, 2026 implementation of Minnesota’s new Paid Leave law. Sessions will provide practical details and strategic guidance on navigating the state’s complex web of leave requirements. 

A few weeks ago, DHS posted new rates for nursing homes on the nursing facility portal. The rate notices are incorrectly labeled as Jan. 1 rates, but they are effective Oct. 1.

On September 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed its motion to dismiss their appeal for our lawsuit challenging the CMS Minimum Staffing Rule.

Brand new offering for our independent living providers – join us on Oct. 29 for a one-day conference: Tackling the Touch Stuff: Operating Independent Senior Housing Today. 

Health Dimensions Group^® (HDG^®), a leading senior living, post-acute, and long-term care management and consulting firm based in Minneapolis, Minn., has named Erin Hilligan as its chief operating officer (COO). With this role, Hilligan joins HDG’s Executive Leadership Team.

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.

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

This fall, Minnesota communities will hold elections for city, school, or other local offices. In addition, campaign season is heating up for legislative offices facing a special election.

Celebrating a Legacy of Vision, Service, and Leadership in Aging Services

LeadingAge Minnesota is proud to honor Bob Dahl, outgoing President and CEO of Cassia, with our prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award — one of the highest honors bestowed by the association. Reserved for individuals who are retiring from a career of distinction in aging services, the award recognizes visionary leadership, enduring impact, and a legacy that inspires future generations.

On September 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) notified our plaintiff attorneys that it intends to dismiss its appeal in the CMS Staffing Rule challenge. Plaintiff attorneys consented to this action, and the government’s filing and subsequent court order of dismissal are expected in the near future. This marks a major victory and is the direct result of your dedication, advocacy, and hard work—congratulations!

Operators of independent living senior housing communities are invited to join the monthly networking group that is specifically designed for you! This virtual networking meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 16th from 10 to 11 a.m. 

If this meeting isn’t on your calendar, email Shelli Bakken and you’ll receive an invite.    

Do you have a Tricky Situation to share with the group? A case study review will be shared with an opportunity for those on the call to weigh in on ideas for resolution. Your experience will be key! Bring an idea you have for discussion to this or to future meetings. 

Nursing home members should be aware that they need to submit a minimum wage rate add-on application to DHS in just over two weeks. DHS has provided an application and written instructions to apply for the rate add-on. They also have produced an instructional video that talks through how nursing homes should complete the application as well as a set of guidance in response to issues with some of the early arriving applications. 

The add-on will be calculated using two months of actual wage data for individuals below the minimum standards, then annualized and calculated as a per day rate adjustment that will appear on nursing homes’ 2026 and 2027 rates in the external fixed category where it is not subject to the operating rate caps that will apply starting in 2026. Important note: Applications submitted after Oct. 1 will not be considered, so providers need to get the form completed and returned to receive the funding they are entitled to. Please contact Jeff Bostic with any questions.  

We’re excited to announce a new, one-day conference—Independent Living Conference: Tackling the Tough Stuff. This will be held on Oct. 29.

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

The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is seeking proposals for the Drive for Five Initiative Competitive Grants to conduct outreach, provide education and training, and job placement in high-demand fields, including the caring professions.