News

Last week, we introduced a new resource designed to support aging services providers in strengthening their workforce, and the response has been strong. If you haven’t had a chance to explore it yet, now is the perfect time to take a closer look and start putting it into action.

The 2026 edition of the Older Adult Services Orientation Manual is now available. This updated resource is designed to help board members quickly understand the complex and evolving world of aging services. Written in clear, accessible language, it includes an overview of key areas across the field along with a helpful glossary of terms. 

In October, 2024, Eventide Senior Living Communities and Tabitha Senior Care, a Nebraska-based senior living organization, officially joined forces through a strategic affiliation agreement, marking a significant milestone in enhancing support for seniors across the Midwest. 

LeadingAge Minnesota members Continuum Therapy Partners and St. Francis Health Services of Morris have announced a new partnership that will expand therapy services and strengthen care delivery across Minnesota.

Episcopal Homes of Minnesota is pleased to announce the acquisition of The Willows of Ramsey Hill, a specialized memory care community located in St. Paul's Summit-University neighborhood.

Chris Knoll, a LeadingAge Minnesota member and CEO of Minnewaska Community Health Services, has secured the Republican endorsement for Minnesota Senate District 21. The endorsement was announced following the district convention, where party delegates selected Knoll as their preferred candidate to succeed retiring Senator Bill Weber. 

After forty years of unwavering, visionary leadership at Mount Olivet Careview Home, Mount Olivet Home, and Mount Olivet Day Services, Tim Hokanson will retire on June 1, 2026.

United Properties has broken ground on Amira Corcoran, a new 143-unit, 55-plus active adult rental community located at 7330 Brockton Lane N. in Corcoran, Minnesota. The four-story development expands the Amira senior living portfolio in the northwest Twin Cities metro and responds to growing demand for high-quality housing for older adults.

Ziegler, a specialty investment bank, is pleased to announce the addition of Nancy Hooks as Catholic Elder Care and Post-Acute Specialist for the firm’s Senior Living Finance Practice.

Brenda Brandl will join Benedictine as Vice President of Clinical Operations beginning April 13.

Health Dimensions Group (HDG) has named Julie Flaig Smith as its senior vice president of community sales and marketing.

LeadingAge Minnesota members now have access to a new collection of workforce resources to help New Americans succeed in aging services careers.

Less than two years after opening Saint Therese of Corcoran, Saint Therese is expanding its footprint in the fast-growing west metro city. Last week, the Corcoran City Council approved the new construction that will add 31 new independent living apartments to Saint Therese’s existing community that currently has independent living, assisted living and memory care apartments.

The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is excited to offer almost $60,000 in educational scholarships to eligible caregivers and other employees of our member organizations for 2026. Investing in the professional development of the aging services workforce is more important now than it has ever been.

A longtime LeadingAge Minnesota member organization is celebrating a milestone year as its founder receives statewide recognition for leadership in aging services and health care. Dr. Mary Tjosvold, founder and CEO of The Mary T Family of Companies, is being honored by three Minnesota business publications as the organization marks its 50th anniversary in 2026. Congratulations, Mary T and companies!

Benedictine has welcomed Mother of Mercy Senior Living, 230 Church Avenue, Albany, Minn., to its family of senior living communities.

In 2024, Vista Prairie Communities expanded the use of the Minnesota Resident Quality of Life and Family Satisfaction Surveys to three of their assisted living communities in Wisconsin and Iowa in partnership with Vital Research.

Congratulations to Perham Health/Elevate for winning the 2025 Minnesota Rural Health Team Award. This award, presented by the Minnesota Department of Health, recognizes dedicated health care organizations that have made significant contributions to the health and wellbeing of their rural communities. It's presented just in time for honoring Rural Health Day, which is today, Thursday, November 20. 

LeadingAge Minnesota’s Community Engagement Workgroup recently gathered for a full day of collaboration and planning to strengthen local connections across the state. The event featured county commissioners and member leaders who shared insights and strategies to advance community partnerships statewide.

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.