News

Each year, our Stars Among Us Awards recognize incredible individuals – whether staff, volunteers, or leaders – and entire organizations who demonstrate unique commitment to transforming and enhancing the experience of aging across Minnesota.

The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is excited to offer over $55,000 in educational scholarships to eligible caregivers and other employees of our member organizations for 2025. Investing in the professional development of the aging services workforce is more important now than it has ever been.

This week, Senate Human Services Committee members took public testimony on the Governor's budget, which outlines significant cuts to services for people with disabilities, older adults, and Minnesota counties. This was a critical forum for Minnesotans and their providers to give specific examples of the harm this budget would cause.

In assisted living settings, stock medications and conventional medication management systems are unavailable. The Minnesota Association for Geriatric Inspired Clinicians (MAGIC), created standing house orders (SHO) for assisted living organizations for the first time this year. MAGIC also updates SHO for nursing homes annually.

The Minnesota Department of Health is exploring infection prevention and control barriers in long-term care settings utilizing Collaborative Systems Change. Initial research for areas of study has concluded and focus group work will begin soon. MDH issued a gov. delivery last week that included the areas of study along with additional information about the research process.

Assisted Living licensed providers of customized living services who applied before December 31, 2023, to transition to DHS licensing as a community residential setting may qualify for a license transition support opportunity.

Significant changes are coming for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). On March 24, 2025, new and revised surveyor guidance, including updated critical element pathways, will take effect.

Through the Service Coordinator in Multifamily Housing (SCMF) program, nearly $40 million in funds will be allocated to 104 grantees to pay salaries and associated benefits for service coordinator professionals at 107 affordable multifamily homes.

On January 14, HUD released its anticipated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on “HUD-assisted Housing and Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits.”

The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is seeking immigrants working in senior care and employers to join our two new advisory councils to support New Americans find meaningful careers in senior care. If you are an immigrant working in senior care- in any capacity- or an employer with a passion of supporting newcomers, we welcome you to participate.

The deadline for registering a team for this year’s ICan Quality Improvement Contest is March 20. The contest involves developing and implementing a Quality Improvement project identified and led by front-line staff.

LeadingAge Minnesota is excited to introduce the Quality Improvement Incentive Program (QIIP) Collaborative, a six-month initiative designed exclusively for our members.

The deadline to apply for the 2025 Leadership Academy is quickly approaching. Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, March 4. This exceptional eight-month program blends leadership theory, applied learning, and personalized coaching to mentor current and emerging leaders in our field.

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, Vivie announced that Northfield Retirement Community is joining Vivie in its mission to enrich, empower, and elevate people throughout life’s journey.

You are invited to join the newly formed LeadingAge Minnesota Technology Committee. 

Sign up to participate in the first Technology Committee meeting on April 17 from 11:00 a.m. – noon to learn more about the committee and opportunities to support the effective use of technology in our sector.