All News
Strengthen MDS Accuracy, Quality Outcomes, and Reimbursement Performance
On May 7, 2026 by Sharon Hollister
Accurate MDS practice is critical to aligning resident care, quality outcomes, and financial performance. To support providers in strengthening this work, LeadingAge Minnesota is offering two in-person MDS training opportunities tailored to different experience levels.
Public Retirement Celebration for Tim Hokanson, Longtime CEO of Mount Olivet
On May 7, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
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.
Sholom Announces Historic $8 Million Investment to Strengthen Inclusive Senior Care for the Future
On May 7, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
On May 1, Sholom, a nonprofit senior care organization, announced a historic $8 million infrastructure investment alongside refreshed brand messaging that reflects its commitment to belonging, dignity, and inclusive community.
Catholic Eldercare Adds Community Serving Older Adults in Blaine
On May 7, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
Catholic Eldercare is honored to announce the addition of Crest View Senior Community at Blaine to their family.
Sign Up for the Final Fund Developer Network Meetings of the Year
On May 7, 2026 by Gina DiMaggio
Thank you to everyone who joined us in person on May 6 for a meaningful afternoon of networking, idea sharing and peer learning around the topic of AI in fundraising. We appreciated the opportunity to connect with professionals from across the aging services field and continue strengthening this valuable community.
Leadership Academy Welcomes the 2026 Cohort, Sets New Milestone
On May 7, 2026 by Barbara Landeen
Leadership in aging services has never mattered more. At a time of growing complexity and change, LeadingAge Minnesota is proud to welcome the 2026 Leadership Academy class — an extraordinary group of 46 emerging and established leaders committed to shaping the future of aging services with courage, compassion, and purpose.
Department of Education Finalizes Rule Limiting Federal Student Loans for Key Healthcare Professions
On May 7, 2026 by Anna Mowry
On May 1st, the U.S. Department of Education published a final rule implementing changes to federal student loan limits for graduate and professional degree programs. The rule finalizes, without modification, the Department’s definition of “professional degree,” despite significant concerns raised during the public comment period.
HUD Changes to Service Coordinator Grant Process
On May 7, 2026 by Shelli Bakken
Following a change in leadership overseeing Resident Service Coordinator (RSC) grants at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the agency is now projecting full-year renewal funds for Calendar Year 2026 grants by early June.
Over 79% of DLI Ergonomic Safety Grants Awarded to Healthcare Employers
On May 7, 2026 by Mark Schulz
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) continues to distribute funding through its Workplace Safety Grant Program, with healthcare employers — particularly nursing homes — remaining the primary recipients of ergonomic safety grant awards.
Register Today for 13th Annual Foundation Golf Tournament – Aug. 4
On May 7, 2026 by Jenny Prosser
Join us for an afternoon of golf, networking, and impact at the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Golf Tournament at Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury. Proceeds support caregiver and employee scholarships—last year, you helped raise nearly $60,000!
Emergency Preparedness Training Series Underway
On May 7, 2026 by Mark Schulz
Yesterday (May 6) marked the launch of LeadingAge Minnesota’s new Emergency Preparedness Training Series for assisted living providers and nursing homes with the first webinar, Demystifying Preparedness: The Basics.
Staffing Mandates Rejected by Senate in Passage of Human Services Bill
On May 7, 2026 by Erin Huppert
On Wednesday, May 6, the Minnesota Senate passed its Human Services Finance Bill, SF4476, on a vote of 35-32. Critically, after tireless advocacy on the part of LeadingAge Minnesota members, a key provision to require nurse staffing ratios in nursing homes and assisted living facilities was removed from the bill prior to its passage.
Mechanical Lift Safety: Lessons Learned from Q4 2025 Events
On April 30, 2026 by Julie Apold
A review of mechanical lift–related falls in Quarter 4 of 2025 reveals clear, recurring patterns. These events highlight system-level gaps that can be addressed with reliable processes and consistent practices.
New Employer Guide Available: How to Recruit, Retain, and Advance New Americans in the Aging Services Workforce
On April 30, 2026 by Kirstan Ketter
Last week, we shared a new resource to help aging services providers strengthen their workforce by improving how they recruit, support, and advance New Americans. Since then, many of you have begun exploring the guide and considering how it applies to your organization.
The HCBS Shake-Up: Why CMS’s New Quality Measures Are Getting Attention
On April 30, 2026 by Kelly Conrad
The federal push to standardize quality in home and community-based services (HCBS) just got a lot more concrete, and a bit more complicated.
ICE Tightens Form I-9 Review Standards, Increasing Employer Compliance Risk
On April 30, 2026 by Anna Mowry
As reported by LeadingAge National, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken a more stringent approach to reviewing Form I-9 documentation, raising compliance risks for employers.
OIG Findings on Antipsychotic Use: Implications for Nursing Home Compliance
On April 30, 2026 by Kari Everson
In March 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General released two reports examining how nursing homes administer antipsychotic medications to residents.
From MN-ITS to On-Site Visits: Staying Ahead of DHS Compliance in 2026
On April 30, 2026 by Kelly Conrad
If it feels like oversight activity is ramping up, you’re not imagining it. Between enhanced claim reviews, focused federal audits, and Minnesota’s revalidation push, providers are operating in a more scrutiny-heavy environment. The good news? None of this is unmanageable if you know what’s coming and stay organized.
The Happy Hour Has Been Freed for Seniors – Media Coverage Continues
On April 30, 2026 by Ben Hansen
As reported on our social media channels and in Capitol Conversations last week, the “free the happy hour” bill was signed into law on April 21. Earlier this week, the Star Tribune and MinnPost both covered the policy change.
Policy Omnibus Bills Advance in Legislature
On April 30, 2026 by Erin Huppert
This week, vastly different versions of a Human Services Policy Bill advanced in both the House and Senate.
Nursing Home Quality Measures and Programs for Quality Leaders
On April 23, 2026 by Sharon Hollister
LeadingAge Minnesota is launching a new, in-depth webinar series designed specifically for nursing home quality leaders who want to strengthen their understanding and use of federal quality programs.
Virtual Institute Access Deadline April 30
On April 23, 2026 by Sharon Hollister
On-Demand access to the 2026 Virtual Institute & Expo expires Thursday, April 30. If you were registered for the 2026 Institute & Expo, you have access to all 27 virtual education sessions, plus five additional sessions and two keynote presentations from the in-person conference.
2026 Workplace Safety Grant Opportunity
On April 23, 2026 by Julie Apold
The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care has opened the application period for the 2026 Workplace Safety Grants for Health Care Entities. Application submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on June 12.
POLST and Code Status: What’s Required
On April 23, 2026 by Kari Everson
Across member organizations, code status documentation continues to be a common driver of regulatory citations often tied to inconsistencies in how resident wishes are captured, verified, and communicated across care settings.
Malnutrition Coding on the MDS: Small Detail, Major Impact
On April 23, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
Malnutrition is one of the most common—and most overlooked—clinical conditions in long-term care. While interdisciplinary teams are actively assessing, monitoring, and intervening, one critical step is often missed: accurate coding on the Minimum Data Set (MDS).
Assisted Living Report Card Updates
On April 23, 2026 by Shelli Bakken
On Feb. 12, the Department of Human Services (DHS) published new ratings and corrected previously published ratings for its Assisted Living Report Card.
The Assisted Living Competitive Grant Program: Key Details and Tips for a Strong Application
On April 23, 2026 by Kelly Conrad
If you asked most assisted living leaders what they would improve tomorrow with the right funding, you’d likely hear the same themes: staffing, training, safety, and resident quality of life. The challenge isn’t identifying the need—it’s finding the resources to act. The Minnesota Assisted Living Competitive Grant offers a path to turn those priorities into reality.
Join Us in June! 2026 Summer District Meetings – Registration Now Open
On April 23, 2026 by Jessica Lacher
Registration is now open for LeadingAge Minnesota’s June district meetings, offering members an opportunity to connect, collaborate and stay informed on key issues impacting aging services across the state.
Scholarships for Caregivers – Application Deadline Approaching
On April 23, 2026 by Lori Meyer
Over the past twelve years, the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation (LAMF) has provided over $330,000 in scholarships to over 250 individuals who demonstrated a desire to grow professionally and a commitment to the aging services field.
2026 Day at the Capitol: A Brief Recap
On April 23, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
LeadingAge Minnesota’s 2026 Day at the Capitol was one for the books—an energizing, deeply meaningful day centered on advocacy, connection, and the voices of older adults and the providers who serve them.
