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The future of aging services isn't somewhere off in the distance—changing consumer expectations and rapidly evolving technology are already reshaping it.

When Annette Riestenberg was named the 2026 Stars Among Us Statewide Caregiver of the Year, the recognition celebrated far more than her nearly 40 years of service. It celebrated the relationships, compassion, and countless everyday moments that have made her such an important part of the lives of the people she serves.

Independent senior living comes with its own opportunities—and its own tough operational challenges. Tackling the Tough Stuff: Operating Independent Senior Housing Today, a LeadingAge Minnesota workshop on Thursday, October 8, is designed specifically for professionals working in independent senior housing.

LeadingAge Minnesota will soon launch our annual member roster update process to help ensure our records are accurate and members across your organization stay connected to the resources, communications, education and opportunities available through membership.

Looking for funding to support your organization’s programs, workforce, facilities, or other priorities? New grant and scholarship opportunities have recently been added to the LeadingAge Minnesota Grant Grid.

Last week marked the completion of the facilitated virtual tabletop exercise which is part of LeadingAge Minnesota’s Emergency Preparedness Training Series.

LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation’s Connected Communities for Healthy Aging is now featured in the Rural Health Information Hub’s national collection of rural health Models and Innovations.

Skilled nursing facilities operate in an environment where reimbursement, quality outcomes, staffing efficiency, and resident function are increasingly interconnected. Yet one valuable clinical program is often underdeveloped or viewed primarily as an MDS requirement: restorative nursing.

LeadingAge Minnesota members are increasingly reporting situations in which employees with pending Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewal applications are approaching—or experiencing—gaps in employment authorization before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) completes the renewal process. If this is impacting your organization, please complete our short survey at the end of this article.

As part of their statutory mandate to collect feedback from nursing home employees and employers, the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board is hosting a series of forums and conducting a survey. The survey is designed to get feedback from both employees and employers.

Registration is now open for LeadingAge Minnesota’s October District Meetings! Join members from across your region for a day of timely education, conversation, networking and connection.

Now that DHS has published rate notices, they’ve also released a grant program intended to cover a gap in the minimum wage increase due to the delay in 2026 rates being approved.

Minnesota’s next governor will take office at a pivotal moment for our state. As our population ages, decisions about workforce, access to care, affordability, innovation and the sustainability of aging services will shape the lives of older Minnesotans and their families for years to come.

LeadingAge Minnesota is making it easier to fit professional development—and continuing education—into your schedule with the new 5-Pack Webinar Bundle.

Learning and professional development can take many forms, and LeadingAge Minnesota’s education partners offer additional opportunities for professionals to grow and explore new areas of expertise. One of those partners, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, offers graduate programs that help professionals build specialized knowledge and skills for the next step in their careers.

Section GG has become one of the most influential sections of the Minimum Data Set (MDS), yet it remains one of the most misunderstood. While many clinicians recognize its importance for Medicare reimbursement, Section GG extends far beyond payment. Accurate coding directly impacts Quality Measures, Value-Based Purchasing, Five-Star performance, state Medicaid case-mix systems, discharge planning, and the resident's overall clinical story.

On August 13, 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the surveyor resources for the newly implemented Risk Based Survey (RBS) process.

Every Stars Among Us Award begins the same way: with someone taking the time to nominate a deserving person or program.

On August 17, U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Brasel issued an Order dismissing the lawsuit that LeadingAge Minnesota, along with our Long-Term Care Imperative (LTCI) partner, filed in March 2026 challenging the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board (NHWSB).

After months of delay due to late submission by DHS of the State Plan Amendment (SPA) to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), nursing home rate notices for January 1, 2026, were posted on Friday, Aug. 21 to the nursing facility provider portal.

Occupancy doesn't belong to one department. Marketing creates awareness. Sales builds relationships. Operations delivers the experience. And every interaction with a prospective resident or family shapes how they see your organization. That's why the Sales and Marketing Certificate Program goes beyond traditional sales and marketing tactics.

LeadingAge Minnesota is sharing that William Levine, Data & Membership Coordinator, is taking the next step in his professional career and has accepted a data analyst position with another organization and will therefore be moving on from the association.

The agenda will be published and registration will open in the coming week for LeadingAge Minnesota’s October District Meetings. This fall, we’re adding something new to the district meeting format based directly on member feedback.

As you consider who to nominate for a 2027 Stars Among Us Award, don't overlook everyday excellence. Not every star seeks the spotlight, and some of the people most deserving of recognition are the least likely to ask for it.

Aging services providers know that helping older adults thrive takes more than excellent care—it requires strong partnerships throughout the community.

The CDC is shutting down SimpleReport. The Minnesota Department of Health requires assisted living organizations to transition to alternative electronic tools to report positive point-of-care test results within one working day.

In a rapidly evolving turn of events, a Ramsey County judge ruled on 8/10/2026 that the “Right to Repair” ballot initiative should be included on the November ballot in Saint Paul’s general election.

LeadingAge Minnesota was at FarmFest last week, connecting with attendees and raising awareness about the importance of supporting aging services across Minnesota.

After months of delay, on Tuesday, Aug. 11, CMS approved Minnesota’s State Plan Amendment (SPA). This approval triggers significant nursing facility rate, wage, and surcharge changes.

Quality improvement isn't a one-time initiative — it's an ongoing commitment to delivering the best possible care and outcomes. Whether you're looking for timely updates on today's federal quality programs or want to build deeper expertise in quality leadership, LeadingAge Minnesota offers education designed to help you strengthen performance, improve outcomes, and lead with confidence.