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Stars Among Us Awards nominations are open through Sept. 28. You don't have to be a professional writer to submit a great award nomination. The strongest nominations have one thing in common: they tell a story. The Stars Among Us Nomination Guide can help.

A review of mechanical lift–related events and survey findings from the first two quarters of 2026 identified recurring safety concerns involving sling assessment, equipment selection, staff communication, teamwork, and completion of required safety checks.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized changes to COVID-19 vaccination reporting requirements under the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has officially released the FY 2027 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) Final Rule, and the biggest takeaway is one of stability. The final rule closely mirrors the proposed rule issued earlier this year, with very few substantive changes. While there were no major surprises, there are several important updates that skilled nursing providers should understand as they prepare for the years ahead.

In response to discussions with LeadingAge Minnesota, The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has created an additional topic on their Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement (AGE) website intended to give clarity to apartment buildings.

As Minnesota is in peak summer season, a familiar seasonal illness is drawing extra attention this year. Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness that is the subject of a large multistate outbreak that has sickened more than 18,000 people nationally, with a subcluster tied to iceberg lettuce from a Taylor Farms supplier sourcing from central Mexico.

New videos, on-demand webinars and practical tools help aging services providers recruit, support, and retain New American employees while creating stronger, more welcoming workplaces for everyone.

The 2026 LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Golf Tournament helped raise record-breaking funds for the next round of caregiver scholarships. In total, thanks to golfers, sponsors, volunteers, on-course games, and ticket sales, the event raised nearly $108,000 before expenses.

Most leaders don’t struggle because they lack answers, but because they rarely have time to ask the questions that matter.

St. Francis Health Services of Morris, Inc. (CEO, Carol Raw) and Benedictine (CEO, Jerry Carley) have signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to explore an affiliation between the two Catholic, nonprofit organizations in which Benedictine would become the sole corporate member of SFHS. If the membership substitution occurs, Duluth Benedictine Ministries would, subject to its own agreement, become the Catholic sponsor of SFHS.

Do you want the chance to win $10,000 for your community? Maybe you need to replace aging equipment or want to celebrate your staff.  The choice will be yours if you win one of the six grand prizes that will be drawn in Value First’s 5-Star Dining Program Sweepstakes.

Second quarter data submission for all LeadingAge Minnesota Data Portal applications is due by July 31. By submitting your data each quarter, you'll build a stronger picture of your organization's performance over time while gaining access to meaningful benchmarks that can support quality improvement, strategic planning, budgeting, and operational decision-making.

The application materials for another round of the nursing facility moratorium exceptions process were recently posted on the MDH website. Nursing homes interested in applying for approval to fund a construction project will need to complete all the required application materials and return them to MDH by December 17, 2026.

Leadership has a funny paradox. The busier we become, the harder it is to find time to think strategically. Our calendars fill with meetings, emails, staffing issues, budgets, compliance requirements, and the countless decisions that keep our organizations moving forward.

Every day, someone in your organization makes a difference.

Maybe it's the caregiver who consistently goes above and beyond for residents. The maintenance technician who quietly solves problems before anyone notices.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the Five-Star Quality Rating System Technical Users' Guide to reflect changes to the Quality Measure (QM) domain rating thresholds, which will take effect with the quarterly Five-Star refresh scheduled for July 29, 2026.

The work of building a strong assisted living operation does not end when the license is issued. Whether an organization is preparing to welcome its first resident or has served residents for years, the same challenge remains: turning complex regulatory requirements into policies, training, documentation and everyday practices that work together.

Assisted living providers routinely face difficult questions about whether a person can safely move in (or remain in the community) when decision-making, communication or disability-related needs complicate the situation. Two new Minnesota laws change how providers must approach those decisions.

Every election season, senior housing communities receive calls from candidates asking to visit residents. These requests can raise as many questions as opportunities. While candidates are eager to meet older voters—one of the most civically engaged groups in Minnesota—property managers are focused on resident comfort, safety, and operations.

What makes the Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum different from other educational events? It starts with purpose. While many education programs focus on regulations, operations, or role-specific skills, Annual Meeting is intentionally designed to help leaders step back from the day-to-day and focus on the bigger picture.

Professional development doesn't always happen on a conference schedule. Whether you're working toward license renewal, onboarding a new leader, or simply looking for practical ideas you can put to work right away, our new 5-Pack Webinar Bundle makes continuing education more flexible—and more affordable.

LeadingAge Minnesota member Vivie has announced the appointment of Mike Fryar as its new chief revenue officer. In this newly created executive role, Fryar will lead efforts to align marketing, sales and growth strategies across the organization's expanding continuum of services. Read the full press release below to learn more about Fryar's background and Vivie's vision for this new leadership position.

Every day across Minnesota, aging services professionals, volunteers, leaders, board members, and organizations make a difference in the lives of older adults. Some moments are extraordinary. Many are quiet acts of compassion, leadership, innovation, and service that deserve to be recognized. 

Join us for our final two Fund Developer Network meetings of the year, both held virtually over the lunch hour.

Yesterday marked the completion of the second of four webinars for LeadingAge Minnesota’s Emergency Preparedness Training Series for assisted living providers and nursing homes.

Minnesota's plan to redesign its disability waiver system is still moving forward, but providers will have more time to prepare. The Department of Human Services (DHS) has confirmed that the new Disability Waiver Program will not launch January 1, 2027, as originally planned. A new implementation date has not been announced.

A change of ownership will transfer more than the facility’s operations, residents and employees to the new licensee. Beginning August 1, 2026, an assisted living buyer will also assume responsibility for certain unresolved regulatory obligations connected to the facility.

The LeadingAge Minnesota Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for one director-at-large position and for Honorary Lifetime Membership.

CMS has announced a major shift in how nursing homes will be surveyed. On July 16, 2026, CMS issued QSO-26-14-NH, formally launching the Risk-Based Survey (RBS) process nationwide beginning September 8, 2026.

Northern Minnesota's wildfires have pushed air quality to hazardous levels across much of the state this week, with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issuing alerts covering the metro, Duluth, Brainerd, St. Cloud, and dozens of other communities.