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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. 

Recently, we shared an exciting new webinar series designed to help aging services providers better recruit, support, and advance New Americans in their workforce. But those sessions are just one part of a larger effort to equip you with practical, real-world tools.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is committed to supporting long-term care (LTC) professionals in MN who are working in infection prevention and control (IPC)related roles. In support of this effort, MDH contracted with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) to provide FREE national and state membership to qualified staff working in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities in Minnesota.

We have good news for nursing facility providers: Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) has resolved a billing issue that caused some nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) and ambulance claims to be denied.

On Thursday, April 30, from 12-1:30 p.m. the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Health Regulation Division is holding a quarterly webinar for assisted living licensees and interested stakeholders to educate on regulatory trends and provide updates.

Formerly known as Group Residential Housing (GRH), Housing Support is a state-funded program that helps cover basic living expenses, primarily rent and raw food, for eligible individuals. Each year, the state recalculates the rate using a standardized formula tied to federal and state benchmarks that estimate the minimum income necessary for a person to live safely and independently in the community.

Older Americans Month is just around the corner (May), and LeadingAge Minnesota is proud to introduce our new Celebrate Aging apparel and merchandise collection—created to honor the impact, wisdom, and contributions of older adults, as well as the dedicated professionals who serve them every day.

We are excited to announce a new, coordinated Emergency Preparedness Training Series designed to support assisted living providers, while also welcoming and encouraging participation from nursing homes. This initiative represents a significant step forward in supporting your organization’s compliance with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Appendix Z requirements while strengthening real-world readiness.

This Friday, the legislature will reach its finance deadline, a benchmark that means any bill with fiscal impact must be out of committees and on its way to eventual floor votes. Unlike other years, leadership and the Governor's office did not agree to budget targets for each jurisdiction area.

The Central Minnesota Council on Aging has released a new funding opportunity through the Title III E National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP)—designed to strengthen services that support family and informal caregivers of older adults. 

LeadingAge Minnesota is launching a new, coordinated Emergency Preparedness Training Series to support assisted living providers, with nursing homes encouraged to participate.

Falls continue to be a significant challenge across long-term care, affecting resident wellbeing, staff workflows, and quality outcomes. As technology continues to evolve, many providers are exploring new tools to better understand risk and support prevention efforts.

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. 

A March 26, 2026 Executive Order (EO) prohibits federal contractors from engaging in “racially discriminatory DEI activities” described as unethical and inefficient.

As Older Americans Month approaches this May, LeadingAge Minnesota is proud to introduce our new Celebrate Aging apparel and merchandise collection—created to honor the impact, wisdom, and contributions of older adults, as well as the dedicated professionals who serve them every day.

MDH recently notified nursing homes that submitted proposals in the current moratorium exceptions round of their approval status. All five proposals were approved, representing a total annual state cost of just under $1.1 million.

Mark your calendars for two of LeadingAge Minnesota’s signature events this summer and fall, designed to support both operational excellence and strategic leadership across aging services.

As a reminder, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) maintains several very useful and informative websites for nursing home providers. 

Late last week, CMS released the annual proposed PPS rule. That rule, which will be adopted in final form around Aug. 1, implements annual rate updates and other Medicare policy changes impacting SNFs. This year’s rule proposes a 2.4% increase in SNF rates effective Oct. 1, reflecting relatively low inflation. Wage index values also update on that date, meaning the actual rate increase will vary from the inflation increase. 

As the demands on aging services professionals continue to grow, access to timely, practical education is more important than ever. LeadingAge Minnesota is offering two valuable virtual learning opportunities this spring designed to support both frontline clinical teams and organizational leaders navigating policy changes.

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.

LeadingAge Minnesota is pleased to share the release of our 2025 Annual Report—a reflection of a year defined by challenge, resilience, and meaningful progress for aging services across our state. Yes, we know…it’s April 2026. But as you’ll see, the work captured in this report is well worth the look back.

In a response to concerns about possible increases in eviction filings related to Operation Metro Surge, the St. Paul City Council recently approved a temporary 60-day pre-eviction filing notice ordinance on a unanimous 7-0 vote.

A couple weeks ago, Governor Walz released his supplemental budget proposal, which would make significant cuts to Minnesota’s long-term care system—putting seniors and their caregivers at serious risk during an already critical time.

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.