News

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.

Beginning Aug. 1, Minnesota’s vulnerable adult maltreatment system will change in three connected ways: the definitions are broader, county responsibilities are clearer, and investigative records may remain available longer.

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.

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.

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 licensing concern, background study issue or missing record may no longer remain confined to one part of an organization. Under Minnesota's new program integrity laws, compliance problems can quickly spread across licensing, billing, managed care and payment systems, with potentially significant financial consequences for providers.

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.

Federally regulated affordable housing programs, including Section 202 and elderly-designated Section 8 communities, are subject to complex reporting and compliance requirements. Staying current on evolving HUD expectations is essential to reducing compliance risk.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on May 21, 2026 issued a new requirement for certain federally assisted housing providers to reverify the immigration status of certain tenants within 30 days.

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 dining team member who brightens every meal. The volunteer who gives their time so generously. Or perhaps it's a team whose innovation has improved care, safety, or quality of life.

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.

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. 

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.