News

The LeadingAge Minnesota QUEST Report for the third quarter, 2025 is now available, providing members with timely insights into trends shaping the senior care sector.

At LeadingAge Minnesota, we know that our members are navigating an increasingly complex and uncertain environment.

This week, the Senate Human Services Committee heard two bills that would adversely affect senior care services.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reports strong interest in the new Assisted Living Competitive Grant Program, highlighting the significant demand for resources that support innovation and improvements in assisted living settings.

To strengthen program integrity and address concerns about waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid programs, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has designated 13 provider categories as “high-risk,” including Adult Day services. As a result, Adult Day providers must complete an off-cycle revalidation by May 31, 2026 in order to remain enrolled in Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP).

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Aging and Adult Services Division (AASD), and Disability Services Division (DSD) have announced a new Request for Proposal for the Customized Living Quality Improvement (CLQI) Grant Program.

Last week, Kari Thurlow, LeadingAge Minnesota’s President and CEO and Kelly Conrad, Director of Assisted Living Services, joined Argentum in Washington, D.C. to advocate for policies that strengthen senior living communities and support older adults across Minnesota and the nation.

For years, skilled nursing facilities have told their quality story primarily through the MDS. If it wasn’t coded on the assessment, it often didn’t exist in the eyes of CMS quality measures. That framework is now changing—decisively.

On January 23, 2026, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) posted a press release directing federally-assisted housing providers to immediately “audit” tenant eligibility based on immigration status.

Finding the right talent is critical — and LeadingAge Minnesota members have an exclusive opportunity to save while recruiting. Members can post open positions on AgingServicesJobs.org, the premier job board for aging services employers, at a significantly reduced rate.

Some of the best improvements start with a simple question from staff: “There has to be a better way to do this.” The ICan Quality Improvement Contest is designed to turn those everyday ideas into meaningful improvements for residents, families, and staff.

The Duluth Tenants Union, an advocacy group representing renters in Duluth, have signaled their potential efforts to introduce a ballot initiative allowing for rent control caps in the city of Duluth. This same group successfully led a ballot initiative in 2025 for the Right to Repair ordinance, which is now in effect.  

Operators of Independent Senior Housing are invited to participate in the monthly Independent Living Operators Professional Networking Group. Our IL Operators Professional Networking Group meets on the second Tuesday of every month. The next virtual meeting is on Tuesday, March 10^th at 10 a.m.

LeadingAge Minnesota’s new Regional Operations Network officially launched on Feb. 26, bringing together members from across the state who serve in regional operational roles.

LeadingAge Minnesota is now collecting artwork created by older adults at member communities for display during our third annual Day at the Capitol Art Exhibit, held the week of April 22.