Minnesota Assisted Living
While its winter months can be very cold with an abundance of snow, Minnesota is one of the healthiest and most peaceful places for retirees due to its cultural inspirations, adventurous attractions, high-quality health care, and low cost of living. In addition, all the emergency rooms in Minnesota hospitals will treat anyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Older adults looking for assisted living communities in Minnesota can use the following information to learn about available options, residential care costs, and state regulations regarding long-term care.
The typical resident population in Minnesota's assisted living communities is 69% female. Overall, 78% of residents are ages 75 and older, with 26% of residents ages 75 to 84 and 52% ages 85 and older.
Minnesota does not specifically license assisted living facilities (ALFs). The state defines assisted living as comprising two elements: a site registered with the Department of Health as a ‘housing with services’ establishment and as a licensed class A or F home care agency. Only facilities that comply with the relevant requirements may use the term assisted living.
Housing with services establishments provide accommodations for adult residents, 80% of whom are 55 or older. These establishments offer or provide regularly scheduled health-related services or two or more scheduled supportive services. The offered services can be provided by employees or by outside agencies contracted to provide those services.
The health-related services provided include professional nursing, home health care, and home care tasks. Health-related services must be provided by a Class A or Class F home care agency according to applicable license requirements.
Supportive services include personal laundry, handling or assisting residents with personal funds and arranging medical and health-related services.
Assisted living is a service or package of advertised or marketed services that use the term “assisted living.”
The Department of Human Services licenses adult foster homes. These homes are residences that provide food, lodging, and 24-hour care. The care includes protection, supervision, and household services for up to four functionally impaired residents.
There are six key components that must be included in resident agreements between residents and the housing with services facility:
Any facility that offers assisted living may determine which services will be provided. They may offer assisted living services to all or only some of the residents. Housing with services establishments and home care providers are not required to offer or provide services under a service agreement or plan if they determine that they cannot provide for the residents’ needs.
Health care services may be terminated without affecting the resident’s housing status. Any facility that terminates health care services must provide 30 days’ notice and must provide help to find another health care provider.
In Minnesota, you cannot use the phrase “assisted living” to housing with services facilities if they do not provide the following:
The licensed home care agency providing health care services must provide all of the services outlined in all resident service agreements or service plans.
Establishments must offer to arrange for an assessment by an RN to determine the physical and cognitive needs of prospective residents prior to signing the resident agreement (contract) or the date they move in, whichever is earlier.
The facility must have an arrangement with a Class A or F home care agency or have its own licensed home care agency to provide home care services. Class A home care agencies provide professional nursing and home health aid tasks like physical, speech, and occupational therapy and medical social services. Class F home care agencies may provide nursing services and delegated nursing services performed by unlicensed personnel.
Any housing with services facility that uses the term assisted living must provide two meals per day to its residents.
Housing with services establishments must provide access to an on-call RN at all times, must maintain a system to check on each resident daily, and provide a means for residents to request assistance at all times.
There are no required staffing ratios other than to have adequate staffing levels to meet the needs of the residents. Housing with services establishments must have an awake person available at all times responsible for responding to resident health or safety needs, communicating with residents, recognizing the need to assist residents, and being capable of providing the necessary care or summoning the appropriate assistance.
Assisted living/housing with services establishments are not required to provide apartment-style housing in Minnesota. Units may be shared by resident choice.
There are several requirements that each assisted living community must provide for its residents. The facility must offer both general observations and health supervision to assist in identifying each resident's health condition and ability to function. The facility must assist residents with all ADLs and medication services and assess the need for medication attention or nursing services.
In Minnesota, ALFs must provide care and services in the resident’s care plan. This can include coordinating medical care and appointments. Communities may also deliver health services. Many have health care specialists and on-site services, with 62% of communities offering dental care. In addition, some ALFs have hospice services.
Mental health issues are a growing consideration for communities, and services to address these concerns are becoming more common. In Minnesota, 86% of communities conduct depression screenings, and 48% offer mental health counseling. Social work programs are also found in 43% of ALFs. Social workers can provide counseling, conduct assessments, and help ensure residents can access all the resources they need.
Some assisted living residents live with various medical conditions. In Minnesota, 31% have Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. In addition, 35% have high blood pressure, 26% have heart disease, 28% have depression, and 15% have diabetes.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services supports mental health programs and services designed to help adults living with mental illness. Many county and tribal nation offices are situated throughout the state to provide more information regarding the services and programs available in each area. Emergency mental health services are available around the clock for those who are having a mental health crisis. The Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities also provides resources for older adults with mental health conditions. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs offers a variety of mental health resources to support veterans, including a crisis hotline.
Any facility that markets itself as an assisted living facility must offer to provide or arrange for assistance with self-administration or administration of medications. An RN must instruct any medications administered by staff, the instructions must be written, and the person must be able to follow instructions.
A primary service of assisted living that benefits residents is receiving help with activities of daily living (ADLs). These are fundamental tasks that a person must do regularly to sustain life and general health, including toileting, bathing or showering, dressing, transferring (getting in and out of bed or a chair), ambulating (walking), and eating. Signs that a person may benefit from living in assisted living include increased isolation, loss of mobility, noticeable weight loss or gain, and/or neglect of household chores.
Residents in Minnesota’s assisted living facilities often receive help with their ADLs. In Minnesota, 18% of residents need help eating. Other commonly used services include bed transfer (27%), toileting (36%), and walking (40%). Caregivers in ALFs help 43% of residents dress, and 55% need help bathing.
The average cost of assisted living care in Minnesota is $4,508. This is $8 higher than the monthly national average of $4,500. The cost of living in Minnesota is comparable to the national average, with health care costs more than the national average by 6.9% and housing costs less than the national average by 9.8%.
The level of care a person requires impacts the cost of care, as does where you live. The cost of assisted living ranges from a low of $3,135 in the Mankato area to a high of $5,163 per month in the Minneapolis area of Minnesota.
If you live close to one of Minnesota’s borders, you may find assisted living in a neighboring state is an affordable option. Three of Minnesota’s four neighbors have lower average monthly costs for Assisted Living. Iowa has an average cost of $4,367 per month, and North and South Dakota have average monthly costs below $3,400. Wisconsin’s average monthly cost is a bit higher than Minnesota’s, with an average monthly cost of $4,600.
How to Pay for Assisted Living
The Health Regulation Division of the Minnesota Department of Health oversees the licensing and monitoring of compliance of the state’s assisted living communities. The Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care (OOLTC) is a service of the Minnesota Board on Aging and advocates for Minnesotans who need or receive long-term care. The OOLTC also handles complaints concerning assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other long-term care communities. Contact the Minnesota Department of Social Services if you need help gaining access to medical or social services.
Assisted living communities must meet certain quality and safety standards as regulated by Chapter 144G of the Minnesota Statutes and Regulations for Assisted Living. For instance, all communities must follow local fire safety protocols and have an emergency disaster plan in place. The assisted living community must also provide residents with a way to ask for help to meet their health and safety needs at any time of day. The Minnesota Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman works with older adults, their family members, health care providers, and public agencies to protect residents’ rights and quality of life. In addition, the ombudsman ensures the health, well-being, quality of care and safety of all long-term care residents.
The Minnesota Board on Aging and its partnering area agencies work together to support a statewide network of legal services to provide information and assistance to older adult Minnesotans and their family members regarding legal matters.
The Minnesota Elder Justice Center offers information, resources, and support to older adults and their families dealing with abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation issues. These services are free of charge.
The typical resident population in Minnesota's assisted living communities is 69% female. Overall, 78% of residents are ages 75 and older, with 26% of residents ages 75 to 84 and 52% ages 85 and older.
Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Definitions)
Minnesota does not specifically license assisted living facilities (ALFs). The state defines assisted living as comprising two elements: a site registered with the Department of Health as a ‘housing with services’ establishment and as a licensed class A or F home care agency. Only facilities that comply with the relevant requirements may use the term assisted living.
Housing with services establishments provide accommodations for adult residents, 80% of whom are 55 or older. These establishments offer or provide regularly scheduled health-related services or two or more scheduled supportive services. The offered services can be provided by employees or by outside agencies contracted to provide those services.
The health-related services provided include professional nursing, home health care, and home care tasks. Health-related services must be provided by a Class A or Class F home care agency according to applicable license requirements.
Supportive services include personal laundry, handling or assisting residents with personal funds and arranging medical and health-related services.
Assisted living is a service or package of advertised or marketed services that use the term “assisted living.”
The Department of Human Services licenses adult foster homes. These homes are residences that provide food, lodging, and 24-hour care. The care includes protection, supervision, and household services for up to four functionally impaired residents.
Resident Agreements and Disclosures
There are six key components that must be included in resident agreements between residents and the housing with services facility:
- The registration and licensure status of the facility.
- Any health-related or supportive services provided by the facility.
- Services included in the base rate and fee schedule for any additional services.
- The process for modifying, amending, or terminating the contract.
- The complaint process.
- Criteria for determining who may reside in the facility.
Assisted Living Admission and Retention
Any facility that offers assisted living may determine which services will be provided. They may offer assisted living services to all or only some of the residents. Housing with services establishments and home care providers are not required to offer or provide services under a service agreement or plan if they determine that they cannot provide for the residents’ needs.
Health care services may be terminated without affecting the resident’s housing status. Any facility that terminates health care services must provide 30 days’ notice and must provide help to find another health care provider.
Assisted Living Services and Service Planning
In Minnesota, you cannot use the phrase “assisted living” to housing with services facilities if they do not provide the following:
- Health-related services under a Class A or Class F home care agency that includes assistance with self-administration of medication or medication administration, assistance with at least three activities of daily living (ADLs) and assessments of the resident’s physical and cognitive needs.
- Weekly housing and laundry service.
- Opportunities for social interaction.
- Arranging transportation to medical and social services appointments.
The licensed home care agency providing health care services must provide all of the services outlined in all resident service agreements or service plans.
Establishments must offer to arrange for an assessment by an RN to determine the physical and cognitive needs of prospective residents prior to signing the resident agreement (contract) or the date they move in, whichever is earlier.
The facility must have an arrangement with a Class A or F home care agency or have its own licensed home care agency to provide home care services. Class A home care agencies provide professional nursing and home health aid tasks like physical, speech, and occupational therapy and medical social services. Class F home care agencies may provide nursing services and delegated nursing services performed by unlicensed personnel.
Assisted Living Food and Dietary Provisions
Any housing with services facility that uses the term assisted living must provide two meals per day to its residents.
Assisted Living Staffing Requirements
Housing with services establishments must provide access to an on-call RN at all times, must maintain a system to check on each resident daily, and provide a means for residents to request assistance at all times.
There are no required staffing ratios other than to have adequate staffing levels to meet the needs of the residents. Housing with services establishments must have an awake person available at all times responsible for responding to resident health or safety needs, communicating with residents, recognizing the need to assist residents, and being capable of providing the necessary care or summoning the appropriate assistance.
Assisted Living Housing Requirements
Assisted living/housing with services establishments are not required to provide apartment-style housing in Minnesota. Units may be shared by resident choice.
What Is Included With Assisted Living Care In Minnesota?
There are several requirements that each assisted living community must provide for its residents. The facility must offer both general observations and health supervision to assist in identifying each resident's health condition and ability to function. The facility must assist residents with all ADLs and medication services and assess the need for medication attention or nursing services.
Health Care Services
In Minnesota, ALFs must provide care and services in the resident’s care plan. This can include coordinating medical care and appointments. Communities may also deliver health services. Many have health care specialists and on-site services, with 62% of communities offering dental care. In addition, some ALFs have hospice services.
Mental health issues are a growing consideration for communities, and services to address these concerns are becoming more common. In Minnesota, 86% of communities conduct depression screenings, and 48% offer mental health counseling. Social work programs are also found in 43% of ALFs. Social workers can provide counseling, conduct assessments, and help ensure residents can access all the resources they need.
Some assisted living residents live with various medical conditions. In Minnesota, 31% have Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. In addition, 35% have high blood pressure, 26% have heart disease, 28% have depression, and 15% have diabetes.
State Mental Health Resources
The Minnesota Department of Human Services supports mental health programs and services designed to help adults living with mental illness. Many county and tribal nation offices are situated throughout the state to provide more information regarding the services and programs available in each area. Emergency mental health services are available around the clock for those who are having a mental health crisis. The Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities also provides resources for older adults with mental health conditions. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs offers a variety of mental health resources to support veterans, including a crisis hotline.
Medication Provisions
Any facility that markets itself as an assisted living facility must offer to provide or arrange for assistance with self-administration or administration of medications. An RN must instruct any medications administered by staff, the instructions must be written, and the person must be able to follow instructions.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) Assistance Services
A primary service of assisted living that benefits residents is receiving help with activities of daily living (ADLs). These are fundamental tasks that a person must do regularly to sustain life and general health, including toileting, bathing or showering, dressing, transferring (getting in and out of bed or a chair), ambulating (walking), and eating. Signs that a person may benefit from living in assisted living include increased isolation, loss of mobility, noticeable weight loss or gain, and/or neglect of household chores.
Residents in Minnesota’s assisted living facilities often receive help with their ADLs. In Minnesota, 18% of residents need help eating. Other commonly used services include bed transfer (27%), toileting (36%), and walking (40%). Caregivers in ALFs help 43% of residents dress, and 55% need help bathing.
Cost Of Assisted Living Care In Minnesota
The average cost of assisted living care in Minnesota is $4,508. This is $8 higher than the monthly national average of $4,500. The cost of living in Minnesota is comparable to the national average, with health care costs more than the national average by 6.9% and housing costs less than the national average by 9.8%.
The level of care a person requires impacts the cost of care, as does where you live. The cost of assisted living ranges from a low of $3,135 in the Mankato area to a high of $5,163 per month in the Minneapolis area of Minnesota.
How Costs Compare In Nearby States
If you live close to one of Minnesota’s borders, you may find assisted living in a neighboring state is an affordable option. Three of Minnesota’s four neighbors have lower average monthly costs for Assisted Living. Iowa has an average cost of $4,367 per month, and North and South Dakota have average monthly costs below $3,400. Wisconsin’s average monthly cost is a bit higher than Minnesota’s, with an average monthly cost of $4,600.
How to Pay for Assisted Living
Minnesota Assisted Living Oversight
The Health Regulation Division of the Minnesota Department of Health oversees the licensing and monitoring of compliance of the state’s assisted living communities. The Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care (OOLTC) is a service of the Minnesota Board on Aging and advocates for Minnesotans who need or receive long-term care. The OOLTC also handles complaints concerning assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other long-term care communities. Contact the Minnesota Department of Social Services if you need help gaining access to medical or social services.
Quality and Safety of Assisted Living Facilities in Minnesota
Assisted living communities must meet certain quality and safety standards as regulated by Chapter 144G of the Minnesota Statutes and Regulations for Assisted Living. For instance, all communities must follow local fire safety protocols and have an emergency disaster plan in place. The assisted living community must also provide residents with a way to ask for help to meet their health and safety needs at any time of day. The Minnesota Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman works with older adults, their family members, health care providers, and public agencies to protect residents’ rights and quality of life. In addition, the ombudsman ensures the health, well-being, quality of care and safety of all long-term care residents.
Legal Resources
The Minnesota Board on Aging and its partnering area agencies work together to support a statewide network of legal services to provide information and assistance to older adult Minnesotans and their family members regarding legal matters.
The Minnesota Elder Justice Center offers information, resources, and support to older adults and their families dealing with abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation issues. These services are free of charge.
